This is an incredibly moving and illustrated work of nonfiction for young readers about the Oklahoma Race Riot of 1921. (This history was new to me as an adult because I did not learn about it in school.) It would be an asset to every family and every elementary classroom. I think Unspeakable would work very well for grades 1st-3rd as read alouds, and older readers could read it on their own. It is such an important book, because it tells a snippet of American history that is typically glossed over (or not taught at all) in schools.

How could the death of 150-300 people and the destruction and devastation of a Tulsa town in 1921 go unreported in any official capacity until 1997? Carole Boston Weatherford writes a non-fiction picture book that depicts the rise of Greenwood community, it's nearly all black residents and their successful businesses and school and the racial unrest that resulted in a mob of angry white Tulsans who destroyed it. Illustrations done in oil and erasure by Floyd Cooper supplement the sparse text beautifully and truly reflect the anguish felt by the people of Greenwood. A truly important book that should be a part of any library collection serving students in grades 3-6 and with the added back matter, possibly higher.

I read the published copy of this book. It is excellent and is another perspective of the massacre. As always, Cooper's illustrations are expressive and vibrant and blend well with Weatherford's narrative. An essential read for classrooms and libraries.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-galley.
My ratings and reviews are my own.

This review is from a copy that I purchased. I didn't;t realize the review edition was PDF only.


A beautifully illustrated must read for all of any age. I'm horrified and beyond angry that this was orchestrated by white supremacist to suppress the wealth and progress of the blacks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I've lived over four decades and am now learning about this historic event. Why is this? I will and have continued my research about my history that has been hidden from history books as if these unforgivable acts of violence did not happen and don't continue to happen.

A must read!

Quick unedited thoughts

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.

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.

This is the definition of everything a children’s nonfiction book should be. It’s written on a level easily understood by them, without talking down to them and omitting unpleasantness to spare their feelings. The illustrations are some of the best I’ve seen. Highly recommended, and if your local school bans it, I encourage you to purchase copies for the library.

Beautiful illustrations and a lovely story make a horrible incident accessible to children in a way they can understand.

Great introduction for children to what can be a heavy topic. Clearly states the information in a concise but important manner. The artwork is wonderful!

What a beautifully illustrated look at the Tulsa Massacre. I learned a lot from this oneand would certainly plan to add it to any public library collection for elementary school children to learn more about an under taught aspect of American history.

Synergy: Tulsa Race Massacre
On May 31 and June 1 1921, a mob of armed, white people attacked homes, looted businesses, and burned the African American community of Greenwood Oklahoma. As many as three hundred black people were killed and thousands were left homeless. The police did nothing to protect the community and the incident was suppressed until recently.

Read the recently published picture book for youth, then learn more at the website:

UNSPEAKABLE written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Floyd Cooper retells the true story of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. Using easy to understand text and engaging illustrations, the story takes readers on a journey before, during, and after the tragic event. An author’s note provides additional information and historical photos.

The CENTER FOR RECONCILIATION website provides a virtual tour including text, images, and videos telling the story of the people, place, and massacre. A Curriculum Resource section provides survivor portraits, stories, historical photos, and learning resources.

To learn more, go to https://www.jhfcenter.org/.

To view photos from the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, go to https://bit.ly/39x68L8

ARC courtesy of Learner Publishing Group.

This powerful book tells the heartbreaking story of Greenwood & the Tulsa Race Massacre in the 1920s. The illustrations and books will leave young readers stunned and can lead to powerful discussions. You won't want to miss the opportunity to share this story with your children/students!

I appreciate how informative this book was and how historically acurrateate it is. I enjoyed it but something about the wording was off?? Maybe its because "once upon a time" was used so much when it wasn't used on a page it threw me off

The first thing I feel the need to point about this book is that it refers to the event correctly. Other things I've read or heard about this call it the "Tulsa Race Riot". And Weatherford correctly identifies it as a massacre. The information ire relayed in a gentle, measure way. Each new element starts with "once upon a time" and then tells us a little information that influences what happened. Thus we learn about the population of the region; how Greenwood became segregated and the Black population became successful and the growing financial disparity between the two groups. We learn about systemic racism and the outbreak of horrific violence ruled by anger and jealousy. This story of cruelty and destruction is told in as gentle and sensitive a way possible and doesn't stop with the massacre. We're told how the event was covered up, only recently fully acknowledged and reconciled by the public. The illustrations are stylized but detailed and capture the feel of the era. And while the text doesn't go into much detail, there is a more involved author's note that give a fair amount of information. An absolute must have for a Black History collection.

This book flows like most books in the series. It’s an enjoyable read and most of the questions I had about the main story were cleared up in the biography note at then end. Another great book in a great Series.

This heart breaking book describes the events of the Tulsa Race Massacre. This is a book that we all need. A part of history that is swept under a rug that we need talk about and know.

Wow! Carole Boston Weatherford has done it again! This is an amazing picture book about the Greenwood Massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. Weatherford captures the essence of that horrific event in her pictures and text. Always an amazing author, this book must find a place on every library shelf so we can understand our history and avoid repeating the same mistakes again.

Carole Boston Weatherford has created a powerful book marking the 100 year anniversary of one of the worst racial incidents in American History. The story is set in Tulsa Oklahoma on May 31st and June 1st 1921.

Although Weatherford begins each narrative with ‘Once upon a time’ and is repeated 5 more times, as one would read in a fairytale this is not one, although the potential is there. A picture is painted in both words and outstanding illustrations showing a thriving community, of progression, a solid foundation for the next generation to turn their building blocks into skyscrapers.

Unfortunately like most fairytales a villain has appeared, with, malevolence, rancour and worst of all government support. In their umbrage and resentment they decimate a beautiful town along with their occupants.

However the story doesn’t end here, and is yet to find an ending. We as world are moving forward and becoming more accepting, we have people of various ethnicities in places of power, in both the UK and USA. We need to continue this progression and continue to grow so that atrocities like this and numerous other stories around the world are laid to waste. Only then can this story, and many others have its happy ending.

Albeit a horrific and heart breaking read is a story that every child needs to know, so we do not make the same mistakes again. The authors and illustrators notes holds their personal ancestral stories that really takes this already heart wrenching story to a whole new level.

Thank you to publishers for my ARC.

This is a beautiful illustrated account of the Tulsa Race Massacre, but written in such a way as to help kids not only understand the massacre itself., but the community that it destroyed and the senselessness of what happened. There is empowerment here in the back story rather than simply the destruction of the event itself. Books like this are important for kids in understanding race relations in age appropriate ways,

This is another important and powerful book by Carole Boston Weatherford. She handles the tragedy and pain of the Tulsa Race Massacre in a way that will touch readers of all ages and that picture book-aged readers will understand and remember.