Trigger Warning: The mention of gun violence, school shootings, child death, and racism may be triggering for some readers. Please exercise personal care when reading.
Gun violence has unfortunately become something that touches all of our lives, even the youngest of children. Studies show that gun violence has become the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States, meaning that while it is a hard topic to talk about, it is a crucial one. Routine lockdown drills at school and the constant possibility can leave many young children feeling anxious and even scared to return to school, a place that is supposed to keep them safe. It is hard to explain the importance of being prepared without scaring kids. Here, we share seven books that can help parents and teachers facilitate these conversations and make anxious children feel less alone.
Something Happened in Our Park: Standing Together After Gun Violence by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, Illustrated by Keith Henery Brown.
Something Happened in Our Park: Standing Together After Gun Violence was written to help elementary-aged children understand the effects gun violence has on a community. It follows a young Miles as he tries to cope with his fears and learns how a community can come together to combat gun violence after his cousin is injured in a shooting. Acting as a follow-up to Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard’s Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice, these authors are dedicated to teaching children important lessons about the impacts of violence and injustices in our society in a kid-friendly way.
One Thursday Afternoon by Barbara DiLorenzo
One Thursday Afternoon by Barbara DiLorenzo strives to help parents calm their sensitive or worried children by counteracting the fearful aspects of the world with the beautiful ones. The story follows Ava and her Granddad, who picks her up from school after a lockdown drill. Ava is worried about the lockdown drills they perform at school and suddenly questions if school is the safe place she always thought it was. Ava’s Grandad gently reminds her of the beauty in the world through creativity and tender companionship, reminding her not to get too caught up in her worries and reassuring her that she will be safe. The story exemplifies how adults can help young kids work through their worries and fears.
Listen, Run, Hide: A Story of Practical Safety Guidance by Emily Glauser Romrell, Illustrated by Melanie Bess
Listen, Run, Hide by Emily Glauser Romrell uses the FBI protocol for an active shooter in a child-friendly way to help parents and teachers have open conversations with their children about lockdown drills. The book follows Willa and her parents as they navigate a similar discussion to help Willa understand her first lockdown drill and the importance of being prepared and safe. It helps adults who are unsure of how to talk to their children about lockdown drills they will experience at school.
A Kids Book About School Shootings by Crystal Woodman Miller
Written by Crystal Woodman Miller, a Columbine shooting survivor and mental health advocate, A Kids Book About School Shootings tackles the issue of school shootings head-on. It openly reminds kids that school shootings are more rare than they seem, while still encouraging preparedness and understanding of the long-term effects. She normalizes the fear kids feel, reassuring young readers that it is ok to be scared by the idea of a school shooting, even if you have never experienced it. However, she also gives kids the information they need to not let their fears rule them.
Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
Simon Sort of Says is a middle-grade read about not letting your trauma define you. The story follows Simon as he tries to move on and redefine himself after being the only kid from his class to survive a school shooting. This tragic event is what he has come to be known for, but when he and his family move two years after the shooting, he is able to reinvent how he is known and tell a whole new story. Erin Bow creates a book that deals with delicate topics like the long-lasting trauma of a school shooting, while adding a touch of humor to help show that you are so much more than just a survivor. It can help to encourage readers to move on from traumatic situations without necessarily forgetting, and it shows them that their life is not defined by what has happened to them.
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Ghost Boys is a middle-grade read that deals with themes of gun violence, racial injustice, and police violence in a fascinating story. It follows twelve-year-old Jerome, a ghost who was shot by a police officer who mistook his toy gun for a real one. As a ghost, Jerome looks at what his death does to his family and community. He meets the ghost of Emmett Till, who was killed due to racial injustice many years ago, and Jerome gets a sense of what his death means historically. He also meets Sarah, the daughter of the police officer, and he sees the complexity of her father’s actions from her perspective. Jewell Parker Rhodes helps young readers explore gun violence and racial injustice from many angles to understand the complexities entangled in these contemporary issues.
The Golden Hour by Niki Smith
The middle-grade graphic novel by Niki Smith, The Golden Hour, follows Manuel Soto as he struggles to cope after witnessing gun violence. He uses his interest in photography to help slow down his anxious thoughts. Manuel meets Sebastian and Caysha, who work together on a group project. Getting caught up in the lives of his new friends helps him find solace and open up about what he saw and how it makes him feel. It is a coming-of-age story of how good friends can help you confront your fears.
Reading these books with your children will not only ensure they are prepared for the worst, but also help them to calm their anxieties about an issue that is not easy to understand. These books not only teach about preparedness, but they also teach lessons of beauty against evil, the importance of community, compassion, and empathy. Having open dialogue about heavy topics like gun violence will help children not only to understand the implications, but could also foster a new generation of change. We hope that the lessons in these books can teach parents, teachers, and young readers and create space for hard conversations now and in the future.
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