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Title details for A Door Made for Me by Tyler Merritt - Available

A Door Made for Me

by Tyler Merritt
Lonnie Ollivierre
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available

This emotional and honest book explores a racist encounter from the perspective of a young Black boy, while offering a message of unconditional love and acceptance to soothe the pain of blind prejudice.

In this story based on the author's childhood, a young Black boy confronts his first experience of overt racism. In recounting the events to his grandfather, the young narrator asks: "How can she hate me when she doesn't know me?" Grandpa offers wisdom and encouragement to the child, reminding him that another person's hate does not change the fact that he is loved and that he matters. While offering an unflinching look at the emotional impact of the encounter, Tyler Merritt presents a message of love and acceptance that will resonate with young readers and offer a starting point for conversations about racial equality between parent or caregiver and child.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Awards

  • Release date

    September 13, 2022

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781668624005
      • File size: 7536 KB
      • Duration: 00:15:41

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Kirkus

      July 15, 2022
      Some childhood encounters take a lifetime to get over. As Tyler, a young Black boy, rides to his grandparents' house, his folded arms and anxious expression suggest that he does not want to go. A whole summer with his grandparents--who will he play with? But Tyler quickly becomes friends with Jack, a White boy about his age. The boys enjoy fishing in the river together, and Jack teaches Ty how to dig for nightcrawlers. One day, they catch three buckets of fish, and Jack decides to show all his friends. But when the boys knock on a door, a White father refuses to let his child come out--a pattern that repeats several times. Baffled, Tyler finally realizes the reason when one parent says, "You can come in, Jack...but not that little Black boy. He needs to stay outside." Jack enters, leaving Tyler on the other side of the locked door, which changes everything for Tyler. At home, Tyler's grandfather offers no easy answers, but he has words of encouragement that make all the difference. In an author's note, Merritt explains that this story is based on his own childhood experience--which "left a mark on my heart that I would carry for many years." Ollivierre's illustrations, with deeply saturated colors, effectively capture Tyler's sadness and befuddlement as he encounters racism from the White adults but also the joy and love that abound as the family bonds over a backyard fried fish dinner. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A tender tribute to the power of family in bolstering children making their way in an often unkind world. (Picture book. 4-7)

      COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • School Library Journal

      Starred review from January 1, 2023

      Gr 1-4-Even before the title credits, Merritt contagiously chuckles a welcoming, "Kids, ready?" He's immediately engaging, "It was kinda hard to relive this whole story...Can I tell you about it?" He recalls a summer visit to his grandparents where he met Jack, who taught him to fish. Their plans to show off their abundant catch to Jack's friends results in doors slammed on "the little Black boy." His grandparents' love can't erase the racist sting, but their understanding encourages him to find his own door and "hold it wide for whoever wanted to come in." After bestowing energetic kudos on the production crew, Merritt adds the sound of an opening door as a reminder to help "the next person who is struggling to get in." A gentle last laugh urges, "You're gonna have to go home now." VERDICT Despite confronting wrenching lessons about racism, Merritt's kiddie debut proves delightful.

      Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Narrator Tyler Merritt shares a painful childhood memory with unmistakable sincerity, speaking directly to the listener. Accompanied by music and sound effects, Merritt recounts visiting his Southern grandparents. His voice cheerfully recalls playing with a new friend throughout the summer. One day, they visit another friend's home to show off their catch of fish. In a powerful moment, the friend's mom declares that the "Black boy" cannot come in. The listener hears the door slam, the dead bolt latch. The painful sound replays as Tyler stands outside--alone, grappling with his first experience of blatant racism. Unsettled, he returns home. His grandparents offer love and reassurance. In turn, Merritt compassionately assures kids that they, too, are perfect just the way they are. L.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2023 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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