This nonfiction picture book offers a gripping look at one of the worst racial violence incidents in American history. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a community called Greenwood was formed by Black people descended from Black Indians, former slaves, and those fleeing the racism of the segregated South. Along a one-mile stretch of Greenwood Avenue, over 200 Black business started, becoming known as Black Wall Street. But there were people in Tulsa who were not alright with the growth of Black wealth. In 1921, those tensions turned into action when a white teen accused a Black young man of assault. A standoff at the jail resulted in the deaths of two Black men and ten white men. The white mob stormed Greenwood, burning it to the ground. 300 Black people were killed, hundreds more injured and more than 8,000 were left homeless. The survivors were moved into camps and eventually rebuilt, but never spoke of the massacre. Today, the truth is being spoken of and addressed through reconciliation efforts.

Weatherford does an incredible job telling this terrible truth, showing the beauty and potential of the Black community in Tulsa and then sharing its eventual destruction at the hands of a mob. Weatherford has family ties to other race massacres in the United States, which led to her this, the worst incident. Her author’s note shares some photographs and more of the history. Weatherford’s initial focus on the community built in Tulsa, makes the the burning of the area all the more impactful for the reader. The tragedy’s magnitude is carefully shown in numbers and continued impact.

Cooper’s illustrations are incredible. Cooper’s grandfather grew up in Greenwood, a history that he rarely spoke about. Cooper captures the promise of Greenwood with its libraries, churches, doctor’s offices and more. He shows the hotel, the bustling streets, the children playing safely in the neighborhood. He gives history faces that look right at the reader, demanding that they see what happened.

Tragic, powerful and insistent that change happen. Appropriate for ages 7-10.

This year will mark the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre on May 31st and June 1, 1921, when a armed white mob swarmed the town of Greenwood, Oklahoma, killing up to 300 Black Americans over two days and burning the prosperous town to the ground. The what massacre, you may ask? Exactly. When did any of us ever learn about this heart wrenching event in American history? If you're like me, the answer is never. I hadn't heard about the Tulsa Race Massacre until just a few years ago when I read Dreamland Burning, a YA novel by Jennifer Latham.

Now, however, Carole Boston Weatherford has made the events of the Tulsa Race Massacre accessible to younger readers. Written in measured, lyrical free verse, she begins her narrative as though it were a fairytale - "Once upon a time near Tulsa, Oklahoma..." painting an idyllic picture of life in the all Black prosperous town of Greenwood. She continues the use of "Once upon a time..." as she introduces the achievement of the citizens of Greenwood in building their own community.

Segregation laws made it impossible for Blacks to vote, and demanded that they have separate neighborhoods, their own schools, streetcars and railroad coaches. The residents of Greenwood may have been separate, but they were very prosperous. Not surprisingly, there were almost two hundred business in Greenwood, earning it the name the "Negro Wall Street of America." Greenwood had everything a town could want - a school system, a post office, a hospital, several libraries and churches, a theater named Dreamland.

But not everyone was happy about Greenwood and its flourishing citizens. Midway through Unspeakable, Weatherford drops the fairytale phase "Once upon a time... " and introduces a stark reality on a black page with white writing - "But in 1921, not everyone in Tulsa was pleased/ with these signs of Black Wealth..." A 17-year-old white elevator operator accusing a 19-year-old shoeshine man of assault was all it took to inflame an angry white mob to descend on Greenwood, killing, destroying, burning it down until nothing remained but ashes.

Carole Boston Weatherford does an outstanding job in making difficult and/or little known subjects or events available and understandable for young readers and this picture book for older readers is no exception. Her language is clear and musical, and she never talks down to her readers, writing in such a way that respects their intelligence, no matter how tragic the circumstances. Dividing Unspeakable between what went into making Greenwood so successful for the African Americans living there and the destructive mob that destroyed their years of achievement really drives home her message - "...to realize the responsibility we all have/ to reject hatred and violence and instead choose hope."

Weatherford's words are beautifully born out in Floyd Cooper's sepia-toned paint and erasure illustrations. I once saw him do this method in person once and I was amazed by it. Perhaps because he has a personal connection to Greenwood, Cooper has really captured both the community in all its bustling activity and the hatred and anger of mob violence. And as we have witnessed recently, it's so easy to destroy the trust and faith we have in our communities when people are motived by hate and jealousy.

Back matter includes an important Author's Note and an informative Illustrator's Note. Be sure to check out the front and back endpapers to see was Greenwood really looked like before and after the mob destroyed it.

This is a book that should be in every school library, classroom or home school library. If you are thinking about using Unspeakable with your classes, you can download an extensive Teacher's Guide courtesy of Lerner Books HERE.

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was an eARC gratefully received from NetGalley

*Disclaimer I received this free ARC ion NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

One of the most horrible acts against Black Americans in more modern times, the Unspeakable Tulsa Race Massacre, perfectly details the true story of what happened to an entire town of free Black residents in 1921. This massacre was almost erased from history, and justice, even 100 years later, truly has not been served to those descendants of those impacted. Intended for a young audience, the author Carole Boston Weatherford masterfully recounted the fall of Black Wall Street at the hands of racists, America’s first children. Whether you are a parent or a teacher, this book is the perfect one to read to your children if you want them to learn of an important historical moment that most history books will never mention.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book for young readers. This work of nonfiction explores a tragic experience. I went into this book thinking to review the storytelling and educational factors, but I also think that it did a good job of explaining a situation to young readers without sugarcoating or taking away from the historical aspect

'Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre' by Carole Boston Weatherford with illustrations by Floyd Cooper is a picture book about a terrible incident of racial violence.

Tulsa was an oil boom town. Within Tulsa, the Greenwood district of Tulsa was a vibrant community full of black owned businesses. That doesn't mean it was perfect because segregation divided the city, and racial hatred sparked a riot. The result was hundreds dead and thousands homeless and ruined lives and businesses.

The book ends with notes by the author and illustrator talking about how racial violence has touched them and their families. It's not an easy story to tell, but it's an important story to tell. The lush beautiful illustrations paint a picture of the loss of a dear community.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Lerner Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

An excellent book that depicts a thriving black community and the power of racism and white supremacy. A good read together for upper elementary grades and above.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Really great book, loved the art and such an important historical event.

3.5 👼🏾

This is a children’s book about the Tulsa massacre. A history that we should all read about.

The illustrations were not in the modern style of Vashti Harrison and I initially was jarred by them, but I soon found that they transported me to that time more effectively.

The facts were well written but I really missed the narrative flow of a story. I think had Carole made the story about a young child experiencing the incident, this would help add a human element that was missing for me.

I did however appreciate the learning about something I had only heard vague reference to prior, so I appreciated learning exactly what transpired at least from the victims’ perspective.

I think everyone should read this at least once. Even adults.

Thank you NetGalley, Carole Boston Weatherford and Carolrhoda Books for this eARC.

A harrowing look at how racism destroyed a bustling Black community and how the ramifications of those actions are still felt today. Weatherford’s prose compliments Floyd Cooper’s energetic artwork.

Thanks to Lerner Publishing Group + NetGalley for the eARC of "Unspeakable" by Carole Boston Weatherford.

I am continually impressed by the way we are able to talk to our children about times in history that we must never repeat and make sure we learn from.
Carole Boston Weatherford has done it again in "Unspeakable" by making the horrific events of the Tulsa Race Massacre accessible for children and their adults to learn about.
A must have in all libraries.

A valuable way to learn about the Massacre on Black Wall Street in Tulsa. An important picture book with gorgeous illustrations. Recommended for all ages.

Any time the master of nonfiction for children, Carole Boston Weatherford, is paired with superb artist Floyd Cooper, a wonderful children’s book is guaranteed. I didn’t waste any time considering whether I would request a copy when Net Galley offered an advance reading copy of Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre. The book comes out tomorrow, February 2, 2021.

Carole’s beautiful words and Floyd’s art tell the story of a Black community, descended from Black Indians, formerly enslaved people, and Exodusters who established a thriving profitable community in a 35-mile square area across the train tracks from the white community. Segregation, voter suppression, and laws forbidding interracial marriage formed the backdrop for the community. Within those restrictions, nearly two hundred businesses and many community services rose with the area gaining the label, “Black Wall Street.”

Into this prosperity that was begrudged by many whites, an inciting incident in 1921 caused resentment to boil over and then to escalate into mob violence and eventually the loss of the community itself. Little notice of any of this was in the news and the story remained buried for about seventy-five years. Today Tulsa’s Reconciliation Park commemorates the victims and honors the role of African Americans in Oklahoma history.

This book did not disappoint. Carole Boston Weatherford’s words bring the time to life. Floyd Cooper’s art takes the reader to the place and opens the faces of the people in his portraits. In this appropriate beginning for Black History Month, I would recommend Unspeakable as a way to open history to any children who touch your life.

Historical picture books are a favorite! Shorter stories, filled with information and history that makes the book easier for students to understand. Many others historical topics could be explored after reading this beautifully illustrated book! #Unspeakable #NetGalley

May be the best book I've seen for kids on the Tulsa Race Massacre. The art is just gorgeous and the story details what was built in the neighborhood, what was lost, and how terrible the attack was. It ends on a note of hope but this is a good corrective for kids who might not ever hear about things like this happening in the USA.

Greenwood District, Tulsa, Oklahoma was once home to a thriving African American community. On May 31st and June 1st 1921, a mob of armed white Tulsans attacked the community, killing as many as 300 African Americans and displacing 8,000 more. 2021 will mark the 100th anniversary of what became known as the Tulsa Race Massacre, the history of which was suppressed for seventy-five years.

<em>Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre</em> is a picture book by author Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrator Floyd Cooper. It's short at 32 pages but aims to help young readers understand these terrible events so that "we can move toward a better future for all". It's aimed at the 8-12 years age group.

Reading <em>Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre</em> was physically painful. In the beginning, the book describes the thriving community of Greenwood District and the high street that became known as the "Black Wall Street". The descriptions of culture, fashion and community reminded me so much of what I've read about Sophiatown and District Six in South Africa, communities with vibrant cultures that were similarly razed to the ground.

Weatherford has done a fine job of simplifying the events for young readers, but presenting sufficient detail to draw older readers into healthy debate and discussion. It would be a good platform to stimulate further research and self-study too. The author's and illustrator's notes were particularly interesting, detailing their personal reasons for being involved in this work. Of particular note is the author's comment that the event was not even taught in Oklahoma schools until the twenty-first century.

The illustrations by Floyd Cooper are exquisite, showcasing the fashions and vibrancy of Greenwood District, and ultimately the violence and devastation. The illustrations do a great job of bringing the events and people to life, ensuring that the reader relates to them and to the injustice of the events.

<em>Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre</em> is published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book and am pleased to note that it's being released in both the US and UK (and presumably around the world).

This book was just... wow. It was haunting and so incredibly educational. But first off, the art is so fantastic. It was truly gorgeous. The art and the text combined just made for such an experience.

I've read some about the Tulsa Race Massacre, but I haven't found much about it. I haven't found much about Greenwood either; before, during or after the massacre. It feels even more strange now after reading this book; because there's clearly so much history, so much culture - so much to highlight. Not just in African-American history/culture but in American culture in general (including the massacre, because it should definitely fit into the American history canon).

It was a tough read, but in the best way. And tough or not, this is clearly something that needs to be spoken about, learned about. Just... incredible.

This nonfiction picture book for children carefully describes the events of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a tragic event that was covered up for decades. The author describes notable professionals and businesses in the area commonly known as Black Wall Street. The artwork is so realistically and beautifully done. The historical photos at the end are devastating. This book will generate important conversations.

100 years ago this year, roughly 240 miles from where I grew up, the Tulsa Race Massacre happened.... and I had no idea. This horrific event was not covered in Texas public education, and until recently with the spread of the Black Lives Matter movement, I had no knowledge of what happened.

I want to thank the author for bringing attention to this dark mark in our nation's history that so few people know about. The book provides an excellent beginning level of teaching about the race war, and has sparked the desire for me to learn more about it. Though this book is intended for young readers, it's an important book for people of all ages for its educational content.

Unspeakable is one of the most important nonfiction picture books coming out in 2021. The Tulsa Massacre is a deeply important event that deserves more coverage. The illustrations are beautiful.

This is a fantastic childrens book accouting one of the most glossed over pieces of history in text books, the Tulsa Race Massacre.

It was simple and easy to follow for youger children, the artwork was fantastic and it touches on a very important piece of history that's often forgotten.

If you have children, this is a must read. Especially if you're working on teaching them about race and history that isn't in normal books.