THE ONE AND ONLY QUESTION

A Black child frets about the possibility of racist bullying at his new school.

As Zeke prepares for his first day, he’s consumed with worry that someone will call him a racial slur—something that happened at his old school. His day isn’t off to a promising start—a clothing stain forces him to put his favorite shirt aside, the bus driver looks unfriendly, and no one on the bus speaks to him. His teacher scolds him when he gets restless during class, and lunch is an unappetizing “soggy sandwich.” But later, when the kids race around the track, a boy named Jay compliments Zeke on his athletic prowess and invites him to join the basketball team. A different bus driver gives Zeke an enthusiastic greeting on the way home; at last, Zeke relaxes and begins to feel comfortable. Writing in terse prose that effectively conveys the protagonist’s tension, the authors—a mother and daughter—draw from personal experience for a look at the toll that racist bullying can take on young people. They demonstrate how isolating it can feel to be targeted due to one’s race. Daley’s warm, expressive art makes a tough topic feel more accessible. The book ends with a note from co-author Norma Charles and advice on dealing with racism, aimed at both children and adults. Zeke’s community is diverse.

Sensitively presented guidance for helping young people make sense of bigotry.