Something Happened in Our Town

By Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, Ann Hazzard , Jennifer Zivoin (illustrator)

Book cover of Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story about Racial Injustice

Book description

The New York Times bestseller

Emma and Josh heard that something happened in their town. A black man was shot by the police.

"Why did the police shoot that man?"

"Can police go to jail?"

Something Happened in Our Town follows two families - one white, one black - as…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Something Happened in Our Town as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

When tragic events happen our first impulse may be to gloss over it when talking to young children. Sometimes, however, what they really need is straight talk. When a police shooting of a Black man occurs in the community, two children (one Black and one White) struggle to understand what happened. This beautifully crafted picture book explores questions children might have in the aftermath of such an event and how the adults around them address questions of racial injustice.

From Jacqueline's list on acceptance and empathy.

Want books like Something Happened in Our Town?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Something Happened in Our Town.

Browse books like Something Happened in Our Town

Book cover of Jacob's New Dress
Book cover of A Picture Book of Helen Keller
Book cover of Marvelous Maravilloso: Me and My Beautiful Family

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,176

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in empathy, racism, and presidential biography?

Empathy 164 books
Racism 207 books