Please welcome my guest author today, Jolene Gutierrez, with her list of 7 Picture Books about Hard History + Hope. We are giving away two picture books, Barbed Wire Between Us and Unbreakable. Please leave a comment to enter.
7 Picture Books about Hard History + Hope
Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp by Minoru Tonai and Jolene Gutiérrez, illustrated by Chris Sasaki
Based on Minoru (Min) Tonai’s experiences in an incarceration camp, this story starts with the FBI questioning Min’s father. Papa is taken away, and Min and the rest of his family are soon sent to an assembly center and later to Amache incarceration camp. After over two years, Papa is finally released from prison and sent to Amache. When Min greets him, he tries to help lift Papa’s suitcase, but it’s heavy–filled with rocks Papa collected at every prison the FBI sent him to as they kept him unjustly imprisoned. Together, Min and Papa make something beautiful. Back matter includes notes from the author and illustrator and a timeline. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Three Pieces of Broken Glass: A Picture Book by Emily Barth Isler, illustrated by Vesper Stamper
This book — based on the author’s grandmother’s experiences— tells the story of three pieces of broken glass and how each ties to Grandma Inge’s life. One piece is from her wedding day, another is from Kristallnacht, and one is from a time when Inge was being held in an internment camp in England. Inge escaped Nazi Germany, but in England, she was viewed as an “enemy alien” and sent to a work camp away from friends and family for months. When Inge’s mother dropped her favorite glass, she knew it was a sign that Inge would soon be released from the internment camp, and she was. This story reminds us that “something broken can be so beautiful.” Includes back matter that shares more information about Inge, Emily, and their family. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Troubled Waters: A River’s Journey Toward Justice by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Lyrically written and told from the point of view of the Alabama River, we explore some of the hard history the river has seen. From enslaved people to the Trail of Tears, sharecroppers to the Civil Rights Movement, we learn about it all. Lynching and voting rights are touched on, and Bloody Sunday is included. The efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others to work toward equality is highlighted: “One more river to cross.” And Weatherford concludes: “Some say water is the mightiest force on earth. But the yearning for freedom is even stronger.” Includes back matter with a detailed timeline of the history along the Alabama River. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
The House Before Falling Into the Sea by Ann Suk Wang, illustrated by Hanna Cha
When refugees fleeing war in the northern parts of Korea end up at Kyung Tak’s family’s home, the Tak family provides shelter. Their town of Busan is the last place people can go “before falling into the sea,” and although Kyung wants everything to go back to normal, Kyung’s Umma reminds her that “visitors are not stones we can toss to the sea.” Appa reminds them all to “hold each other up.” This book includes back matter with an author’s note that explains how this story is based on Ann Suk Wang’s mother’s experiences hosting refugees. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
Until Someone Listens: A Story about Borders, Family, and One Girl’s Mission by Estela Juarez with Lissette Norman, illustrated by Teresa Martínez
Estela’s mother came to the United States from Mexico, hoping to make a better life for herself. She met and married a U.S. citizen/military veteran and had two children, but she was deported back to Mexico, ripping the Juarez family apart. Estela wrote letters to Congress, the President, and newspapers. This book is based on Estela’s family’s struggles and mirrors the experiences of so many others. The back matter gives us more information about Estela and her family and offers resources for readers who would like to learn more. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell, illustrated by Kim LaFave
It is almost time for Shi-shi-etko to leave for residential school, and she won’t be returning home for a long time. In her remaining days at home, she spends time with her family. They make memories and share stories, and Shi-shi-etko absorbs it all. An important start to a discussion about residential schools; see also Shin-chi’s Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell, illustrated by Kim LaFave and the list here. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
Written as a reverso poem as a “metaphor for history repeating itself,” this powerful book tells the story of two people incarcerated at Fort Sill during different times: a Japanese American girl who was imprisoned during World War II and a Latina girl being held in the same detention center 80 years later. The story is written in two halves: the first half tells the story of the World War II incarceration camp experience, and the second half reverses the poem and tells the story of the detention center. Back matter includes the history of Fort Sill and an author’s note. [picture book, ages 7 and up]
2 Picture Book GIVEAWAY!
We are giving away a signed copy of Barbed Wire Between Us and an unsigned copy of Unbreakable. To enter, please leave a comment. We can only mail to U.S. and A.P.O. addresses.
Jolene Gutiérrez grew up on a farm in northeastern Colorado, surrounded by animals, plants, and history. Now, she lives with her family and a variety of animals near Denver, where she is an award-winning neurodivergent teacher librarian who has been working with neurodivergent learners since 1995. Jolene writes for young readers and hopes her books will help some readers feel seen and will help others learn and grow in compassion. Her books have been printed in nine countries and eight languages and include the recipient of four starred reviews, Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp (co-authored with Minoru Tonai); Mamiachi and Me: My Mami’s Mariachi Band (co-authored with her son Dakota); winner of the 2025 Crystal Kite Award for the Southwest Region, The Ofrenda That We Built (co-authored with her daughter Shaian); and Too Much! An Overwhelming Day. Jolene is represented by agent Kaitlyn Sanchez. Find her online at www.jolenegutierrez.com or on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, or Threads @writerjolene.
p.s. Related posts:
Geography Game featuring WWII Internment Sites and Children’s Books
41 Japanese Internment Books for Kids & My Family’s Story
UNBREAKABLE and BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US interview in Publishers Weekly
Pearl Harbor Day: 20 Books for Kids and My Mother’s Story
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My books:
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
- ⭐ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal
- Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
Free and downloadable guide:
Barbed Wire Between Us Teacher’s Guide
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
- 2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
- Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
- Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Book Award Nominee 2026-27
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
