Something Good

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 or angry. Everyone is suspicious. Who did it, and why? They miss the days before the bad-something appears, because everything -- and everyone -- feels different now, including parents and teachers. It takes a lot of talking, listening, looking and learning together to find a way through. Culminated in a creative group mural project, the story acknowledges that while the scars of such incidents remain, it is possible to teach tolerance and feel true community once again.

Illustrated by bestselling and acclaimed artist Corinna Luyken, 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. NOTE: The "bad-something" is never shown or revealed in the text or art. Further resources are included in an author's note at the end.

“"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”

"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

"A valuable resource that might serve to equip classrooms for crisis."

--Publishers Weekly

"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

Marcy Campbell's debut picture book, Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse!, was a Junior Library Guild Selection, a Top 10 Indie Next Pick, Winner of the 2018 Comstock Read Aloud Award, and a winner of the 2018 Crystal Kite Award. A former professional in public relations turned full-time writer, she is also the author of several upcoming picture books and middle-grade novels. She lives in northeaster Ohio with my husband, children, a rescue dog named Turtle, and three formerly stay cats.

Corinna Luyken is the author-illustrator of the New York Times bestseller, My Heart, as well as The Book of Mistakes, which received four starred reviews and has been praised by Entertainment Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and more. She also illustrated Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse!, written by Marcy Campbell; Weird Little Robots, written by Carolyn Crimi; and Nothing in Common, written by Kate Hoefler (Fall 2020). She lives in Olympia, WA with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

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 or angry. Everyone is suspicious. Who did it, and why? They miss the days before the bad-something appears, because everything -- and everyone -- feels different now, including parents and teachers. It takes a lot of talking, listening, looking and learning together to find a way through. Culminated in a creative group mural project, the story acknowledges that while the scars of such incidents remain, it is possible to teach tolerance and feel true community once again.Illustrated by bestselling and acclaimed artist Corinna Luyken, 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. NOTE: The "bad-something" is never shown or revealed in the text or art. Further resources are included in an author's note at the end.

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