About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts noticing that resources, like school supplies or playground equipment, are not always distributed equally. It is a vital tool for explaining systemic unfairness through a lens of agency and hope. While it acknowledges the sting of segregation, the heart of the story is the joyful, collective action of a community determined to build a future for their children. Set in the 1920s, the story follows young Ovella as her rural Black community partners with philanthropist Julius Rosenwald to build a modern school. Written in accessible free-verse poetry, it transforms a complex historical movement into a personal journey of pride. It is perfectly suited for elementary-aged children, offering a roadmap for how teamwork and persistence can turn a shared dream into a physical reality.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book depicts the effects of Jim Crow laws, specifically the underfunding of Black schools compared to white schools. While the story focuses on community resilience, children may be upset by the unfairness of the situation. The resolution is triumphant and hopeful, emphasizing community resilience over the pain of exclusion.
