The book was a good read especially in the world climate. I would use this book to reach kids to talk about how they are feeling and what they can do to change the world. I would recommend this to any elementary school teacher!

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of this book. It was absolutely incredible.  It is the first picture book that I have seen that addresses the issues going on today.  I appreciated the discussion guide at the end of the book which would help to facilitate these uncomfortable yet very important discussion.

I've read this book several times and have ended up in tears each time.  Waters has managed to capture the feelings of a child, to point out of painfulness of news we hear too often, and to end on a powerful, life-giving note.  This is not a book to read for fun.  It's also definitely a book for adults to share with children.  Jeremiah's thoughtful realization of things he can do, even as a child, is powerful.  And I appreciated that prayer was included as a real, tangible action.  

My only minor quibble:  while I'm very glad the five police officers killed in Dallas were included, I wish Waters had included the same refrain he used several times, "That makes no sense at all."  While the focus is on violence against Black people, this shooting too made no sense.   And that seems to be the ultimate point.  

The final section, with suggestions on how to use the book and how to address the issues it raises, will increase the impact of this book.  May it be a catalyst for change.

Review based on an ARC received through NetGalley.

This is a beautifully illustrated, well written picture book about a young black boy who keeps hearing about confusing, scary and unjust deaths of black folks, along with violent events like shootings in their neighborhood and the shootings of police officers. Each time he asks what happened, his parents explain what happened to that person (such as Trayvon Martin, the Charleston Nine and Michael Brown) in simple terms and each time he is not ready to talk about it. Finally, he is ready to talk about it and they discuss all the ways they can help make a better world (voting, praying, marching, speaking out, organizing, giving money to important causes, etc.). The end includes a very helpful guide for discussing race and violence in the classroom and at home. The book was written by a black father for his son and it is a moving picture book that helps explain the Black Lives Matter movement for children and how we can make things better.

I read a digital ARC of this book for review.

An incredibly timely and important book about police brutality and the persistence and patience required to live in the U.S. as a black or brown person. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

A beautiful book that was both empowering and sad. It's sad that we need such books to discuss with young black men, but I felt it was a great way to tackle some of the social injustices that are happening right now.
Some beautiful illustrations and I loved the fact that the protagonist was growing locs on this journey from boyhood.

A great discussion guide included in the end for educators to use in the classroom and parents to use at home.

Simple, beautiful, and powerful, this book tells of living through the current and past Black American experience. Seeing these terrible tragedies in the news and not being ready to talk. Seeing this through a tweens perspective helps explain painful events but also brings hope as we work to research, vote, and change the world around us. Also includes a discussion guide.