In Canterbury Connecticut 1832, Black people may not be slaves but they are not free. When an all girls boarding school moves to accept Black students, that fact becomes sadly and dangerously clear.

This is as realistic a portrayal as it can be if you want young children to read it; telling a little known story in American history. I think people should check tis book out as a starting point to learning more as it shows how racism endured after slavery and what education access means - especially to minorities. It's beautifully drawn but breezes along a bit too quick but that's to be expected of historical graphic novels as page limits and entertainment value are factors. 4 out of 5.

I LOVED this historical fiction graphic novel set in 1830s Connecticut that focused on a girl's school. Not only was educating girls a taboo thing at the time, but when the school decides to accept Black students the town really gets in an uproar. Great message to teach young readers about the past and appreciate what's changed with gorgeous illustrations!

Wow! That was such a compelling read and I do not say that often when it comes to graphic novels.
To my relief, it refrained from the white saviour narrative and instead focus on the marginalised people and the retelling of a true story of the opening of a school In Connecticut.

I will definitely ask my library to purchase this one.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I lived this one so much, it was a compelling read, yet one which made me wonder about all the troubles in the world
"White All Around is a historical graphic novel about a women’s boarding school in Connecticut.
The headmistress decides to open the school up to black girls who are unable to receive an education anywhere.

This book is the story of the school opening, the students and how it affected the of Canterbury. This is based on an actual story. I was a bit worried after picking this up that this book would be a white savior narrative. It is not.

Yes, the headmistress is a white woman. Once the black students are admitted, the focus shifts entirely to them and their experience. The story packs an incredible emotional punch. The illustrations are stunning in this book. There is a nice balance between text and the illustrations, allowing the illustrations to convey some of the stories. The author is good about mixing up the number of panels used to convey the message and isn’t set on a particular format for each page. The art and the story are symbiotic. I would highly recommend buying White All Around. I have had the opportunity to read several historical fiction graphic novels. I believe this medium is particularly well-suited to telling the stories and this novel is a perfect example of that.
This would also make a great first-time graphic novel for anyone wanting to explore this genre"

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc

I received an arc of this book from Netgalley.
I always find it hard to rate biographies/non fiction books like these, especially when characters make decisions that I don't always agree with (like Eliza), but I'll do my best.
I liked this book and not because it was entertaining or amusing, but because I thought it had an important message and I really enjoyed getting to learn about this historical event.
One of the things that I found the most important was that even white people who are well-meaning and are more open-minded then their neighbors can still have prejudices and aren't going to perfect or as open-minded as they could be. The best example of this is when Miss. Crandall and Sarah argue about Nat Turner. That was my favorite scene in the book.
I was not the biggest fan of the art style, but I found the content of this book to be more important then my thoughts on the art style.

This was such a good graphic novel! You definitely learn a little bit of history while reading it and the art is really good - there are some pages where the story is told only through the images, and you can feel the passion, the emotions, everything.

Unfortunately I found it hard to connect with the characters and I felt like everything was rushed.

It has been several weeks since I read, and then re-read, White All Around. It is a powerful book and I needed some time to let it resonate. Do not be misled by the cover--this is a serious story about actual events in history. It contains a few incidences of swearing, which seem fitting with the tone of the events.

The story begins with a girls boarding school in Connecticut and the principal's decision to allow a black girl from the town to attend the school. All hell breaks loose, as the townspeople fight to keep black students out while the principal fights to educate any girls who want to attend. The events and attitudes are hard to read at times, but this is a story that we need right now.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a great learning resource! I would recommend it for all middle school teachers. I felt that it touched on the historical yet pervasive theme of how racism looks and operates in the United States. It would be an excellent supplement to unit on pre-Civil War America.

Additionally, the illustrations are incredible. Absolutely beautiful artwork.

The end of the book contains a detailed appendix filled with historical fact about the characters. I personally found this very intriguing.

Overall, I thought this story was really well done with careful attention to detail given in a simple way, so children (everyone really) can grasp the severity of the situation.

europecomics brings an interesting story a story of the white,a story of the Black and how 30 years before slavery was abolished, somebody dared to teach black girls and what happened with that school and the people or should I say the women involved with it captured by both the artists.
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A true story captured in this graphic novel replicates the emotions of the reader and the girls of the school. The story goes on to tell the tale of the white and to what levels they went so that black girls couldn't study. So that they could not dream and get answers to their curiosity.
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This graphic novel should be read by children of all colour and I have to emphasize white children because a young black girls dreams were squished because of their skin colour.
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Most of all, this story is available in public records and is not fiction. A true story of several black girls who wanted to learn.

Title: White All Around
Author: Wilfrid Lupano
Illustrator: Stéphane Fert
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 140
Available now.

White All Around is a historical graphic novel about a women’s boarding school in Connecticut. The headmistress decides to open the school up to black girls who are unable to receive an education anywhere. This book is the story of the school opening, the students and how it affected the of Canterbury. This is based on an actual story.

I was a bit worried after picking this up that this book would be a white savior narrative. It is not. Yes, the headmistress is a white woman. Once the black students are admitted, the focus shifts entirely to them and their experience. The story packs an incredible emotional punch.

The illustrations are stunning in this book. There is a nice balance between text and the illustrations, allowing the illustrations to convey some of the stories. The author is good about mixing up the number of panels used to convey the message and isn’t set on a particular format for each page. The art and the story are symbiotic.

I would highly recommend buying White All Around. I have had the opportunity to read several historical fiction graphic novels. I believe this medium is particularly well-suited to telling the stories and this novel is a perfect example of that. This would also make a great first-time graphic novel for anyone wanting to explore this genre.

ARC provided to me by Europe Comics, via Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.

#EuropeComics #NetGalley

A gut-wrenching look at the history of slavery in America. The Prudence Crandall School is the only Black girls' school in Canterbury, going against the wishes of everyone in the town. The town throws up obstacle after obstacle treating both Ms Crandall and the children horribly. Yet defying all odds the ladies are defiant and seek their education above their own safety.

The illustrations are beautiful and the story is well told. A heartbreaking and beautiful story that should be in all schools.

Filled with incredibly stunning art and lovable characters, White All Around is a heart-wrenching read about determination, teamwork, racism, and the power of education. The art felt so ethereal and natural, it was almost as if the panels where moving. I enjoyed reading about the different women, and I loved how they each had their own distinct personalities. Additionally, it really broke my heart to see all these people try to take down their school. Overall, White All Around is a moving read with lovely art. I highly recommend it.

This would be an amazing book for young readers to be assigned in schools. It covers an essential part of American history about the vastly underrepresented view point of Black women. Both the language and illustrations make it accessible to school-aged kids. I do though, want to critique its lack of American Black women creators. It was written and illustrated by French white men. Shame, shame. However, the book still has great value.

It made these historic events personal by giving us unique characters (real people!) to feel for on an individual level. The range of body types was wonderful to see, as was the range of faiths (“traditional” Christian and otherwise).

The white woman was, thankfully, not depicted as a hero, and was educated by the girls on the Black experience. She is able to confront her privilege and weaknesses while still doing good work.

The inclusion of parts of Nat turner’s confession was powerful in its relevance—even in the “Free” North of the time and still today. White All Around gives us the reality of the North’s faults and prevailing racism, despite history’s desire to depict them as “the good guys.”

I loved the emphasis on the importance of education. The women and girls began to see the power in themselves they’d always been told they didnt have.

The ending was a bit abrupt, but I suppose that’s reality. Were this a fiction graphic novel I might critique it, but this was how history played out. They were opposed in cruel ways from all sides (White All Around) and yet Black courage and determination prevailed and does so today in the continued fight for equality. Young Black girls need more access to stories like these.

A fantastic and educational graphic novel. I knew nothing about the prudence Campbell school before this. This book should be a staple in schools along with Thi Bui’s The Best We Could Do and John Lewis’s March graphic novel series. The art imagery was excellent, and I highly recommend this book.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a complimentary eARC for review purposes*

Based on true events this book tells the story of the Prudence Crandall School, the first all-black school in America.

Demonstrating the struggles the school faced you really feel for the characters but you are left with a feeling of hope, which is reinforced with the section at the end dedicated to the girl's lives following the schools closure.

A great introduction to the Prudence Crandall School and the history of Black education in America. While the story is fictionalized, many details are taken directly from the historical record. The story of the school is also significant in demonstrating the racism even in the supposedly "free" North. White All Around recognizes an important part of American history that is too often obscured.

I really enjoyed this story, and found the characters to be incredibly sweet and endearing. Paired with the art style, I want this book in my hands just because of how beautiful this art style is.

A lot of beautiful artwork interwoven with a thought provoking story about prejudice and activism in the face of adversity. I enjoyed the read and was particularly fascinated by all of the extra information at the end, which rounded everything off nicely

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read White All Around

Generally I enjoyed reading about these real life events

✔️ an important story based on true events
✔️ I love stories about strong women who stand up against injustice
✔️ I loved that more details about lives of some of the girls was included in the end
✔️ captures the true essence of the story
✖️ I didn’t really enjoyed the graphics as much as I would have liked

I like the disney-esque art style of this. But it's an interesting choice to have a white european man to tell the story of these free Black girls going to school in the abolitionist north. Though I do appreciate the story being told in general. Didn't know about the girls or the school or the town being against it, though I'm not surprised. History hasn't changed that much.