In this stand-alone companion to America’s Dreaming, New York Times bestselling author Bob McKinnon and celebrated illustrator Thai My Phuong craft a beautiful, sweeping story about the importance of speaking up for what really matters.

Have you ever wondered why people complain so much?

America is very excited for their class’s upcoming field trip to Washington, DC. But when the other kids start complaining about how not excited they are, America is confused. Their teacher, Mr. Downs, uses this as a learning opportunity: sometimes complaining—when done right—can actually be useful.

As the class walks through historic halls like the Supreme Court and around the National Mall where they visit celebrated monuments like the Lincoln Memorial, historical figures come alive for America (that portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is definitely winking). Each figure offers tales on how complaining can lead to long-lasting change and hope for a better world. For that, America is so thankful.