I'm always interested in finding out more about the Tulsa Race Riots of 1921, as Tulsa is my hometown. Previously there just hasn't been enough written about this historic event. I'm glad to see that youngsters are finding out about it early, in quality picture books like this one.

The story of a day in the life of Opal Brown keeps things going in a light and airy tone, as everyone prepares for Greenwood's Memorial Day picnic. A tiny bit of plot drama is added to plant the seed of social tension and racial injustices. Then the story ends with an historical note about the facts of what really happened later that day. For young readers, this is the perfect introduction. I love the format of how this story is pieced together.

The illustrations look like really cool pop-color sketches, sometimes combined with cutouts from real photographs. Together it looks like mixed-media collages. I like the combination!