I think this is a book that is surely needed in every classroom and library out there. I loved that the author included notes and guides for discussion.
I loved how as our character grows there was a wealth of new knowledge that he was learning and being able to talk about it and ask questions.
A much need book!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

5 stars

Jeremiah, the m.c., tells his parents one day that he wants to grow locs. He thinks they'll be in soon but learns that it'll take some time.

As the book progresses, Jeremiah's hair grows (a fantastic visual for young readers and adults alike), and so does his base of knowledge. He begins to observe the world and learn about racism, particularly but not exclusively racism against AABC individuals. He always has questions, learns the answers, and then gets quiet.

Ultimately, Jeremiah has something to say, and it is the hopeful tone that best powers this book, especially at a time when hope exists in the tiniest of rations.

This picture book is a great entry point for children - and likely a lot of their readers - to challenging conversations about the ills of our society. I'll be recommending to students and colleagues alike.

i received this e-ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The important message in this book is underscored by beautiful illustrations and compelling text. I think this book will earn a place in many classroom in school libraries in the very neary future.

A wonderful book about how to talk to kids about racism, hatred, and injustice. It also gives a message of hope, love, and faith. This book shows that kids can have questions about real-life events that are hard to talk about, even if they don't know how to ask the right questions or how to express themselves. Loved the Author's Note and guide for use in classrooms or homes.

While simple in structure and word, this beautifully illustrated book is not simple in content. "For Beautiful Black Boys..." tackles a very difficult subject for most adults to talk about, never mind elementary aged kids, but it does it in a way that allows the reader to slowly realize the breadth of the issue, just as Jeremiah slowly comes to his realization of the problem. The guiding questions at the end of the book and the inclusiveness of the illustrations are great discussion points, even for the youngest readers who may not be fully capable of understanding the killings described, but can certainly understand the importance of seeing so many different types of faces next to each other and working together.

Jeremiah doesn’t understand.

“Why are they shooting?”

“Why are we at this vigil?”

“Why did the police shoot a boy in a car?”

So many questions, but Jeremiah doesn’t want to hear the answers just yet… His parents patiently wait. Meanwhile, more horrible things happen.

This beautiful book exudes hope and patience in the midst of a world hostile to people of color. The Muhammad Ali Center offers comprehensive discussion guides for parents and teachers at the end of the book.

Teachers, librarians, parents, and grandparents will want to purchase this book for their students, patrons, children, and grandchildren. While not a comfortable book, it shines as a beautiful and necessary book.

A delightful picture book about a young man growing up observing the injustice of racism around him. Jeremiah decides that enough is enough, changing from bystander to an activist using prayer and joining protests to create a better world. Jeremiah's family are peaceful and loving, answering Jeremiah's questions about what is happening around him and supporting him when he wants to do something about it.
The illustrations by Keisha Morris are beautiful, simple yet so expressive. This is a fantastic introduction to racial injustice and the peaceful ways in which we can change society for the better. I really liked the discussion materials at the end, great for classwork.

This words and illustrations in this book were beautiful. My 10 year old son read it to me and he loved it, equally. It is a perfect book for these turbulent times.

As a member of the Notable Books for a Global Society Selection Committee, I am not able to give a review on this book, as it could be under consideration for this distinction.

Received this ARC via NetGalley. The idea for this book is excellent, and there should be more books that deal with the idea of racism for younger children. The book was beautifully illustrated, but I wanted more.

Yes, it is a picture book, but we needed to feel more of a connection to Jeremiah. The repetition of the line “he didn’t want to talk anymore” placed abrupt pauses in the story. If he didn’t want to talk, what was he thinking?? How was he feeling? This would have been better throughout, rather than toward the end of the book. If he believes in a better world, could we have seen his “better version” of each of the tragic and true events that are brought up throughout the story? So, he author could have still used, “Jeremiah didn’t want to talk anymore because he was thinking.” and then have illustrations depicting what he saw as a better alternative?

Also, I wish the author had found a way, either through words or illustrations, to better show the passage of time. Time was brought up in the beginning in regards to Jeremiah growing locs. Aside from that instance, Jeremiah nor his family remark on the passage of time, nor the progress of his locs, aside from “one day later”. I think this would be important to elaborate upon, so that the reader understands the weight, severity, and nonstop cycle of racism, as opposed to isolated incidents that seem to happen in close chronology.

I guess I expected more from this book. It is definitely a great book for discussions, especially when used as a mentor text with older students.

For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World is needed right now. It can be so easy to get discouraged by the events around us. This book reminds us that we can keep working to make the world a better place.

This is an important book, and one that makes me feel sad and angry that there was a definite need for it to be written. Excellent discussion guide included from the Mohammed Ali Centre in Louisville. This would be an excellent classroom resource and would prompt lots of questions and learning opportunities.

This picture book will become a part of my middle school library. What a wonderful way to start a conversation about a difficult topic. Regardless of age or skin color, I think everyone should read this story. It shows time passing with the growth of Jeremiah's locs, but points out how many instances of violence occurred in a short period of time and it wasn't always about skin color. Lovely story! Thank you for sharing it with me so I may share it with others!

I loved this book. It is a must read book for anyone with a little kid in the world at this time. This book will help you teach little ones what is going on in the world right now.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC. This is a thoughtful book that gives hope that we can work to change the future for our “beautiful Black boys.” It tells the serious story of police killings, but in a gentle way that is age-appropriate. Will purchase for my library!

This book follows a young boy as his "locs" grow and he sees the world around him fighting. This is a great way to introduce hard racial topics with young students. This book also gives you questions and conversation starters to get the discussion going with your children.

Thank you for accepting my request to read this book.

For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World, is a book that belongs in every shelf in every home, and every classroom. The conversations are raw and truthful. so many of my own emotions resurfaced of growing up and not being able to understand why, and just like Jeremiah, not wanting to talk anymore. The pain that is caused by the murders of young black men and women seeps into our homes. Being exposed to the aftermath and imagines over and over is traumatizing, and lives within us. This book is a conversation we don’t know how to have. I am deeply grateful to the author Michael W. Waters for writing this book—we’re most defiantly starving for. I can’t wait to hold it, and for my siblings to read it.

This book was interesting because although it didn't go into gory detail. it did not shy away from violence against Black people. Jeremiah is just a kid growing up with very informed parents, and he is constantly coming into contact with news of the murder of Black people - Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Alton Sterling, Philando Castille, community violence - all of which cause protests, vigils, and memorials to happen. These incidents build and build in Jeremiah who doesn't want to talk and keeps it all inside. When he is ready, his parents talk, his parents are there for him and they talk about channeling their emotions into positive, avenues. This would be a very hard book to read at school, but it is a very real experience kids go through, so I respect the authors for putting it forward. I also love the art by Keisha Morris.

Thanks to NetGalley and Flayaway Books for the access to the digital review copy. This review is cross-posted to Goodreads and Instagram.

I was looking forward to reading this book, however the download never came through to my device, so I am sorry, but I cannot enter a review at this time.

A stunning book filled with wonderful images to accompany its marvellous words. This is truly an amazing book to help start conversations with children around racism and injustice. Thoroughly recommended to all!