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Shequeta L. Smith is a Salisbury, North Carolina native and alumna of North Carolina State University. In 2016, Smith launched Shero Comics, a multimedia company that builds comic book, film, and gaming IPs that feature women and girls of color as the main protagonists. In 2019, Smith partnered with Westfield Corporation and launched the all-female comic convention, SheroCon. A month later, she was selected by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer for their screenwriting incubator “Imagine Impact.” Most recently, Smith was selected for the 2023 Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women Initiative, the JLH Social Impact Fund, and the 2024 SheStories Grant powered by Melinda Gates’ Pivotal Ventures. In 2024, Smith is launching a gaming division, “Shero Games.”
Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite
Young Grandmaster Choi is a children's book written by Shequeta Smith and illustrated by Qazzran Alamry and Alivon Ortiz. Rayven lost her parents and had to start the first grade over again in Seoul, Korea. Things are much different than going to school in America. She doesn’t know anyone in Korea and is afraid to start her first day. One little boy is kind and gives her his candy heart. Keoka becomes angry and begins picking on Rayven. She calls her names like Puff-ball head and picks a fight at recess, claiming that Rayven stole the candy from the little boy. How would Rayven survive the school year if there was the threat of bullying and fighting every day? Is there a way to resolve the issue with Keoke, or will the two little girls be at odds for good? Will the next day be worse, or is there a way the school year can get better?
Young Grandmaster Choi by Shequeta Smith is so much more than the ordinary comic book. The characters are young children with whom readers can easily identify. I love that this book effortlessly outlines common social issues that children face and teaches them how to come to a resolution in a way that is healthier than fighting. The illustrations by Alamry and Ortiz are bold and bright, and the colorful pictures are laid out well and highlight this story beautifully. I recommend Young Grandmaster Choi to young children who enjoy comic books and those who enjoy a story that can help them make sense of everyday situations that might seem overwhelming at first.
