Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

By Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper

Winner of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards for Author and Illustrator

A Caldecott Honor Book

A Sibert Honor Book

Longlisted for the National Book Award

A Kirkus Prize Finalist

A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

"A must-have"—Booklist (starred review)

Celebrated author Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrator Floyd Cooper provide a powerful look at the Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our nation's history. The book traces the history of African Americans in Tulsa's Greenwood district and chronicles the devastation that occurred in 1921 when a white mob attacked the Black community.

News of what happened was largely suppressed, and no official investigation occurred for seventy-five years. This picture book sensitively introduces young readers to this tragedy and concludes with a call for a better future.

Download the free educator guide here: https://lernerbooks.com/download/unspeakableteachingguide

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing
• Release date: Feb 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781728424644

Carole Boston Weatherford

Carole Boston Weatherford is the author of numerous award-winning books. Her picture book BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom, illustrated by Michele Wood received a Newbery Honor. Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, illustrated by the late Floyd Cooper, was a National Book Award longlist title, won the Coretta Scott King Award for author and illustrator, and received a Caldecott Honor and a Sibert Honor. When she's not traveling or visiting museums, Carole is mining the past for family stories, fading traditions, and forgotten struggles. She lives in North Carolina.

Book preview

Reviews for Unspeakable

[Holland · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I learned new things and I loved it a lot ??✅✅✅✅✅✅

[Caroline · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Great pictures, but very sloppy history. Cops did bravely protect the 19 year old, and the mob that attacked did not care about the prosperity of Greenwood. White people did come to help them black victims as well. All in all, just racist.

[psalva-706031 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This picture book does a good job of depicting the Greenwood area of Tulsa, Oklahoma, with all its promise, and contrasting it with the sudden and violent destruction that the town faced at the hands of a white mob. It’s done delicately enough for kids but doesn’t mince words. I appreciated the author’s and illustrator’s notes in the back which gave more details and showed their personal connections to Tulsa and this moment in history.

[drmom62 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A shameful episode in the United States, covered up in reported history for 75 years.
I would not say I enjoyed the book but the illustrations were wonderful and I thought the information was tastefully presented for children and adults alike.
Stories like these need to be told.

[vtlucania · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book received 5 stars from me because it is accurate and appropriate for the age level it was written. Truthfully, I think this is an excellent book for anyone to begin learning about the "Black Wall Street" and the legacy of hatred and racism towards Brown Skinned People in the United States. Some will say this was so long ago but not really especially when it is put into context of the state of the Union today. One is able to think about Critical Race Theory, Integration, Black Lives Matter, Equality, Justice and so many other social issues that plague this Nation. Yes, I think this book is excellent but it makes me sad, so sad I had to blink back the looming tears when you see the level of hatred that was condoned and instigated by the agencies put in place to protect the people. Who amongst us does not want to feel safe in our homes, neighborhoods and our nation? I think that in order for all People to be considered as created equal as it states in the Declaration of Independence, we all have to find a way to make it work without animosity.

[prudencegoodwife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The words and the illustrations of this book convey to children and teens what happened in Greenwood and why it is so important to tell and remember this shameful part of American history and race relations. Only by bringing it to the light of day for all to know and learn about can our current and next generation of citizens begin to understand and find common ground upon which to move forward.

[librarianryan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow. The first time I heard of Black Wall Street was when a kids asked me about it for a school report a few years ago. It was never taught in my school. Then Watchmen (the series) came out and lots of people were asking if it was a real event. Yes, it was real and it is history we should be learning. This book is a great first step. The story was told succinctly. It was captivating and devastating. THe real pictures and the information the authors included about their connection to this historical event were much appreciated. This book should be recommended reading for everyone, no matter the age.

[sylliu_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.