J.D. is a barber battle champion. He's graduated from home haircuts to having a regular chair at the neighbourhood shop, Hart and Son, and he's making enough money to keep his candy jar stocked and his comic book collection growing. And yet, J.D. knows it's time for his next challenge. He doesn't just want to be the best barber in Meridian, Mississippi - he wants to be the best barber in the state... and maybe the country! When his older sister, Vanessa, starts to gain a following online for her hair tutorials, the kids decide that to truly level up, they must join forces. How do two siblings with big personalities, big ambitions, and competitive spirits work together (or not) to take over the hair world?

About the Author
J. Dillard (known as the "Barberpreneur") is a master barber, a certified consultant, and an industry leader who started cutting his own hair at the age of ten. He began cutting hair professionally in 1999 and became a shop owner while attending college at Tuskegee University in Alabama. He travels the country with his clients as a personal barber and calls Atlanta home. This is his first book series for children.

Akeem S. Roberts is an illustrator based in Brooklyn. He works as an in-house animator for Holler Studios and contributes cartoons regularly to The New Yorker. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. When Akeem is not working, he likes to make comics about his day-to-day life on Instagram @AkeemTeam.

Reviews
Praise for J.D. and the Great Barber Battle:

"A surefire win of a read expressly made for young Black boys to cherish."
-Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Dillard has a sharp ear for dialogue, and J.D.'s conversational narration paired with the story's gentle humor and perfectly placed pop culture references will ensure a wide appeal. Akeem S. Roberts' cartoon-style illustrations of J.D. and his friends are packed with personality and make this a great choice for readers transitioning into chapter books. The first book in a planned series, J.D. and the Great Barber Battle feels like a winner."
-BookPage

"The African American cultural references and community values will resonate with readers of all ages, while the joyful, wholesome story will give them something to look forward to in subsequent entries."
-The Horn Book



Book Information
ISBN 9780593111574
Author J. Dillard
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Penguin Young Readers
Publisher Penguin Young Readers
Weight(grams) 170g
Dimensions(mm) 210mm * 141mm * 11mm