Wednesday, December 1, 2021

For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World by Michael W. Waters and Keisha Morris - ADVISABLE

 For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World by Michael W. Waters, illustrated by Keisha Morris. PICTURE BOOK. Flyaway Books, 2020. $18. 9781947888081 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When young Jeremiah hears about Trayvon Martin, he is concerned. When shots are fired on his own block, he is afraid. He and his sisters attend a vigil with their parents for another Black death. AS Jeremiah is ready to talk, his parents tell him the many different ways they and others are fighting to create a world where Blacks and other can be confident about their futures instead of afraid. 

 Waters brings today’s headlines right into the pages of his book, supplemented by extensive back matter with extension activities for school and home. Very timely and very important – I am betting that many schools will be passively censor this book by omission – afraid of the current school book police. But, as every death mentioned in the book is factual and Jeremiah’s feelings are justified, librarians shouldn’t be afraid. I would rate it higher, but the wordsmithing and craftsmanship of the illustrations don’t reach that ESSENTIAL level for me, though the subject matter does. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

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