Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

This is not a fun book. It's not meant to be. It's a tool—a well-crafted, research-backed, carefully written tool for parents who want to talk to their young kids about racial injustice and police violence.

The question isn't whether the book is good (it is—4.8 stars on Amazon, NAPPA winner, bestseller). The question is whether you're ready to use it. Because once you read this with your kid, you're opening a door to conversations about why police shoot Black people, whether police can go to jail, and what racism means. The book gives you language and structure, but you still have to show up for the hard parts.

It's been challenged and banned in some communities, which tells you it's doing something right—or at least something that makes people uncomfortable. The fact that it's on ALA's most challenged list is both a red flag for controversy and a green flag for impact.

If your family is ready, this is an excellent resource. If you're not sure, wait. There's no prize for rushing into conversations your kid—or you—aren't ready to have.

Age Fit

Best for ages 5-9 when used intentionally by parents ready to discuss police violence and systemic racism. The target age of 4-8 is accurate, but younger kids (4-5) will need more scaffolding and may not be developmentally ready for the concepts. Older elementary kids (8-9) can engage more deeply with the material.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Models healthy family communication about difficult topics. Shows both White and Black families having age-appropriate conversations about racial injustice with empathy and honesty. The tone is serious but supportive, designed to help children process traumatic community events without overwhelming them. Demonstrates kindness across racial lines and encourages children to counter bias in their own lives.

Imaginative

45

This is a didactic, issue-driven book focused on delivering a specific message about racial injustice. While it invites children to think about fairness and justice, it's not designed to spark creative play or exploration. The structure is straightforward—two families, one event, parallel conversations. It's a tool for discussion, not a story that fires up imagination.

Safe

65

The content is age-appropriate and carefully crafted, but it explicitly addresses police violence and the shooting death of a Black man—heavy material that some families may not be ready to discuss with young children (ages 4-8). Common Sense Media notes it uses 'direct language' about racial bias and injustice. It's been challenged and appears on ALA's Top 10 Most Challenged Books list, indicating controversy. Parents need to be prepared for difficult questions and emotions. The extensive parent guide is helpful, but this isn't a pick-it-up-and-read-anytime book.

Enriching

88

Exceptional educational value for families ready to tackle these conversations. Provides child-friendly definitions, sample dialogues, and free downloadable educator materials. Research-backed approach (published by APA) addresses how children as young as three notice racial differences. Teaches children to identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives. The parent guide is comprehensive and practical. This is enriching in the truest sense—building empathy, critical thinking, and social awareness.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Research-backed approach from APA with extensive parent guides and sample dialogues—you're not flying blind
Shows both White and Black families processing the same event, modeling how to talk about race across different perspectives
Addresses what kids already see and hear about police violence instead of pretending they're oblivious
Gives concrete language for young children to understand and talk about racial injustice
Free downloadable educator materials and child-friendly definitions included

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What to Watch For

This is heavy—it's about a police shooting death, and your 4-year-old will have questions you need to be ready to answer
One of ALA's most challenged books, so expect some families to have strong opinions about it
Not a casual bedtime story; this is a tool that requires parent engagement and follow-up conversation
Some families may prefer to wait until their child is older or has encountered these topics elsewhere first

Conversation Starters

"Emma and Josh both heard the same news but their families talked about it differently. What did you notice about how each family explained what happened?"
"The book talks about how police are supposed to keep people safe. What do you think we can do when that doesn't happen?"
"Have you ever seen someone treated unfairly because of how they look? What did you do or what could you do?"
"Why do you think it's important for White families and Black families to talk about these things, even though it's hard?"

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