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Troubled Waters: A River's Journey Toward Justice
From Young People's Poet Laureate Carole Boston Weatherford and award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier, a stirring account of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, as witnessed by the Alabama River.
Some say water is the mightiest force on earth.
But the yearning for freedom is even stronger.
For centuries, the Alabama River has been a witness. Buried in its riverbed are countless fossils and artifacts-as well as souls, secrets, and stories.
Troubled Waters brings history to life through the voice of this mighty waterway, from the earliest settlers on its shores to 1965, when Black citizens in Selma rose up like a river to demand their right to vote.
In this breathtakingly original picture book, celebrated creators Carole Boston Weatherford and Bryan Collier show that the Alabama River is much more than a witness to history. It is also a source of strength, keeping hope afloat through times of trouble; and a rising tide, coursing on a journey toward justice.
Some say water is the mightiest force on earth.
But the yearning for freedom is even stronger.
For centuries, the Alabama River has been a witness. Buried in its riverbed are countless fossils and artifacts-as well as souls, secrets, and stories.
Troubled Waters brings history to life through the voice of this mighty waterway, from the earliest settlers on its shores to 1965, when Black citizens in Selma rose up like a river to demand their right to vote.
In this breathtakingly original picture book, celebrated creators Carole Boston Weatherford and Bryan Collier show that the Alabama River is much more than a witness to history. It is also a source of strength, keeping hope afloat through times of trouble; and a rising tide, coursing on a journey toward justice.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published January 20, 2026
66 people want to read
About the author
Carole Boston Weatherford
120 books428 followersCarole Boston Weatherford is a children's book author and poet who mines the past for family stories, traditions, and struggles. A number of CAROLE's books tell the stories of African-American historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, Jesse Owens, and Billie Holiday. Other books recount historical events such as the Greensboro Sit-ins and the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. CAROLE's books have received a wide variety of awards, including a Caldecott Honour for “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom”.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 1, 2026
Beautiful book outlining civil rights history. The Alabama River bears witness to events such as the Trail of Tears, the building of Confederate naval ships, sharecropping after the Civil War, and ultimately Bloody Sunday and the march in Selma over the Edmond Pettus Bridge. The illustrations are stunning. Loved the quotes from hymns and speeches interspersed. Includes a timeline. Highly recommend this one.
March 10, 2026
This lyrical, beautifully illustrated picture book shares Black history from the perspective of the Alabama River. This artistic book will be meaningful for older kids and adults, but the publisher's age rating of 4-8 doesn't make sense to me. The text is too abstract and metaphorical for the younger end of that age range, and it also presumes a lot of prior knowledge about history and politics. The vocabulary is also very advanced. Nothing about the presentation is developmentally appropriate for young children.
This picture book has a broad scope, and it briefly references many different events from African American history and the Civil Rights Movement in particular. It also mentions other topics along the way, such as The Trail of Tears. The text is referential instead of explanatory, and even when the author does explain things a little, this won't be adequate to fill in the average six-year-old's gaps in knowledge. The general expectation is that you already know what the author is talking about, and that you can understand and interpret all of the figurative language.
The book doesn't depict violence on the page, beyond a sanitized view of policemen shoving and hurting protesters on the bridge in a fold-out illustration. However, the book refers to details of police brutality, mentions murders and lynchings, and talks about dead bodies being dumped in the river. Does someone really want to read to a four-year-old about racists murdering people and dumping their bodies in the Alabama River?
I would recommend this book for upper elementary kids and middle school students who already have some background in understanding American history and the Civil Rights Movement. This is a powerful book that has great artistic merit, but I am concerned about the publisher's age rating. This book involves very scary and disturbing concepts, and I don't think a child of any race should have to learn about these horrors before they can even tie their own shoes.
This picture book has a broad scope, and it briefly references many different events from African American history and the Civil Rights Movement in particular. It also mentions other topics along the way, such as The Trail of Tears. The text is referential instead of explanatory, and even when the author does explain things a little, this won't be adequate to fill in the average six-year-old's gaps in knowledge. The general expectation is that you already know what the author is talking about, and that you can understand and interpret all of the figurative language.
The book doesn't depict violence on the page, beyond a sanitized view of policemen shoving and hurting protesters on the bridge in a fold-out illustration. However, the book refers to details of police brutality, mentions murders and lynchings, and talks about dead bodies being dumped in the river. Does someone really want to read to a four-year-old about racists murdering people and dumping their bodies in the Alabama River?
I would recommend this book for upper elementary kids and middle school students who already have some background in understanding American history and the Civil Rights Movement. This is a powerful book that has great artistic merit, but I am concerned about the publisher's age rating. This book involves very scary and disturbing concepts, and I don't think a child of any race should have to learn about these horrors before they can even tie their own shoes.
January 30, 2026
This is an excellent book to kick off Black History Month. It is also the 100th anniversary of the month which originally began as Negro History Week in 1926. 🖤 ✊🏾 Thank you @bloomsburychildrens for the advanced copy!
Told from the unique perspective of the Alabama River, Troubled Waters is a historically-based account of the many events that happened near and on its riverbanks. Stretching back to the first foreign explorers of what would eventually become the United States, you learn of the many acts of hate and racial injustice that the river has witnessed leading up to the Selma march.
It is a brilliant approach to telling a story that considers nature bearing witness to the tears, blood and struggle of Black and Indigenous people. The river is both a witness and a metaphor for the strength found in those who were seeking freedom. Negro Spirituals are woven into each page. As the river watches the peaceful protestors of Selma stand up for their right to vote, you learn about the violence they faced.
The illustrations are dynamic, feeling like they are coming right off the page. There is also a timeline in the end of the book that gives more context to some of the events mentioned in the book.
This is a great read-aloud for the classroom!
Told from the unique perspective of the Alabama River, Troubled Waters is a historically-based account of the many events that happened near and on its riverbanks. Stretching back to the first foreign explorers of what would eventually become the United States, you learn of the many acts of hate and racial injustice that the river has witnessed leading up to the Selma march.
It is a brilliant approach to telling a story that considers nature bearing witness to the tears, blood and struggle of Black and Indigenous people. The river is both a witness and a metaphor for the strength found in those who were seeking freedom. Negro Spirituals are woven into each page. As the river watches the peaceful protestors of Selma stand up for their right to vote, you learn about the violence they faced.
The illustrations are dynamic, feeling like they are coming right off the page. There is also a timeline in the end of the book that gives more context to some of the events mentioned in the book.
This is a great read-aloud for the classroom!
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Alabama River is 318 miles long and has seen a lot of history. History told from the point of view from the river briefly covers historical events like it's formation, de Soto, the Trail of Tears, and slavery before focusing on the walk across the bridge in Selma, Alabama. Lead by the late Dr. Martin Luther King and Congressman John Lewis, history was made because the county was able to witness the deep seeded racism being upheld in southern states.
Troubles Waters is a deeply moving book. Author Carole Boston Weatherford uses accurate history and straightforward language to convey the message and illicit emotions as you go. The flow of the book is well paced from start to finish and paired with the illustrations, Troubled Water is a book that hits you in the soul. There aren't enough words to praise illustrator Bryan Collier. A master at his craft, you could ignore the words on the page (but don't because they're powerful) and still follow the story based on the illustrations; they are that moving and powerful.
A rockstar of a children's lit book, thank you to Bloomsbury Children's Books for the gifted copy.
Troubles Waters is a deeply moving book. Author Carole Boston Weatherford uses accurate history and straightforward language to convey the message and illicit emotions as you go. The flow of the book is well paced from start to finish and paired with the illustrations, Troubled Water is a book that hits you in the soul. There aren't enough words to praise illustrator Bryan Collier. A master at his craft, you could ignore the words on the page (but don't because they're powerful) and still follow the story based on the illustrations; they are that moving and powerful.
A rockstar of a children's lit book, thank you to Bloomsbury Children's Books for the gifted copy.
January 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 I have always loved Carole Boston Weatherford’s work. But I must first start this review by talking about the illustrations by Bryan Collier. The eeriness of the orbs that appeared on many of the pages were captivating. Some looked like there were faces in them. Also he illustrated what had happened in the past by showing what was under the water. His illustrations were so haunting.
In the writing, Weatherford, told the history of the Alabama River dating back to 1050-1850 CE and going to 1965. The history followed the people of the river from the Indigenous people of the Creeks, the Yuchis and Iroquoian tribes, enslaved people, indentured servants to present day people. The text went through many wars and political issues that occurred around the river, including the Trail of Tears and the events leading up to Bloody Sunday and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Many sections ended with a line from various negro spirituals that pertained to what was just discussed.
The back matter included the history along the Alabama Rivers and the illustrators rationale for his illustrations. This was a haunting and informative picture book well worth the reading.
In the writing, Weatherford, told the history of the Alabama River dating back to 1050-1850 CE and going to 1965. The history followed the people of the river from the Indigenous people of the Creeks, the Yuchis and Iroquoian tribes, enslaved people, indentured servants to present day people. The text went through many wars and political issues that occurred around the river, including the Trail of Tears and the events leading up to Bloody Sunday and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Many sections ended with a line from various negro spirituals that pertained to what was just discussed.
The back matter included the history along the Alabama Rivers and the illustrators rationale for his illustrations. This was a haunting and informative picture book well worth the reading.
January 22, 2026
An absolutely divine read. The artwork, the storytelling, the history, the incorporation of spirituals worked so well. I didn't realize it, but history told from the perspective of a non-human object has a different type of emotional impact. This river, the Alabama River, describes its origins, its interactions with the Cherokee people, the enslaved, the oppressed. It describes the horrors it witnesses including the Trail of Tears, lynchings, the beatings of those attempting to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the Civil Rights Movement. And yet, it provides the reader with hope, the strength to survive, the courage to understand that we have overcome and we shall continue to overcome. If there is one informational picture book that you pick up this year, please let it be this. I cannot recommend it enough.
November 20, 2025
Wow, I fell in love with this book so quickly! The writing, the mixed media art and how gospel lyrics and quotes from MLK Jr., are woven in was absolutely beautiful. There are so many ways that you could spring off of this book. While reading the book, we took several breaks to dive a little deeper into the Civil Rights Act, Selma, MLK Jr., the KKK and I even pulled up some of the gospel for us to listen to. It's been an incredible reading experience. This would be a great addition to any library.
February 14, 2026
A historic look back at the Alabama River and the bridges built that were points of contention throughout history including during the Civil Rights Era but even before with the Trail of Tears. Though I wonder how easy it will be for discerning young readers of the picture books to understand the gravity of the story and history because it's more figurative than literal.
February 15, 2026
Alabama River, and eventually its bridges. A gorgeous tribute to all those working to bend the arc
The story doesn’t include a lot notable names, but the timeline at the end does. I wish the author included more.
https://sci.rutgers.edu/news/honoring...
The story doesn’t include a lot notable names, but the timeline at the end does. I wish the author included more.
https://sci.rutgers.edu/news/honoring...
February 15, 2026
Carole is brilliant, and Bryan was the right choice for this book. I have never seen "gate folds" that flap downward, but that was a fine inclusion. The weaving in of hymns and spirituals added depth and layers to the timeline of the story. This one is bound for awards and honors, and more importantly, belongs in every school library.
March 27, 2026
It is so strange reading this out loud to a child who is so young that the history and weight of the story goes right overhead. Collier's artistry in his illustrations and Weatherford's dual-narration with the river as one of the characters went unnoticed by the target age audience, but was definitely appreciated by the adult reader!
March 31, 2026
This book tells the story of history from the perspective of the Alabama River. The author is a Newbery Honor winner and Coretta Scott King Award winner and the illustrator is a 4 time Caldecott Honor winner and 6 time Coretta Scott King award winner. I see great potential in this book for a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Award:
April 25, 2026
I loved this and loved how the illustrator treated the river as a character as discribed in the end matter. The research by everyone involved shows the passion for the history. This will make for great discussion with middle grade students.
February 13, 2026
These are some of my very favorite illustrations from Bryan Collier. This book offers a really interesting perspective on the story of Bloody Sunday, from the Alabama river.
March 3, 2026
Incredibly illustrated introduction to the history around the Alabama River.
March 14, 2026
Educational and beautiful
March 17, 2026
Absolutely incredible story of the Alabama River, chiefly focusing on the story of the crossing of the Edmund Pettus bridge in 1965, but with prehistory too!
April 1, 2026
A poignant tribute to the freedom fighters of Alabama: their bravery, moral compass and sacrifice. Beautifully illustrated and inspiring.
April 16, 2026
Very dark and depressing, but important. Hard to classify.
April 18, 2026
Vivid illustrations and good timeline at the end.
April 21, 2026
Gorgeous use of paint and collage. The fold out for Bloody Sunday is especially impactful. I love the colored Gil way reflections and water droplets are depicted
May 1, 2026
Wow this is a fantastic book. Reminds me of [redacted] from last year a bit. Has a chance at Newbery, maybe. But definitely Sibert. Or Caldecott with Collier on board there.
February 17, 2026
👧🏻 review: In celebration of African-American history, this book is historically inspiring. I don’t want to give too much away but it is an awesome read that will give readers another way to learn more about the history behind the Salem March and the river flowing and yearning for freedom. This book’s artistic expression and colorful illustrations gave me the impression that there were more than one story to tell. Amazing book!
November 11, 2025
Absolutely gorgeous - writing and illustrations. This book is ripe for read-alouds and discussion; how does the river see, and what do we think of it? Suitable for water, environment, Black history, and civics curriculums. A must-have for classrooms and school libraries.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews