I ordered this book around what would have been Bookstore Day in late April and it languished in a stack of to-be-read books until I watched the KidLit4BlackLives Rally—the author was one of the speakers. I pulled it out this morning and was charmed by Ryan and her family; I’m so glad to see that this is first of a planned series. The author references her love of Ramona in the author note in this edition [the exclusive Bookstore Day edition], and this is a perfect companion/alternative to those books. Like Ramona, Ryan also lives in Portland and the story is similarly very “every day”—family, school, friends. She’s in 4th grade, but short chapters and occasional illustrations mean this could absolutely work as a read-aloud for as young as 5 or 6.
There have been some wonderful, important lists of anti-racist books for kids circulating out there, but remember that a joyful story can be important, too.
–Erin Ostrander, King County Library System, Seattle, WA
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