Penguin Random House Elementary Education
Elementary Secondary Higher Ed

Elementary Education Inspire Teaching and Learning with Outstanding Books


Guides

Collections

News

Wish List
  • Elementary Education

    Inspire Teaching and Learning with Outstanding Books

    • English Language Arts
        • English Language Arts
        • Fiction
        • Nonfiction
        • Poetry
        • Drama
        • Early Concepts
        • Leveled Reading
        • Writing & Composition
        • ESL / ELL

        • Browse All Subjects and Topics
    • Social Studies, History, & References
        • Social Studies & History
        • Archaeology
        • Communities, Family, & Me
        • Geography
        • Government, Politics & Laws
        • History
        • Holidays & Celebrations
        • Influential People
        • People & Places by Region
        • References
        • References
        • Almanacs
        • Dictionaries
        • Encyclopedias
        • Maps & Atlases
        • Thesauruses

        • Browse All Subjects and Topics
    • Science, Technology, The Arts, & Math
        • Science & Technology
        • Early Concepts
        • Earth & Space
        • Environmental Science & Issues
        • Experiments, Projects, and Makerspace
        • Life & Living Things
        • Physical Science
        • Scientists, Inventors, & Discoveries
        • Technology
        • Transportation
        • The Arts
        • Architecture
        • Art
        • Fashion
        • Media Studies
        • Music
        • Performing Arts
        • Math
        • Algebra
        • Arithmetic
        • Early Concepts
        • Fractions
        • Geometry
        • Math in Fiction

        • Browse All Subjects and Topics
    • Spanish and Bilingual Books
        • Spanish & Bilingual Books
        • Bilingual Books
        • Books in Spanish
        • Spanish Language Study

        • Browse All Subjects and Topics
    • Favorite Authors & Series
        • Favorite Authors and Series
        • Favorite Authors
        • Favorite Leveled Readers
        • Favorite Series & Collections

        • Browse All Subjects and Topics
    • More Disciplines
        • Health, Sports, Games, and Crafts
        • Cooking, Diet, & Nutrition
        • Crafts & Makerspace
        • Games & Activities
        • Health & Wellness
        • Sports & Recreation
        • Early Concepts
        • Alphabet
        • Body
        • Colors
        • Counting & Numbers
        • Date & Time
        • Money
        • Opposites
        • Seasons
        • Senses & Sensation
        • Size & Shapes
        • Sounds
        • Words
        • Religious Studies & Spirituality
        • Buddhism
        • Christianity
        • Hindu
        • Islam
        • Judaism
        • Visionary & Metaphysical
        • Education and Professional Learning
        • Child and Adolescent Development
        • Counseling
        • Pedagogy & Methodology
        • Schools & Education
        • Special Education

          • Browse All Subjects and Topics
    • Guides
    • Collections
    • News
    • Other Penguin Random House Education Sites
    • Secondary
    • Higher Ed
Download high-resolution cover Look inside

Hands Up!

Written by Breanna J. McDaniel
Illustrated by Shane W. Evans
Look inside
Hardcover
$17.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | Dial Books
9.38"W x 11.38"H x 0.35"D  
On sale Jan 22, 2019 | 32 Pages | 978-0-525-55231-4
Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile 360L
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies
See Additional Formats
  • English Language Arts > Fiction > Home, Health, and Daily Living > Daily Activities
  • English Language Arts > Fiction > People & Places by Group > African American
  • English Language Arts > Fiction > Social Themes > Prejudice & Racism
  • About
  • Author
  • Praise
This triumphant picture book recasts a charged phrase as part of a black girl's everyday life--hands up for a hug, hands up in class, hands up for a high five--before culminating in a moment of resistance at a protest march.
This triumphant picture book recasts a charged phrase as part of a black girl's everyday life--hands up for a hug, hands up in class, hands up for a high five--before culminating in a moment of resistance at a protest march.

A young black girl lifts her baby hands up to greet the sun, reaches her hands up for a book on a high shelf, and raises her hands up in praise at a church service. She stretches her hands up high like a plane's wings and whizzes down a hill so fast on her bike with her hands way up. As she grows, she lives through everyday moments of joy, love, and sadness. And when she gets a little older, she joins together with her family and her community in a protest march, where they lift their hands up together in resistance and strength.
Learn more about Breanna J. McDaniel
Learn more about Shane W. Evans
Praise for Hands Up!

"This book turns the phrase [hands up] on its head to give little ones confidence and pride, culminating in activism."
—USA Today

"In dynamic multi-media art, family, friends, and community fill one African-American girl's life with love. . . . Hands Up! can singularly or simultaneous serve as a kid-friendly preview of growing up, as catalyst for a conversation about the dangers of being black in America, and/or as determined reclamation of a loaded phrase."
—San Francisco Chronicle

“The epitome of #blackgirljoy . . . Empowering.”
—Mashable

* “McDaniel’s debut picture book offers a jubilant paean to a universal, everyday occurrence . . . Spare, deeply expressive mixed-media pictures by Evans feature vivid colors and inventive textures, and they underscore the power of helping hands. . . . An uplifting celebration of advocating for oneself, aiding those in need, and connecting with one’s community.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* “This successfully delivers a message of everyday celebration in one simple gesture. As an introduction for children to social activism, this book will serve well. A terrific read-aloud for one-on-one and small group sharing.”
—School Library Journal, starred review

* "Sobering and celebratory both, writer and artist triumphantly assure all audiences, especially young black readers, 'You matter.'" 
—Shelf Awareness, starred review

“A warm and necessary message of empowerment for black children, helping them see that raising their hands is a celebration of their humanity.”
—Kirkus

“A book that highlights the joys of black and brown childhood while it positions very young children as leaders and agents of change.”
—The Horn Book

About

This triumphant picture book recasts a charged phrase as part of a black girl's everyday life--hands up for a hug, hands up in class, hands up for a high five--before culminating in a moment of resistance at a protest march.
This triumphant picture book recasts a charged phrase as part of a black girl's everyday life--hands up for a hug, hands up in class, hands up for a high five--before culminating in a moment of resistance at a protest march.

A young black girl lifts her baby hands up to greet the sun, reaches her hands up for a book on a high shelf, and raises her hands up in praise at a church service. She stretches her hands up high like a plane's wings and whizzes down a hill so fast on her bike with her hands way up. As she grows, she lives through everyday moments of joy, love, and sadness. And when she gets a little older, she joins together with her family and her community in a protest march, where they lift their hands up together in resistance and strength.

Author

Learn more about Breanna J. McDaniel
Learn more about Shane W. Evans

Praise

Praise for Hands Up!

"This book turns the phrase [hands up] on its head to give little ones confidence and pride, culminating in activism."
—USA Today

"In dynamic multi-media art, family, friends, and community fill one African-American girl's life with love. . . . Hands Up! can singularly or simultaneous serve as a kid-friendly preview of growing up, as catalyst for a conversation about the dangers of being black in America, and/or as determined reclamation of a loaded phrase."
—San Francisco Chronicle

“The epitome of #blackgirljoy . . . Empowering.”
—Mashable

* “McDaniel’s debut picture book offers a jubilant paean to a universal, everyday occurrence . . . Spare, deeply expressive mixed-media pictures by Evans feature vivid colors and inventive textures, and they underscore the power of helping hands. . . . An uplifting celebration of advocating for oneself, aiding those in need, and connecting with one’s community.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* “This successfully delivers a message of everyday celebration in one simple gesture. As an introduction for children to social activism, this book will serve well. A terrific read-aloud for one-on-one and small group sharing.”
—School Library Journal, starred review

* "Sobering and celebratory both, writer and artist triumphantly assure all audiences, especially young black readers, 'You matter.'" 
—Shelf Awareness, starred review

“A warm and necessary message of empowerment for black children, helping them see that raising their hands is a celebration of their humanity.”
—Kirkus

“A book that highlights the joys of black and brown childhood while it positions very young children as leaders and agents of change.”
—The Horn Book

Additional formats

  • Hands Up!
    Hands Up!
    Breanna J. McDaniel, Shane W. Evans
    $8.99 US
    Paperback
    Dec 15, 2020
  • Hands Up!
    Hands Up!
    Breanna J. McDaniel, Shane W. Evans
    $8.99 US
    Paperback
    Dec 15, 2020
Connect with Us!

Get the latest news on all things Elementary Education. Learn about our books, authors, teacher events, and more!

Friend us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Subscribe on YouTube

See us on Instagram

View us on Pinterest

Our mission is to foster a universal passion for reading by partnering with authors to help create stories and communicate ideas that inform, entertain, and inspire.

Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Use

© 2021 Penguin Random House

About Elementary Education

  • About Us
  • FAQ
  • Conferences
  • Contact your PreK-12 Representative
  • Browse & subscribe to our newsletters

Penguin Random House Education

  • Elementary
  • Secondary
  • Higher Ed
  • Common Reads

Penguin Random House

  • PenguinRandomHouse.com
  • global.PenguinRandomHouse.com
  • Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau

About Elementary Education

  • About Us
  • FAQ
  • Conferences

Penguin Random House Education

  • Elementary
  • Secondary
  • Higher Ed
  • Common Reads
  • Contact your PreK-12 Representative
  • Browse & subscribe to our newsletters

Penguin Random House

  • PenguinRandomHouse.com
  • global.PenguinRandomHouse.com
  • Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau

Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Use

© 2021 Penguin Random House
Back to Top

/