The illustrations in this book were beautiful and it covered a topic that is not visited often. I found the writing a little choppy and felt like it skimmed over some important parts. (I wish more time had been spent on the shoeshine’s innocence - it was a detail that I felt was easily missed in this book.) Still a valuable book for the classroom!

This book is absolutely incredible. From the details of this horrible moment in history that is little known to many, to the gorgeous illustrations that capture the terror and pain, this is a must have for any school or public library no matter what age.

A portrayal of the Tulsa Race Massacre and the destruction of the Greenwood "Black Wall Street" area of Tulsa.  Stunning illustrations that pair with the text.

Unspeakable is an incredible children's non-fiction picture book that simply yet devastatingly tells the history of the Tulsa Race Massacre. I love the setup using "Once Upon a Time..." to describe the flourishing community before it was burned to the ground. This history is embarrassingly not often taught in schools, even along side Civil War and Restoration history courses. 

I grew up in the American South and don't remember learning about this until adulthood even though we studied the Civil War at much younger ages. Even then, I only heard about it in passing and didn't truly see the massacre for what it was until I did research after reading "Red at the Bone" Jacqueline Woodson. I feel like these two books pair well together and should be used in classrooms to help teach this erased history.

The illustrations are lovely and stylized to capture the feel of 1920s America. I enjoyed that my ARC ebook version had colored illustrations, as often times ARCs and eBooks have black and white proofs.

I also loved reading the author's notes at the end, especially the illustrator's blurb about his grandfather whom the book is partially dedicated to. I feel like there's a story of his own bubbling in those paragraphs. There are also real photographs of the aftermath at the end, which I think helps bring to light how true and horrific the events were.  

This book belongs in elementary schools and history classrooms across the country. It is both heartbreaking and stunning.

(For goodreads- I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

I was very impressed with this book. I am aware of my own personal lacking when it comes to history and being able to share this sobering moment with my kids in an approachable way. I will be sharing this book with my 5th grade class alongside our current discussions on race and reconciliation. The illustrations were powerful and incredibly well done. .

I first learned of the Tulsa Race Massacre from an excellent history teacher when I took African American history in high school. Recently the massacre has received newfound attention after the release of the hit HBO show Watchmen and during the summer of 2020. As a result, many Americans may have learned about it for the first time in the last year. If fully grown adults are just finding out about it now, then it is safe to assume that most children are oblivious about it as well. Carole Weatherford and Floyd Cooper have produced a new children’s book about the massacre just in time for the 100th anniversary of the horrible event in June 2021. Their book is filled with beautiful illustrations, the people portrayed in it look lifelike. It also contains very specific historical details such as the incident that led to the massacre, the notable people involved, and it highlights some of the important establishments in Tulsa at the time. The Author’s and Illustrator’s notes both contain more historical information about the massacre at the end of the book. Cooper even has a personal connection to it. This book will be great for both children and adults to read so that they are knowledgeable about this important and tragic event in American history.

Incredible book! Although it is written for young readers, readers of any age can read and learn about the Tulsa Race Massacre. The author and illustrator do a wonderful job of being sympathetic to its target audience. I enjoyed it immensely and recommend it to all.

This book touched a special place in my heart. Growing up near Tulsa, I had learned about the Greenwood district and the tragedy that happened there. It is wonderful to see these events now represented in literature. This book was a great representation of the race riot and the park that is now there. It will definitely be purchased for my elementary library.

Floyd Cooper's illustration work pairs beautifully with Carole Boston Weatherford's words in this powerful text. Unspeakable is a well-composed and enriching historical picture book, well-crafted and engaging. I loved this book and am thrilled at the possibilities for sharing with young readers and building literacy experiences around this text.

This is a very powerful book, reflecting not only the personal connections of the author and Illustrator to the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, but also its deeply affecting words and illustrations. All of this is well supported by both an author’s note and an illustrator’s note. This is a story that should be shared and discussed with young readers as it not only recounts a story that is often not told, but it deals with issues that are relevant today.

Very important story that is long past due. Astonishing illustrations from Floyd Cooper. So glad to see this book coming out into the world.

Such an important history lesson.
I cannot thank you enough for educating me on this as I must admit I had not heard of this terrible incident that occurred in Tulsa all these years ago.
This picture book shows us the before and after of a racial attack that took place in 1921 and it was hard to read.
Hard, but important and so I urge all of you, big and small, to read it and learn about our history.

I very much appreciated the author's and illustrator's notes at the end of the book as well as the political and societal context this horrible event took place in.

Important. Pungent. Sad.
Read it.

Rating: 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!!!!!!!!
Book: Unspeakable-The Tulsa Race Massacre
Release Date: February 2, 2021
Author: Carole Boston Weatherford
Genre: Children’s Nonfiction, History

Black Wall Street. That was the name of the area of Tulsa, Oklahoma where wealthy, prominent, and talented black folks lived and thrived. That was until the massacre of 1921 all because one white teenager accused a black teenager of assault during an elevator ride. This led to rumors and lies that the Black community were going to attack the white community which sparked the burning of this wealthy, black-owned, black-filled town. Hundreds of deaths and the displacement of thousands more.  

You want to know the astounding part?! It took seventy-five years for there to be an investigation. It took that long to uncover that the police conspired with the white community to rid the wealthiest black community in history. You may have heard this story. You may know more than what this book presents. But this book, Unspeakable, is so fitting to read to all ages, all races, all socioeconomic status. 	

I really enjoyed the vibrant, lifelike illustrations. The story comes to life in a way that children of all ages should be able to understand. It should spark discussion about how what happened so long ago is not too far than what is happening in the streets right now- but without being silent for seventy-five years. I encourage you to read this book yourself as an adult, read it to your class as a teacher, read it to your kids as a parent, read it to your library book clubs as a librarian; no matter your title, this book should be read and discussions should be had.

Thank you to @NetGalley @LernerPublishingGroup for an advanced copy of @Unspeakable

#Unspeakable #LernerPublishingGroup #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #AmazonReads #childrensnonfiction #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic

In 1921, baseless rumors started by a white woman about an encounter with a Black man in an elevator led to the violent destruction of Greenwood, a flourishing Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Over 300 Greenwood residents died and many survivors fled.  Carole Boston Weatherford’s brief text is packed with cogent facts and vivid feelings, while it’s impossible to look away from Floyd Cooper’s intense, painterly illustrations.  It’s a stunning look at an important event that has been omitted from most texts about United States history.

One small quibble:  I felt uncomfortable and conflicted with the author’s repeated use of the phrase “Once upon a time” to describe Greenwood’s past.  I’m sure the words were chosen carefully and after a number of editorial conversations, but nothing about what happened at Greenwood was a made-up tale and I didn’t want young readers to make that erroneous connection.

The powerful and chilling story of the worst racial attack and massacre in US history against the Greenwood community in 1921 (known as the Tulsa Massacre). The story is told simply and with evocative illustrations. A much needed history lesson that will be a good basis for discussion in classrooms about racism, history, and how to achieve reconciliation.

Mr. Cooper's use of rich browns and other colors give this true story a lush feel.  You can see the success the town had built for itself and feel the horrors when the massacre occurs.  Weatherford's author's note provides more information to young readers, I hope it is not overlooked.  The story is a somber one, yet one that is in many social studies standards but not covered.

This book is a story that needs to be told, and it was told very well. The text and illustrations conveyed the message of this horribly true event in history. I will definitely be purchasing this book to include in my library's collection.

Unspeakable does an excellent job of explaining the significance of the Tulsa neighborhood of Greenwood, the events surrounding the Tulsa Race Massacre, the impact of the incident, and how long it took for it to be officially acknowledged or investigated.

The book lays out the appalling but somehow nearly forgotten incident in US history in a thorough but age-appropriate way.

The illustrations have a distinctly Art Deco style, perfect for the time period and subject matter, and depict the tension of the conflict without actually showing any violence.

In the 1920's Greenwood was a thriving Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There were movie theaters, schools, libraries, a hospital and hotel, and close to 200 businesses. Life was good until a Black man was accused of assaulting a white teenager. Tulsa's white residents destroyed Greenwood while the police did nothing to stop them. This beautifully illustrated book is full of details on the story that many wanted to be left of American history books.

I'm so glad that the Tulsa Massacre is finally getting the attention it needs. 

This book is very accessible to kids and shows the horrors of what happened without being too graphic or overwhelming. It is a good introduction to larger conversations of race and oppression in America (and around the world). The story is also beautifully illustrated.