I initially received this as an ARC via NetGalley but I also borrowed it from my local library on audio book once it was released because I wanted to listen to it again. A Place to Belong is a must read for any and every parent who wants to raise their child in an inclusive environment. It’s written by a homeschool parent but it’s not just for homeschoolers; it’s written by an African American mother, but it’s not just for BIPOC families. This book is for all families to read and adapt to their families need’s because as Amber O’Neal Johnson reminds us throughout, all children need and deserve windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors.

This book is a treasure trove of important ideas. It is a practical guide full of inspiration and encouragement for families to carve out their own path toward cultivating a healthy, self-aware, globally-minded sense of beauty and belonging for their children. The author shares advice and also her own personal stories. She helps readers navigate nuances of racial and cultural diversity that bring everyone into the same conversation. This book is a real treat.

As my children exit the infant/toddler stages and enter preschool/kindergarten ages, I’ve increasingly realized how much I don’t know, or how much I’ve not completely thought through, in terms of goals I have for my parenting and how I’d like to guide my children. A Place to Belong helped me think through important topics in a helpful, encouraging way. The author walks alongside the reader in a way that is wise and also not condescending or prescriptive.

Johnston’s writing is approachable and poetic, winsome and wise, honest and kind. It is apparent on every page that the author is well read and purposeful - she doesn’t waste the reader’s time with irrelevant facts, misplaced anecdotes, or unrelated quotes. She generously includes practical tips and action steps that assist the reader in discerning next steps for their family.

In my opinion, this book is first and foremost about being a good parent and raising empathetic, understanding, well-rounded, wise children. It’s not a book for Black parents or white parents, nor a book about being woke or homeschooling. Rather, it’s a call to parents to meaningfully and intentionally invest and nurture their children in a way that allows they to fully become who they were created to be, so as to fully embrace the humanity of others. I highly encourage all parents to read this book!