Emmitt Smith

A parent might reach for this book when their teen is ready to move beyond simplified histories and confront the brutal realities of racial injustice in America. This book tells the true, tragic story of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy from Chicago visiting family in Mississippi, who was abducted and lynched in 1955. It unflinchingly explores themes of systemic racism, profound grief, and the stark contrast between good and evil, while also highlighting the immense bravery of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, who insisted on an open-casket funeral to show the world what was done to her son. Due to the subject matter, this book is best suited for mature readers and is a powerful tool for initiating vital conversations about history, justice, and allyship.