By Pasha Westbrook and Madelyn Goodnight
Can the simple act of a father braiding his child’s hair unlock centuries of hidden history?
“Braided Roots: The interweaving of history, family, and a father’s love” is a stunning, poetic debut from author Pasha Westbrook, beautifully paired with the enchanting artwork of Madelyn Goodnight. This middle-grade picture book explores the profound connections between intimate family bonds and the broader systemic histories of enslavement and displacement. Through the shared moments between a father and his child, the narrative explores the legacy of Black and Indigenous Freedmen, providing a vital perspective that is frequently absent from standard educational resources. While it is a new 2025 release, its placement on curated Indigenous and heritage lists, along with its strong pedigree from Orchard Books, establishes it as a high-quality selection for any school collection. The book uses its stand-alone format and large illustrations to invite repeated readings, which helps students process the conceptual weight and historical depth found within its poetic lines. The strong relational support in the story makes even the heaviest themes accessible for capable but still developing middle-grade readers.
I highly recommend this title for any Changemaker collection because of the way it links personal affection to the long-standing struggle for justice. The story aligns directly with Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by centering underrepresented voices and highlighting the resilience of those who faced systemic displacement. Educators can use this book to anchor a classroom unit on the IB Learner Profile trait of being ‘reflective.’ For example, a Grade 6 teacher might use the father’s storytelling as an entry point for students to examine how their own identities are influenced by the past and the structures they live within. By filling critical gaps in the usual history curriculum, the text provides a unique and emotionally resonant platform for inquiry-based learning and self-examination. This book inspires student agency by showing that knowing your history is a necessary tool for understanding the present and building a fairer community for everyone. It moves the conversation from abstract historical dates to real-world choices and identity.
