Book Review: We Miss You, George Floyd

Title: We Miss You, George Floyd

Author: Shannon Gibney

Illustrator: Leeya Rose Jackson

Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

Review Copy: Final copy provided by publisher

Availability: On shelves now

Summary: A young Black girl in Minneapolis grapples with the death of George Floyd. In this candid and powerful book, a young girl hears about an unfolding tragedy in her neighborhood. It’s on the news, on the radio, and talked about in her community, and she learns of the murder of George Floyd—and about who he was. As she tries to reckon with the senseless violence of his killing, she finds solace at George Floyd Square. The space is filled with the art of protest and resistance, and she is moved to create her own signs and drawings, lifting her voice to harmonize with the outpouring: “We miss you, George Floyd.” 

For children working through George Floyd’s murder and the police violence plaguing our country, and for the grown-ups trying to help them, this book is an invitation to open up difficult conversations. With striking illustrations reflecting Floyd’s world and a child’s perspective, Shannon Gibney’s clear-eyed account offers healing and inspiration for the strength and solidarity we need to build a more peaceful and just future.

My Thoughts: Tragedies like the murder of George Floyd are difficult for an adult to grapple with and explaining it to a young person is an extremely challenging task, so a book like this is quite helpful. The book opens showing different folks who are grieving and then shares what happened in simple and honest terms. The text and illustrations paint a picture of who George Floyd was to other people and the many ways he was seen by his neighbors, friends, and family. Then, it moves to a variety of responses to his death including protests, marches, organizing, storytelling and calls for justice and liberation. 

The illustrations really bring the time and place to readers in a vibrant way. The street corner and the memorial is shown in vivid colors and the artwork seems to breathe in contrast to his loss of breath. On each page there is a group of wavy lines like a paintbrush has wandered through. It changes color on each page and seems like a breeze coming through or a line of connection. There is a poster in memory of Breonna Taylor on the narrator's bedroom wall as well as signs that people hold up outside and someone wears a t-shirt with Say Her Name on it. The art does a lot to help convey facts from the text and beyond it. The illustrations also convey an incredible amount of emotion whether it's sadness, anger, or hope for the future.

As the summary says, this book would be an excellent way to start the hard conversations around George Floyd's death or other injustices that are happening around us or around the world. It shows the many ways that one can respond and how we can be in community with each other when we experience tragedies like this. 

Recommendation: This book is an excellent addition to any library for young people, but is also a good starting point with older readers too. I would recommend it for any reader who has a heart filled with loss and too many questions especially related to police violence.