Something Good

Description

A sensitive, timely and ultimately uplifting portrayal of how an elementary school struggles, copes, and heals together after “something bad” is discovered written on the wall, illustrated by bestselling artist Corinna Luyken

This kind of thing won’t be tolerated at our school, the principal declares the day the “bad-something” is discovered written on a wall. The incident makes the kids nervous, giggly, and curious at first, but then they’re worried, confused, sad and angry. Everyone is suspicious. Who did it, and why? They miss the days before the bad-something appeared, because everything—and everyone—feels different now. It takes a lot of talking, listening, looking, and creating something good together to find a way to heal. The story acknowledges that while the scars of such incidents remain, it is possible to teach tolerance and feel true community once again.

Written and illustrated by the acclaimed creators of Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse!, here is a brave book about the power of words that tackles one of the most difficult topics for elementary school-aged children—hate speech—in a direct, realistic, and empathetic manner.

Marcy Campbell on Something Good

I’d been volunteering at my children’s elementary school for years, since my oldest started kindergarten. I knew every nook and cranny of that old brick building and came to know many of my son’s and daughter’s classmates just as well. And so, when our district went on lockdown during one of my volunteer shifts (because of a threatening message written on a bathroom wall at the high school), I took it personally. Everyone was affected--my kids, their classmates, their teachers, our community.

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Praise

“Capably illustrate[s] the way group dynamics can be affected for ill and also for good…. A vivid evocation of a believable event, which is helpfully coupled with an empowering response that gives kids an action to take.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“A valuable resource that might serve to equip classrooms for crisis.” —Publishers Weekly

“The appealing pictures…clearly reveal the emotions [the characters] feel, from concerned and sorrowful to proud, as their school turns a negative situation into a learning experience with a positive conclusion.” —Booklist