Written by author and activist Zetta Elliot, A Place Inside of Me deals with a number of incredibly complex topics, including police brutality, racism, and race. It follows an unnamed young black boy, who describes "a place inside of me" that houses all of his emotions. While the unnamed boy is oftentimes happy, he becomes sad and disappointed one day when he hears that a young black girl has been shot by the police. When he hears a police siren outside of his home and sees protestors with Black Lives Matter signs fighting for justice, his emotions come to the forefront. He feels sympathy and compassion for those who have lost their lives and for those fighting to be free; he also feels love, pride, and peace. He also feels pride in his ancestors and desires to be free.
Interestingly, Elliot wrote the poems that now comprise A Place Inside of Me twenty years prior to its release in 2020. However, after the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castle in July 2016, she decided to compile her poems and create a picture book.
Elliot worked tirelessly with the book's illustrator to craft a vibrant story that packed a big punch. And her book certainly did that, garnering incredibly positive reviews. In their review for the book, Publisher's Weekly called it "poignant" and wrote that the book is "A resonant exultation of community and the importance of self-reflection."
