Hands Up! by Breanna J. McDaniel, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Children’s literature, picturebook

Synopsis: Hands up at the playground, hands up when singing at church!  Hands up for celebrations and hands up for answering questions!

Review: McDaniel reframes the stigmatized phrase “Hands up!” by positioning it in everyday circumstances as the main character grows up.  The main character’s hands go up when she wants to ask a question, when she’s excited, when she’s playing–all culminating to an end of putting her hands up together with a group of protesters.  It’s a powerful book and a powerful image that works to understand and critique the goings-on of today’s political scene.  And alongside Evans’ bright illustrations, this book shows that happiness can be found in many places–that political events should not be the sole focus in anyone’s life.  Absolutely incredible!