Something Happened in Our Park: Standing Together After Gun Violence

by Ann Hazzard, Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins

This important follow-up to the bestselling, groundbreaking, and inspiring Something Happened in Our Town, is a much-needed story to help communities in the aftermath of gun violence. When Miles's cousin Keisha is injured in a shooting, he realizes people can work together to reduce the likelihood of violence in their community. With help from friends and family, Miles learns to use his imagination and creativity to help him cope with his fears. This book can help provide parents with helpful messages of reassurance and empowerment. Includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing community gun violence with children, and sample dialogues. Praise for Something Happened in Our
New York Times Bestseller
#1 IndieBound Bestseller
The Today Show 10 books to help you discuss anti-racism with children and teens
Glamour10 Books to Help Talk to Your Kids About Racism, as Recommended by Black Authors NCSS-CBC Notable Social Students Trade Book for Young People National Parenting Product Award Winner Finalist, Foreword Book Awards

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Activism, Juvenile, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 27, 2021

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful. I have been waiting for this title to arrive at my library for several weeks. Unfortunately, this past weekend there was a shooting at a party in Salt Lake City and one of the victims was Aaron Lowe, a member of the University of Utah's football team. I now read this book with a new perspective and have realized that gun violence is everywhere.

This book is an incredible resource for parents, educators, and community leaders. The topic is one that may seem too 'mature' for a Picture Book audience, but children are not exempt from exposure to gun violence, even if it is only a news story. I encourage everyone to pick up this book and read it. Librarians, teachers, parents, booksellers, put it in your Reader's Advisory grab bag.

[Aneesa]

One of those books I wouldn't want to share unless I had to.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed from a digital copy provided through PW.

Another powerhouse book from Magination Press that can be used to open conversations with children during times after a trauma - this one focused on gun violence.

The morning after there is a shooting in a local park, a young boy (Miles) is told that his cousin Keisha was one of the shooter’s victims. This is his story of healing and empowerment.

Celano and Collins do a marvelous job of showing the range of emotions that can present in a person after trauma: fear, withdrawal, and anger, then after seeking psychological help, the release of the toxic emotions, empowerment, and healing. Never preachy or idealistic, the emotional responses are real.

Illustrations by Keith Henry Brown are both stunning and engaging. The emotions Miles feels and the actions he takes after are visually powerful. The black outlines used help keep this realistic story both objective (to avoid further trauma to readers) and relative (as if this has happened to others). They will bring readers back to pour over them, willing to open up and discuss how they feel during the healing process.

Any backmatter that is to be included in this book was not seen.

Highly recommended for use by counselors, therapists, parents, and teachers whose children/clients/students have unfortunately been a bystander of gun violence. Use this book to start your conversation together.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A focus on community gun violence; after Miles' cousin Keisha is accidently shot while in the park, Miles wants to move, but his family redirects his anxiety by bringing the community together to stop the violence through out reach programs and civic involvement.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book. This book is about an urban community where gun violence occurs, not as a newsworthy mass shooting but as a quieter regular occurrence. One day, a young boy finds out his college-aged cousin was shot in the leg while attending a concert in the local park. He develops anxiety about not being safe in his own community. He no longer wants to go outside, especially to the park. He has a hard time focusing on schoolwork. Finally when his dad and his cousin start to work on a plan for the neighborhood to reclaim the park, the boy sees his chance to get involved. He helps paint a mural in the park with the phrase "Reclaim Peace."

This story does not try to disguise the message in any way-- it is very clearly about dealing with gun violence. The illustrations are an interesting style which resembles digitally filled sketches, which I don't love but does work for the book. As this is published by the American Psychological Association, there is extensive back matter (6 full pages!) on helping young children understand gun violence. It includes an overview on gun violence, how to help children cope with anxiety, ways to take action, and dialogue starters. There are also suggested responses to questions young readers might have while reading the book. An appropriate story on a tough topic.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If it happened to Keisha, it could happen to anyone.”

Miles feels extreme anxiety when he finds out his cousin, Keisha, was shot while attending a concert at a neighborhood park. He wants to move, but his mom and dad explain that they aren’t able to move. Besides, they like the neighborhood because people care for each other there. But something needs to be done about the gun violence. So Keisha and Miles’ dad meet with the mayor to try to solve the problem. As a result of those meetings, a Peace in the Streets project begins, renovating the neighborhood and strengthening the community. But Miles is still reluctant to go to the park. “If we don’t claim it [the park], who will?”

A year later, there has been great changes in the neighborhood, thanks to community action. “Violence ends when dreams begin.” A sensitive story. It includes a reader’s note in the back discussing this more in depth, including helping children and families cope with anxiety and how to answer questions that children might have about the story.

[Sara Aoyama · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an adult reader, it feels so painful to acknowledge the need for a book like this. But I do believe that it fulfills a need for the parent or caretaker that has a child who has experienced violence in their own world, perhaps to someone they know and/or love. All the possible feelings and fears a child might have are explored in a realistic manner and the book serves as an impetus or starting point for discussing violence near the home. And better to discuss it than let dangerous feelings fester.

This book can be a very useful resource so I hope many adults (librarians, teachers, mental health professionals) will become familiar with the content and recommend it to others. The ending is very upbeat and positive; but in so many cases there will not be that kind of ending, though one can always hope.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Miles' cousin Keisha is shot during a concert at the park, Miles starts to worry that it isn't safe anywhere. He daydreams at school and draws scary pictures, he stays away from windows and won't go to the park, even with his friends. Keisha is OK now, and when she's home during a break from college, helps start a community group to help stop gun violence.

Realistic illustrations make this helpful picture book appropriate for upper elementary students. Magination Press always includes resources to go further in depth with the subject. Includes conversation starters, resources for more information and ideas to help children cope with anxiety.

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of this book is a story about Miles, a school aged boy who is frightened when his cousin, who lives with him, is injured by gunfire in a nearby park. His family helps him cope with the anxiety and they figure out ways to be safe, including the community programs his cousin is involved with.

The back third is resources for parents, giving context and also addressing conversation to have with their kids about community gun violence, guns, racism, and other topics that might come up. It's a community spirited book that assumes the readers, kids and adults, want to work towards better communities.

[El · Rating 5 out of 5]

About how important to standing together after gun violence. It starts with a shooting in a local park. Miles been told that his cousin, Keisha is accidentally shot while in the park.

His questions bring readers to think and discuss how they feel about the incident.

I love the healing journey that Keisha shown. Miles adores Keisha's. I can see them.

The book is not just a tools to help children through trauma and promoting peace but to change a better world.

Thanks to the NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

My rating 5 ⭐

[Sean Whatshisface · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great story about a young boy and his family, and how they cope with the impact of a neighborhood shooting. The book showcases ways in which Miles, the main character, works through his anxiety and fears surrounding the shooting, and how he finds ways to feel safe in his home and community. It's an empowering story, and a useful tool for caregivers and parents to help children work through trauma.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good companion book to own with Something Happened in Our Town, Something Happened in Our Park tackles the aftermath of gun violence in a community.

Very important issues tackled and very important emotions addressed.

Contains extensive backmatter material to help caregivers talk to young readers about gun violence. I really appreciated the samples of Adult-Child Dialogues.

Website includes even more information covering other topics addressed in this book.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this follow up to Something Happened in Our Town, Miles is traumatized and wants to move away after his cousin Keisha is accidentally shot in their neighborhood park. Includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing community gun violence with children, and sample dialogues.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this the follow-up to Something Happened in Out Town, the prospect of families living in fear is addressed, along with the community coming together to make the neighborhood safer. Reader's Note discusses gun violence, anxiety, strategies to increase safety, questions from children, and initiating conversations. Excellent resource for parents, schools, and communities.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy becomes anxious after his cousin is injured by gunfire in their local park. His family helps him deal with his feelings and take action to end gun violence in their community. It includes a guide for adults on how to discuss gun violence with children. This is an age appropriate book that will help adults have important discussions with children.

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A local neighborhood is shocked when a college student is shot at during a concert at the park. Young Miles feels overwhelmed and isn't sure how to cope with the news, but his parents (and cousin) encourage him to talk everything out and help the community become safer through promoting peace.

[Angela Shores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Happened in Our Park is the follow up to Something Happened in Our Town and while it begins with a shooting, it takes fear and sadness and anger and turns these experiences into a message of hope and community as families come together die positive change.

[Ron Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't thrilled with the art but worth it alone for the resource guide at the end.

[Pete Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great explication of events we see in the news now daily; is a terrific and thoughtful guide for young people-- inclusive of a study guide for teachers.

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult story to tell, but the authors do an admirable job of taking on a challenging story and making it relatable. Well done and ends up optimism.

[Mela dd]

cops are coaching the track team. scoff. this was disappointing, since cops and mayors are not usually actually community partners. 1312 always. power to the people.

[AnnieM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are okay, but some translation is lost because of the format.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 3 out of 5]

One can always expect a large dose of didacticism from any children's book published by the APA and this book is no exception. It hits readers over the head (more than once) with its predictability and didactic tone. That said, there are certainly teachers and parents who can read, share, and use this picture book as a launch to conversations about violence in their neighborhood and what to do about it. In this slight story, Keisha, a college-age girl is accidentally shot in the leg while attending a concert in the community park. It prompts the narrator, Miles, Keisha's younger cousin, to have feelings of anger, withdrawal and of course fear. This in turn encourages Miles' family and teachers to create a Peace in the Streets program to take back their community and especially the park where Keisha was shot.