Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race Mistakes and Friendship

IRENE LATHAM + CHARLES WATERS | SEAN QUALLS + SELINA ALKO

  • English

  • anti-Black racism, body autonomy, christianity, police brutality, hairstyles

  • Grade 4 +

How can Irene and Charles work together on their fifth grade poetry project? They don’t know each other . . . and they’re not sure they want to.

Irene Latham, who is white, and Charles Waters, who is Black, use this fictional setup to delve into different experiences of race in a relatable way, exploring such topics as hair, hobbies, and family dinners. This collaboration invites readers of all ages to join the dialogue by putting their own words to their experiences.