Tager presents a strong argument for teaching about racism in the early grades. Drawing on her qualitative research with elementary school faculty, she highlights the obstacles these faculty face in implementing anti-racist pedagogy and curricula. She documents recent efforts by conservative ideologues and state legislatures to sanitize US history, contending that many preservice and veteran elementary educators have not been taught the history of Black Americans, hampering their capacity to integrate it into their daily teaching. According to Tager, recent efforts to censor history will only exacerbate an already bad situation. The first two chapters provide the theoretical grounding for chapters 3–10, which discuss specific topics on Black history for inclusion in early-grade curricula. These chapters also include recommended classroom activities for use with young children. The book concludes with appendixes of recommended books and resources and a reference list. The author could have drawn on more nationwide studies of US history curriculum and instruction to buttress her qualitative research evidence, but that is a minor criticism. Recommended for teacher education faculty and preservice and veteran classroom teachers. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates, faculty, and professionals.

Choice Reviews

Knowing that children’s books are being banned and people purposefully silenced, Dr. Tager’s writings surface marginalized and often ignored, yet so critically important, histories of racism as truth telling! This powerful array of chapters dedicate themselves to opening the wounds and assisting early childhood educators, families and children, and teacher educators to learn how to openly discuss truths of our racist past and present day perpetuations. Her work lifts us toward actions, making the world a better place.

Will Parnell, Portland State University