'All American boys' in the time of George Floyd: how multicultural literature can address racism's effect on community health.

This article examines the role of multicultural literature, specifically the novel *All American Boys* by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds, as an educational tool to foster understanding and empathy regarding police brutality and its impact on community health. It highlights how such literature can emotionally connect readers to the experiences of individuals and communities affected by police violence, thereby promoting deeper comprehension of racial discrimination and its systemic roots as explained by Critical Race Theory. The article also discusses the challenges posed by increasing restrictions and bans on multicultural books in schools, emphasizing the importance of access to these texts for adolescents to develop empathy and awareness of social injustices. Ultimately, it suggests that multicultural literature can contribute to addressing racial inequities and improving community well-being through education.