Summer Reading 2026 The N-Word Is Not Nice

 

The story begins with Lennel in the park with her friends. It is a beautiful day and the kids are laughing and enjoying the playground. But when some older boys come by and one of them calls Lennel the ‘N-word” it ruins their fun. Despite her friends’ efforts to comfort her, Lennel runs home to her grandmother.

Grandma tells her the word has a long, painful history and is “used to make Black people feel less than others.” She explains its roots in the Spanish word negro for the color black and even describes some of the history of the Civil Rights Movement to gain respect and fairness for everyone. Lennel learns that it is important “to always speak up against meanness.” When she gets to school, she shares everything she has learned with her friends.

The book is illustrated in a style like that of animated television shows that children enjoy. The artist has made sure there are a wide range of skin tones among the characters, rather than using a few generic shades. Facial expressions capture the emotions of the different individuals, adding to the weight of their words or actions. And when the hateful word is used, an image of shattered glass over the heads of Lennel and the older boy shows the shock and pain the word causes. 

"School-age children of all cultures often repeat words they hear without fully understanding their meaning or the impact those words can have on others...The message of this book is rooted in an important truth: our words can either heal or hurt." Dr. Kennesha Gill, author of this story, explains her purpose in the author’s note. She has also put together a companion guide with activities, reflection questions, and discussion tools to make the book even more useful. 

This is a helpful book for a child who has been hurt by being called this name. It is also a story to use with the child doing the name-calling to help them see the consequences of their words. It is told simply enough to be used with elementary ages and up.

I received a review copy from the author in return for my honest feedback.