What Was the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921?

What was...?

by Caleb Gayle, Who H.Q., Tim Foley (Illustrator)

Learn how envy and racism led to the tragic destruction of the thriving Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in this thought-provoking addition to the New York Times bestselling What Was? series!

Before May 31, 1921, the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a flourishing neighborhood of 10,000 Black residents. There, Black families found success and community. They ran their own businesses, including barbershops, clothing stores, jewelers, restaurants, movie theatres, and more. There also were Black doctors, dentists, and lawyers to serve the neighborhood. Then, in one weekend, all of this was lost. A racist mob tore through the streets, burning everything to the ground and killing scores of innocent residents. Learn about what led to one of the worst moments of racial violence in America's history in this nonfiction book for young readers.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Middle Grade, Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 25, 2023

Reviews

[Laura Scribner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was solid. I picked this because I didn’t know much about the topic (although I had heard of it). While it’s definitely meant for kids (obviously, given the title and cover) they did a good job of laying out the facts without sugar coating anything.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely terrible event in American history, and I can’t believe I knew nothing about it until I was an adult.

[Emaliyah Stierwalt]

What I thought about the book was it was a sad experience,with all the lynching,and bombing.I hated how the k.k.k did those thing to the colored for no good reason,just because of the race it does not matter the race we are all people. I did not like how the whites got away with anything they did against the colored. I would recommend this book because it gives a lot of information and it is a good read for young readers their is some good vocabulary that I did not know and when the said the words and the definition it was fun reading the book.

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A head shaker if it went down like this. And it wasn’t mentioned in my history books growing up.

[Karthika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking history of how a thriving, prosperous and rich black community was attacked, burned, and destroyed due to hatred, jealousy, and racism.

[Ayla Stierwalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was for homeschooling. With say that wow I didn't know about this part of history and sadly I hate that it happened. I am a strong believe that we are out grown this and it is in fact part of history.. but reading this book and many other lately we still struggle with this today. I really enjoyed reading this book I got so much information about the Tulsa Race Massacre that I am horrified what these people suffer from. I can't believe that people still don't really know that it happened. The lies and betrayal they suffered. ugh. I highly recommend this book for anyone writing a paper and need information there is a time line in the back of the book and photos. I hate that where Greenwood use to be is a darn highway.....

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts at a different point than jumping right into the catalyst for the massacre and instead moves into it a chapter or two in which I liked because it (as it always does as a series) offers the truth but also the purpose of the story to give a larger contextual understanding of what the event/topic/person was about. It's why the series is a good starter for any topic.

The book details the event but also profiles several individuals (including survivors) and then the aftermath and discussion (or lack of it) even now though with the anniversary in 2021, there was a renewed effort to make it well-known.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in California and received a typical education from LAUSD in the 1970's. Clearly there are several holes in my education as I never heard of this massacre until I saw this book. It was more important at that time to study the serfs in Europe or what was discovered in the "New World." I don't agree with what is being taught now either. But, if our education system is supposed to teach us what we need to know to be successful adults, we are still failing our kids. History must be taught and we must learn from our experiences and mistakes.

[Alivia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the way the author put the information more then once and they go into detail. This is highly recommended if you need to write a reports I used this in my history class.I have never heard of this before reading it, so I really was surprised that some of the people that witness the race massacre of 1921 are still alive to this day and, will live on to tell the story to others around them...they are only three known people who is still alive. you need to read the story to fined what truly happen-ed's to all of these innocent people .

[Kelly ♈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad I'm educating myself, because I really don't recall having ever learned about this while I was in school. I had some great teachers, who I remember showing us films that were teaching about racism and slavery, and I feel they cared genuinely. But the education system still needed treatment and I'm finding I was not adequately primed to learn about distinct and significant differences in racial experiences. It took me so long. 2020 was a real eye-opening year and watershed moment, in my opinion.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutal to read but important to know about. For the longest time, the Tulsa Race Massacre wasn't public knowledge. Only in recent years has been talked about and taught. Hopefully, kids who know all parts of history (not just the ones systems have whitewashed and forced into them) will learn from them and find ways to not repeat it and to prevent it from happening again. Sadly, scarily, the racial issues of the past reverberates so loudly during the present time.

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short retelling of a historical event, I knew nothing about! What happened was horrible and then to cover it all up. So many things in America’s past, that was just shameful! But instead of being ashamed of our past, we should try to learn from it. Instead Americans are again separating the people of America!

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Only twenty-four hours later, little of Black Wall Street was left standing."

This quick read does a really good job of explaining a tragic 48 hours in Tulsa history.

Providing context, as well as drawing on stories from those who lived it, this offers a lot to think about.

[Ben Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this quick little book to learn about the Tulsa Race Massacre. For one of the ugliest racial events in American history, it is shockingly under-taught in our schools and history. It's worth the one-hour listen as an audiobook.

[Jj]

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy!

[Kristi Clemow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never heard of this tragedy - well written - though I've never seen the author speak of himself/herself in a WWW book before.

[Kirsten Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book geared to middle school readers and up. Explains an important event in American history with plain language, definitions and illustrations for visual learners.

[Natsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never known this history which made me feel so sad and devastated. We shold never repeat it.

[Naomi B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to digest the information. Would recommend for those beginning to read about the dark side of American History. Book also highlights key vocabulary words.

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Kinnera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I knew nothing about this.

[Mary Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Youth version

Excellent overview of this horrendous massacre in Oklahoma, which still seems impossible to have happened. Left out some of the most violent, bloody details, but did explain much of the background and the criminal racist n economic motivations for killing hundreds of Blacks and destroying their town and homes. How could this have been forgotten by the US and the world for so many decades?

Audio overdrive @ 1.10 speed --also checked out the book.

Review of the book:
VERY WELL done with pen and ink sketches throughout, altho the illustrations on the cover seem odd with the huge heads.

Section of actual photos, altho only 2 or 3 are of Greenwood. They would have been interesting to see, if any were available and not burned up!

One sketch of a horrible lynching seems designed for children, with the rope hidden behind the tree trunk. I'd heard about the entertainment aspect of lynching for some white people, but still unbelievable.

Timeline of incidents in the book and other historical markers, pre and post Greenwood.

[Bianca Tarkelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like it back then the money was a lot cheaper the to day. I like how in the back of the book it showed some photos back then and, is compared the money and how it tells the date and Jim crows laws and how he made fun of the black people. he put black makeup and acted lazy and silly. and how the KKK killed the white and blacks. If you like this book then let me know.