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saramarie08's review against another edition
4.0
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
This book seeks to chronicle the success that was Greenwood, Oklahoma, a portion of the city of Tulsa that was a completely segregated Black community. Several Black business owners, entrepreneurs, and real-estate investors had a vision for a community that could be sustained entirely without white businesses, and they went about creating a thriving town with grocery stores, entertainment venues, mortgage offices, banks, and just about everything else you need in a town. Because so much was offered, much of the Black community spent their money in Greenwood, rather than in Tulsa, and money was spent several times over inside Greenwood before going to white businesses. Greenwood got the nickname "Black Wall Street" from Booker T. Washington when he came on a visit. Then, a race war came to Tulsa, with claims that a young Black man touched a white woman. Residents of Greenwood armed themselves and marched on the courthouse to protect the young man. But white residents of Tulsa were also marching on the court house, and the ensuing battle resulted in the destruction of most of Greenwood, the implementation of a military state, the deputization of hundreds of armed white Tulsans, and the systematic execution of many of Greenwood's residents.
The main message of this book is to preserve the prosperity of Greenwood, rather than be a retelling of the violence that ended it. The actual massacre is only depicted over a few pages. This book spends most of its time showing the city and how this segregated town could sustain itself. While this might draw criticism, especially since the Tulsa Race Massacre is listed in the subtitle, I feel this story goes more into the celebration of Black Achievement. You hear it often around Black History Month - if you start the celebration of this month with a discussion of slavery, then you're leaning into the idea that the most important part about Black History is Black pain. Rather, this book celebrates the notion that a Black community could thrive economically and have a rich society all on its own, if actually given the opportunity to do so. Overall, my main complaint is just how short this novel is. With 64 pages, this book is more of an overview, and it could have delved more into the individual people who helped build Greenwood and make it successful.
Robinson illustrated the people a bit cartoony, but her landscapes and cityscapes are really beautiful. This review copy was in grayscale, but the few included color pages make this something to definitely look forward to.
There is no violence shown on the page. Men hold guns, and shots are fired, but there is very little bloodshed, and most of the violent acts are told, not seen. There is nothing objectionable or difficult for middle school readers, provided they have a little bit of historical context for which to anchor this text.
Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability level: Grades 7-12
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley. This graphic novel will be on sale May 4, 2021.
This book seeks to chronicle the success that was Greenwood, Oklahoma, a portion of the city of Tulsa that was a completely segregated Black community. Several Black business owners, entrepreneurs, and real-estate investors had a vision for a community that could be sustained entirely without white businesses, and they went about creating a thriving town with grocery stores, entertainment venues, mortgage offices, banks, and just about everything else you need in a town. Because so much was offered, much of the Black community spent their money in Greenwood, rather than in Tulsa, and money was spent several times over inside Greenwood before going to white businesses. Greenwood got the nickname "Black Wall Street" from Booker T. Washington when he came on a visit. Then, a race war came to Tulsa, with claims that a young Black man touched a white woman. Residents of Greenwood armed themselves and marched on the courthouse to protect the young man. But white residents of Tulsa were also marching on the court house, and the ensuing battle resulted in the destruction of most of Greenwood, the implementation of a military state, the deputization of hundreds of armed white Tulsans, and the systematic execution of many of Greenwood's residents.
The main message of this book is to preserve the prosperity of Greenwood, rather than be a retelling of the violence that ended it. The actual massacre is only depicted over a few pages. This book spends most of its time showing the city and how this segregated town could sustain itself. While this might draw criticism, especially since the Tulsa Race Massacre is listed in the subtitle, I feel this story goes more into the celebration of Black Achievement. You hear it often around Black History Month - if you start the celebration of this month with a discussion of slavery, then you're leaning into the idea that the most important part about Black History is Black pain. Rather, this book celebrates the notion that a Black community could thrive economically and have a rich society all on its own, if actually given the opportunity to do so. Overall, my main complaint is just how short this novel is. With 64 pages, this book is more of an overview, and it could have delved more into the individual people who helped build Greenwood and make it successful.
Robinson illustrated the people a bit cartoony, but her landscapes and cityscapes are really beautiful. This review copy was in grayscale, but the few included color pages make this something to definitely look forward to.
There is no violence shown on the page. Men hold guns, and shots are fired, but there is very little bloodshed, and most of the violent acts are told, not seen. There is nothing objectionable or difficult for middle school readers, provided they have a little bit of historical context for which to anchor this text.
Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability level: Grades 7-12
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley. This graphic novel will be on sale May 4, 2021.
hereisenough's review against another edition
4.0
Brief, but a great and sad introduction to Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre.
amysutton's review against another edition
5.0
What an important story to tell! While I knew about "Black Wall Street" and the Tulsa Race Massacre prior to reading this, I didn't know nearly as much as I thought. I love how this focused on all the entrepreneurs and investors who built Greenwood from the ground up. One man's initial investment compounded to create a community with its own grocery stores, libraries, school, law offices, theater, mechanic, dress shop, cab service, and more. This was all during the 1920s when American Jim Crow policies were widespread.
The riot and destruction happened in only a few pages, echoing how the years of progress were destroyed in such a short time. Most of the book was focused on the building and the rebuilding of the community, and the success that could be achieved through group effort and dedication. What a world we could live in if this was everyone's focus...
As a side note - I didn't realize that the Creek in Oklahoma were owners of the most enslaved African Americans collectively at this time period. In the ending essays, there was an thought-provoking history described of the victims (Native Americans) becoming the oppressors to the next set of victims (African Creeks).
The riot and destruction happened in only a few pages, echoing how the years of progress were destroyed in such a short time. Most of the book was focused on the building and the rebuilding of the community, and the success that could be achieved through group effort and dedication. What a world we could live in if this was everyone's focus...
As a side note - I didn't realize that the Creek in Oklahoma were owners of the most enslaved African Americans collectively at this time period. In the ending essays, there was an thought-provoking history described of the victims (Native Americans) becoming the oppressors to the next set of victims (African Creeks).
resslesa's review against another edition
5.0
Short and powerful with excellent strong illustrations and a devastating picture of how white supremacy ruined a prosperous town but Greenwood refused to give up.
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Slavery and War
abkinlaw's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
lyzz's review against another edition
5.0
Across the Tracks
Author & Illustrator: Alvere Black
Illustrator: Stacey Robinson
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 72
Publication Date: May 4, 2021
This graphic novel is being released in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre that occurred on May 31-June 1, 1921. The graphic novel talks about the founding and development of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This was also known as Black Wall Street. The oil boom in Tulsa allow blacks to own land and Black Wall Street was founded. The community was quite prosperous with multiple building schools, having access to two physicians, a vibrant transportation system, multiple grocery stores, a theater and even a confectionary store.
On May 31, 1921, an accidental shot at the courthouse resulted in the sheriff deputizing white men who crossed the tracks into Greenwood. Over the next 24 hours, 300 African Americans had been killed, 1,200 homes destroyed, 320 homes looted, and 4000 people left homeless.
What I liked about this graphic novel:
*The retelling of the Tulsa Race Massacre is powerful. It shows the rise of Black Wall Street and the context for the massacre. I really liked that the emphasis was on the Greenwood District instead of on the massacre itself. It really brings home the point of what was destroyed during this horrible event.
*I appreciated the in-depth afterword that provides more detail about the history leading up to the Tulsa Face Massacre.
*The illustrations were gorgeous. The ARC I reviewed was black and white and will have color in the final edition. I think it will only improve this masterful design already provided.
*I appreciated that the artist varied the number of panes/splashes to match the content of the pane.
What I didn’t like:
*While the novel ends on a hopeful note, I wanted to know what happened afterwards.
*I would have liked to have a bit more context in the actual illustrations about the racism rampant in the US at the time. There are mentions of Jim Crow laws but not of the 1919 Summer of Red and the increased Klan activity that may have helped fuel this tragic event.
This graphic novel is powerful reading and a beautiful commemoration for this community that was destroyed. I believe this should be on the list of anti-racist reading as understanding history and why it was erased is critically important.
ARC provided to me by Abrahams Comics – Megascope, via Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.
Author & Illustrator: Alvere Black
Illustrator: Stacey Robinson
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 72
Publication Date: May 4, 2021
This graphic novel is being released in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre that occurred on May 31-June 1, 1921. The graphic novel talks about the founding and development of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This was also known as Black Wall Street. The oil boom in Tulsa allow blacks to own land and Black Wall Street was founded. The community was quite prosperous with multiple building schools, having access to two physicians, a vibrant transportation system, multiple grocery stores, a theater and even a confectionary store.
On May 31, 1921, an accidental shot at the courthouse resulted in the sheriff deputizing white men who crossed the tracks into Greenwood. Over the next 24 hours, 300 African Americans had been killed, 1,200 homes destroyed, 320 homes looted, and 4000 people left homeless.
What I liked about this graphic novel:
*The retelling of the Tulsa Race Massacre is powerful. It shows the rise of Black Wall Street and the context for the massacre. I really liked that the emphasis was on the Greenwood District instead of on the massacre itself. It really brings home the point of what was destroyed during this horrible event.
*I appreciated the in-depth afterword that provides more detail about the history leading up to the Tulsa Face Massacre.
*The illustrations were gorgeous. The ARC I reviewed was black and white and will have color in the final edition. I think it will only improve this masterful design already provided.
*I appreciated that the artist varied the number of panes/splashes to match the content of the pane.
What I didn’t like:
*While the novel ends on a hopeful note, I wanted to know what happened afterwards.
*I would have liked to have a bit more context in the actual illustrations about the racism rampant in the US at the time. There are mentions of Jim Crow laws but not of the 1919 Summer of Red and the increased Klan activity that may have helped fuel this tragic event.
This graphic novel is powerful reading and a beautiful commemoration for this community that was destroyed. I believe this should be on the list of anti-racist reading as understanding history and why it was erased is critically important.
ARC provided to me by Abrahams Comics – Megascope, via Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.
5elementknitr's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent graphic novelized telling of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
It ends with a few pages of text.
Highly recommended reading!
It ends with a few pages of text.
Highly recommended reading!