The One and Only Question

by Norma Charles

It's Zeke's first day at his new school and his head is filled with one big what will he do when they call him the N-word like they did at his old school?


Zeke is expecting the worst day ever, and that's what it's turning out to be. His favorite shirt has a mustard stain on it, the bus driver is unfriendly, and his teacher covers material Zeke has heard a million times. It’s not until another student performs a small act of kindness that Zeke realizes that no one has called him the N-word all day. Not once. And tomorrow could be even better …


Ken Daley’s vibrant illustrations bring warmth and humor to the story, while showing hints of what makes this new school a safer space. 


The One and Only Question will prompt young readers to ask questions of their own about how to handle bullying — while also encouraging conversations about everyone’s right to a safe learning environment.


Includes an author’s note explaining the authors’ personal connection to this story, as well as a list of suggestions about what to do about racism-based bullying to help educators, caregivers and victims."







Key Text Features


illustrations;dialogue







Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language


CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3


Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.


CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.4


Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.


CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7


Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.


Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.


CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.6


Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.

Genres: Picture Books, African American

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 4, 2025

About the author

I wasn't always a writer. When I was young, I was a Reader. I read everything I could get my hands on. When I first learnt to read in Grade one, I was so excited, I rushed home and taught my little brother, Bryan to read too. Now he loves books as much as I do. When we moved to BC, we discovered the Public Library in New Westminster. Our parents would drop us off on Saturdays so we could read to our hearts content. Paradise! When I graduated from university, I got a job teaching, and my favourite thing to teach was, you got it! Reading. I retired from teaching to raise my children, two boys and two girls and we sure read a lot of books. When we ran out of books to read, I'd make up stories for them, and that's when I became a writer and I sold my first book, See You Later, Alligator. When my youngest son started school, I went back to teaching and got the best job in the world that combined my three loves, reading, kids, and books: a teacher/librarian. After a few years of trying to balance the teaching and the writing, I finally gave up teaching so now I can write full time. Yay!

Reviews

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zeke, a 9 year old Black boy starting at a new school, is sure that one of his new classmates will call him the N-word, and that it will be the worst day ever. Though he is armed with strategies for how to handle racist bullies, his fear is pervasive and hard to escape. Finally, the day passes without bullying, and he even finds he has made a new friend. I thought this was an effective, engaging, direct story about a terrible fear product of our racist reality, that simultaneously provided hope and encouragement and practical suggestions for how to engage with racist bullies.

Themes: Racism, Fear/Anxiety, New School
Age range: Early Elementary

[Sylvia McNicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norma Charles' writes a simple clear story about the power of expectations and how friendship can shape a better world. His kitten uses her squeaky door meow. The bus smells like stinky socks, the teacher drones on, Zeke’s feet itch, his lunch veggies droop, all as he anticipates “the worst day ever” because he thinks someone will call him the N word like at his old school. Ken Daley’s illustrations depict children and adults of diverse backgrounds, complete with realistic shadows and shines and a range of high facial emotions. When Jay compliments Zeke’s running and invites him to play basketball, the air turns sweet and Zeke realizes “Tomorrow could even be better.” Norma Charles’ book should open the page to lots of discussion. Her story aspires to better tomorrows for us all.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zeke is a young Black boy who is going for his first day at a new school. He is sure it is going to be the worst day ever and he is especially worried that someone will call him the N-word. Kids in his old school did that and he is sure it will happen again. He is ready for it all day and thinking about how he will respond, until someone’s kindness helps him see this could be a safer place for him.
This story was based on racism and bullying from a true experience. In the back of the book are tips for students and advice teachers and caregivers.
Great illustrations.

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatable story. I love the Black-South Asian solidarity embedded. My heart hurts for Zeke. I’ve been that kid. Great to see Ken’s illustrations. Rest in peace, Norma Charles.