  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 09/15/2021 Illustrations using gouache, colored pencil, and ink depict a school filled with children of different races who experience an unpleasant incident. A “bad-something” was written in a school bathroom, and the girls are chagrined when they’re all called into the principal’s office as she tries to figure out who is responsible. Four girls sneak into the forbidden lavatory, see the offensive remark, and tell others—soon, everyone is aware of the writing. Parents are informed about the issue and are as shocked as the children. The atmosphere in the school changes, and the children are not as kind as they were pre-episode. But when a teacher devises a solution for eliminating the “bad-something,” all the children take part in an art project that helps soothe and smooth over their varied, complicated feelings. The appealing pictures feature backgrounds with splotches of colors and patterns. The faces of both kids and adults clearly reveal the emotions they feel, from concerned and sorrowful to proud, as their school turns a negative situation into a learning experience with a positive conclusion. - Copyright 2021 Booklist. School Library Journal - 10/01/2021 K-Gr 4—Campbell sets children down in the middle of something serious. What if someone did something bad at your school? How would you feel? How would you act? How would you move forward? The principal talks to the students individually. The kids really want to know what the bad thing is, so they sneak into the girls' bathroom to find out. Even though Campbell never says what's written on the wall, it's apparent that it's really offensive. The parents are told and talk about it in hushed tones, and the kids find themselves being a little meaner to everyone. But then the process of moving forward begins. The principal gives the kids ribbons to remind them about their belonging and their community. The teachers help to recreate the space in the bathroom by having everyone come in and make it beautiful. This is a wonderful story about the power of positive action and about the power of community. Luyken's artwork adds to the communal feel of the story, showing lots of different kinds of kids with loving energy. This will be a wonderful book to share with students to help build school community as well as to cope with some of the negative energy that sometimes arises. VERDICT With the current emphasis on SEL, this book would be an excellent starting point for many conversations.—Debbie Tanner, S. D. Spady Montessori Elem., FL - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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