Grounded in the work of critical literacy, the authors describe one preservice teacher's journey as she develops her own critical lens while selecting children's literature and designing instruction to engage second graders in critical conversations. She helps students unpack their biases and reflects on her own assumptions while becoming more critically conscious herself. Thinking within and beyond the texts, the students began to critically read the word and the world as they saw the power in their voices and actions. The authors also describe three sample lessons that can be adapted for other classrooms.