Black Birds in the Sky
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Black Birds in the Sky, by Brandy Colbert (The Voting Booth, The Revolution of Birdie Randolph, and The Only Black Girls in Town) covers the Tulsa Massacre of 1921, including background on the region's history, profiles of significant individuals, the events of June 1, the aftermath, and the implications for the present. The subject of the book is an act of mass violence. White attackers shoot, lynch, and beat Black people, and destroy their property. The incident that triggered the riots was an interaction between a Black man and White woman; the man was accused of attempting to sexually assault the woman, but some historical evidence suggests the two may have been romantically involved. The "N" word is used in quotations from the historical record.
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What's the Story?
When BLACK BIRDS IN THE SKY begins, the city of Tulsa is home to a thriving Black community, segregated from White residents but enjoying its own professionals, stores, and even upscale entertainment venues and lodgings. After a young Black man is jailed for an alleged attack on a White woman, White mobs -- including people deputized and armed by police -- destroy the whole section of town, displacing Black residents and even holding some in internment camps for up to several months.
Is It Any Good?
Compelling and sensitive, this book presents a vivid picture of the "Black Wall Street" in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the day it was destroyed. In Black Birds in the Sky, the Black community comes to life, not solely as "victims," but as the people they were before the incident -- smart, resourceful people pursuing the American dream despite the obstacles. Author Brandy Colbert spares none of the horror of Black residents killed by their White neighbors or run out of town, their property destroyed or stolen. By giving voice to witnesses who are still alive in 2021, she underscores that the past is really still with us. By sharing quotes from Black survivors as well as White allies, she emphasizes that this extraordinarily terrible event happened to ordinary people, just minding their own business. The result is thought-provoking in addition to being emotionally resonant.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the massacre described in Black Birds in the Sky could have been left out of history books and remained unknown or forgotten by many Americans. Why do you think that happened? Where do you look for the stories of different communities?
Black Birds in the Sky relies on many sources of information, including old newspapers and the memories of witnesses. What challenges do you think the author might have faced in interpreting these sources?
What's the most surprising story you've learned about about the history of your own town, school, or family?
Book Details
- Author: Brandy Colbert
- Genre: History
- Topics: Activism, Friendship, History
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Balzer + Bray
- Publication date: September 28, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 224
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated: January 24, 2022
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