Virginia Hamilton, a prolific author known for her compelling juvenile and young adult fiction, has left an indelible mark with her vivid characters and imaginative narratives. While Hamilton explored various literary genres, including biographies aimed at young readers, such as Paul Robeson: The Life and Times of a Free Black Man published in 1974, it is her fiction that has garnered widespread acclaim and numerous accolades. Her most celebrated work, M.C. Higgins, the Great, followed the release of W. E. B. Du Bois by two years and earned her the distinction of being the first African-American writer to win the prestigious Newbery Medal. In addition to this, the novel also received the National Book Award and the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, solidifying Hamilton's reputation as a formidable storyteller.

Hamilton’s writings are deeply rooted in the African-American experience, a perspective influenced by her personal history as the granddaughter of a runaway slave. Her commitment to portraying African-American life is evident not only in her fiction but also in her biographical works. Among her celebrated fiction are The House of Dies Drear (1968), The Planet of Junior Brown (1971), and Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush (1982), all of which have been recognized for their significant contributions to literature for young audiences.

Her biography of W. E. B. Du Bois stands out as a particularly poignant piece of her literary canon, dedicated to her father, Kenneth Hamilton. Hamilton shares with readers her long-standing desire to write about Du Bois, a man whom her father revered and presented as a heroic figure during her own upbringing. She recounts that crafting this biography felt intuitive, describing it as the "completion of a familiar idea." Through her writing, Hamilton's admiration for Du Bois shines through, offering readers not only a historical account but also a personal reflection on the man who inspired her father's ideals.