Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper - ESSENTIAL

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper PICTURE BOOK, NON-FICTION Carolrhoda Books (Lerner,) 2021. $18. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE; EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In 1921, Tulsa, Oklahoma had a thriving African American community called Greenwood. Separated from the white community of Tulsa by railroad tracks, Greenwood was independent - with its own schools, hospitals, churches, everything a prospering town needs. Until the residents were attacked by angry white men who killed hundreds and burned down the whole town, leaving thousands homeless. 

Floyd Cooper's illustrations are magnificent - a beautiful tribute to the town  of Greenwood, and to his grandfather who grew up there. As we just passed the anniversary year, I have seen (and purchased) several books about the Massacre for my library, but this is the best. Accessible to every student, the text is straightforward and simply told. Unspeakable addresses the successes and the spirit of the people of Greenwood. It's a positive book recounting a terrible event. A must have for your school library.

Lisa Librarian