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This organization offers classroom resources, professional development, and magazines and publications.

In regards to books to use in the classroom: "Choose from informational and literary nonfiction texts, literature, photographs, political cartoons, interviews, infographics and more. You can also filter by text type, grade level, subject and topic."

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Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators-teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners-who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

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The rule of law presents a path for nations to create a just and humane world. Our resources on human rights examine international systems of justice developed in response to mass violence, past and present. These emcompass struggles around racism, religious intolerance, national origin, gender and sexuality, and sexual expression.

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Ezra Jack Keats’s books about Peter (“The Snowy Day,” “A Letter to Amy,” “Hi, Cat!,” “Whistle for Willie”)

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Ezra Jack Keats’s books about Peter (“The Snowy Day,” “A Letter to Amy,” “Hi, Cat!,” “Whistle for Willie”)

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Peter

The central figure in Ezra's "neighborhood books," Peter is unforgettable as a sweet little boy in a red snowsuit playing in the snow. He grows up to be a regular kid, coming to terms with a new baby sister and hanging out with his dog and his friends. While Peter is bright, imaginative and fun-loving, his quiet, thoughtful side is evident in every book.

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The central figure in Ezra's "neighborhood books," Peter is unforgettable as a sweet little boy in a red snowsuit playing in the snow. He grows up to be a regular kid, coming to terms with a new baby sister and hanging out with his dog and his friends.

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“Saturday,” written and illustrated by Oge Mora

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“Saturday,” written and illustrated by Oge Mora

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* "The simple yet heartfelt story tugs at the emotions, but it's the paper collage artwork that really packs a punch. Created with acrylic paints, china markers, patterned paper, and print clippings, the bright illustrations are inventively conceived and full of motion-just the right vehicle for bringing this Black mother-daughter duo to vibrant life."

-Booklist, starred review

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"The simple yet heartfelt story tugs at the emotions, but it's the paper collage artwork that really packs a punch. Created with acrylic paints, china markers, patterned paper, and print clippings, the bright illustrations are inventively conceived and full of motion-just the right vehicle for bringing this Black mother-daughter duo to vibrant life."

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“Hair Love,” by Matthew A. Cherry. Illustrated by Vashti Harrison.

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“Hair Love,” by Matthew A. Cherry. Illustrated by Vashti Harrison.

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PRAISE FOR HAIR LOVE

2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project - Top Ten List
NAACP Image Award Nominee
Irma Black Award Nominee

"[A]n important moment for representation and encouraging positive paternal moments." - Refinery29

Hair Love is a dedication to black and brown boys and girls everywhere to learn to love their natural hair." - Blavity

"We're always here for a father and daughter beauty adventure..." - Essence.com

"Seeing such a positive representation of black men and their daughters is such a breath of fresh air...The world definitely needs more of this." - TeenVogue.com
"A wonderful slice-of-life tale about family support, black hair, and embracing individuality." -School Library Journal, starred review

"This delightful debut encourages self-affirmation and celebrates a loving, respectful relationship between a nurturing father and his cool, confident daughter." - Shelf Awareness, starred review
"This authentic depiction of a loving and whole black family broadens the scope of representation." -"Unforgettable." -"A bighearted ode to individuality and father-daughter collaboration." - Publishers Weekly

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Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry: 9780525553366 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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PRAISE FOR HAIR LOVE 2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project - Top Ten ListNAACP Image Award NomineeIrma Black Award Nominee "[A]n important moment for representation and encouraging positive paternal moments." - Refinery29 Hair Love is a dedication to black and brown boys and girls everywhere to learn to love their natural hair."

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“Each Kindness,” by Jacqueline Woodson. Illustrated by E.B. Lewis.

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“Each Kindness,” by Jacqueline Woodson. Illustrated by E.B. Lewis.

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Skip to Main Content (Press Enter)

* "This quiet, intense picture book is about the small actions that can haunt. . . . Woodson's spare, eloquent free verse and Lewis' beautiful, spacious watercolor paintings tell a story for young kids that will touch all ages." - Booklist, starred review

"Unfolds with harsh beauty and the ominousness of opportunities lost. . . . The matter-of-fact tone of Chloe's narration paired against the illustrations' visual isolation of Maya creates its own tension. . . . Lewis dazzles with frame-worthy illustrations, masterful use of light guiding readers' emotional responses." - Kirkus Reviews

* "Always on-target navigating difficulties in human relationships, Woodson teams up with Lewis to deal a blow to the pervasive practice-among students of all economic backgrounds-of excluding those less fortunate. . . . Lyrical and stylistically tight writing act in perfect counterpoint to the gentle but detailed watercolor paintings. . . . Gives opportunity for countless inferences and deep discussion . . . invite[s] readers to pause, reflect, and empathize. . . . With growing income disparity, and bullying on the rise, this story of remorse and lost opportunity arrives none too soon." - School Library Journal, starred review

* "Combining realism with shimmering impressionistic washes of color, Lewis turns readers into witnesses as kindness hangs in the balance. . . . Woodson . . . again brings an unsparing lyricism to a difficult topic." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Woodson's fluid writing and deft particularity makes the girls' bullying rebuffs of Maya absolutely heartbreaking. . . . In his watercolors, Lewis embraces the effects of light like an Impressionist, while his creative, often cinematic uses of point of view add resonance to the story. . . . Offers an alternative view to rosier stories of forgiveness and bully-victim friendships." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Beautifully heartbreaking . . . sure to touch a tender spot. . . . The situation should resonate with young people who are sure to recognize themselves in either Chloe or Maya. Lovely watercolors perfectly complement this simple yet strong story." - Library Media Connection

"Woodson's affecting story, with its open ending, focuses on the withholding of friendship rather than outright bullying, and Lewis reflects the pensive mood in sober watercolors . . . in subtly detailed portraits. . . . A good conversation starter." - The Horn Book

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Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson: 9780399246524 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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WINNER OF A CORETTA SCOTT KING HONOR AND THE JANE ADDAMS PEACE AWARD! Each kindness makes the world a little better This unforgettable book is written and illustrated by the award-winning team that...

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“The Youngest Marcher,” by Cynthia Levinson. Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton.

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“The Youngest Marcher,” by Cynthia Levinson. Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton.

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Meet the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963, in this moving picture book that proves you're never too little to make a difference.

Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks intended to go places and do things like anybody else.

So when she heard grown-ups talk about wiping out Birmingham's segregation laws, she spoke up. As she listened to the preacher's words, smooth as glass, she sat up tall. And when she heard the plan- picket those white stores! March to protest those unfair laws! Fill the jails!-she stepped right up and said, I'll do it! She was going to j-a-a-il!

Audrey Faye Hendricks was confident and bold and brave as can be, and hers is the remarkable and inspiring story of one child's role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Cynthia Levinson was in high school when Audrey Faye Hendricks marched to jail, and she knows she would not have been as brave as Audrey. But when Cynthia met Audrey forty-five years later, she knew she had to write a book about her for young readers. She spent more than three years interviewing marchers and researching the events. Her book We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March tells the story for older readers. Cynthia has also written about social justice in Watch Out for Flying Kids: How Two Circuses, Two Countries, and Nine Kids Confront Conflict and Build Community. She and her husband divide their time between Austin, Texas, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a self-taught artist and has attended both FIT and SVA of New York, where she studied fashion and children's illustration. Vanessa is the illustrator of A Night Out with Mama by Quvenzhané Wallis, The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson, Presenting...Tallulah by Tori Spelling, and Early Sunday Morning by Denene Millner, among others. She hopes that when people look at her work, it will make them feel happy in some way, or even reclaim a bit of their childhood.

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (January 17, 2017)

Length: 40 pages

ISBN13: 9781481400701

Grades: K - 5

Ages: 5 - 10

Lexile ® 720L

Browse Related Books

"A significant portrayal of Audrey Faye Hendricks and the Children's March."

- School Library Journal, November 2016

"Levinson returns to the subject of We've Got a Job as she recounts, for a younger audience, the story of Audrey Faye Hendricks and her role in the 1963 Children's March in Birmingham, Ala. Moving briskly through events, Levinson explains how the young Hendricks was eager to stand up to segregation, marching alongside thousands of fellow students, who were subsequently arrested. Newton's bright, digitally assembled collages adeptly highlight the danger of the situation-grim cells, barbed-wire fences, children blasted with fire hoses-while emphasizing the power of the marchers' collective efforts to push back against injustice."

- Publishers Weekly, December 2016

"Audrey's third-person perspective is well represented and storytold, with short, punchy sentences especially vivid in conveying individual testimony and movement goals."

- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February 2017

"It's one of the more shocking and little-known stories of the civil rights movement: In 1963, the City of Birmingham jailed hundreds of kids for joining the Children's March. Among them was 7-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks, taken from her family to spend a week behind bars, eating "oily grits" and sleeping on a bare mattress. Levinson and Newton keep her story bright and snappy, emphasizing the girl's eagerness to make a difference and her proud place in her community."

- The New York Times Book Review, February 12, 2017

"[This book] can introduce even the youngest children to the idea of rebellion in an age-appropriate and inspiring way. Give the princesses and pirates a rest and try these inspiring reads-just don't be surprised if bedtime negotiations rise to a new level. Every activist has to start somewhere!.... The book tells the true story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, who was arrested at a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Ala., when she was 9 years old. In it, Audrey is introduced to stories about the Ku Klux Klan and police brutality, and she decides to join the protest. The compelling story about white supremacy and the civil rights era illustrates the courage and personal sacrifice that activism requires, and teaches kids why it matters."

- The Washington Post, "The best books for raising activist kids," March 10, 2017

"Levinson tells the true story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, the youngest participant in the 1963 Birmingham Children's March.... The well-paced text captures a child's voice and presents time and place realistically. Brightly colored digital collages clearly depict both the hopeful spirit and the rawer emotions of one community involved in the civil rights struggle; a double-page spread of Audrey curled up on a bare mattress in her jail cell is particularly effective."

- The Horn Book Magazine, May/June 2017

"Having honest and open discussions about race, tolerance, and acceptance from a very early age can set the stage for a much broader and deeper understanding of these issues as your child grows. Here [is a book] that can help spark these conversations.... The story of the youngest known civil rights protester in history will teach children that you're never too small to stand up for what you believe in."

- Huffington Post, "20 Children's Books To Spark Important Discussions About Race And Tolerance"

ILA Teachers' Choices

CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best

Carter G. Woodson Book Award (NCTFSS)

Great Lakes Great Books Master List (MI)

Comstock Read Aloud Book Award Honor

ALA Notable Book

Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title

Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee

Eureka! Excellence in Nonfiction Award Honor Title (CA)

Wisconsin State Reading Association's Reading List

Washington State Towner Award Nominee

Julia Ware Howe Young Reader Award

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Meet the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963, in this moving picture book that proves you're never too little to make a difference. Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks intended to go places and do things like anybody else.

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“Resist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice,” by Veronica Chambers. Illustrated by Paul Ryding

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“Resist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice,” by Veronica Chambers. Illustrated by Paul Ryding

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A perfect tool for young readers as they grow into the leaders of tomorrow, Veronica Chambers's inspiring collection of profiles-along with Senator Cory Booker's stirring foreword-will inspire readers of all ages to stand up for what's right.
You may only be one person, but you have the power to change the world.

Before they were activists, they were just like you and me. From Frederick Douglass to Malala Yousafzai, Joan of Arc to John Lewis, Susan B. Anthony to Janet Mock-these remarkable figures show us what it means to take a stand and say no to injustice, even when it would be far easier to stay quiet.

Resist profiles men and women who resisted tyranny, fought the odds, and stood up to bullies that threatened to harm their communities. Along with their portraits and most memorable quotes, their stories will inspire you to speak out and rise up-every single day.

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A perfect tool for young readers as they grow into the leaders of tomorrow, Veronica Chambers's inspiring collection of profiles-along with Senator Cory Booker's stirring foreword-will inspire readers of all ages to stand up for what's right. You may only be one person, but you have the power to change the world.

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“Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness,” written and illustrated by Anastasia Higginbotham

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“Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness,” written and illustrated by Anastasia Higginbotham

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The latest in the Ordinary Terrible Things series, a white child sees TV coverage of a police shooting-and has some questions.

"A much-needed title that provides a strong foundation for critical discussions of white people and racism, particularly for young audiences. Recommended for all collections.
-Ashleigh Williams, School Library Journal, starred review

"A necessary children's book about whiteness, white supremacy, and resistance. Important, accessible, needed." - Kirkus

"Anastasia Higginbotham knows something that far too many of us have forgotten: Children are smart. Children are observant. Children understand fairness and justice. and they have an immense capacity for engaging with the "difficult" topics that we grown-ups too often try to avoid. I am in love with Not My Idea, and with Higginbotham's direct, radical, compassionate approach to talking about whiteness, racism, and the need to tell painful but important truths. As a white parent working to raise conscious, loving, anti-racist humans, I cannot wait to share it with my kids."
- Kate Schatz, NYT-bestselling author of Rad American Women A-Z, Rad Women Worldwide, and Rad Girls Can

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The latest in the Ordinary Terrible Things series, a white child sees TV coverage of a police shooting-and has some questions. "A much-needed title that provides a strong foundation for critical discussions of white people and racism, particularly for young audiences.

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“All American Boys,” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

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“All American Boys,” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

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All American Boys by Jason ReynoldsBrendan Kiely | Scholastic

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A violent act divides a school, town and ultimately the country in ripped from-the-headlines racial discord told in alternating points of view by teen boys, one

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“Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

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“Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

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Formats and Prices

This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around March 10, 2020. This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.

Description

The crucial, empowering, #1 New York Times bestselling exploration of racism-and antiracism-in America.

This is NOT a history book.
This is a book about the here and now.
A book to help us better understand why we are where we are.
A book about race.

The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. This remarkable reimagining of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning reveals the history of racist ideas in America and inspires hope for an antiracist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited.

Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative written by beloved award-winner Jason Reynolds, this book shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas-and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives.
Read Excerpt

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The crucial, empowering, #1 New York Times bestselling exploration of racism-and antiracism-in America.This is NOT a history book.This is a book ...

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“Gloria and Rosa Make Beautiful Music” by Cynthia Levinson and “SWOOSH!“ By Ann Malaspina

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“Gloria and Rosa Make Beautiful Music” by Cynthia Levinson and “SWOOSH!“ By Ann Malaspina

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These stories are a part of the Teaching Tolerence resource which is linked under resources as well.

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Gloria and Rosa sat cross-legged on the floor in Gloria's room, braiding their dolls' hair. As usual, Rosa was humming.

"DUM duh, duh DUM duh," she sang softly. Her head bobbed from side to side as she wove strands of her doll's hair right-over-middle, then left-over-middle. Back and forth.

"Why do you hum that song?" Gloria asked. She reached for a pale blue ribbon to tie the bottom of a braid, even though stray tufts of hair jutted from her doll's scalp.

"It helps me keep track," Rosa answered. "On the duhs, I cross one hank of hair over the middle one. On the DUMs, I pull them tight. Try it."

"Not me," Gloria said. "I don't have a good voice like you do. If I sang, even our dolls would run away!" She made her doll's legs run toward the door. "It's a pretty song, though."

"My abuela taught it to me," Rosa said. "Her mother taught it to her when she was a little girl in Mexico. It's called 'Cielito Lindo.'"

"What does the name mean?" Gloria asked.

"Well, cielito means bit of sky, and lindo is pretty. Together, they mean lovely little one. That's why I sing it to my doll."

Rosa held her doll up, its hair sporting sparkly turquoise ribbons.

Gloria said, "Her braids are perfect!"

"Gloria!" her mother called from downstairs. "Your piano teacher's here."

"Time for my lesson with Miss Rostov," Gloria said to Rosa. "See you after school tomorrow?"

"Could I stay and listen?" Rosa begged. "Please?"

"Playing in front of people makes me nervous," Gloria admitted.

"I'll be very quiet," Rosa promised.

Reluctantly, Gloria agreed that Rosa could stay. Sitting behind her friend in the living room, Rosa barely breathed. Even so, Gloria knew that Rosa was listening. She stumbled over the simplest pieces. But Rosa didn't notice.

"That was beautiful!" she exclaimed.

Every Thursday for the next month, Rosa listened to Gloria's lessons, even though Gloria kept making mistakes. Finally, Gloria asked Rosa, "Why don't you take lessons, too?"

"We don't have a piano," Rosa answered.

"What about at school?"

"Hernandez doesn't have a piano, either."

"It doesn't? What do you do in music class?" Gloria asked.

"We sing," Rosa said. "We don't have any instruments."
"None?"
Gloria told Rosa about the keyboards, drum sets and recorders at Zavala, the school she attended.

"I wish we had those," Rosa said. "My teacher says our school can't afford to buy instruments, but it's not fair!"

"You're right," Gloria agreed. "Hernandez deserves the same things Zavala has."

" Every school does!"

"That's true," Gloria said. "Let's talk with our music teachers tomorrow and compare notes with each other after school."

The next afternoon, the girls met at Rosa's house and discussed what their music teachers had told them.

"My teacher says there's not much money for our school's music program," Rosa said. "The only way we can buy instruments is to raise money, but instruments are very expensive."

"Hmmm,"Gloria frowned. "Our school's band booster club helps us get instruments. What if we ask them for suggestions?"

"That's a good idea," Rosa agreed. "We should also show them why all the kids in our community should have instruments at school."

"What do you have in mind?" Gloria asked.

"Well, I'm a good singer, and you're a wonderful pianist..."

"Oh, no! I can't do that!" Gloria exclaimed.

"You won't be alone!" Rosa replied. "We'll do it together."

Looking down at her fingers and taking a deep breath, Gloria finally said, "OK. I can do this."

" We can do this," Rosa smiled, grabbing her friend's hand.

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Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators-teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners-who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

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Creating the Space to Talk About Race

Most of us believe that every child, no matter what they look like or where they come from, deserves a safe and welcoming school where they can thrive. But certain politicians try to divide us by sending police to monitor and punish Black and brown students in schools that have been denied funding to even cover the basics, while ensuring well-resourced schools with mostly white students have enrichment activities, teacher training, and parent engagement. By joining together across race and place, we can rewrite the rules to ensure every student -whether Black, Brown or white- has up-to-date learning materials that give a full picture of our nation's history, the support of educators who are prepared to foster dialogue on racial justice and its impact on students and communities, and a well-resourced school environment.

NEA DEMANDS: JUSTICE FOR BLACK LIVES
As an organization representing public school educators across the country, the National Education Association recognizes the need to end institutionally racist systems and policies that have governed our society for too long and kept Black people from full participation in American life. For many Black students and families, our public schools are the heart of our communities. But far too many have been overlooked, neglected and forgotten by those in power who choose to bail out greedy corporations and line the pockets of privatizers. We must hold decision makers accountable to the people by reinvesting in policies and systems to achieve healthy and strong schools and communities. To our Black students, colleagues, parents and families: You matter, your trauma matters, your voice matters, your protest matters, your dreams matter. We mourn with you, we stand with you and we organize with you to dismantle all acts of discrimination and racism.
Therefore, we demand justice and equity for Black lives in all places and in all forms - in our judicial, education, housing, health and economic systems.
READ MORE

CREATING THE SPACE TO TALK ABOUT RACE IN YOUR SCHOOL

Racism is complex and contentious. Many of us are afraid to even broach the subject. It often feels easier and safer to avoid the topic altogether.

But silence and inaction reinforce the status quo. And avoidance speaks volumes - it communicates to students of color that racism doesn't matter enough to warrant attention and, by omission, invalidates their experiences, perspectives, identities and lives. White students, on the other hand, often see racism being accepted and normalized, without acknowledgement or accountability.

To advance real solutions, we need to address real problems. As teachers, we have "teachable moments," or opportunities to constructively and productively address race. But these opportunities need to be thoughtfully created, seized, planned and managed.

The following tips can help you make race conversations normal, constructive and successful.

Read More

Read Less

NEA activists launch series of video "primers" for anti-racist white educators

Luke Michener and Terry Jess are both white, male educators who teach at Bellevue High School in Washington state. They feel they have little to add to conversations about race with students and colleagues of color that those students and colleagues don't already know themselves, based upon their own experiences in the classroom, and, more broadly, living in the United States.

On the other hand, Terry and Luke feel they do have a lot to offer other white educators who are committed to racial equity in education, but may not know where to begin.

Inspired by their own experiences working with students trying to reconcile their own identities with the realities of the world around them, as well as conversations they had at the 2017 NEA Conference on Racial and Social Justice, Terry and Luke created a series of YouTube videos they hoped could provide other white educators with ideas, insights and tools to better engage in racial equity work in their own schools and communities.

Terry now has more than 80 short videos on his YouTube channel, anchored around a 10-part series co-hosted by the pair titled "Primer for anti-racist white educators." Read the full blog post about their video project.

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Terry & Luke's Video Primers for Anti-Racist, White Educators:

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Educators, Parents, Students Mobilize in Support of District Equity Policy in WA State

Gjanje Smith says the first time her son was called the N-word was when he was a middle school student in the Bellevue School District, just east of Seattle.

After moving to Bellevue in 2010 from just outside Boston - with its long history of racial conflict in schools, including protests and riots following court-ordered desegregation and busing in the mid-1970s - Smith says she was shocked.

"I think people have this false sense of security in the Pacific Northwest because it's supposed to be this more progressive area," says Smith. "But there are still a lot of ongoing racial issues and micro-aggression."

Smith's son is now 20. By the time he graduated from high school, he had never had an African American teacher in any of his classes. She also has two daughters, ages 8 and 4. "My hope for my daughters," she says, "is that at some point they see themselves represented in the teaching staff, in the curriculum, and in the reading assignments."

Read More

That vision has motivated Smith to become active in a community-wide effort to pass an equity policy in the Bellevue School District. She notes that racial equity is one of the top three priorities highlighted by district leadership, but the district currently has no equity policy.

"The district talks a great game about equity and serving all students," says Terry Jess, who teaches social studies at Bellevue High School and is the parent of an eighth grader and a high school junior in Bellevue schools. "But the district is not accountable for addressing the gaps that exist."

While Bellevue is less than 3 percent African American, it is one of the most diverse school districts in Washington: 42 percent of students are Asian American, 37 percent are white, and 12 percent are Latino.

Shomari Jones, director of equity and strategic engagement for the Bellevue School District, believes the district is heading in the right direction. Jones was recognized by "Education Week" earlier this year as one of nine exceptional K-12 leaders in the country for his leadership on closing opportunity gaps in the district. Last year, Jones organized a series of "community cafes" to solicit feedback from the community about equity issues. The district engaged with more than 2,500 people.

"Early on, there emerged a small but strong voice against the passing of an equity policy," said Jess. He characterized the opposition as coming primarily from affluent white parents and from Asian American parents who were concerned an equity policy would be tied to demographic quotas or limits on gifted student programs. (The Asian American & Pacific Islander Alliances has publicly supported an equity policy in the district).

During the forums, Smith says, some opponents directed comments at her and other African American parents. "There were comments like: ' Those people don't value education,' and 'We are asking the district to let people into the gifted program who won't be required to score as high on the testing as our kids have to...' "

Smith explains that nothing in the proposed equity policy would put quotas on gifted programs. Rather, she says, an equity policy would help ensure access to programs is equitable throughout the district. Smith believes that when student access to a gifted student program hinges solely on teacher recommendations, students of color too often get overlooked. "Even when SATs and GPAs of black and brown students match that of their Caucasian counterparts, their abilities are often underestimated."

Jones says some opposition to the proposed district-wide equity policy stemmed from a perceived sense of loss. "Some folks rationally believe that if we are providing greater support to a group of individuals who we have not put emphasis on before, there's a chance we may take way from other programs. That is not the case."

Following the forums, the district organized an Equity Advisory Group, which held a series of meetings to do what Jones called a "much deeper dive." This included reviewing current policies, researching equity practices in other districts and organizations, and recommending new policies and/or revisions to existing policies.

"We absolutely need an equity policy in the Bellevue school District," says educator Maria Ocampo, who was one of the participants in the advisory group. "Whether it's due to income, education, languages or other issues," she adds, "not every student's family gets information on and about all of the benefits and resources that are available to our student population. Only a percentage of our district population is well-informed, knows their rights, and speaks out - leaving other families without a voice."

The advisory group presented its report and recommendations at the March 5, 2019, school board meeting. The group found more than 50 policies that contributed to a lack of equity in the district and identified nine that need priority attention, including curriculum development, bilingual instruction and "classroom management, corrective actions or interventions."

Most who spoke during the public comment period or submitted written testimony to the board - including Jess, Smith, and students and parents from the district - testified in favor of an equity policy. Members of Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR) provided public comment at numerous board meetings and submitted written testimony in support of a policy. Jess says a catalyst for the student mobilization was the racial equity teams being created at various schools in the district.

Jess acknowledges some great equity work is being done in the district, but only in pockets. "One school might be doing good work around social/emotional learning. One principal may be doing great restorative justice work. But if it's not put in place in all schools, we are still going to see systemic gaps but be able to pat ourselves on the back and highlight the work being done in one place."

Jones says the district will often pilot something at one or two schools, before it gets rolled out to other schools. He cited "graduation success coaches" as one example. They support students who are credit deficient but still willing to work hard to graduate on time. The district started with only two, and then bumped that up to more schools.

The week after the March 5 board meeting, Jess posted an open letter to school board members, calling on them to move to pass a "complete and courageous" racial equity policy by the end of the year. "There is far too much inconsistency from building to building and ALL our students deserve to see active racial equity work in their school," he wrote.

Ocampo agrees. "The district needs to make sure we reach every student, and we need to make sure that each and every student has equitable opportunities and is treated equitably."

Three school board members replied directly to Jess in response to his open letter, indicating they support passing an equity policy by the end of the school year. The board did a first reading of a draft policy at its meeting May 7, with an eye to possibly voting on the policy before school is out for the summer.

Read Less

Young Activist Explains Institutional Racism in Under 2 Minutes

Marley Dias already knew that racism and other built-in barriers were "keeping kids like me from reaching our full potential." Tackling racism, she says, begins with a conversation. In a national video on institutional racism, Dias looks to educators across the country and asks:

"Do you care enough to look closer, to talk to each other. To your students, to your communities?... To change the dialogue?"

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Two Children, Two Zip codes, Two Outcomes. Time for Change.

A student's chances for success should not depend on living in the right zip code, winning a charter lottery, or affording private school. Every child deserves access to a system of publicly funded, equitable and democratically controlled public schools. When we short-change some students, we short-change our nation as a whole.

Read Less

SEVEN HARMFUL RACIAL DISCOURSE PRACTICES TO AVOID

Harmful racial discourse practices are found throughout our society. They are used by the media, by public officials and their staffs, by lawyers and judges, by advocates of various political backgrounds, by cultural and entertainment figures, and by others with power and influence over public perception and behavior.

When these harmful racial discourse practices prevail, either individually or acting collectively within a single narrative, they stifle the general public's understanding of systemic racism. They also reinforce the common misconception that racism is simply a problem of rare, isolated, individual attitudes and actions, and most damagingly, that as a significant barrier to the success of people of color, racism is a thing of the past.

In the "Seven Harmful Racial Discource Practices to Avoid" section of our "Racial Justice is Education Justice" report, we provide definitions for seven harmful practices and describe the specific negative effects they have on racial discourse and dialogue. In addition, we provide everyday recommendations that offer insight and tools to help overcome these harmful racial discourse practices.

Read More

Read Less

Take Action

Building Power in Our Communities

Ready to get active and be the superhero our students deserve in the fight for racial, social and economic justice in public education? Then join the NEA EdJustice League!

Join us!

Resources

Resource Guide

NEA's "Racial Justice in Education" resource guide includes tools & resources for creating the space in your classroom to talk about race, racial equity assessments, strategic planning and more.

Download PDF

The 1619 Project

Links and resources about the comprehensive 1619 Project, which informs and challenges us to reframe U.S. history and better understand the hold of institutional racism on our communities.

View Now

Anti-Racist Vid Primer

A 10-part YouTube series of video "primers" for anti-racist white educators, created by two NEA activists.

See the Videos

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Racial Justice is Education Justice - NEA EdJustice

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Creating the Space to Talk About Race Most of us believe that every child, no matter what they look like or where they come from, deserves a safe and welcoming school where they can thrive.

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“Teaching For Black Lives” by Valerie Strauss

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“Teaching For Black Lives” by Valerie Strauss

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Our campaign supports teachers with free lessons and resources for teaching about racism and anti-racist struggles.

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“An Angry Black Woman on the Subject of the Angry White Man” By June Jordan

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“An Angry Black Woman on the Subject of the Angry White Man” By June Jordan

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An Angry Black Woman on the Subject of the Angry White Man

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Jordan's poem takes on an sarcastic tone as she describes the duties, punishments, emotions and false promises endured by African Americans since slavery in response to Bill Clinton's description of affirmative action as "a psychologically difficult time for the so-called angry White man."

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Still I Rise by Maya Angelou | Poetry Foundation

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"Something Happened in Our Town": A Child's Story About Racial Injustice. By Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins  and Ann Hazzard

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"Something Happened in Our Town": A Child's Story About Racial Injustice. By Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins  and Ann Hazzard

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A Child's Story About Racial Injustice

Member/Affiliate Price: $12.74

Free Shipping

For individuals in the U.S. & U.S. territories

A Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company Original World Premiere Production

A NEW YORK TIMES and #1 INDIEBOUND BEST SELLER

American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom's Top 10 Most Challenged Books

A Little Free Library Action Book Club Selection

National Parenting Product Award Winner (NAPPA)

Emma and Josh heard that something happened in their town. A Black man was shot by the police. "Why did the police shoot that man?" "Can police go to jail?"
Something Happened in Our Town follows two families - one White, one Black - as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children's questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives.

Includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing race and racism with children, child-friendly definitions, and sample dialogues. Free, downloadable educator materials (including discussion questions) are available in the additional resources tab.
From the Note to Parents and Caregivers:
There are many benefits of beginning to discuss racial bias and injustice with young children of all races and ethnicities:

Research has shown that children even as young as three years of age notice and comment on differences in skin color.

Humans of all ages tend to ascribe positive qualities to the group that they belong to and negative qualities to other groups.

Despite some parents' attempts to protect their children from frightening media content, children often become aware of incidents of community violence, including police shootings.

Parents who don't proactively talk about racial issues with their children are inadvertently teaching their children that race is a taboo topic. Parents who want to raise children to accept individuals from diverse cultures need to counter negative attitudes that their children develop from exposure to the negative racial stereotypes that persist in our society.

Order the companion books, Something Happened in Our Park: Standing Together After Gun Violence and Something Happened to My Dad: A Story About Immigration and Family Separation.

Marianne Celano, PhD, ABPP, Marietta Collins, PhD, and Ann Hazzard, PhD, ABPP, worked together for over two decades as Emory University School of Medicine faculty members serving children and families in Atlanta. All three psychologists have been involved in community advocacy efforts focused on children's behavioral health and social justice.

Dr. Celano and Dr. Hazzard have developed and utilized therapeutic stories in individual and group therapy with children and teens. All three authors valued story-time with their children, who taught them important lessons about what children need from adults.

This is their first picture book for children.

Jennifer Zivoin has always loved art and storytelling, so becoming an illustrator was a natural career path. She has been trained in media ranging from figure drawing to virtual reality, and earned her bachelor of arts degree with highest distinction from the honors division of Indiana University.

During her professional career, Jennifer worked as a graphic designer and then as a creative director before finding her artistic niche illustrating children's books, including Something Happened in Our Town, Did You Hear?, and A World of Pausabilities.

She lives in Indiana. Visit her website.

This book helps children grapple with one of the most disturbing and troubling issues in our society today, police shootings of people of color, and helps them to identify and counter racial injustice.
- Mommy Poppins

This beautifully written and illustrated book tackles a difficult subject with grace, helping families share conversations about racism and discrimination.
- What's Up Moms

This book provides the necessary framework for talking to children about racial injustice.
- Women's Day

Written by three psychologists, this is a great educational resource for parents... how to talk to children about race and racism and trauma, how to identify and counter racial injustice.
- Vogue

Does an admirable job showing two families' reactions to a police killing... important for library collections.
- School Library Journal

This is a difficult subject, and I think this book handles it well. The language is age-appropriate and gentle. The illustrations are beautiful, and the message is positive: kids can start a "better pattern" by including kids who are different than themselves.
-Five Star Review, San Francisco Book Review

Something Happened in Our Town respectfully and honestly deals with a paramount social problem, and is worthy of the highest recommendation for public, school library, and family picture book collections.
- Children's Bookwatch

This story will open up the doors to some important and heavy issues that children are exposed to in today's society. Issues of race, discrimination, stereotypes, racial profiling, entitlement...
-Lulu's Book Journey

Right now, parents are looking for more children's books that accurately depict the world their kids live in today. They also want a book that helps them discuss the tough issues that they would otherwise feel uncomfortable talking about. This is that book...The lesson of compassion and tolerance will touch anyone's heart...This beautifully depicted picture book is a must for parents, teachers and librarians a like.
-cup of tea with that book, please

In this beautifully written and illustrated children's book, children were learn about racial injustice as it happens today.
-Medium

Beautifully written and illustrated...I give [it] five out of five stars!
- Medium

Provides an unflinching look at how families can and should talk about racism...Explores the roots of racism in America, the importance of actively fighting for social justice, and how kids can respond to the prejudice and exclusion that creeps into their classrooms... Whatever this discussion looks like in your household, it's just a first step.
-Mashable.com

Recognizing World Day of Social Justice (PDF, 3.7MB)

Anti-Racism Resources for Children and Adults (PDF, 122KB)
Lists of books for young children about resisting racial bias, advocating for civil rights, accepting oneself, and valuing diversity; books supporting racial pride for children of diverse ethnicities, resources for multicultural families, anti-bullying books, resources about community violence, and resources about racial injustice for older children; resources for parents; and resources for teachers.

Read Aloud Tips for Educators (PDF, 76KB)
Specific ideas for educators when readingSomething Happened in Our Town to a group of children, including a sample introduction and possible discussion prompts at various points in the book.

Educator Resource Guide (PDF, 53KB)
Benefits of addressing race and racism in the classroom, preparation tips, story extension activities, and additional resources.

Contact Magination Press

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A Child's Story About Racial Injustice Member/Affiliate Price: $12.74 Free Shipping For individuals in the U.S. & U.S. territories A Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company Original World Premiere Production A NEW YORK TIMES and #1 INDIEBOUND BEST SELLER American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom's Top 10 Most Challenged Books A Little Free Library Action Book Club Selection National Parenting Product Award Winner (NAPPA) Emma and Josh heard that something happened in their town.

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“Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X” by Ilyasah Shabazz, illustrated by AG Ford

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“Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X” by Ilyasah Shabazz, illustrated by AG Ford

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Overview

Malcolm X grew to be one of America's most influential figures. But first, he was a boy named Malcolm Little. Written by his daughter, this inspiring picture book biography celebrates a vision of freedom and justice.

Bolstered by the love and wisdom of his large, warm family, young Malcolm Little was a natural born leader. But when confronted with intolerance and a series of tragedies, Malcolm's optimism and faith were threatened. He had to learn how to be strong and how to hold on to his individuality. He had to learn self-reliance.

Together with acclaimed illustrator AG Ford, Ilyasah Shabazz gives us a unique glimpse into the childhood of her father, Malcolm X, with a lyrical story that carries a message that resonates still today-that we must all strive to live to our highest potential.

Product Details

ISBN-13:

9781442433045

Publisher:

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Publication date:

01/07/2014

Sold by:

SIMON & SCHUSTER

Format:

NOOK Book

Pages:

40

Lexile:

NC1190L ( what's this?)

File size:

64 MB

Note:

This product may take a few minutes to download.

Age Range:

6 - 10 Years

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

01/01/2014
Gr 4-7-The author of this handsome, inspirational offering is Malcolm X's daughter-an educator, activist, and motivational speaker. Though the book does provide anecdotes from the subject's childhood, it is largely the story of Malcolm's parents, Earl and Louise Little, and how they helped shape their son's character and ideology. His mother was part of the Marcus Garvey movement and was dedicated to the idea of international freedom and equality. His father was an impassioned speaker: "his words had the power to move people, to make them laugh, cry, feel, and think." At the age of four, Malcolm and his family watched their house burn at the hands of people who disagreed with the family's beliefs. While young Malcolm is described as a mischievous prankster from a large, close-knit family, the haunting fire and traumatic events that followed left him "sad, lonely confused...broken." Still, Malcolm's story ends triumphantly in the seventh grade when he, the only African American at school, is elected class president. Ford's oil paintings are accomplished and historically accurate; images of the Littles courting and Earl preaching are painterly and realistic while images of the Little children are more stylized. Dense pages of text make this offering more suitable for upper-elementary or middle-school students.-Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

School Library Journal

10/28/2013
Shabazz (Growing Up X) pays affectionate tribute to her father, Malcolm X, and his parents in this account of the activist's childhood, which relies on family lore to reimagine Malcolm's conversations and thoughts. The dense narrative mixes down-to-earth observations (Malcolm "was full of questions, a natural leader, and a fun-loving prankster") with sometimes protracted metaphors; among the lessons Malcolm learned from his mother's garden was that it "was an entire world of its own, where even the most sluggish of ladybugs and the fastest scurrying ants were all equally treated like esteemed and welcomed guests at a family Sunday brunch." What Shabazz relays more precisely is Malcolm's resolve to succeed and remain true to his parents' values after he loses his father "to the brute force of racism and the narrow-mindedness of the Ku Klux Klan," and his mother is deemed "no longer fit to care for her children." Ford's (My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) oil paintings render joyous and desolate moments with equal skill. Ages 5-10. Author's agent: Jason Anthony, Lippincott Massie McQuilkin. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

2013-10-20
The childhood of the controversial African-American activist was shaped by parental love and white racism. Writing with the fervor and intensity of a motivational speaker, Shabazz recounts her father's early years, which were filled with the loving support and teachings of his parents as well as the hate and destruction of the Ku Klux Klan. His mother nurtured a love of learning and nature, and his father--a follower of Marcus Garvey--taught him self-pride before being murdered by the KKK. Shabazz concentrates her lengthy text on her father's youth; she writes about his racist English teacher but does not mention his imprisonment, work for Elijah Muhammad's Nation of Islam or conversion to Islam anywhere in the text or in her three-page author's note. With the passion of a preacher, she celebrates love, respect, tolerance and education without restraint, producing an overwritten text laced with an excess of flowery images. In a description of the garden that Malcolm's mother shared with her children, she writes that it "was a testament to true and unconditional brotherhood from the earth on up to the sky, a daily lesson in acceptance and equality." Ford's oil paintings, framed on the page, are lush and filled with detail. A daughter's proud but overwrought tribute to her father and his parents. (Picture book/ biography. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews

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Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X (with audio recording)|NOOK Book

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Malcolm X grew to be one of America's most influential figures. But first, he was a boy named Malcolm Little. Written by his daughter, this inspiring picture book biography celebrates a vision of freedom and justice.Bolstered by the love and wisdom of his large, warm family, young...

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“Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters” by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn

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“Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters” by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn

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Overview

2001 Coretta Scott King Honor Book Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus and sparked a boycott that changed America. Harriet Tubman helped more than three hundred slaves escape the South on the Underground Railroad. Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. The lives these women led are part of an incredible story about courage in the face of oppression; about the challenges and triumphs of the battle for civil rights; and about speaking out for what you believe in—even when it feels like no one is listening. Andrea Davis Pinkney's moving text and Stephen Alcorn's glorious portraits celebrate the lives of ten bold women who lit the path to freedom for generations. Includes biographies of Sojournor Truth, Biddy Mason, Harriet Tubman, Ida B.Wells-Barnett, Mary McLeod Bethune, Ella Josephine Baker, Dorothy Irene Height, Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Shirley Chisholm.

Product Details

ISBN-13:

9780547906041

Publisher:

HMH Books

Publication date:

01/08/2013

Pages:

120

Sales rank:

140

Product dimensions:

8.52(w) x 10.36(h) x 0.33(d)

Lexile:

1000L ( what's this?)

Age Range:

6 - 10 Years

About the Author

The Little Light of Mine

ix

For Further Reading

105

What People are Saying About This

Editorial Reviews

"Pinkney ( Silent Thunder) presents eloquent portraits of 10 intrepid African-American activists for the causes of abolition, women's rights and civil rights. Exploring these individuals' childhoods as well as their accomplishments as adults, the author smoothly distills biographical information so as to hold the attention of young readers. Her selection of subjects includes the prominent (Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Shirley Chisholm) as well as such lesser-knowns as Fannie Lou Hamer, an indefatigable campaigner for African-Americans' right to vote. Pinkney's writing is spiced with colloquialisms ("She didn't shy back for nobody," she says of Sojourner Truth) and useful imagery (describing this same crusader's delivery of her renowned "Ain't I a woman?" speech, the author notes, "She was the only black woman in the place, and when she stepped to the pulpit, some folks looked at her like she was a stain on their purest linens"). Featuring creatively skewed perspective and proportion, Alcorn's ( I, Too, Sing America) oil paintings offer allegorical interpretations of his subjects' lives." Publishers Weekly
"Engaging text and glorious art are combined in this collection of sketches celebrating the contributions of 10 women who moved forward the cause of civil rights in America. Following a preface that describes her own family roots in the civil rights movement and their influence on her, Pinkney presents her heroines chronologically, from Sojourner Truth to Shirley Chisholm, in verbal portraits that capture the subjects' spirit and personalities amid biographical highlights. Blending straightforward narrative with a lively storytelling style, the author balances the hardships and racial injustice that these women faced against their faith, strength of character, and determination. They include Harriet Tubman, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Rosa Parks, as well as Biddy Mason, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Ella Josephine Baker, Dorothy Irene Height, and Fannie Lou Hamer. The book includes many quotes, incidents, and details that lead readers down their personal paths to historical recognition. However, it is Alcorn's vibrant, inspired oil paintings that make this book a standout. A full-page stylized portrait appears opposite the first page of each story; it is filled with symbolic details that are elucidated in the text. A brilliant example is a larger-than-life Harriet Tubman balanced on one knee over a railroad track with arms diagonally outstretched, bridgelike, as tiny travelers make their way up the steep height toward the freedom star. Smaller paintings appear within the stories, carrying the message further. Line, color, and canvas texture give the pictures depth and dynamism, vastly enriching the reading experience. This excellent collection is a must for every library." School Library Journal
From the Publisher

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Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters|Paperback

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2001 Coretta Scott King Honor Book Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus and sparked a boycott that changed America. Harriet Tubman helped more than three hundred slaves escape the South on the Underground Railroad. Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman...

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Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregationby Duncan Tonatiuh

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Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregationby Duncan Tonatiuh

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Reviewed by Lila Quintero Weaver

Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit
Book Author: Duncan Tonatiuh

Kudos to Duncan Tonatiuh for shining a bright spotlight on a consequential, but often overlooked chapter of American civil rights, and bringing this true story of Latinos fighting for racial justice to young readers. The book features Tonatiuh's trademark, award-winning illustration and his retelling of the facts. Continue Reading.

Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh
Published by Harry N. Abrams on May 6th 2014
Genres: Bullying, Latinx, Racism, School
Pages: 40
Reading Level: Grades 1-2, Grades 3-5
ISBN: 9781419710544
Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit
Buy at Powell's Books
Also by this author: Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote

Publisher's synopsis: A 2015 Pura Belpr� Illustrator Honor Book and a 2015 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book Almost 10 years before Brown vs. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez and her parents helped end school segregation in California. An American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage who spoke and wrote perfect English, Mendez was denied enrollment to a "Whites only" school. Her parents took action by organizing the Hispanic community and filing a lawsuit in federal district court. Their success eventually brought an end to the era of segregated education in California.

Praise for Separate is Never Equal STARRED REVIEW S "Tonatiuh masterfully combines text and folk-inspired art to add an important piece to the mosaic of U.S. civil rights history." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Younger children will be outraged by the injustice of the Mendez family story but pleased by its successful resolution. Older children will understand the importance of the 1947 ruling that desegregated California schools, paving the way for Brown v. Board of Education seven years later." -- School Library Journal, starred review

"Tonatiuh ( Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote) offers an illuminating account of a family's hard-fought legal battle to desegregate California schools in the years before Brown v. Board of Education." -- Publishers Weekly

"Pura Belpr� Award-winning Tonatiuh makes excellent use of picture-book storytelling to bring attention to the 1947 California ruling against public-school segregation." -- Booklist

"The straightforward narrative is well matched with the illustrations in Tonatiuh's signature style, their two-dimensional perspective reminiscent of the Mixtec codex but collaged with paper, wood, cloth, brick, and (Photoshopped) hair to provide textural variation. This story deserves to be more widely known, and now, thanks to this book, it will be." -- The Horn Book Magazine

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Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation - Social Justice Books

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Reviewed by Lila Quintero Weaver Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: Kudos to Duncan Tonatiuh for shining a bright spotlight on a consequential, but often overlooked chapter of American civil rights, and bringing this true story of Latinos fighting for racial justice to young readers.

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“The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

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“The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

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A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!Featured in its own episode in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices!National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael…

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“Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” by Vashti Harrison

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“Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” by Vashti Harrison

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Editorial Reviews

Harrison wants readers to imagine themselves in such august company; her adorable illustrations depict all of these figures as a little black girl, an everygirl, in a variety of costumes and backdrops.

The New York Times Book Review - Rumaan Alam

"A book of amazing, phenomenal women."— The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

" Little Leaders will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of high achievers."— Shelf Awareness

"Beautifully designed and chock-full of information, this is a fantastic survey of black women who made and continue to make history."— School Library Journal

"This book just begs to be picked up.... Purely magical. Perfect for exploring together at bedtime or for children to browse independently, a gorgeous invitation for children of all backgrounds, and especially for black girls, to learn about black women who were pioneers."— Kirkus Reviews

"If you want your young reader to have some insight into the role that black women played in the history of this country, this is the perfect gift."— NBC News

"Harrison's book focuses on great black women, and it's lovely to see Lorna Simpson and Gwen Ifill ascend to the ranks of Marian Anderson and Bessie Coleman. Harrison wants readers to imagine themselves in such august company; her adorable illustrations depict all of these figures as a little black girl, an everygirl, in a variety of costumes and backdrops."— New York Times Book Review

"This appealing book reminds young readers that every great leader began as a little leader, taking their first steps towards something big."— A Mighty Girl

"With darling illustrations and short, easy to read biographies, the book is perfect for children and the young at heart."— Upworthy

From the Publisher

★ 01/01/2018
K-Gr 4-An artist's social media sensation is lovingly brought to life in this standout title. Initially a personal project for Black History Month, Harrison's collection highlights 40 notable black women throughout U.S. history. Each entry includes two to three paragraphs of biographical text, opposite which nearly identical figures (most are drawn facing forward with cherubic smiles and closed eyes) hold center stage of their full-page portrait, framed by simple yet clever backgrounds that contextualize their achievements. Audre Lorde, for example, stands before muted brown bookshelves-keen eyes will discern that the books displayed feature her poetry and prose. Leadership is embraced in forms past and present and across various disciplines; renowned abolitionists Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth are joined by Air Force General Marcelite J. Harris and filmmaker Julie Dash. A concluding "More Little Leaders" segment addresses the difficulty of selecting 40 women to represent a historical legacy and offers miniature renditions of additional icons, including Gabby Douglas, Lorraine Hansberry, and the Williams sisters. Useful back matter provides multimedia sources for inevitably curious readers. The amount of information included makes this book ideal for budding researchers or for small groups, although the heartwarming digital images will garner a younger audience, too-kids of all ages will love poring over Harrison's tender artwork. VERDICT Beautifully designed and chock-full of information, this is a fantastic survey of black women who made and continue to make history. A must-have for youth nonfiction collections.-Ashleigh Williams, School Library Journal

School Library Journal

★ 2017-12-11
Visual artist Harrison introduces 40 trailblazing black women from United States history in this inspiring volume for young readers.The book just begs to be picked up, with its handy trim size and its attractively simple cover design featuring smiling brown girls in various historical outfits. Each leader is described in a one-page minibiography that faces a full-page illustration of the woman in clothes and a simplified setting that represent her role and her era. Each concise biography includes the leader's background as a child or youth, touches on her major accomplishments, and ends with her legacy. Some of the women featured are household names, such as Harriet Tubman and Oprah Winfrey. Others are less well-known, including Mamie Phipps Clark and Alice Ball. Whether wearing flying gear or a long ruffled dress, each "little leader" appears utterly approachable. Their surroundings in the pictures capture the diverse accomplishments and personalities of these bold black women, while their small figures and sweet, round faces invite child readers to imagine themselves in such roles. The effect is purely magical.Perfect for exploring together at bedtime or for children to browse independently, a gorgeous invitation for children of all backgrounds, and especially for black girls, to learn about black women who were pioneers. (Collective biography. 6-12)

Kirkus Reviews

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Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History|Hardcover

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This beautifully illustrated board book edition of instant bestseller Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History showcases women who changed the world and is the perfect goodnight book to inspire big dreams. Featuring 18 trailblazing black women in American history,...

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This is the story of thirteen-year-old Maleeka. Maleeka has a poor self-image because her skin is dark and her classmates make fun of her.

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How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon | Scholastic

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After 16-year-old Tariq Johnson dies from two gunshot wounds, his community is thrown into an uproar. Tariq was black. The shooter, Jack Franklin, is white. In

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A Parent's Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice

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A Parent's Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice

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How to Support the Struggle Against Police Brutality

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How to Support the Struggle Against Police Brutality

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On May 25, a white Minneapolis police officer named Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd's neck until his body went limp. The assault was caught on video. Floyd, 46, gasped that he could not breathe, but Chauvin did not let up, and Floyd died from his injuries in police custody. It was the third in a string of similar deaths to make its way into national headlines this month: In March, police in Louisville, Kentucky, burst into Breonna Taylor's apartment in the middle of the night. They shot the 26-year-old eight times, killing her in her own home. And in February, two white men in a pickup truck gunned down Ahmaud Arbery while he jogged through their Georgia neighborhood. The pair admitted to fatally shooting Arbery, but were only arrested for his murder in May.

It's an unfortunately familiar pattern in the United States; in the aftermath of Floyd's death, anger has boiled over. Minneapolis has seen massive protests in recent weeks, while demonstrators across the country have gathered to demand immediate action to stop racist policing. Amid an ongoing pandemic, gathering to support one another carries unique risk, although for many, the calculation comes down to which danger is more immediate: the coronavirus, or police brutality. With that in mind, here's what you can do to safely support protests right now.

Immediate actions in coming days.

Demand police accountability from your legislators.

Make ending police brutality a litmus test for your political support. Campaign Zero - which is also accepting donations - has a comprehensive guide to policies that aim to correct broken windows policing, excessive force, racial profiling, for-profit policing, cash bail, and much more. Familiarize yourself with laws in your area, and contact your representatives - at the local, state, and national level - to press them for their plans on ending discrimination in law enforcement.

In recent weeks, demand has also grown nationwide for cities and states to defund their police departments, reallocating that money toward services that promote the safety and health of marginalized communities. If you'd like to learn more about what this idea would actually mean and entail, Reclaim the Block (which also accepts donations) has a tool kit, as does the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights ( here). MPD 150 is a Minneapolis effort by local organizers, researchers, artists and activists working to develop a "practical pathway for dismantling the Minneapolis Police Department," which offers a broad range of information, resources, organizations to follow, and donation suggestions. Black Lives Matter, also accepting donations, has a petition you can sign calling for the national defunding of police.

Public pressure appears to have proved decisive in Minneapolis, where the City Council recently announced its intention to disband the police force. If this is a concept that resonates with you, research how much of your city's budget goes toward its police force, and demand your local lawmaker move to cut that spending and reallocate it toward other crucial areas, like housing, education, and public health. Divest-invest initiatives are underway around the country: In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged to cut the NYPD's $6 billion budget, ultimately shifting $1 billion from the department in a much-criticized decision. State lawmakers did, however, repeal a measure (Section 50-a) that allowed officers' disciplinary record to be kept confidential. In Los Angeles, the City Council voted on June 16 to cut $150 million from the LAPD. Do some research on your area to determine your lawmakers' stance on the concept, and check out the People's Budget LA for roadmaps on what you might say when you contact them.

It's also worth remembering that the policemen involved in Breonna Taylor's killing - Sergeant Jonathan Mattingly, Officer Brett Hankison, and Officer Myles Cosgrove - have yet to be arrested or charged. So far, the city has only fired Hankison. Taylor's family has curated a list of demands on FightForBreonna.org, where you can sign a petition asking Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and the City Council to take stock of systemic bias and overuse of force within the city's police department. The website also has contact information for the mayor's office and a host of public institutions: Call or email and demand charges be brought against the officers - Black Lives Matter has instructions on exactly what to say, and the writer Cate Young compiled contact info for Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the LMPD, and Governor Andy Beshear, which you can find here. While you're signing petitions, you might also consider this one at Change.org, which makes additional asks that Taylor's family be paid damages and that Congress convene a special session to ban "no-knock" warrants, one of which allowed the police to barrel into Taylor's apartment.

On the subject of no-knock warrants: Louisville has now passed " Breonna's Law," banning no-knock warrants in the city. But unless you live in Oregon or Florida, no-knock warrants are legal in your state. Maybe also consider supporting the ACLU of Kentucky, which is currently working to get them banned in Taylor's state.

And after Robert Fuller's body was found hanging from a tree in Southern California earlier this month, consider that the U.S. still lacks federal anti-lynching legislation: The House passed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act in February, but it stalled in the Senate on June 4, after Rand Paul voiced concerns about what he considers its over-broad phrasing. If you're making calls to your national representatives, this legislation may be worth highlighting. You might also sign this Change.org petition, demanding "a thorough and transparent investigation" into Fuller's death.

In recent weeks, Elijah McClain's death after a brutal arrest by Aurora, Colorado, police officers has gained widespread attention. In August of last year, a trio of cops - Nathan Woodyard, Jason Rosenblatt, and Randy Roedema - approached the 23-year-old while as he walked home from a convenience store, pinning him to the ground in a carotid hold and ignoring his pleas that he could not breathe. He died days later, after being taken off life support. A Change.org petition demanding "Justice for Elijah McClain" has since garnered millions of signatures, but the officers involved have yet to be arrested, charged, or even fired. Information on how to contact Aurora officials, and what to say, is available here. Additional contact information can be found here.

Make a donation.

Pilar Weiss - director of the Community Justice Exchange - says that donating to local, grassroots formations is potentially the most impactful way to prioritize funds. Larger, national organizations tend to attract more resources, so it's worth doing research into who's operating in your community. "A lot of times the groups that need the most support don't have fancy website and don't have a communications team," she explains. Talk to friends, families, houses of worship to figure out who is working on the issues you'd like to address, and then ask those people what they need.
Direct aid for victims' families:
* George Floyd's family has started a GoFundMe to cover funeral and burial costs; counseling services; legal fees; and continued care for his children. There's also a GoFundMe to provide for his 6-year-old daughter, Gianna Floyd, and a GoFundMe to support "peace and healing" for Darnella Frazier, the woman who filmed Floyd's death.

* Elijah McClain's mom, Sheneen McClain, started a GoFundMe after her son was hospitalized last year. The fundraiser is ongoing.

* There's a GoFundMe for David McAtee's mother and family: McAtee was fatally shot just after midnight on June 1, after police officers and National Guard members fired into a crowd of people who were not taking part in the evening's protests. As of June 30, it was still about $120,000 short of its goal.

* Another GoFundMe is raising money for Ahmaud Arbery's mother, donations to which will similarly fund the family's legal battle.

* There's a GoFundMe for Breonna Taylor's family, to help with legal fees and offer extra support.

* Attorneys for the family of Rayshard Brooks, who was fatally shot by a white Atlanta police officer on June 12, set up a GoFundMe to raise money for his wife and four children.

* Diamond Alexander launched a GoFundMe after her brother, Robert Fuller, was found dead and hanging from a tree in Palmdale, California. Officials initially suggested Fuller died by suicide, but his family suspects he may have been murdered.

* There's also a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses for Malcolm Harsch, whose body was found hanging from a tree in Victorville, California, on May 31.

Bail funds: ActBlue has a page that will let you split your donation between 38 community bail funds, or if you'd like to focus your donation directly, here are some options.

* The Bail Project, a nonprofit that aims to mitigate incarceration rates through bail reform.

* The Louisville Community Bail Fund is helping bail out arrested protesters and works to counteract cash bail policies that keep people - disproportionately, people of color - in jail, even without charges.

* The National Bail Fund Network also has a directory of community bail funds to which you can donate, along with a COVID-19 rapid response fund.

* Another list of bail funds is available here, and another list of bail funds by city.
Support for protesters:
* Blackout Collective, a full-service, direct-action organization, has a fund to support Black-led protests on the ground.

* A Gas Mask Fund for Black youth activists in Minneapolis is raising money to buy gas masks for demonstrators who've faced tear gas during protests.

* The Black Trans Protestors Emergency Fund is raising money for physical resources, bail, and medical care for Black, transgender protesters, which will be redistributed to Black, trans-led organizations "in the event these funds don't need to be used." See this FAQ for any payment questions.

* The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which supports racial justice through advocacy, litigation, and education.

* The Legal Rights Center is a non-profit law firm based in Minneapolis, offering legal defense, educational, and advocacy services.

* Black Visions Collective, a Black, trans, and queer-led social justice organization and legal fund based in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

* The Know Your Rights Camp, an organization founded by Colin Kaepernick that provides education and training in Black and brown communities, set up a legal fund for Minneapolis protesters.
Organizations working against mass-incarceration and police abuse:
* Communities United for Police Reform is an initiative to end discriminatory policing in New York, helping to educate people on their rights and document police abuse.

* Showing Up for Racial Justice works to educate white people about anti-racism and organizes actions to support the fight for racial justice and undermine white supremacy.

* Communities United Against Police Brutality, which operates a crisis hotline where people can report abuse; offers legal, medical, and psychological resource referrals; and engages in political action against police brutality.

* No New Jails NYC aims to keep the city from constructing new jails, and to instead divert funds that currently go toward the police and incarceration toward housing, ending homelessness, mental health, and other community support systems.

Community support: Our colleagues at the Strategist compiled a list of 125 Black-owned businesses in seven different commerce categories, which you can supplement with research within your own community.

* MOODI (Mobile Outreach and Outdoor Drop-In) is an initiative of the Cultural Wellness Center in Minneapolis, providing immediate response and resources for people currently without shelter.

* We Love Lake Street is gathering donations for small businesses and non-profits on Lake Street in Minneapolis, to help with the clean-up effort, as is the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition.

* The Okra Project combats food insecurity in Black trans and gender-nonconforming communities. It set up two funds - the Tony McDade Mental Health Recovery Fund, for trans men, and the Nina Pop Mental Health Recovery Fund, for trans women - to help cover the costs of mental health therapy sessions with licensed Black therapists. You can donate money here, and learn about donating services by following the links above.

* Mutual aid funds are a good place to send community support amid a pandemic. Find more info on where to look here.

* Fair Fight, an organization founded by Stacey Abrams that aims to end voter suppression and equalize voting rights and access for fairer elections.

Join a protest, if you feel you can do so safely.

If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, or if you have been exposed, or if you live with or regularly come in contact people who are at particularly high risk of contracting the virus, the best thing to do is to isolate yourself. And while it is generally true that we should continue to keep our distance from others right now, the desire to show up for your community and your loved ones is understandable. For many people, police brutality poses an immediate risk to their health and well-being, and potentially also a fatal one.

So, if you decide to participate in a local protest, wear a mask. Bring hand sanitizer, and if you can, maybe pack a few extra water bottles, for yourself and for others who might need them. Try to maintain as much distance from others as possible, and not to touch anyone else if you can. Keeping in mind that the coronavirus appears to spread primarily through droplets expelled when people talk and shout and sneeze and cough, do your best to keep your mouth covered, and to refrain from chanting if you find yourself in close quarters with others. Check out our guide to protesting safely; our tips on what to do if you're exposed to tear gas; and this basic first aid guide.

Offer resources to protesters and affected communities in your area.

As protests flared around the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in late May, neighbors offered participants water, food, and stoops to sit on during the demonstration. If you have the means, you might consider picking up some extra bottles of water, food, masks, hand sanitizer, and other supplies ahead of protests in your area. Providing these basics is one way to help support the cause, even if you don't feel like you can safely join in yourself.

Or, you could pick up extra groceries, household supplies - detergent, paper products, diapers, baby food, menstrual hygiene products, cleaning products, first-aid equipment - PPE, and find a donation point in your area. For example: In Minneapolis, where public transit has closed and many stores have been damaged, food pantries are in need of donations. Hunger Solutions has a list; Pimento Jamaican Kitchen set up a relief fund and is looking for volunteers (it's also open for takeout); or you can find a pop-up pantry: Eater has a guide. Women for Political Change also has information on supply drop-offs and donation options in the Twin Cities and a frontline fund.

Look into donation efforts in your city, and if you have a car, consider volunteering to drop off supplies to people in need. Ask yourself: "What do you have available?" Weiss suggests. "Is it money, is it resources, is it connections? Sometimes it can be these really small things, like, do you have meeting space you can donate to somebody? Can you be a driver for somebody?" Donating doesn't always have to mean money.

Help with a clean-up effort.

Educate yourself, educate others - particularly if you are white.

Take the time to learn how systemic racism operates in this country, particularly if you are a white person. Indeed, among the best things white people can do is to take the time to educate themselves on the experience of being Black in America - here are some suggestions if you're looking for a starting point - and start talking to other white people.

"One of the challenges is, white people want to call people of color and say, 'What am I supposed to do,' which puts a tremendous burden on people of color," Carla Wallace, a co-founder of Showing Up for Racial Justice, tells the Cut. "Our work is to move other white people."

Anti-racism demands that we identify the hierarchies and power structures that have always awarded privilege to white people, and look at them honestly. Showing Up for Racial Justice developed a tool kit with Color of Change, and also has tips for calling people into conversations in a manner that doesn't prompt defensiveness. You hear someone griping about the riots and violence at certain protests? Talk to them about the despair, the pain, and the anger at the center, and where that comes from. You hear someone wonder what privilege a broke white person has? Talk to them about what it's like to not have to worry about your personal safety while moving through your day: jogging down a residential street, or walking home from a convenience store. But, Wallace recommends, exercise empathy over the urge to reproach.

"Unless we get more white people to end white silence, our silence will always be used by those in power to not make the changes that are needed. The majority of white people in this country are still on the side of business as usual," Wallace says. "If 10,000 white people showed up tomorrow on the steps of Louisville's City Hall, you can bet the mayor would fire these police officers who killed Breonna Taylor. ...We have to win a significant number to stand with Black, brown, and indigenous communities for the justice that we all need in this country."

If you have kids, talk to them.
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How to Support the Struggle Against Police Brutality

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On May 25, a white Minneapolis police officer named Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd's neck until his body went limp. The assault was caught on video. Floyd, 46, gasped that he could not breathe, but Chauvin did not let up, and Floyd died from his injuries in police custody.

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I read Author: Maribeth Boelts
Illustrator: Noah Z Jones
Interest Level: Ages 4-8
About This Book: All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy's grandma says they don't have room for "want," just "need," when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren't much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has - warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend - are worth more than the things he wants.
Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is one of my top 10 favorite books of the school year. It's really rare to find such a profound read about the spirit of giving. We have a generation of kids that sometimes seems more concerned about the latest IPhone, the latest fashion trend, or how many facebook friends they have rather than things that have true value like family or friends. Reading Those Shoes got kids thinking about this. We had a thought provoking conversation about listening to our heart - even when we don't want to....translation - Do The Right Thing! I wanted the kids to understand when we do something kind for another person - sometimes the reward is just feeling joy. Wow, did they hear this loud and clear through the story. The most satisfying thing Jeremey did was for someone else, not for himself. Another big teaching moment - wants vs. needs. We made a whole T chart list of how these two things are different and how it can impact who we truly want to grow up to be. Society is pushing so many material things on kids it's easy and tempting to lose your way and get sucked into the external satisfactions of life. Gratitude. Thank goodness for grandmas! She had a perfect little role in the story. Students acknowledged how adults have 'experience' that kids do not yet have. Most times, adults really do know best! Listening to our hearts and doing the right thing is SO important, lets remind children early on before the walls go up and the earphones go on. I don't want kids plugging into IPods - I want them to plug into us. Those Shoes to all of the K-3 grades. One of our teachers decided to do a language arts lesson after listening to my lesson. It's good stuff. Students need more literature like this that pushes such an overwhelming message of kindness and generosity.

A Link to This Book:

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I read Author: Maribeth Boelts Illustrator: Noah Z Jones Interest Level: Ages 4-8 About This Book: All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing.

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Skip to Content Did we miss something on diversity? Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson

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Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson

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The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What's the story?

BETTY BEFORE X focuses on Betty Shabazz (born Betty Dean Sanders) during her middle school years in Detroit, a decade before she met her future husband, Malcolm X. At 11, Betty lives with her abusive mother, Ollie Mae, her stepfather, and several siblings. She loves music, candy, and her girlfriends and siblings. After a brutal whipping, she's taken in by Helen and Lorenzo Malloy. She's a leader of the Housewives' League, which urges women to boycott stores that don't hire or respect black people, and he's a self-made businessman. They try to shield Betty from the ugly realities of racism even as they teach her to stand up to injustice and take pride in herself, her heritage, and her community.

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. BETTY BEFORE X focuses on Betty Shabazz (born Betty Dean Sanders) during her middle school years in Detroit, a decade before she met her future husband, Malcolm X. At 11, Betty lives with her abusive mother, Ollie Mae, her stepfather, and several siblings.

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Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld

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Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld

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The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What's the story?

BECOMING KAREEM: GROWING UP ON AND OFF THE COURT is an autobiography for young readers by author, activist, and NBA Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He traces his journey from shy, oversized, straight-A student from the housing projects of New York City to socially conscious international celebrity, voice for change and black empowerment, and devout Muslim. Set against the backdrop of a racially divided and tumultuous America of the 1950s and '60s, Becoming Kareem follows the young Lew Alcindor through his awkward teen years, his intellectual awakening in high school and at college at UCLA, up to his early professional basketball career, describing his development not only as a player but also as a scholar, a writer, and an activist. Along the way, the coaches and teachers he meets, including boxing icon Muhammad Ali, legendary college basketball guru John Wooden, and martial arts pioneer Bruce Lee, help him find his voice and comprehend and combat the racism experienced by virtually all African-Americans at the time, a fight he has carried on to the present day. Kareem details the pain of experiencing prejudice from people he thought he could trust -- like the white friends who turned on him and the coach who tried to motivate him by using the "N" word -- and the thick skin he had to develop as a result. Crossing paths with celebrities and civil rights leaders, young Lew discovers the power and peril of being black and famous in an America that praises him for his athletic gifts but resents him for his commitment to justice. Eventually, he changes his name and embraces his newfound Islamic faith in an expression of his decision to become who he wants and needs to be, rather than who others expect him to be.

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Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court - Book Review

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. BECOMING KAREEM: GROWING UP ON AND OFF THE COURT is an autobiography for young readers by author, activist, and NBA Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He traces his journey from shy, oversized, straight-A student from the housing projects of New York City to socially conscious international celebrity, voice for change and black empowerment, and devout Muslim.