Book Review from Goodreads:
Fifty of the foremost diverse children's authors and illustrators--including Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, and Kwame Alexander--share answers to the question, "In this divisive world, what shall we tell our children?" in this beautiful, full-color keepsake collection, published in partnership with Just Us Books.

What do we tell our children when the world seems bleak, and prejudice and racism run rampant? With 96 lavishly designed pages of original art and prose, fifty diverse creators lend voice to young activists.

Featuring poems, letters, personal essays, art, and other works from such industry leaders as Jacqueline Woodson (Brown Girl Dreaming), Jason Reynolds (All American Boys), Kwame Alexander (The Crossover), Andrea Pippins (I Love My Hair), Sharon Draper (Out of My Mind), Rita Williams-Garcia (One Crazy Summer), Ellen Oh (cofounder of We Need Diverse Books), and artists Ekua Holmes, Rafael Lopez, James Ransome, Javaka Steptoe, and more, this anthology empowers the nation's youth to listen, learn, and build a better tomorrow.

Everyone should read this book, it's "stories" are full of concern, love, kindness and calls for understanding. ( )

"An anthology of poetry, essays, short stories and art designed to lift children up, especially children from traditionally marginalized communities, during difficult times.

This collection encourages America’s children to remember their history, learn from it, and choose to be kind in the face of hatred, racism, and oppression. “Throughout history, kids like you / were right there. / With picket signs and petitions….They changed this world for the better. / And you will too,” Kelly Starling Lyons tells readers in her poem “Drumbeat for Change.” Featuring contributions from such writers as Jacqueline Woodson, Ellen Oh, and Hena Khan, and an equally august lineup of illustrators, including Rafael López, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, and Javaka Steptoe, every work packs an emotional punch. In his poem “A Thousand Winters,” Kwame Alexander wonders “if words, sentences, and books aren’t enough, anymore” as he reflects on the state of the world and hard conversations with his daughter. A stunning collage by Ekua Holmes accompanies Alexander’s poem; in it, a vivid, violet sky surrounds a sleepy black girl sitting atop her father’s shoulders. Every work in this beautiful collection feels personal and is meant to inspire and comfort.

A love song from children’s literature’s brightest stars to America’s Indigenous children and children of color, encouraging them to be brave and kind. (contributor biographies, index) (Anthology. 8-18)" A Kirkus Starred Review, www.kirkusreviews.com

This book is extraordinary, and by some coincidence, I had brought it home from my library to read the same week that my 17 year-old daughter, exhilarated by opening night of the musical she is stage managing, fighting a cold, and exhausted from school and the show engaged me in a passionate conversation that ended up with her in tears and hysterically enraged at the state of the country and the planet and "if ONE MORE adult says 'these are problems for your generation to solve...'". You know, as the exhausted, stressed out, politically aware, knowledgable but somewhat know-it-all teenager will. Then I picked up this book. The book was inspired by the editors' great niece who was distraught after the 2016 election as she "had heard the cruel and hateful words that had been spewed at women, those with disabilities, people of different faiths, and people of color." The book is an attempt to reassure and comfort the young people of today - particularly those of color - to not be afraid or despondent, but to raise their voices and make a difference. It is a collection of open letters, poems, stories, illustrations, photos, and essays by more than 40 contributors including Sharon Draper, Kwame Alexander, Rita Williams-Garcia, Hena Khan, Jacqueline Woodson, and many more. It puts into perspective the struggle of this generation of young people with those who came before and paved the way. It is calming, soul-stirring, uplifting, and inspiring. I never give stars, but this one earns 5 from me, and I will be purchasing as gifts for just about every young person I know. ( )

What do we tell our children when the world seems bleak, and prejudice and racism run rampant? With 96 lavishly designed pages of original art and prose, fifty diverse creators lend voice to young activists.