Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre is a picture book written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Published on February 2, 2021, by Carolrhoda, it tells the history behind the Tulsa race massacre in verse.

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre
AuthorCarole Boston Weatherford
IllustratorFloyd Cooper
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenrePicture book
PublisherCarolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publications
Publication date
February 2, 2021
Pages32
Awards
ISBN978-1-5415-8120-3

The book was praised by critics, receiving several starred reviews, and was the recipient of a Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King Award in both the author and illustrator categories.

Reception

Eboni Njoku, writing for The Horn Book Magazine, commented on how Weatherford took "[g]reat care" to describe the community that lived in what was known as the "Black Wall Street" and praised the "[s]mall details" present in the writing, which "add to the authenticity of the narrative". Njoku also praised Cooper's illustrations, due to "the sepia-toned images resembling historical photographs."[1] A review published in The School Library Journal further adds that the "illustrations are infused with a personal connection", as Cooper's grandfather would tell him stories about the Tulsa race massacre.[2]

Publishers Weekly highlighted the fact the book focuses not only on "the attack, but also on the positive achievements of the Black business owners, lawyers, and doctors".[3] Kirkus Reviews called Unspeakable a "somber, well-executed addition to the history as the incident approaches its 100th anniversary."[4]

Unspeakable was recognized with a Caldecott Honor for its illustrations and the Coretta Scott King Award was given to both Weatherford and Cooper.[5] The book was also a Sibert Medal Honor and was longlisted for the National Book Awards.[5][6]

References
  1. Njoku, Eboni. "Review of Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre". The Horn Book. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  2. Piehl, Kathy. "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre". School Library Journal. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  3. "Children's Book Review: Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illus. by Floyd Cooper". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  4. "UNSPEAKABLE". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  5. Price, Tirzah (January 24, 2022). "The 2022 ALA Youth Media Awards Are Announced". Book Riot. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  6. "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre". National Book Foundation. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
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