That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown and Nikolas Smith - ADVISABLE

That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Nikolas Smith. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2023. $19. 9780063093447 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Bianca and Kiera are best friends at school, but Kiera, a black girl, is not allowed to go to Bianca’s house, because her white family flies a confederate flag in front of their house. The girls don’t understand their parents’ disagreement about the meaning and history of the flag, until their class goes to the Southern Legacy Museum and Kiera starts to understand. She doesn’t know if their friendship can survive her new knowledge. 

An excellent way to talk to any student about the tension all Blacks feel when they see the confederate flag, and the naivete of whites who still defend it. Great for a history class on any level. Young kids will most likely not understand it on their own - it should be read with a trusted adult. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9780063093447