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Teaching Tolerance provides incredible resources and lessons that teach students how to recognize and interrupt racist incidents if and when they see them occur within their Speak Up! curriculum. Teaching Tolerance provides a range of materials—articles, modules, self-assessments, publications and more—that allow educators to improve their practice at their own pace.

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Understanding how school discipline policies can contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline is essential for educators and families. Harsh punishments, automatic out-of-class time and police involvement for discipline can push young people out of classrooms and into the criminal legal system. But educators, parents and caregivers can help to change this harmful system by advocating for and implementing practices that prioritize mental health and well-being.

We offer this new resource page that highlights LFJ articles and content to open dialogue, shift practices and foster change to benefit all young people.

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Learning for Justice | Education Resources

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Learning for Justice 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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Suggestions for interactive read alouds as part of a culturally responsive curriculum. They also include lesson plans for the suggested multicultural books. Here’s the link:

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Goals and Strategies for White Educators Working Toward Antiracism and Social Justice (Jennifer Serravallo)

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Goals & Strategies for White Educators Working Toward Antiracism and Social Justice

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Watch this incredible recording

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Around the nation, people are hurting. Award-winning authors Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson and Jason Reynolds have organized a Kidlit Rally for Black Lives. We're honored to host it on our FaceBook Live on Thursday, June 4. This is a time to come together and stand up. Our kids need us . Please join us and spread the word. Together, we can make a difference.

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Kidlit Rally for Black Lives - The Brown Bookshelf

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Around the nation, people are hurting. Award-winning authors Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson and Jason Reynolds have organized a Kidlit Rally for Black Lives. We're honored to host it on our FaceBook Live on Thursday, June 4. This is a time to come together and stand up. Our kids need us.

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Learner's Edge FREE Webinar Culturally Responsive Teaching

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PD-124: Culturally Responsive Teaching: Awareness to Action (PK-12+ | 10 Hours* | $1)

Explore the foundations of culturally relevant teaching – what it is, why it’s important – and learn actionable strategies to ensure that students of all backgrounds have equitable opportunities for success.

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PD-143: Ensuring Equity in Online Education (K-12+ | 10 hours* | $1)

Explore best practices on strategies to ensure equity in your online classroom. To reach and teach all learners, participants will investigate challenges and solutions surrounding digital equity that affect English Learners, students receiving special education, and students without internet at home. Reflect on methods for connecting with students, parents, and other educators and use culturally responsive teaching strategies to ensure equity when teaching online.

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Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?

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Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?

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Dr. Beverly Tatum, psychologist

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Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race

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Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race [Beverly Daniel Tatum] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race

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This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work

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This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work

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by Tiffany Jewell  (Author), Aurelia Durand (Illustrator)

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EPIC Collection: Celebrate Black Culture

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EPIC Collection: Celebrate Black Culture

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A thoughtfully curated collection that elevates voices and creators of color and celebrates Black culture.

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instant access to thousands of great kids books.

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Instantly access 40,000 high-quality books for kids

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The leading digital library for kids offering unlimited access to 40,000 of the best children's books of all time. Sign up for a free 30 day trial to instantly access high-quality online books for kids, ebooks, audio books, quizzes, videos, and more.

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EPIC Collection: Starting a Conversation about Race

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EPIC Collection: Starting a Conversation about Race

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These books can teach students about the challenges that underrepresented communities face, and build empathy.

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instant access to thousands of great kids books.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Instantly access 40,000 high-quality books for kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The leading digital library for kids offering unlimited access to 40,000 of the best children's books of all time. Sign up for a free 30 day trial to instantly access high-quality online books for kids, ebooks, audio books, quizzes, videos, and more.

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America is still deeply racially divided - nothing has made that more clear than the murders of members of the Black community at the hands of law enforcement. Now more than ever, it's time for a change. And that change can start at home.

It's never too early to talk to children about race. According to HealthyChildren.org, "As early as 6 months, a baby's brain can notice race-based differences. By ages 2 to 4, children can internalize racial bias. By age 12, many children become set in their beliefs-giving parents a decade to mold the learning process, so that it decreases racial bias and improves cultural understanding."

It can often feel like the world is full of anger and hate, but it's also full of hope - hope for a better future. It's so important for children to see themselves and their experiences represented in the books they read. It's also important for children to read about the experiences of people who are different from them. At Brightly, we're committed to helping you raise kids that are not only "not racist," but who are actively "anti-racist." Anti-racism is defined as, "the policy or practice of opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance."

Reading books featuring Black characters and experiences provide a great way to start a conversation about race with the kids in your life. But support for the Black community goes well beyond that. We've complied further reading resources for parents and educators - from how to talk to your kids about protests to understanding white privilege - as well as ways you can support Black-owned bookstores, bloggers, and donate to organizations that fight for Black lives. Black Lives Matter, and it's vital that we become more educated and act, with and for our children.
EDUCATE
Books provide a great way to start a conversation about race with the kids in your life. In addition to book picks for kids and adults, further reading resources for parents and educators offer more ways to teach kids about race and understand why it's important to be an anti-racist.
Resources for Parents
How to Talk to Your Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help ( Brightly)

Why It's Important to Talk to Your Child About Racism and Hate ( Brightly)

Anti-Racist Books and Resources for Our Readers ( Penguin Random House)

Books to Help Kids Understand the Fight for Racial Equality ( Brightly)
Resources for Educators
15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing, and Protest ( Education Week: Teacher)

How Should I Talk about Race in My Mostly White Classroom? ( ADL)
Teaching Tolerance
Social Justice Resources ( The Children's Community School)
More Anti-Racism Resources for Adults
Harvard University's Implicit Bias Test ( Harvard)

The 1619 Project ( The New York Times)
ACT
It's important to educate ourselves, but it's also vital to take action. Support Black-owned business, donate to organizations that fight for Black lives, and more.
Black-Owned Bookstores
Pensylvannia

California
Detroit Book City AfriWare Books
Washington (State)

Washington (D.C.)
Mahogany Books Alkebu-Lan Images Bookstore Everyone's Place
To support more Black-owned independent bookstores, see this list.
Black Children's Bookstagrammers
Here Wee Read (@hereweeread)
The Tutu Teacher (@thetututeacher)
Little Black Book Nook (@littleblackbooknook)
Mrs. Russell's Room (@mrsrussellsroom)
Black Baby Books (@blackbabybooks)
Books of Melanin (@booksofmelanin)
Books Through My Eyes (@booksthroughmyeyes)
Jeanell Nicole (@jeanellnicolereads)
Akossiwa Ketoglo (
If Pencils Could Talk (@ifpencilscouldtalk)
Read Boston (@readboston)
Mx. T (@teachingwithmxt)

Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
"This fund is established to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist our family in the days to come as we continue to seek justice for George. A portion of these funds will also go to the Estate of George Floyd for the benefit and care of his children and their educational fund."

Black Lives Matter
"We appreciate your support of the movement and our ongoing fight to end State-sanctioned violence, liberate Black people, and end white supremacy forever."

The Bail Project
"The Bail Project™ National Revolving Bail Fund is on a mission to combat mass incarceration and reshape the pretrial system in the United States."

Reclaim the Block
"Reclaim the Block is calling on our city to invest in violence prevention, housing, resources for youth, emergency mental health response teams, and solutions to the opioid crisis - not more police."

Community Bail Fund
"Split a donation to all the bail funds, mutual aid funds, and activist organizations listed on this page, or allocate specific amounts to individual groups."

The Loveland Foundation
"Loveland Therapy Fund provides financial assistance to Black women and girls nationally seeking therapy."

Color of Change
"We design campaigns powerful enough to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back, and champion solutions that move us all forward. Until justice is real."

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
"Donate today to help us win landmark legal battles, protect voters across the nation, and advance the cause of racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society."

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
"Your donation to the NAACP helps further our mission to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination."

Sign a petition calling for justice for George Floyd
Sign a petition calling for justice for Breonna Taylor
Sign a petition calling for justice for Ahmaud Arbery
Sign the Black Lives Matter petition to #DefundThePolice
Sign a petition for Mandatory Life Sentence for Police Brutality

Text FLOYD to 55156 for George Floyd
Text ENOUGH to 55156 for Breonna Taylor
Text JUSTICE to 55156 for Ahmaud Arbery
More ways you can donate and petition.

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Books and Resources to Help You Raise Anti-Racist Children | Brightly

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America is still deeply racially divided - nothing has made that more clear than the murders of members of the Black community at the hands of law enforcement. Now more than ever, it's time for a change. And that change can start at home. It's never too early to talk to children about race.

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Books and Resources to Help You Raise Anti-Racist Children

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America is still deeply racially divided - nothing has made that more clear than the murders of members of the Black community at the hands of law enforcement. Now more than ever, it's time for a change. And that change can start at home.

It's never too early to talk to children about race. According to HealthyChildren.org, "As early as 6 months, a baby's brain can notice race-based differences. By ages 2 to 4, children can internalize racial bias. By age 12, many children become set in their beliefs-giving parents a decade to mold the learning process, so that it decreases racial bias and improves cultural understanding."

It can often feel like the world is full of anger and hate, but it's also full of hope - hope for a better future. It's so important for children to see themselves and their experiences represented in the books they read. It's also important for children to read about the experiences of people who are different from them. At Brightly, we're committed to helping you raise kids that are not only "not racist," but who are actively "anti-racist." Anti-racism is defined as, "the policy or practice of opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance."

Reading books featuring Black characters and experiences provide a great way to start a conversation about race with the kids in your life. But support for the Black community goes well beyond that. We've complied further reading resources for parents and educators - from how to talk to your kids about protests to understanding white privilege - as well as ways you can support Black-owned bookstores, bloggers, and donate to organizations that fight for Black lives. Black Lives Matter, and it's vital that we become more educated and act, with and for our children.
EDUCATE
Books provide a great way to start a conversation about race with the kids in your life. In addition to book picks for kids and adults, further reading resources for parents and educators offer more ways to teach kids about race and understand why it's important to be an anti-racist.
Resources for Parents
How to Talk to Your Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help ( Brightly)

Why It's Important to Talk to Your Child About Racism and Hate ( Brightly)

Anti-Racist Books and Resources for Our Readers ( Penguin Random House)

Books to Help Kids Understand the Fight for Racial Equality ( Brightly)
Resources for Educators
15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing, and Protest ( Education Week: Teacher)

How Should I Talk about Race in My Mostly White Classroom? ( ADL)
Teaching Tolerance
Social Justice Resources ( The Children's Community School)
More Anti-Racism Resources for Adults
Harvard University's Implicit Bias Test ( Harvard)

The 1619 Project ( The New York Times)
ACT
It's important to educate ourselves, but it's also vital to take action. Support Black-owned business, donate to organizations that fight for Black lives, and more.
Black-Owned Bookstores
Pensylvannia

California
Detroit Book City AfriWare Books
Washington (State)

Washington (D.C.)
Mahogany Books Alkebu-Lan Images Bookstore Everyone's Place
To support more Black-owned independent bookstores, see this list.
Black Children's Bookstagrammers
Here Wee Read (@hereweeread)
The Tutu Teacher (@thetututeacher)
Little Black Book Nook (@littleblackbooknook)
Mrs. Russell's Room (@mrsrussellsroom)
Black Baby Books (@blackbabybooks)
Books of Melanin (@booksofmelanin)
Books Through My Eyes (@booksthroughmyeyes)
Jeanell Nicole (@jeanellnicolereads)
Akossiwa Ketoglo (
If Pencils Could Talk (@ifpencilscouldtalk)
Read Boston (@readboston)
Mx. T (@teachingwithmxt)

Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
"This fund is established to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist our family in the days to come as we continue to seek justice for George. A portion of these funds will also go to the Estate of George Floyd for the benefit and care of his children and their educational fund."

Black Lives Matter
"We appreciate your support of the movement and our ongoing fight to end State-sanctioned violence, liberate Black people, and end white supremacy forever."

The Bail Project
"The Bail Project™ National Revolving Bail Fund is on a mission to combat mass incarceration and reshape the pretrial system in the United States."

Reclaim the Block
"Reclaim the Block is calling on our city to invest in violence prevention, housing, resources for youth, emergency mental health response teams, and solutions to the opioid crisis - not more police."

Community Bail Fund
"Split a donation to all the bail funds, mutual aid funds, and activist organizations listed on this page, or allocate specific amounts to individual groups."

The Loveland Foundation
"Loveland Therapy Fund provides financial assistance to Black women and girls nationally seeking therapy."

Color of Change
"We design campaigns powerful enough to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back, and champion solutions that move us all forward. Until justice is real."

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
"Donate today to help us win landmark legal battles, protect voters across the nation, and advance the cause of racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society."

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
"Your donation to the NAACP helps further our mission to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination."

Sign a petition calling for justice for George Floyd
Sign a petition calling for justice for Breonna Taylor
Sign a petition calling for justice for Ahmaud Arbery
Sign the Black Lives Matter petition to #DefundThePolice
Sign a petition for Mandatory Life Sentence for Police Brutality

Text FLOYD to 55156 for George Floyd
Text ENOUGH to 55156 for Breonna Taylor
Text JUSTICE to 55156 for Ahmaud Arbery
More ways you can donate and petition.

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Books and Resources to Help You Raise Anti-Racist Children | Brightly

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America is still deeply racially divided - nothing has made that more clear than the murders of members of the Black community at the hands of law enforcement. Now more than ever, it's time for a change. And that change can start at home. It's never too early to talk to children about race.

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PBS Learning Media CollectionsConfronting Anti-Black Racism

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PBS Learning Media CollectionsConfronting Anti-Black Racism

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Use these materials with middle and high school students to help them understand the long history of anti-Black racism in the United States, and think about ways to address it in their own families and communities. Resources include news coverage of recent protests, videos on the origins of the Black Lives Matter Movement and protests against police brutality within the past decade, iconic PBS documentaries on the histories of race and racism in America, and activities addressing civic engagement and elevating students’ voices.

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Confronting Anti-Black Racism | PBS LearningMedia

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Use these materials with middle and high school students to help them understand the long history of anti-Black racism in the United States, and think about ways to address it in their own families and communities.

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PBS Learning Media: Confronting Bias: Ethics in the Classroom

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PBS Learning Media: Confronting Bias: Ethics in the Classroom

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The resources in this collection provide teachers with tools to incorporate ethics education in the classroom, promote understanding of differing viewpoints, and foster civil dialogue about bias.

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Confronting Bias: Ethics in the Classroom | PBS LearningMedia

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The Confronting Bias: Ethics in the Classroom collection was created as part of WNET's Youth Collective. Youth Collective is a Generation Z media and education initiative that aims to amplify youth voice and provide a platform for young people to engage in the important work of building a more ethical world.

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PBS Learning Media: Black Lives Matter: Campaigning for Racial Justice

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PBS Learning Media: Black Lives Matter: Campaigning for Racial Justice

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Learn about the origins, objectives, and makeup of Black Lives Matter, an activist black youth-led movement that campaigns against police brutality and other forms of racism, in this video from Eyes on the Prize: Then and Now.

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Black Lives Matter: Campaigning for Racial Justice | PBS LearningMedia

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Learn about the origins, objectives, and makeup of Black Lives Matter, an activist black youth-led movement that campaigns against police brutality and other forms of racism, in this video from Eyes on the Prize: Then and Now. The movement, which grew from "a love note to black people" that appeared on social media, attracts a broad range of social justice supporters.

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How Black Art Can Spark Conversations with Children

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How Black Art Can Spark Conversations with Children

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How Black Art Can Spark Conversations with Children | Parenting Tips & Advice | PBS KIDS for Parents

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Learning about Black art and artists can help children resist race-based negativity as well as learn about Black history.

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A Call to Action for White Educators Who Seek to Be Anti-Racist

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A Call to Action for White Educators Who Seek to Be Anti-Racist

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I am a white mother and educator. For decades in school I have taught "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Unfortunately, for many of my students, the suffering often seems abstract and they falsely believe these are stories from a distant past. But, racism didn't end with the Civil Rights Movement. It is an ever present, persistent evil that impacts us all in every aspect of our daily lives. Wishing and hoping that systemic racism will just go away--or believing that it doesn't exist in our own communities--is its own form of violence. And recently I have been asking myself if I've made this point clearly enough in my teaching practice

It should not have taken the recent brutal murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Tony McDade, at the hands of police, to spark our consciousness. But it has, and this is now the time for me, and for other white parents and educators like me, to sit up, take notice, listen to Black communities, talk to our children and demonstrate anti-racist actions. This is not a time to be dismissive, but instead it's time for us to reach out, support in every way possible and take meaningful action. I am taking action to build a better future for my children and the children in my care. As a parent and educator I can help dismantle systemic racism. As I continue my own journey of learning about, and committing to, anti-racist action, here's what I believe we can do as educators to support meaningful change.

Our words must match our actions
Frankly, what we have done in the past has not worked. If our society had dismantled systemic racism, then we would not be seeing the necessary unrest that we see today. Our rhetoric needs to match our actions. As I think about what I do as an educator and as a parent, I am not 100 percent confident that my rhetoric and actions have always matched. But when I know better, I do better. I have friends, writers and public figures whose words I listen to, whose words I reflect on, and whose words I take to heart in order to support the change that needs to happen in our society. But it's not enough to read and reflect on those words, I must put those ideas into action.

We must broaden representation in classroom reading
When I reflect on my teaching practice and consider the words that I teach - the novels I use in my classroom, the authors whose works I use on a regular basis--it is clear that I have not had enough Black, Indigenous, or People of Color representation in my curriculum. On reflection, I have not ensured that every student who sits in a seat in my classroom has felt that their experiences were reflected in what we read. As a high school English teacher, I know that the white savior trope dominates our canon of American literature. I need to do a better job of including more writers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. People like Maya Angelou and Zora Neale Hurston, people like Amy Tan and Ta-Nehisi Coates, people like Jason Reynolds and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, people like Sandra Cisneros and Junot Díaz, people like Celeste Ng and Ted Chiang, Langston Hughes and Cleo Wade, Sherman Alexie and Leslie Marmon Silko.

We must embrace tough conversations
First, we must be better listeners. It is time to de-center myself, my stories and my experience, especially when talking about race and racial justice. This is not about me; it's about my friends, colleagues, and community. We must be disciplined and listen to the stories and experiences of others. Listening means not interjecting my point of view or saying anything that might invalidate the experience of others. I listen to People of Color on the news, I read their words in books and on social media. I listen with the intention of hearing what they have to say so I can create a connection and an understanding. I listen to the conversations students have when they are in my classroom and I find teachable moments when the conversation needs to change. I do not pretend I don't hear it. Even if this may feel uncomfortable, we need to have these conversations. I listen to the questions my own children have about race and I answer truthfully and transparently. I acknowledge the mistakes I have made as well as the mistakes others make, and we talk about ways to actively change hearts and minds.

We must explore different ideas, and listen with intention to change
I talk openly about race issues, not just on social media but with people in real life. I initiate conversations (but only if they want to talk) with non-white friends, colleagues, and students, and I actively participate by asking questions to gain understanding. Not everyone in a cultural group feels the same way and by asking questions I can explore different ideas. Again, this requires being present in the conversation, and listening to learn. I talk to my students about racial stereotypes, about how so much of what we read in class overwhelmingly has white characters and about how literature supports learning empathy for others. As a parent, I talk to my children about current events, about historical events, about implicit bias and overt racism. I talk to them about the importance of speaking up, listening, and learning.

We must commit to constant self reflection and admit our own bias
I'm still learning. I am learning how much words matter. I love To Kill a Mockingbird but it is one of many books that uses the White Savior trope - as a society we have so much exposure to this idea that white people have to step in and save Black people. This reinforces that idea that Black people need to be saved by white people. Through my own reflection, I understand how this trope is harmful. True allies don't seek to "solve and save," instead we stand beside our Black friends and colleagues, build empathy, amplify their voices, and stand up alongside them. I now constantly check my thoughts, and question even those that are fleeting: are my ideas influenced by bias, white supremacy and racism? I recently read this from Greater Good Magazine, and it stayed with me: "Admitting that we are all subject to biases creates a safer space to examine them more carefully and take steps to fight them..."

We must use media to strengthen understanding
I'm still learning about cultural appropriation, implicit bias and the historical events that have gone largely ignored, but which have inevitably led our country to this moment. Education plays a role in change. My own learning has been shaped by I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Invisible Man, and more recently, titles like Stamped, Just Mercy, The Hate U Give, Monster, and Dear Martin. These are books I can pass along to my colleagues, my high school students and to my own sons. I watch movies with my family like Akilah and the Bee, Raising Dion, See You Yesterday, Hidden Figures and BlacKkKlansman. I'm learning from podcasts such as Code Switch and Seeing White and my children and I listen to them at home and in the car.

I'm learning why and how Black communities are disproportionately impacted by Covid-19. I'm learning how and why Black people, especially Black men, are disproportionately killed by police. I'm learning and sharing the names and circumstances of the deaths with my children. I'm learning that I need to support organizations like the NAACP that actively support change. I'm learning that I need to show up.

We must keep doing the work
There is no quick fix for systemic racism. It requires continued, ongoing effort to dismantle white supremacy. But I also have hope. With our combined voices and our combined intelligence, we fight for racial justice and usher change. My Black students, colleagues and friends are in pain. As a white person, as a mother of white sons, as a white educator, it is incumbent on me to be more aware, to learn more, to empathize, to listen and to support others as we work to dismantle white supremacy and forge a new way forward.
More Resources

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a call to action for white educators who seek to be anti-racist

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A Call to Action for White Educators Who Seek to Be Anti-Racist | PBS Education

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I am a white mother and educator. For decades in school I have taught "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Unfortunately, for many of my students, the suffering often seems abstract and they falsely believe these are stories from a distant past.

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Civil Rights: Internet Activism and Social Change

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Civil Rights: Internet Activism and Social Change

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Lesson Collections for Grades 9-12

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Civil Rights: Internet Activism and Social Change | PBS LearningMedia

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Examine social media's influence in America's Civil Rights movement and its role in democratizing the media, in this video from Eyes on the Prize: Then and Now. Activists, including DeRay McKesson, use social media to support the work of social change protesters.

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RACIAL JUSTICE RESOURCES : JUSTICE FOR BLACK LIVES

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Context

Most of us believe that every child, no matter what they look like or where they come from, deserves a safe, just, 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.

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We are joining together across race and place to ensure every student has the opportunities they need to succeed.

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Black Lives Matter at School – Resources

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Black Lives Matter at School – Resources

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Resources to help facilitate conversations about race any time of year, including classroom appropriate lesson plans, guides on how to have tough conversations with peers and students, and more.

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Talking About Race

Check out resources to help facilitate conversations about race, including classroom appropriate lesson plans, guides on how to have tough conversations with peers and students, and more.

Standing Together

See how cities like Milwaukee, Rochester, and Seattle have passed community and union resolutions - and then mobilized to support Black Lives Matter at School.

Art and Activism

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Black Lives Matter at School - Resources - NEA EdJustice

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Talking About Race Check out resources to help facilitate conversations about race, including classroom appropriate lesson plans, guides on how to have tough conversations with peers and students, and more. Teaching for Black Lives, Edited By Dyan Watson, Jesse Hagopian, Wayne Au. Rethinking Schools.

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For Marley Dias, the call to activism began with books. Frustrated by not seeing other Black girls as the main characters in the books in her school library, she decided to take action and make a change by launching the wildly successful social media project, #1000blackgirlbooks.

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NEA: Visually Speaking Series: The PlaylistNEA YouTube Channel

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NEA: Visually Speaking Series: The PlaylistNEA YouTube Channel

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Visually Speaking is a photo/video social justice project that invites educators and students to talk about the issues that affect them most.

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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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NEA’s certification bank includes courses to help educators adopt restorative justice practices, cultivate socially just environments, challenge inequity, examine intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation, and create classroom culture that cultivates relationships among all learners.

Culturally Responsive Art Instruction

Examining the Intersections of Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

Exploring Restorative Practices

Creating A Classroom Community

Challenging Inequity

Cultivating Socially Just Environments

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Resources for Talking about Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with KidsCenter for Racial Justice in Education

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Resources for Talking about Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with KidsCenter for Racial Justice in Education

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Anti-Racist Resources for Children, Families, and Educators

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"We who believe in freedom cannot rest."
-Ella Baker

Thank you so much to all who joined us for the KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives, created and coordinated by Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson, and Jason Reynolds. Please share your reflections on social media with the hashtag #KidLit4BlackLives.
The Rally recording is currently available on our YouTube channel.
The Brown Bookshelf remains committed to the ongoing work of amplifying and celebrating Black voices, of rejecting white supremacy, and empowering young readers. It continues to be "our collective mission, therefore, to promote understanding and justice through our art; to bolster every child's visceral belief that his or her life shall always be infinitely valuable." Strive for equity and engage in the work of liberation. Use our site in your home, classroom, and library to find just a small fraction of the incredible number of stories by Black creators from all across the Diaspora. We feature picture book, middle grade, and young adult titles in all genres. Share the many different creator stories, titles, and multimedia resources in our 28 Days Later archives.

As Walter Dean Myers wrote, "There is work to be done." We are sharing the resources listed below, and invite you to do the work, every day, and move toward justice.

The time is now. It is a matter of life and death.
The Conscious Kid The Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners
The African American Children's Book Project (read our interview with the founder, Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, here.)
We Need Diverse Books Here Wee Read Fare of the Free Child Podcast 1619 Podcast Race Forward/Colorlines Color of Change
Just Us Books (read our Q&A with founders Cheryl and Wade Hudson here, and watch Just Us' new YouTube series, "Just Us &".)
The National Visionary Leadership Project Black Youth Project 100 Zinn Education Project Teaching for Change Teaching Tolerance National Museum of African American History & Culture Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility Black Children's Books & Authors
Kweli Journal (read our conversation with founder Laura Pegram here.)
Helping Kids Rise Rethinking Schools Clear the Air Disrupt Texts Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations CrazyQuiltEdi Blog The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund Black Visions Collective ACLU Of Minnesota Dignity and Power Now

We Got This: Equity, Access, and the Quest to Be Who Our Students Need Us to Be (Heinemann) by Cornelius Minor

Being the Change: Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension (Heinemann) by Sara K. Ahmed

Teaching for Black Lives (Rethinking Schools) ed. by Dyan Watson,
Jesse Hagopian and Wayne Au

Libraries, Literacy, and African American Youth (Libraries Unlimited) edited by Dr. Pauletta Brown Bracy, Sandra Hughes-Hassell and Casey H. Rawson

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KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives: Anti-Racist Resources for Children, Families, and Educators - The Brown Bookshelf

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"We who believe in freedom cannot rest." -Ella Baker Thank you so much to all who joined us for the KidLit Rally 4 Black Lives, created and coordinated by Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson, and Jason Reynolds. Please share your reflections on social media with the hashtag #KidLit4BlackLives.

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$1 PD Course!! Run and sign up!
Explore best practices on strategies to ensure equity in your online classroom. To reach and teach all learners, participants will investigate challenges and solutions surrounding digital equity that affect English Learners, students receiving special education, and students without internet at home. Reflect on methods for connecting with students, parents, and other educators and use culturally responsive teaching strategies to ensure equity when teaching online.

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After the read aloud have a little discussion with the kids about how we all have a voice so speak up and let our voices be heard to a trusted adult (family member, teacher, etc)

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Say Something! By Peter Hamilton Reynolds

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Black Lives Matter At School is excited to announce our new, free, downloadable coloring book for young children and all those young at heart. To download the coloring book, visit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OLYjlPEAyVN8BEMHL82B6LfUmp2juC05

This coloring book is designed to help teachers, students, parents and community members in their conversations about race and the core values of Black Lives Matter. This book was created as part of the Black Lives Matter At School movement by educators to bring these ideas to the classroom in an age appropriate way to young children.

This book allows kids to colorfully and creatively relate the 13 principles of Black Lives Matter to their own lives and is an excellent classroom activity for our week of action, from Feb. 4-8, 2019.

So sharpen that crayon-and your mind-and make BLM@School week beautiful!

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The Black Lives Matter At School Coloring Book-Make this year's week of action beautiful!

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Black Lives Matter At School is excited to announce our new, free, downloadable coloring book for young children and all those young at heart. To download the coloring book, visit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OLYjlPEAyVN8BEMHL82B6LfUmp2juC05 This coloring book is designed to help teachers, students, parents and community members in their conversations about race and the core values of Black...

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31 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance

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31 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance

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Ultimate List of Diverse Children's Books

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Ultimate List of Diverse Children's Books

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What books are you and your kids looking forward to reading in 2020? We're entering this new decade with another epic list of diverse reads to share with you. Ready?

Most of the books listed here are recommended either for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary readers since my children fall within those groups and so do the little readers in my core target audience. However, I've also included a few middle grade and young adult books for slightly older readers to enjoy as well. The best part is most of these books are available for pre-order now so you can get a head start on your shopping.

Rest assured, I've selected what I think will be the "best of the best" in terms of diverse books. I know other amazing books will be released throughout the year, but these are the ones that were on my radar right now. As other books are released, I will come back and make changes to this post throughout the year so be sure to check it periodically or bookmark it to read later.

I'm definitely looking forward to sharing most (if not all) of these books with my little readers. As always, I tried to target books that will likely have: stunning illustrations, read aloud appeal, a kid-friendly theme - or all three! Enjoy!

Note: ** Since other countries have different release dates, some of these books may be released earlier or later internationally than the months I have listed as publication dates do sometimes change. **

Check out our lists from previous years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

With the help of her family and friends, can Mindy find a way to still enjoy her old holiday traditions, and create new ones along the way?

Hosea Plays On by Kathleen M. Blasi (Author), Shane W. Evans (Illustrator) Ages 3 - 9

This heartwarming picture book (based on a true story) depicts a day in the life of Hosea Taylor, a musician who-with his charm, talent, and generosity-brought joy to everyone he met. Every day, Hosea takes the Number 42 bus into the city to play his shiny brass saxophone-and to hopefully earn enough money. Setting up in his favorite place, Hosea makes sweet music as people greet him with a smile, a little girl dances, and crowds surround him. A surprise ending reveals what the money is really for.

Inspired by the #SayHerName campaign launched by the African American Policy Forum, these poems pay tribute to victims of police brutality as well as the activists insisting that Black Lives Matter. Elliott engages poets from the past two centuries to create a chorus of voices celebrating the creativity, resilience, and courage of Black women and girls.

This collection features forty-nine powerful poems, four of which are tribute poems inspired by the works of Lucille Clifton, Audre Lorde, Nikki Giovanni, and Phillis Wheatley.

From acclaimed author and illustrator pairing comes a beautiful picture book biography about the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and how she fought for respect throughout her life. Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul, a legend. But before she became a star, she was a shy little girl with a voice so powerful it made people jump up, sway, and hum along.

Mamie "Peanut" Johnson had one dream: to play professional baseball. She was a talented player, but she wasn't welcome in the segregated All-American Girls Pro Baseball League due to the color of her skin. However, a greater opportunity came her way in 1953 when Johnson signed to play ball for the Negro Leagues' Indianapolis Clowns, becoming the first female pitcher to play on a men's professional team. During the three years she pitched for the Clowns, her record was an impressive 33-8. But more importantly, she broke ground for other female athletes and for women everywhere.

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by Oge Mora (Ages 4-8)

From sunset to bedtime, two brown-skinned parents lovingly care for their beautiful brown baby: first, they play outside, then it is time for dinner and a bath, and finally a warm snuggle before bed.

Earth Hour: A Lights-Out Event for Our Planet by Nanette Heffernan, illustrated by Bao Luu (Ages 3- 7)

Earth Hour-a worldwide movement in support of energy conservation and sustainability-takes place each March and is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). During Earth Hour, individuals, communities, and businesses in more than 7,000 cities turn off nonessential electric lights for one hour. Across each continent-from the Eiffel Tower to the Great Wall of China to the Statue of Liberty-one small act reminds all of us of our enormous impact on planet Earth.

A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story by Sharon Langley (Author), Amy Nathan (Author), Floyd Cooper (Illustrator) Ages 6-9

A Ride to Remember tells how a community came together-both black and white-to make a change. When Sharon Langley was born in the early 1960s, many amusement parks were segregated, and African-American families were not allowed entry. This book reveals how in the summer of 1963, due to demonstrations and public protests, the Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in Maryland became desegregated and opened to all for the first time.

This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons On How to Wake Up, Take Action and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by Aurelia Durand (Ages 11 - 15)

Gain a deeper understanding of your anti-racist self as you progress through 20 chapters that spark introspection, reveal the origins of racism that we are still experiencing, and give you the courage and power to undo it. Each chapter builds on the previous one as you learn more about yourself and racial oppression. Exercise prompts get you thinking and help you grow with the knowledge.

This title introduces readers to Harriet Tubman and how she became a shero to free as many enslaved people as possible through the Underground Railroad.

Heidi Woodward Sheffield (Illustrator) Ages 4-7 Are Your Stars Like My Stars? by Leslie Helakoski (Author),

No matter where they live, all children gaze at the blue sky, bask in the warmth of the golden sun, dig in the rich dirt, and watch clouds grow soft and rosy at end of day. Through the eyes of one inquisitive and thoughtful young narrator, young readers explore the idea of perspective, and come to realize that all of us, everywhere, share the colors of the world. The gentle, poetic text and gorgeous collaged illustrations make this just right to say goodnight.

Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon (Author), Kaylani Juanita (Illustrator) Ages 5-6

Magnificent Homespun Brown is an exploration of the natural world and family bonds through the eyes of a young, mixed-race narrator―a living, breathing, dazzlingly multi-faceted, exuberant masterpiece, firmly grounded in her sense of self-worth and belonging. This is a story―a poem, a song, a celebration― about feeling at home in your own beloved skin.

Freedom Bird: A Tale of Hope and Courage by Jerdine Nolen, James E. Ransome (Ages 5 - 9)

Brother and sister Millicent and John are slaves on Simon Plenty's plantation and have suffered one hurt and heartbreak after another. Their parents had told them old tales of how their ancestors had flown away to freedom just as free and easy as a bird. Millicent and John hold these stories in their hearts long after their parents are gone. "Maybe such a time will come for you," their parents said. Then one day a mysterious bird appears in their lives. The bird transforms them and gives them the courage to set their plan into motion and escape to freedom.

Then Savannah meets Lloyd, a young West Indian man from the working class who opens Savannah's eyes to how the other half lives. Inspired to fight for change, Savannah starts attending suffragist lectures and socialist meetings, finding herself drawn more and more to Lloyd's world.

Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis' Fleet-of-Feet Girl by Megan Reid, Laura Freeman Ages 4-8

Because of segregation, black people weren't allowed to compete against white people in sports. Althea didn't care. She just wanted to play tennis against the best athletes in the world. And with skill and determination, she did just that, eventually becoming the first black person-man or woman-to win a trophy at Wimbledon.

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Baretta, Frank Morrison Ages 4-8

When George Washington Carver was just a young child, he had a secret: a garden of his own.

Here, he rolled dirt between his fingers to check if plants needed more rain or sun. He protected roots through harsh winters, so plants could be reborn in the spring. He trimmed flowers, spread soil, studied life cycles. And it was in this very place that George's love of nature sprouted into something so much more-his future.

Little Martin grew up in a family of preachers: his dad was a preacher, his uncle was a preacher, his grandfather was a preacher...so maybe he'd become a great preacher too. One day, a friend invited him to play at his house. Martin was shocked when his mother wouldn't let him in because he was black. That day he realized there was something terribly unfair going on. Martin believed that no one should remain silent and accept something if it's wrong. And he promised himself that-when he grew up-he'd fight injustice with the most powerful weapon of all: words.

Echo Brown is a wizard from the East Side, where apartments are small and parents suffer addictions to the white rocks. Yet there is magic . . . everywhere. New portals begin to open when Echo transfers to the rich school on the West Side, and an insightful teacher becomes a pivotal mentor.

Each day, Echo travels between two worlds, leaving her brothers, her friends, and a piece of herself behind on the East Side. There are dangers to leaving behind the place that made you. Echo soon realizes there is pain flowing through everyone around her, and a black veil of depression threatens to undo everything she's worked for.

Who Did It First? 50 Politicians, Activists, and Entrepreneurs Who Revolutionized the World by Jay Leslie (Author), Alex Hart (Editor), Nneka Myers (Illustrator) Ages 8 - 12 and up

Who Did It First? 50 Politicians, Activists, and Entrepreneurs Who Revolutionized the World brings together all of these trailblazers into one stunning package. With both well-known figures and lesser-known heroes, this book is a celebration of the inspiring innovators who braved uncharted waters to pave the path for future generations.

Cece loves science―and experimenting! In this Cece Loves Science Level 3 I Can Read!, Cece's teacher, Miss Curie, explains the opposite forces of push and pull. To demonstrate this concept, she divides the class into two teams. Each team must make a treat dispenser for Cece's dog, Einstein, that uses both forces. Cece and her classmates rely on science, creativity, and teamwork―and they learn a lot along the way.

The Cece Loves Science books introduce readers to basic concepts of science, technology, engineering, and math, and are perfect for the classroom. This Level 3 I Can Read! focuses on basic scientific vocabulary and includes a glossary of terms and fun activities for readers to try on their own.

In 1870 Benjamin Turner, who spent the first 40 years of his life as a slave, was elected to the U.S. Congress. He was the first African American from Alabama to earn that distinction. In a recreation of Turner's own words, based on speeches and other writings that Turner left behind, co-authors Marti S. Rosner and Frye Gaillard have crafted the story of a remarkable man who taught himself to read when he was young and began a lifetime quest for education and freedom.

Yusra Swims by Julie Aberry, Sally Deng (Ages 6 - 8)

A biography in rhyme relates the story of Olympic swimmer and Syrian refugee Yusra Mardini.

All of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing after the Oklahoma City Bombing by Chris Barton (Author), Nicole Xu (Illustrator) Ages 7 - 11

Released to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, this book commemorates what was lost and offers hope for the future.

Sometimes bad things happen, and you have to tell everyone. Sometimes terrible things happen, and everybody knows. On April 19, 1995, something terrible happened in Oklahoma City: a bomb exploded, and people were hurt and killed. But that was not the end of the story. Those who survived―and those who were forever changed―shared their stories and began to heal. Near the site of the bomb blast, an American elm tree began to heal as well. People took care of the tree just as they took care of each other. The tree and its seedlings now offer solace to people around the world grappling with tragedy and loss.

Part Ojibwe and part white, River lives with her white mother and stepfather on a farm in Ontario. Teased about her Indigenous heritage as a young girl, she feels like she doesn't belong and struggles with her identity.

Now eighteen and just finished high school, River travels to Winnipeg to spend the summer with her Indigenous father and grandmother, where she sees firsthand what it means to be an "urban Indian."

Music Is My Life: Soundtrack your mood with 80 artists for every occasion by Myles Tanzer, Ali Mac Ages 8 - 12

Do you remember the first time you discovered an artist you really loved? Have you listened to them over and over again at different points throughout your life? This book harnesses that feeling, by collecting together 80 of music's finest artists to guide young people through the good, bad and sad times. Whatever the feeling, these artists have been there and sung about it. Organised by mood, young ones can dip into the library to discover new artists from decades past to present day. Fall in love with John Legend, shout about it with Nirvana, love yourself with Lizzo, or cry it out with Adele. With 80 artists, bands, and composers from all genres (including classical) there's something for every family member to love and recommend to the next generation.

A little boy who lives with his grandpa isn't reprimanded for being afraid to go to school one day. Instead, Big Papa takes him away in his time machine-a 1952 Ford-back to all of the times when he, himself, was scared of something life was handing him.

Full of heartfelt moments and thrilling magical realism, Big Papa and the Time Machine speaks to the African American experience in a touching dialogue between two family members from different generations, and emerges as a voice that shares history and asks questions about one family's experience in 20th-century black America.

Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z by Irene Latham (Author), Charles Waters Mehrdokht Amini Ages 8-12

How can we make the world a better place? This inspiring resource for middle-grade readers is organized as a dictionary; each entry presents a word related to creating a better world, such as ally, empathy, or respect. For each word, there is a poem, a quote from an inspiring person, a personal anecdote from the authors, and a "try it" prompt for an activity.

Growing up in the late 19th century, Laura Wheeler Waring didn't see any artists who looked like her. She didn't see any paintings of people who looked like her, either. As a young woman studying art in Paris, she found inspiration in the works of Matisse and Gaugin to paint the people she knew best. Back in Philadelphia, the Harmon Foundation commissioned her to paint portraits of accomplished African-Americans. Her portraits still hang in Washington DC's National Portrait Gallery, where children of all races can admire the beautiful shades of brown she captured.

It's springtime in Ms. Cupid's class, and the entire class is excited to build their very own leprechaun traps. Maybe, if they catch one, they will all get the gift of good luck!

And after a few magical clues, it looks like there might be a leprechaun on the loose in Frankie Sparks's house! Her best friend, Maya, is convinced the leprechaun exists, but Frankie has her doubts-especially when it feels like every trap she designs fails! Will Frankie and Maya find their lucky charm, or figure out how to create some luck all on their own?

The twenty groundbreaking women-including Rosalind Franklin, Marie Tharp, Shirley Anne Jackson, and more-came from all kinds of backgrounds and had all kinds of life experiences. Some grew up rich. Some grew up poor. Some were always the smartest kid in class. Some struggled to do well in school. But all had one thing in common: They were born curious. Are you curious, too?

Frances realized she had to make her voice heard, even when speaking made her uncomfortable, and use it to fight injustice and build programs to protect people across the nation. So when newly-elected President Franklin Delano Roosevelt finally asked Frances to be the first female Secretary of Labor and help pull the nation out of the Great Depression, she knew she had to walk through that open door and forward into history.

Read as part of the series or as a stand-alone novel! Arcade and the Fiery Metal Tester is the third book in the humorous and imaginative Coin Slot Chronicles series by New York Times bestselling author, former NFL running back, and Dancing with the Stars champion Rashad Jennings.

Where Mango goes, drama is sure to follow! It's summer break, and Mango is content to spend her time babysitting her brother, hanging with her friend Izzy, and binge-watching movies late into the night. Then she runs into her drama teacher, who has some big news: their middle school play Yo, Romeo! is headed to the stage in New York City . . . and he wants Mango for the lead role! After overcoming her mom's initial reluctance-and with some firm rules established-Mango goes off to Brooklyn to stay with her Aunt Zendaya in a teeny apartment and prepare for her theatrical debut. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, but soon Mango must confront homesickness, insecurity, and the all-important question of what it means to be a good friend-especially when you're far away from the people you love.

Jennifer Keelan was determined to make a change―even if she was just a kid. She never thought her wheelchair could slow her down, but the way the world around her was built made it hard to do even simple things. Like going to school, or eating lunch in the cafeteria.

Jennifer knew that everyone deserves a voice! Then the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law that would make public spaces much more accessible to people with disabilities, was proposed to Congress. And to make sure it passed, Jennifer went to the steps of the Capitol building in Washington DC to convince them. And, without her wheelchair, she climbed. ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP!

The most powerful pirate in history was a woman who was born into poverty in Guangzhou, China, in the late 1700s. When pirates attacked her town and the captain took a liking to her, she saw a way out. Zheng Yi Sao agreed to marry him only if she got an equal share of his business. When her husband died six years later, she took command of the fleet. Over the next decade, the pirate queen built a fleet of over 1,800 ships and 70,000 men. On land and sea, Zheng Yi Sao's power rivaled the emperor himself. Time and again, her ships triumphed over the emperor's ships.

Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds

Discover a joyful reminder of the ways that every child is unique and special, from the beloved creator of The Dot, Happy Dreamer, and New York Times bestseller, The Word Collector. Here, Reynolds reminds readers to "be your own work of art." To be patient, persistent, and true. Because there is one, and only one, YOU.

Violet Choudhury may be part of the popular clique at school, but as one of a handful of brown girls in a small Illinois town, all she really wants to do is blend in and disappear. Unfortunately for her, she's got a knack for seeing spirits, including the dead-something she's tried to ignore all her life. But when the queen bee of Violet's cheerleading squad ends up dead following a sex tape that's not as consensual as everyone wants to believe, Violet's friends from the spirit world decide it's the perfect time for Violet to test her skills and finally accept the legacy of spiritual fighters from whom she's descended. Her mission? Find the killer. Or else she's next.

A lyrical meditation on the preciousness of one child and the vastness of the universe, this gorgeously illustrated picture book shares the immensity of a parent's love along with the message that we are all connected to the broader cosmos in important and intimate ways.

Changing the Equation: 50+ US Black Women in STEM by Tonya Bolden

A celebratory and inspiring look at some of the most important black women in STEM
Award-winning author Tonya Bolden explores the black women who have changed the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in America. Including groundbreaking computer scientists, doctors, inventors, physicists, pharmacists, mathematicians, aviators, and many more, this book celebrates more than 50 women who have shattered the glass ceiling, defied racial discrimination, and pioneered in their fields. In these profiles, young readers will find role models, inspirations, and maybe even reasons to be the STEM leaders of tomorrow. These stories help young readers to dream big and stay curious. The book includes endnotes, a bibliography, and an index.

From the New York Times bestselling creators of I Am Enough comes an empowering follow-up that celebrates every child's limitless potential. I Believe I Can is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background to love and believe in themselves.

Evonne grew up on a hot, dusty farm in Australia. She was the third of eight children, and descendant of the Wirundjuri people, who have lived on the land for more than 60,000 years. Her talent for tennis was discovered at a local tennis club, and before she knew it, the girl dreaming about the place called "Wimbledon" was playing on center court.

In this imaginatively illustrated book from the Work It, Girl series, discover how Michelle became an inspirational leader, FLOTUS, lawyer, author, and role model in this true story of her life. Then, learn 10 key lessons from her work you can apply to your own life.

Love Your Body by Jessica Sanders (Author), Carol Rossetti Ages 8 - 12

Love Your Body introduces the language of self-love and self-care to help build resilience, while representing and celebrating diverse bodies, encouraging you to appreciate your uniqueness. This book was written for every girl, regardless of how you view your body. All girls deserve to be equipped with the tools to navigate an image-obsessed world.

Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard there: never enough food, achingly dull, and without access to the medical care Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs. So when Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future . . . but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only family member he has left, every day.

Rafael Guastavino Sr. was 39 when he left a successful career as an architect in Barcelona. American cities―densely packed and built largely of wood―were experiencing horrific fires, and Guastavino had the solution: The soaring interior spaces created by his tiled vaults and domes made buildings sturdier, fireproof, and beautiful. What he didn't have was fluent English. Unable to win design commissions, he transferred control of the company to his American-educated son, whose subsequent half-century of inspired design work resulted in major contributions to the built environment of America.

Immigrant Architect is an introduction to architectural concepts and a timely reminder of immigrant contributions to America. The book includes four route maps for visiting Guastavino-designed spaces in New York City: uptown, midtown, downtown, and Prospect Park.

Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay-he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe.

How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi, Yao Xiao

Ashima Shiraishi draws on her experience as a world-class climber in this story that challenges readers to tackle the problems in their own lives and rise to greater heights than they would have ever thought possible.

In My Anaana's Amautik by Nadia Sammurtok (Author), Lenny Lishchenko (Illustrator) Ages 3 - 7

Nadia Sammurtok lovingly invites the reader into the amautik―the pouch in the back of a mother's parka used to carry a child―to experience everything through the eyes of the baby nestled inside, from the cloudlike softness of the pouch to the glistening sound of Anaana 's laughter. Sweet and soothing, this book offers a unique perspective that will charm readers of all ages.

Bo the Brave by Bethan Woollvin (Author, Illustrator) (Ages 5-9 )

A feisty little girl learns who the real monsters are in this brilliantly funny medieval adventure.
Once, there lived a little girl called Bo. Bo wanted to be just like her brothers and capture a fearsome monster. Bo is small, too small to catch a monster―or so her brothers say. But Bo isn't one to take no for an answer, so she sets off on a quest to catch a monster of her own.

A hopeful and timely picture book about a spirited little girl living in a refugee camp.

Of all her friends, Abia has been at the Shimelba Refugee Camp the longest-seven years, four months, and sixteen days. Papa says that's too long and they need a forever home. Until then, though, Abia has something important to do. Be a queen.

A Journey Toward Hope tells the story of Rodrigo, a 14-year-old escaping Honduran violence; Alessandra, a 10-year-old Guatemalan whose first language is Q'eqchi'; and the Salvadoran siblings Laura and Nando. Though their reasons for making the journey are different and the journey northward is perilous, the four children band together, finding strength in one another as they share the dreams of their past and the hopes for their future.

Inspired by the eagerly awaited birth of her daughter, Kaavia James Union Wade, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning actress Gabrielle Union pens a festive and universal love letter from parents to little ones, perfect for welcoming a baby to the party of life!

She Persisted in Sports is a book for everyone who has ever aimed for a goal and been told it wasn't theirs to hit, for everyone who has ever raced for a finish line that seemed all too far away, and for everyone who has ever felt small or unimportant while out on the field.

Bubble Kisses by Vanessa Williams, Tara Nicole Whitaker Ages 3 - 8

A young girl adores her goldfish, Sal. But Sal is no ordinary pet: while she can't fetch a ball or curl up on a lap, she can give bubble kisses that transform the girl into a mermaid and transport her to a world of underwater adventures. There, beneath the sea, they play, sing, and dance with other mermaids. The catchy, breezy, rhymed tale is perfect for bedtime, and the book includes a CD plus a link to a digital download.

It Doesn't Take a Genuis by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich Ages 10 - 15 and up

As Luke seems to be moving on to new adventures, Emmett struggles in unexpected ways, especially in swim class and the "It Takes A Village" entrepreneurship class. Without his brother to turn to for support, Emmett works to build a new crew of "superfriends," who'll help him plan something spectacular for the end-of-camp awards night and celebration. Along the way, Emmett learns that no matter what, there can be many ways to define family.

Based on the feature film Boy Genius, starring Miles Brown, Rita Wilson, and Nora Dunn.

One day, much to Swashby's chagrin, a young girl and her granny commandeer the empty house next door. All Swashby wants is for his new neighbors to GO AWAY and take their ruckus with them.

Decades later, a reporter caught wind of the news that an old man in the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home was actually a woman. The news swept through the country. What would happen to Albert and his military pension? Would he be allowed to continue to live as he wished? How would his friends, fellow soldiers, and others in the community react? This book is published in partnership with GLAAD to accelerate LGBTQ inclusivity and acceptance.

Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez (Author), Elisa Chavarri (Illustrator) Ages 4 - 7

With his red hoodie on and his bicycle basket full of food, Federico is ready to visit Abuelo. But on the way, he meets a hungry wolf. And now his grandfather bears a striking resemblance to el lobo. Fortunately, Federico is quick and clever-and just happens to be carrying a spicy surprise! Federico drives the wolf away, and he and Abuelo celebrate with a special salsa. Recipe included.

Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History by by Sarah Prager (Author), Sarah Papworth (Illustrator) Ages 8 - 12

Rainbow Revolutionaries brings to life the vibrant histories of fifty pioneering LGBTQ+ people our history books forgot to mention. This book is a celebration of the many ways these hidden heroes have made a difference and will inspire young readers to make a difference, too. Featuring an introduction, map, timeline, and glossary, this must-have biography collection is the perfect read during Pride month and all year round.

Biographies include:

Adam Rippon, Alan L. Hart, Alan Turing, Albert Cashier, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Alexander the Great, Al-Hakam II, Alvin Ailey, Bayard Rustin, Benjamin Banneker, Billie Jean King, Chevalier d'Éon, Christina of Sweden, Christine Jorgensen, Cleve Jones, Ellen DeGeneres, Francisco Manicongo, Frida Kahlo, Frieda Belinfante, Georgina Beyer, Gilbert Baker, Glenn Burke, Greta Garbo, Harvey Milk, James Baldwin, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, José Sarria, Josephine Baker, Juana Inés de la Cruz, Julie d'Aubigny, Lili Elbe, Ma Rainey, Magnus Hirschfeld, Manvendra Singh Gohil, Marsha P. Johnson, Martine Rothblatt, Maryam Khatoon Molkara, Natalie Clifford Barney, Navtej Johar, Nzinga, Pauli Murray, Renée Richards, Rudolf Nureyev, Sally Ride, Simon Nkoli, Stormé DeLarverie, Sylvia Rivera, Tshepo Ricki Kgositau, Wen of Han, We'Wha

In this deeply moving nonfiction picture book, award-winning author Caren Stelson brings Sachiko Yasui's story of surviving the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and her message of peace to a young audience.

Sachiko's family home was about half a mile from where the atomic bomb fell on August 9, 1945. Her family experienced devastating loss. When they returned to the rubble where their home once stood, her father miraculously found their serving bowl fully intact. This delicate, green, leaf-shaped bowl which once held their daily meals now holds memories of the past and serves as a vessel of hope, peace, and new traditions for Sachiko and the surviving members of her family.

From Children's Literature Legacy Award winner Nikki Grimes and highly-acclaimed illustrator Wendell Minor comes a stunning picture book about the beauty of the natural world and finding a new place to call home.

Every morning, a young girl walks her grandmother to the Aajibaichi Shala, the school that was built for the grandmothers in her village to have a place to learn to read and write. The narrator beams with pride as she drops her grandmother off with the other aajis to practice the alphabet and learn simple arithmetic. A moving story about family, women and the power of education-when Aaji learns to spell her name you'll want to dance along with her.

Women in countless countries continue to endure the limitations of illiteracy. Unjust laws have suppressed the rights of girls and women and kept many from getting an education and equal standing in society. Based on a true story from the village of Phangane, India, this brilliantly illustrated book tells the story of the grandmothers who got to go to school for the first time in their lives.

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices by S. K. Ali, Aisha Saeed Ages 8 - 12

Once Upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! Eid: The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it's waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it's the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it's the gift giving and holiday parties to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy. The anthology will also include a poem, graphic-novel chapter, and spot illustrations.

Violet and Pablo are best friends who love science! So when they discover a riddle that opens a magic portal in the Science Space at school, they can't wait to check it out! Along with their new classmate, Deepak, the friends discover a magical makerspace called the Maker Maze. It's a laboratory full of robots, 3D printers, an antigravity chamber, and more. Doors line the walls of the makerspace, with a new science adventure waiting behind each one.

Violet and Pablo are best friends who love science! So when they discover a riddle that opens a magic portal in the brain fair at school, they can't wait to check it out! In this adventure, the friends enter the Maker Maze-a magical makerspace-along with a set of twins who are interested in learning all about the brain. The kids can't wait to solve science puzzles . . . if first, they can learn to work together!

Ubeatable Betty: Betty Robinson, The First Female Olympic Track & Field Gold Medalist by Allison Crotzer Kimmel, Joanie Stone Ages 4 - 8

At only sixteen years old, Betty Robinson became the first female gold medalist in track and field in the 1928 Olympics and an overnight sensation. She was set for gold again and had her eyes on the 1932 Olympics.

Her plans changed forever when a horrible plane crash left her in a wheelchair, with one leg shorter than the other. But Betty didn't let that stop her. In less than five years, she relearned how to stand, to walk, and finally to run again and try to taste gold once more in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Joey: The Story of Joe Biden by Dr Jill Biden, Kathleen Krull Amy June Bates Ages 4 - 8

Joey is the first ever picture book about the young life of Joe Biden, the 47th Vice President of the United States, and includes never before told family stories about the presidential candidate and former vice president's childhood-written by Jill Biden, his spouse.

Joe Biden grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the oldest of four children. His parents always encouraged him and his siblings to be independent and strong. The family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where at twenty-nine, Biden was elected one the youngest United States Senators ever elected. This is his story.

Musa's feeling nervous about his first day of school. He's not used to being away from home and he doesn't know any of the other kids in his class. And when he meets classmates Moisés, Mo, and Kevin, Musa isn't sure they'll have much in common. But over the course of the year, the four boys learn more about each other, the holidays they celebrate, their favorite foods, and what they like about school. The more they share with each other, the closer they become, until Musa can't imagine any better friends.

Take your first steps with Antiracist Baby! Or rather, follow Antiracist Baby 's nine easy steps for building a more equitable world.

With bold art and thoughtful yet playful text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Providing the language necessary to begin critical conversations at the earliest age, Antiracist Baby is the perfect gift for readers of all ages dedicated to forming a just society.

3 2 1 Awesome!: 20 Fearless Women Who Dared to Be Different by Eva Chen (Author), Derek Desierto (Illustrator) Ages 1-3

Instagram superstar and New York Times-bestselling author of Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes Eva Chen shines a spotlight on 20 amazing women―including Megan Rapinoe, Sonia Sotomayor, J.K. Rowling, Greta Thunberg and more!―in this sassy and fun counting board book, perfect for the youngest of budding feminists.

Little Jesse, originally J.C., was born in Oakville, Alabama, during segregation. When he was nine, he moved with his parents and nine brothers and sisters to Cleveland, Ohio, to find a better life. There, he found his passion for running, and was making national headlines by high school, where he equaled the world record in the 100-yard dash. It was during the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics that he established himself as a legend, winning four gold metals that also delivered an unforgettable blow to Hitler and racism.

Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee Ages 14 and up

Featuring an all Asian cast of characters!

Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she's intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen's next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo. And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life.

But her dad isn't so sure she's ready for the big responsibility. Can Mindy prove to her dad that she can handle a new addition to the Kim household?

Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids: 50 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U.S.A. by Arlisha Norwood Ages 8 - 12

Explore the stories of well-known people like Rosa Parks and Barack Obama, and lesser-known figures like Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first African-American doctor, and Benjamin Banneker, an astronomer and mathematician. This vibrant black history book for kids makes it fun to learn about how these individuals created lasting change and paved the way for future leaders.

I Am Not a Label by Cerrie Burnell, Lauren Mark Baldo Ages 6 - 12

When Marva sees Duke turned away from their polling place, she takes it upon herself to make sure his vote is counted. She hasn't spent months doorbelling and registering voters just to see someone denied their right.

And that's how their whirlwind day begins, rushing from precinct to precinct, cutting school, waiting in endless lines, turned away time and again, trying to do one simple thing: vote. They may have started out as strangers, but as Duke and Marva team up to beat a rigged system (and find Marva's missing cat), it's clear that there's more to their connection than a shared mission for democracy.

In this powerful, affirming poem by award-winning author Zetta Elliott, a Black child explores his shifting emotions throughout the year. Summertime is filled with joy ―skateboarding and playing basketball ― until his community is deeply wounded by a police shooting. As fall turns to winter and then spring, fear grows into anger, then pride and peace.

Join lovable, passionate Rocket as she sets off on a mission to save a Caribbean island from plastic pollution! When Rocket goes for a holiday to visit her grandparents, she's shocked by the pollution that is spoiling their island home and putting the local sea life at risk. Can she think of a way to save the day? This is a heartwarming, timely and empowering picture book, showing how we ALL can make a difference.

Already a Butterfly: A Meditation Story by Julia Alvarez Weybridge VT (Author), Raúl Colón (Illustrator) Ages 5 - 9

With so much to do in so little time, Mari is constantly on the move, flitting from flower to flower, practicing her camouflage poses, and planning for migration. She's the busiest butterfly around. But does being productive mean she is happy? Mari couldn't say. The only way she feels like a butterfly is by acting like one. Little does Mari know, the secret to feeling like herself is simply to focus her breath, find her quiet place, and follow her instincts. With the guidance of a thoughtful flower bud, Mari soon learns to meditate and appreciate that she was a butterfly all along.

Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class. Your Name is a Song is a celebration to remind all of us about the beauty, history, and magic behind names.

The Electric Slide and Kai by Kelly Baptist, illustrated by Darnell Johnson Ages 4 - 7

Cover coming soon!
Everyone in the Donovan family can dance-and has a dance nickname-except Kai, but his family helps him practice his moves to prepare for his aunt's wedding reception.

This exciting collaboration with the New York Times will reveal the untold stories of the diverse heroines who fought for the 19th amendment. On the 100th anniversary of the historic win for women's rights, it's time to celebrate the names and stories of the women whose courage helped change the fabric of America.

After a childhood spent looking up at the stars, Caroline Herschel was the first woman to discover a comet and to earn a salary for scientific research. Florence Nightingale was a trailblazing nurse whose work reformed hospitals and one of the founders of the field of medical statistics. The first female electrical engineer, Hertha Marks Ayrton registered twenty-six patents for her inventions.

Marie Tharp helped create the first map of the entire ocean floor, which helped scientists understand our subaquatic world and suggested how the continents shifted. A mathematical prodigy, Katherine Johnson calculated trajectories and launch windows for many NASA projects including the Apollo 11 mission. Edna Lee Paisano, a citizen of the Nez Perce Nation, was the first Native American to work full time for the Census Bureau, overseeing a large increase in American Indian and Alaskan Native representation. And Vera Rubin studied more than two hundred galaxies and found the first strong evidence for dark matter.

The Dramatic Life of Azaleah Lane by Nikki Shannon Smith, Gloria Felix Ages 6 - 8

The fourth of five children, Aretha was born in Tennessee and took the stage at an early age in her father's church choir. She went on to become the best-selling rhythm and blues singer of all time, and the first woman to be installed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Willie made a name for himself performing on street corners all over Texas. And one day he hit it big when he got a record deal and his songs were played on the radio. Then in 1977, his song-"Dark Was the Night"-was chosen to light up the darkness when it was launched into space on the Voyager I space probe's famous Golden Record. His immortal song was selected for the way it expresses the loneliness humans all feel, while reminding us we're not alone.

Her string of hit songs earned her the title "the Queen of Soul," multiple Grammy Awards, and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But Aretha didn't just raise her voice in song, she also spoke out against injustice and fought for civil rights.

Fauja Singh was born determined. He was also born with legs that wouldn't allow him to play cricket with his friends or carry him to school miles from his village in Punjab. But that didn't stop him. Working on his family's farm, Fauja grew stronger to meet his own full potential.

He never stopped striving. At the age of 81, after a lifetime of making his body, mind, and heart stronger, Fauja decided to run his first marathon. He went on to break records all around the world and became the first person over 100 to complete the grueling long-distance race.

The true story of Fauja Singh reminds us that it's both where we start and how we finish that make our journeys unforgettable.

Good thing Isaiah can count on his best friend, Sneaky, who always has a scheme for getting around the rules. Plus, his classmate Angel has a few good ideas of her own-once she stops hassling Isaiah.

Corazon Aquino by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Ginnie Hsu Ages 4-7

Who Was Kobe Bryant? by Ellen Labrecque, Gregory Copeland Ages 8 - 12

Kobe Bryant was just an eighteen-year-old high-school basketball player when he decided to enter the National Basketball Association's draft. Though he was the thirteenth overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets, he would never play a single game for them. Instead, Kobe was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would spend his entire twenty-season career, winning five championships and numerous awards. Author Ellen Labreque takes readers through each exciting moment, from his iconic dunks to his 81-point game-all the milestones that span Kobe Bryant's legendary career and legacy.

But her beloved neighborhood is changing. Trees are chopped down, flashy new buildings spring up, and one by one Naomi's neighbors are forced to move away. Faced with the rapid transformation of her once-familiar city block, Naomi turns to painting murals to preserve her favorite 11th Street memories. When something we love goes away we paint it on the wall so it's always with us, Mister Ray tells her, and Naomi discovers that no matter how her world changes, as long as she has places and people to love, she will always have a home.

Bunheads by Misty Copeland, Setor Fiadzigbey Ages 5 - 8

Featuring themes of teamwork, friendship, dedication, and hard work, children everywhere will be inspired to reach for their dreams in Misty's exciting new picture book series, Bunheads.

Red Shoes by Karen English, illustrated by Ebony Glenn Ages 3 - 5

Malika is delighted when Nana surprises her with a beautiful new pair of red shoes! And with a click-clack-click and a swish, swish, swish, Malika wears her wonderful new shoes everywhere she goes. But one day, the shoes begin to pinch Malika's toes. And alas, they don't let her forget that her feet have grown! Soon Malika and Nana are off to the Rare Finds Resale Shop, where the shoes can be resold - so another little girl can enjoy them!
Who will be the next to wear the red shoes? Malika wonders. Then Inna Ziya buys the shoes, and readers follow the shoes all the way across the world to Africa, where Amina, another little girl, who has fasted her first time for Ramadan is about to get an amazing gift!

Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built by Angela Burke Kunkel, Paola Escobar Ages 4 - 8
In the city of Bogata, in the barrio of La Nueva Gloria, there live two Joses. One is a boy who dreams of Saturdays- that's the day he gets to visit Paradise, the library. The second Jose is a garbage collector. From dusk until dawn, he scans the sidewalks as he drives, squinting in the dim light, searching household trash for hidden treasure . . . books! Some are stacked in neat piles, as if waiting for José&#769;. Others take a bit more digging. Ever since he found his first book, Anna Karenina, years earlier, he's been collecting books-thick ones and thin ones, worn ones and almost new ones- to add to the collection in his home. And on Saturdays, kids like little Jose run to the steps of Paradise to discover a world filled with books and wonder.

Reverend F.D. Reese was a leader of the Voting Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama. As a teacher and principal, he recognized that his colleagues were viewed with great respect in the city. Could he convince them to risk their jobs-and perhaps their lives-by organizing a teachers-only march to the county courthouse to demand their right to vote? On January 22, 1965, the black teachers left their classrooms and did just that, with Reverend Reese leading the way.

Featured figures include: Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Woody Guthrie, Mohandas Gandhi, Irena Sendler, The Hollywood Ten, Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, The Greensboro Lunch Counter Sit-in protestors, Martin Luther King, Jr., Larry Itliong, Doloras Huerta, Cesar Chavez, Richard Oakes, The Tree-Sitters of Pureora, Father Luis Olivares, Tank Man, Nelson Mandela, Ryan White, Ai Weiwei, the "It Gets Better" Project, The March For Our Lives protestors, and Greta Thunberg.

More than half of the world's refugees are children, with millions of kids fleeing wars, floods, and other scary situations in search of a safe place to live.

Arriving in a new place is stressful for both newcomers and their new communities, especially when the newcomers are little ones. But this beautiful counting book captures the joy of finding a home and the power of a welcoming community. From playing to sleeping, eating to reading, leisure to learning, Counting Kindness proves we can lift the heaviest hearts when we come together. Commended by Amnesty International.

One seed to start a garden, one note to start a melody, one brick to start breaking down walls: Every movement and moment of change starts with just one. From the #1 New York Times-bestselling team behind I Am Yoga, I Am Peace, I Am Human, and I Am Love comes a powerful call to action, encouraging readers to raise their voices, extend a hand, and take that one first step to start something beautiful and move toward a better world. Includes a guided meditation and self‑reflection activity.

This beautifully illustrated board book highlights true stories of black men in history. The exceptional men featured include artist Aaron Douglas, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, lawman Bass Reeves, tennis champion Arthur Ashe, and writer James Baldwin.

Julián at the Wedding by Jessica Love Ages 4 - 8 and up
Julián and his abuela are going to a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding. Weddings have flowers and kissing and dancing and cake. And this wedding also has a new friend named Marisol. It's not long before Julián and Marisol set off for some magic and mischief of their own, and when things take an unexpected turn, the pair learns that everything is easier with a good friend by your side. Jessica Love returns with a joyful story of friendship and individuality in this radiant follow-up to Julián Is a Mermaid.

Before he was a household name, Cassius Clay was a kid with struggles like any other. Kwame Alexander and James Patterson join forces to vividly depict his life up to age seventeen in both prose and verse, including his childhood friends, struggles in school, the racism he faced, and his discovery of boxing. Readers will learn about Cassius' family and neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky, and how, after a thief stole his bike, Cassius began training as an amateur boxer at age 12. Before long, he won his first Golden Gloves bout and began his transformation into the unrivaled Muhammad Ali.

Drawn from author Kao Kalia Yang's childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this moving picture book portrays a family with a great deal of love and little money. Weaving together Kalia's story with that of her beloved grandmother, the book moves from the jungles of Laos to the family's early years in the United States.

When Kalia becomes unhappy about having to do without and decides she wants braces to improve her smile, it is her grandmother―a woman who has just one tooth in her mouth―who helps her see that true beauty is found with those we love most. Stunning illustrations from Vietnamese illustrator Khoa Le bring this intergenerational tale to life.

But planning Grandma's birthday together is a pretty huge challenge. There are presents to buy, decorations to pick, and a special birthday cake to bake. Together. How they manage it is a testament to affection being stronger than differences.

Lizzy Rockwell is the artistic director and organizing force behind the Norwalk Community Quilt Project: Peace by Piece, and this book is inspired by all the people who have gathered over the years to teach and learn and to make something beautiful together.

Warm morning sunlight and love fill the Neal home. And on one quiet day, playtime leads to an important realization:Trinity wants long hair like her dolls. She needs it to express who she truly is.

So her family decides to take a trip to the beauty supply store, but none of the wigs is the perfect fit. Determined, Mom leaves with bundles of hair in hand, ready to craft a wig as colorful and vibrant as her daughter is.

You will find nonstop, give-it-all-you've-got, out-to-win-it, sky's-the-limit BASKETBALL!

Synopsis is forthcoming by the publisher.

I Want to Ride the Tap Tap is a day-of-the-week picture book about a Black family who ride the taxi-bus service―called a tap tap―in Haiti, and the fascinating people they meet along the way, illustrated by a Haitian artist known for his vibrant street art.

Major Eights 6: The Secret Valentine by Melody Reed, Émilie Pépin Ages 6 - 8
In book 6 of the Major Eights series, someone is leaving notes for the band. Do the Major Eights have a secret admirer?

Scarlet is flattered when she finds a sweet message in her locker. But she doesn't know who it's from. Is it fan mail? Or a secret admirer? Can the band figure out the mystery?

Did you enjoy this list? Feel free to subscribe to my mailing list if you're not already. Let's stay in touch!

Your turn: What books from this list are you most looking forward to? What books should I add to the list? Feel free to share in the comments.

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The 2020 Ultimate List of Diverse Children's Books

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What books are you and your kids looking forward to reading in 2020? We're entering this new decade with another epic list of diverse reads to share with you. Ready? Most of the books listed here are recommended either for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary readers since my children fall within those groups and so do the little readers in my core target audience.

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In a vibrant, multicultural society, representing the richness of students' lives in a class or school library takes a conscious effort. Including writers and fictional characters with a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, and life circumstances is a way to increase the chances that students will find, to use the metaphor that Rudine Sims Bishop popularized, both windows and mirrors in the library-books that reflect their lives, and ones that give them insight into the lives and experiences of people who aren't like them.

No book shelf is going to represent the fullness of this nation. From the descendants of people who arrived here more than 15,000 years ago to the newest immigrants, we're simply too much. But the inclusive set of books below-many of which were recommended by multiple teachers-span all grade and Lexile levels up to 1140L, and include award winners and best sellers, books that have stood the test of time and newer options. We hope they reflect human diversity in the broadest sense, addressing race and ethnicity, religion, sexual identity, socioeconomic status, and other special circumstances.

Grades pre-K to 2

Deena Misses Her Mom
Deena is a formerly well-behaved girl who has been lashing out in school ever since her mom was sent to jail. Deena's story-sensitively illustrated by Leslie Jindalay Pyo-was written by high school students Jonae Haynesworth, Jesse Holmes, Layonnie Jones, and Kahliya Ruffin to reflect the lives of the children they were tutoring in Washington, DC. Parental imprisonment is a shockingly common occurrence in America: More than 5 million children in the U.S. have had at least one parent in jail.

Grades 3 to 5

Grades 6 to 8

The Arrival
A sepia-toned marvel, The Arrival conveys in images-there is no dialogue-a man's journey from his troubled home country to a new one. Artist Shaun Tan places the reader in the immigrant's shoes by using an invented alphabet on the signs in the strange new world he enters-the language is as impenetrable to the reader as it is to the protagonist.

Ghost
A National Book Award finalist, Jason Reynolds's Ghost is the story of an African American middle school runner with the talent to qualify for the Junior Olympics-if he can learn to control his temper. Money is tight and his father is in jail, and Ghost has been having a lot of what he calls "altercations." This is the first in a series of books about the members of a track team.

George
George is a transgender fourth grader who wants to try out for the lead role in the school production of Charlotte's Web so that her mother will see her as a girl. Alex Gino presents George's struggles with both bullying and the painful reassurance that she will "turn into a fine young man." George won a Stonewall Book Award-and made the American Library Association's 10 Most Challenged Books list in 2016 and 2017.

Grades 9 to 12

Bless Me, Ultima
A classic of Latino literature, Rudolfo Anaya's coming-of-age tale is an exploration of faith-Antonio, the young protagonist, makes his First Communion in the Catholic Church but also finds a spiritual guide in Ultima, an elderly curandera, or healer, who helps him explore indigenous traditions of New Mexico.

The Hate U Give
Angie Thomas's debut novel was a sensation when it was published in 2017, remaining on The New York Times best-seller list for 50 weeks. It centers on the killing of an unarmed black teen by a white police officer, a shooting witnessed by 16-year-old Starr, whose days are split between her black neighborhood and mostly white suburban school. The killing of her friend Khalil drives those two worlds farther apart than ever.

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22 Diverse Book Choices for All Grade Levels

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Suggestions from teachers who are working to offer students at every grade level book choices that represent their lives.

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Anti-Racist reads - lists for all ages

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Silence is complicity.

A blog, no matter what its subject, no matter how large or small its reach, is a platform. You use it to make your thoughts and feelings known. And if the world harbors evil, harbors racism, harbors pain and death and agony to a specific group of people in your society, if you just carry along without acknowledging it in any way, you are a coward. I am a coward. Normally I don't say much when things are bad, but even I have to open my eyes sometimes and say something.

What can a white librarian do to help, even a little, when injustice is so blatant? You can be an ally. You can work to actually actively fight racism when you hear it, see it, and you can acknowledge it. You can listen. Project Ready, a free online professional development curriculum by UNC-Chapel Hill's School of Information and Library Science (and that my library has been using to regularly educate its employees), created this rundown of what allyship entails (click on it to enlarge):

Check out Project Ready's Allies and Antiracism module, if you get a chance. All their modules are good, but that one is just amazing.

My role in my library is to manage our collections. Yesterday, I was asked to create a booklist for my city's patrons of some antiracist titles. I was immediately helped by about eight of my colleagues and, together, we created the following list of links. Please use this where it is most needed. Ebook links are to my own library system's Hoopla, Overdrive, and Kanopy sites, but if your library has any of those platforms then you may be able to check out some of these titles as well.

Thank you.

UPDATED TO ADD:

I was recently alerted to this rally on Thursday. Please try to attend if you can.

Books for Children (Fiction):

Books for Children (Facts):

Resources for White Parents to Raise Anti-Racist Children:

Podcasts:

Articles:

The Conscious Kid: Follow them on Instagram

Books for Teens (Fiction Ebooks):

Books for Teens (Facts - Ebooks)

Books for Teens (Fiction eAudiobooks)

Books for Teens (Facts - eAudiobooks)

Books for Adults (Fiction):

Books for Adult (Facts):

Friends Disappear: The Battle for Racial Equity in Evanston by Mary Barr (ebook)

Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon (ebook)

An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States, by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz (ebook, YA ebook, audio, Hoopla audio)

Lies my Teacher Told Me, by James Loewen (ebook, other ebook edition, YA ebook, Hoopla ebook, other Hoopla ebook edition)

Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation, by Derald Wing Sue (ebook)

A People's History of the United States, by Howard Zinn (ebook, other ebook edition, audio, other audio edition, Hoopla)

Racism without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America, Fifth Edition, by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva (Hoopla audio)

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (ebook)

When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America by Ira Katznelson (Hoopla audio)

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: and Other Conversations about Race, by Dr. Beverly Tatum (ebook)

Articles to Read:

Films and Series to Watch on Kanopy

Additionally, Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein compiled the following resources in May 2020. Consider their helpful list of links to follow-up on as well:

Videos to Watch:

Podcasts to Subscribe To:

Organizations to Follow on Social Media:

More Anti-Racism Resources to Check Out:

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Antiracist Resources and Reads: Lists for All Ages

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Silence is complicity. A blog, no matter what its subject, no matter how large or small its reach, is a platform. You use it to make your thoughts and feelings known. And if the world harbors evil, harbors racism, harbors pain and death and agony to a specific group of people in your society, if you just carry along without acknowledging it in any way, you are a coward.

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Books written for children, by Black authors, that center Black joy and Black lives and Black history and books for our classrooms. Here are a few to start with:

Picture Books

Hey Black Child

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy

M is for Melanin

Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness

Something Happened In Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice

Middle Grade Chapter Books

This Book is Anti-Racist

Clean Getaway

The Parker Inheritance

Ghost Boys

Black Brother, Black Brother

Piecing Me Together

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Read Aloud: The Colors Of Us By: Karen Katz

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Strictly NO Elephants Book Read Aloud For Kids!

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Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension
By Sara K. Ahmed

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Foreword by Terrence J. Roberts, PhD.

A Letter to Readers

Acknowledgments

An Introduction to Social Comprehension and Strategies to Prepare You for the Work Ahead
Chapter 1: Exploring Our Identities
Lesson: Affirming Our Identities: Identity Webs
We introduce the elements of our own identities (such as sister, athlete, bilingual, reader) and look for connections to or wonders about the identities of others.

Lesson: Placing Ourselves in the World: Stories of Our Names
Using a mentor text, we write the stories of how we got our names, how our names make us feel, and our experiences with our names.

Lesson: Journeying into Our Family Histories: "Where I'm From" Poems
We use the structure of a "Where I'm From" poem to share our family histories, storied objects, and moments.

Synthesis: Making Thinking Visible
Chapter 2: Listening with Love
Synthesis: Making Thinking Visible
Chapter 3: Being Candid
Lesson: Seeing Our Own Bias: Drawing Activity
We learn about how bias works, and we use an activity to help us see some of our own bias and brainstorm how we can confront it.

Lesson: Understanding Microaggressions: Poem Analysis
We analyze examples of microaggressions to understand what they are and how they affect people, and we look for microaggressions in our own lives.

Lesson: Refusing to Let Others' Biases Define Us: Identity Statements
We assert who we are with confidence. We recall labels others have tried to put on us, reject those labels, and choose how we define who we are.

Synthesis: Making Thinking Visible
Chapter 4: Becoming Better Informed
Lesson: Understanding How Our Identity Affects Us: Our News
We identify what is happening in our world-personal events, news stories, media-and consider how our identity shapes what we give our attention to.

Lesson: Moving Beyond Our Initial Thinking: Mini-Inquiries
We use a mini-inquiry to learn more about a topic and examine how new information changes our perspective.

Synthesis: Making Thinking Visible
Chapter 5: Finding Humanity in Ourselves and in Others
Lesson: Broadening Our Ideas About Who We Are Responsible To and For: Our Universe of Obligation
We consider who we feel responsibility to and why. We also consider how that responsibility can change in certain situations.

Lesson: Understanding Others' Perspectives: Intent Versus Impact
We work to understand two sides of a divisive issue by listening to both perspectives.
Chapter 6: Facing Crisis Together
Suggested Resource Stacks

References and Inspiration

This book is based on the idea that we can develop skills and habits to help us comprehend social issues and participate in relevant, transparent conversations. Social comprehension, like academic comprehension, is how we make meaning from and mediate our relationship with the world. We understand that the meaning making, or socialization, is learned, not inherited. Each chapter in this book includes lessons and/or practical help for students to learn and engage in a targeted social comprehension concept. Our thinking will change often as we practice being more socially literate citizens of the world, so we allow for and model the same for our students as we construct comprehension and cultivate our empathy together. The "At First I Thought . . . Now I Think" journal page in this introduction gives you and your students a tool to reflect on how the experiences in the lessons are affecting your outlook. In the work of social comprehension, we want to be as transparent as possible and make our thinking visible.

The final chapter of the book addresses how we, as educators, can continually refine our own approach to this work. If we are going to be on the front lines of helping children make sense of the news they bring to school and the curriculum the world keeps handing them, we must have a strong foundation of social comprehension in place. If we can commit to approaching this work as the lead learner, teaching with curiosity and modeling vulnerability rather than rigid certainty, we can build habitats of trust where kids (and adults) participate in a learning discussion, and where expression, identity, and social literacy matter.

- Introduction

A sense of urgency for pedagogy rooted in empathy and humanity is palpable in communities around the world. But how can teachers actualize such instruction and make it accessible to students? Where is the professional development teachers yearn for to facilitate important, and at times, challenging conversations? Being the Change is the resource every educator needs right now! Against a socio-politically charged backdrop where tensions run high, Sara is a beacon of light who offers practical, compassionate guidance that makes it possible to do the work of social comprehension. The journey to accomplishing this isn't linear; it is messy, tangled, circuitous. But Sara provides a pathway for teachers and our students. She offers a sustained, clear voice that reminds us of why this work is necessary and how it can look in our classrooms. Being the Change is invaluable to all educators as we work to empower our students as change-makers who positively influence the world.

- Sonja Cherry-Paul

****

Sara Ahmed is the ultimate upstander; she cares enough to confront. Her gentle and wise voice is a model for how to be in this tumultuous age. She shares text sets that ask big questions and resist simplistic answers. She invites teachers and students to address tensions in today's classrooms and examine bias in their thinking. Being the Change offers practical tools for building a classroom community that is inclusive, candid, and caring. This book is a treasure.

- Penny Kittle

****

What an incredibly powerful, practical, beautiful book. As I read I could not help but think how this book has the potential to radically change conversations in classrooms (and larger communities) around compassion, listening, empathy, and knowing. It is books like these that heal. It is hope and possibility and humanity within these covers.

Perhaps the greatest compliment I could give is that as I read, the teacher in me itched to get out of this room and into the presence of kids- to experience these lessons in real time, to hear children's stories, to dig into this work because for the first time I feel capable. This book is a roadmap with an entry point all of us can access and guidance through the most challenging places we could go. I don't feel afraid of what could happen, I feel energized about what Sara has taught me I can help happen.

I could not help but think of the million and one ways I could use Sara's thinking and teaching, to engage in this work whole heartedly from the moment children step through the doors.

- Kristi Mraz

****

In her book, Being the Change, Sara K. Ahmed offers us not only the roadmap of how to create and maintain components of meaningful social change within our instruction but also the necessary tools for us to navigate the hard conversations we invite in and those we have not had the courage to have...yet. By centering her book on developing the identity of the very children we teach, she gives us invaluable tools to navigate the hard topics that are constantly surrounding our learning community. While she writes in her book that there is no magical formula for making the world a better place, within the pages of this book and in her willingness to help us grow not just as educators but as human beings with her impactful lesson ideas, she has given us something near magic. A resource to be used in every school, this book will leave a trail of change for a better world in its wake if we let it.

- Pernille Ripp

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Being the Change is based on the idea that people can develop skills and habits to serve them in the comprehension of social issues. Sara K. Ahmed identifies

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I'm not white. I read this book. I enjoyed it and derived value from it, but there were moments when the author was trying to process her actions in cI'm not white. I read this book. I enjoyed it and derived value from it, but there were moments when the author was trying to process her actions in certain situations that made me, as a woman of color, sigh. Adrian Jackson...more (less)

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I'm not white. I read this book. I enjoyed it and derived value from it, but there were moments when the author was trying to process her actions in cI'm not white. I read this book.

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One of Publishers Weekly's 10 Best Books of 2017
Longlisted for the National Book Award

This "powerful and disturbing history" exposes how American governments deliberately imposed racial segregation on metropolitan areas nationwide ( New York Times Book Review ).

In this groundbreaking history of the modern American metropolis, Richard Rothstein, a leading authority on housing policy, explodes the myth that America's cities came to be racially divided through de facto segregation―that is, through individual prejudices, income differences, or the actions of private institutions like banks and real estate agencies. Rather, The Color of Law incontrovertibly makes clear that it was de jure segregation―the laws and policy decisions passed by local, state, and federal governments―that actually promoted the discriminatory patterns that continue to this day.

Through extraordinary revelations and extensive research that Ta-Nehisi Coates has lauded as "brilliant" ( The Atlantic ), Rothstein comes to chronicle nothing less than an untold story that begins in the 1920s, showing how this process of de jure segregation began with explicit racial zoning, as millions of African Americans moved in a great historical migration from the south to the north.

As Jane Jacobs established in her classic The Death and Life of Great American Cities , it was the deeply flawed urban planning of the 1950s that created many of the impoverished neighborhoods we know. Now, Rothstein expands our understanding of this history, showing how government policies led to the creation of officially segregated public housing and the demolition of previously integrated neighborhoods. While urban areas rapidly deteriorated, the great American suburbanization of the post-World War II years was spurred on by federal subsidies for builders on the condition that no homes be sold to African Americans. Finally, Rothstein shows how police and prosecutors brutally upheld these standards by supporting violent resistance to black families in white neighborhoods.

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited future discrimination but did nothing to reverse residential patterns that had become deeply embedded. Yet recent outbursts of violence in cities like Baltimore, Ferguson, and Minneapolis show us precisely how the legacy of these earlier eras contributes to persistent racial unrest. "The American landscape will never look the same to readers of this important book" (Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund), as Rothstein's invaluable examination shows that only by relearning this history can we finally pave the way for the nation to remedy its unconstitutional past.

13 illustrations

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The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America

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The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America [Rothstein, Richard] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America

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whistling vivaldi: how stereotypes affect us and what we can do (issues of our time)

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social science / discrimination & race relations

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Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do (Issues of Our Time)

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The acclaimed social psychologist offers an insider's look at his research and groundbreaking findings on stereotypes and identity. Claude M. Steele, who has been called "one of the few great social psychologists," offers a vivid first-person account of the research that supports his groundbreaki...

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Discover and share books you love on Goodreads.

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The Girl with the Brown Crayon by Vivina Paley

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The Girl with the Brown Crayon by Vivina Paley

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Just what is going on with white people? Police shootings of unarmed African Americans. Acts of domestic terrorism by white supremacists. The renewed embrace of raw, undisguised white-identity politics. Unending racial inequity in schools, housing, criminal justice, and hiring. Some of this feels new, but in truth it's an old story.

Why? Where did the notion of "whiteness" come from? What does it mean? What is whiteness for?

Scene on Radio host and producer John Biewen took a deep dive into these questions, along with an array of leading scholars and regular guest Dr. Chenjerai Kumanyika, in this fourteen-part documentary series, released between February and August 2017. The series editor is Loretta Williams.

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Just what is going on with white people? Police shootings of unarmed African Americans. Acts of domestic terrorism by white supremacists. The renewed embrace of raw, undisguised white-identity politics. Unending racial inequity in schools, housing, criminal justice, and hiring. Some of this feels ne

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Listen to the 1619 Podcast about the history of slavery and its lasting legacy in the United States.

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"1619" is a New York Times audio series, hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones, that examines the long shadow of American slavery. Listen to the episodes below, or read the transcripts by clicking the icon to the right of the play bar. For more information about the series, visit nytimes.com/1619podcast.

Image

A demonstrator at the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. Credit... Bruce Davidson/Magnum Photos

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Listen to '1619,' a Podcast From The New York Times

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"1619" is a New York Times audio series, hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones, that examines the long shadow of American slavery. Listen to the episodes below, or read the transcripts by clicking the icon to the right of the play bar. For more information about the series, visit nytimes.com/1619podcast.

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Watch: Ava DuVernay's 13th, a Netflix documentary exploring racial inequality and mass incarceration, and discuss it with friends and family.

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Slavery. Jim Crow. Criminalization. Links in a chain of racial inequality, forged by political and economic motives. Watch trailers & learn more.

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Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice 

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Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice 

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Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice

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I am Jackie Robinson | Children's Books Read Aloud

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Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman | Children's Read Aloud Story

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The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson

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Visual list of picture books, board books, early readers and series, Transitional Chapter Books, True Stories from Real People in History AND MORE! Compiled by Lindsay Hart, Hansen Literacy Specialist

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Use this bookshelf in your classroom to share with students - click on the book image and it will send you to a read aloud of the text!

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The Field  (K-1, author reads his own book & shows a soccer activity)

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The Field  (K-1, author reads his own book & shows a soccer activity)

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Stories That Build Character And More...

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Last Stop On Market Street by Matt De La Peña

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Cultivating Progress - It Can Start With One Book

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Ron's Big Mission | Storytime Books Read Aloud

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Storytime Video: Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

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Websites for Students with Positive Role Models of Color

Dr. Boyd the Chemist https://www.drboydthechemist.com/videos.html This does not talk about race, but has awesome science videos by a black chemist. It is important for students to see scientists who look like them if we want them to be able to imagine themselves as scientists.

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In Part 2 of a discussion on surface tension, Dr. Boyd shows you how you can "paint" a pretty picture in milk by using just a little dish soap.

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How to Talk to Your Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help

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How to Talk to Your Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help

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We live in a time when we are confronted with the complex realities of race, racial identity, and racism every day, but are also advised and often encouraged to avoid discussing it. Even the mere mention of someone's race can be considered "playing the race card" or "racist." We talk about the need to be "colorblind" or the idea that there is "just one race - the human race."

"Most Americans believe in racial and gender equality and reject discrimination in any form. Yet stereotypes embedded in our brains, shaped over time by history and culture, can lead us to view the world through a biased lens and behave contrary to our deeply held egalitarian values," states The Perception Institute, an organization working to "reduce discrimination and other harms linked to race, gender, and other identity differences."

While "I don't see color" may come from a well-meaning place, studies show that it more likely does a great deal of harm. If we look closer, we often find that much of our reluctance to address race directly stems from our tendency to want to avoid discomfort. Yeah, it's hard to talk about why #BlackLivesMatter has become a rallying cry, the legacy of our government's relationship with its Native citizens, or why some individuals are called "illegal" and "alien." Clinical psychologist, author, and professor Beverly Tatum asks us to "Think about these stereotypes, these omissions, these distortions as a kind of environment that surrounds us, like smog in the air. We don't breathe it because we like it. We don't breathe it because we think it's good for us. We breathe it because it's the only air that's available."

This is the world that we inhabit; we talk about needing to talk about race without ever actually talking honestly about race. I believe that it's vital that we help our children (and ourselves) walk and talk in a way that clears that air and breathes new life into these conversations and our world. Sharing stories, real, fictional, our own, and others', is a powerful tool for that purpose. Here are a few resources and books to help us have those hard conversations with the young people in our lives.

Take Stock First
Ask yourself the hard questions first. How do you navigate race? Who are the members of your social and professional circles? Does your family discuss race? What images does your child see? What conversations does she hear from you? Take Harvard University's " Implicit Bias " test to examine your own beliefs.

Take Opportunities
When race comes up, keep the lines of communication open, even if your child says something embarrassing, insensitive, or outright racist. Don't simply condemn and shut down conversation. Ask questions to find out why they're thinking what they're thinking, and how these ideas developed. While we may want to believe that young children don't harbor biases, research has shown that, as Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman point out, " even babies discriminate."

"Young children need caring adults to help them construct a positive sense of self and a respectful understanding of others," points out Teaching for Change, in Teaching Young Children About Race. The Anti-Defamation League has an excellent collection of tips and resources for Engaging Young People in Conversations About Race. This PBS Interview with Beverly Tatum, from the series " Race: The Power of an Illusion," can also provide rich food for family conversation.

Be Authentic and Intentional
Choose books that acknowledge that all of us are "different" in some way. Look for narratives that don't only portray marginalized groups as suffering, in crisis, or being "saved" by outsiders; it's also important to avoid reading only "hero" narratives about "exceptional" individuals. Seek out stories of multidimensional characters living complex lives. I've written here about the importance of cultivating a diverse library.

Picture Books

Middle Grade

by Danette Vigilante

Vigilante's loving and nuanced portrait of life in a housing project - where she explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and family - shines in this relatable, contemporary middle grade novel. As a companion, this segment from WNYC public radio's "Being 12" series features young people on stereotypes and racism, in their own words.

Young Adult

Melissa Taylor's wonderful Kids Like Me book list includes more titles to share.

"Just as I am a story and you are a story and countries tell stories about themselves, race is a story, too," writes Julius Lester in Let's Talk About Race. If we speak and act with honesty, compassion, and thoughtful action, there's hope for the ending of that story.

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How to Talk to Kids About Race: Books That Can Help

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Sharing stories can be a powerful tool for talking about the complex realities of race, particularly in trying times. Here are a few resources and books to help foster conversation, empathy, and understanding with the young people in your lives.

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​​​By: Ashaunta Anderson, MD, MPH, MSHS, FAAP & Jacqueline Dougé, MD, MPH, FAAP

Given the tragic and racially-charged current events, many parents are wrestling with their own feelings, the hopes they have for their children, and the difficulty of helping those children thrive in a world full of racial bias.

Parents may better face today's challenges with an understanding of how racial bias works in children, as well as strategies to help them deal with and react to racial differences.

How Do Children Learn Racial Bias?

Children learn about racial differences and racial bias from an early age and learn from their first teachers-their parents-how to deal with and react to these differences.

The process of learning racial bias is a lot like learning a new language (e.g., a child raised bilingual vs. a child who starts learning Spanish in junior high). Biology determines a critical early learning period as well as a later window where learning is much harder.

As early as 6 months, a baby's brain can notice race-based differences.

By ages 2 to 4, children can internalize racial bias.

By age 12, many children become set in their beliefs-giving parents a decade to mold the learning process, so that it decreases racial bias and improves cultural understanding.

But like language immersion, children exposed to society will gain fluency in racial bias even if their parents do nothing.

Strategies to Help Children Deal with Racial Bias

There are three strategies that parents can use to help their children deal with racial bias:

Talk to your children and acknowledge that racial differences and bias exist.

Confront your own bias and model how you want your children to respond to others who may be different than them.

Encourage your children to challenge racial stereotypes and racial bias by being kind and compassionate when interacting with people of all racial, ethnic, and cultural groups.

How Parents Can Confront Their Own Racial Bias

Parents must first confront their own biases, so that their example is consistent with messages of racial and ethnic tolerance.

Be a role model. Identify and correct your own racially biased thoughts, feelings, and actions. If you want your children to believe what you preach, you have to exhibit those behaviors as well. Your everyday comments and actions will say more than anything else.

Travel and expose your children to other communities. This can help them understand that there is diversity in the world that might not be represented in the community that you live in.

Do not reverse stereotype police officers and other groups or talk about law enforcement in a negative way.

Get involved in your child's school, your place of worship, and politics. Parents who are involved in this way are better able to advocate for fair treatment of racially marginalized groups and raise awareness of race issues in other groups.

Tips for Talking About Racial Differences & Racism

For preschoolers: At this age, your child may begin to notice and point out differences in the people around you (i.e., at the grocery store, at the park, etc.). If your child asks about someone's skin tone, you might say, "Isn't it wonderful that we are all so different!" You can even hold your arm against theirs to show the differences in skin tones in your family.

For gradeschoolers: This is the age that is important to have open talks with your child about race, diversity, and racism. Discussing these topics will help your child see you as a trusted source of information on the topic, and he or she can come to you with any questions. Point out stereotypes and racial bias in media and books such as villains or "bad guys" in movies.

I f your child makes comments or asks you questions about race based on school incidents or something they read or watched: Further the discussion with questions such as,"How do you feel about that?" and "Why do you think that?" This is also helpful if your child heard something insensitive or if your child experienced racial bias themselves. Before responding to his or her statement or question, figure out where it came from and what it means from his or her perspective. See Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events for more information.

Talking about race is not racist. It's OK-and important. From a young age, children may have questions about racial differences and parents must be prepared to answer them. But, it's important to keep your child's developmental readiness in mind.

These conversations begin to lay the groundwork for your child to accept and respect everyone's differences and similarities. As children mature, the answers to questions will become more complex. These are moments to learn what your child understands or is struggling to understand about racial bias.

Remember:

To create a culture of inclusiveness, we all must look at and acknowledge our biases, so we can do something about the ones that are unfair or cause harm to others-like racial bias. Understanding the way people feel about and behave toward those outside their own group can help communities heal after a tragedy, as well as prevent future ones.

Additional Resources to Help Parents Address Racism & Discrimination:

About Dr. Anderson:

Ashaunta Anderson, MD, MPH, MSHS, FAAP is an assistant professor at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine and a health policy researcher at RAND Corporation. Her research focuses on the impact of race and racism on child health. She is also a pediatrician and a published author of 50 Studies Every Pediatrician Should Know, a guide to the scientific evidence underlying everyday pediatric practice.

About Dr. Dougé:

Jacqueline Dougé, MD, MPH, FAAP is the Child Health Medical Director at the Howard County Health Department. Her interests are health disparities, media, school health and the interaction of public health and pediatrics. Within the American Academy of Pediatrics, she co-chairs the Council on Community Pediatrics' Prevention and Public Health Special Interest Group. Her blog site is drjacquelinedouge.com.

Ashaunta Anderson, MD, MPH, MSHS, FAAP & Jacqueline Dougé, MD, MPH, FAAP

American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2019)

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racial bias~ biases~ racism~ crime~ violence~ black~ police officer~ law enforcement~ racial issues~ skin color~ resiliency~ peace~ gun violence~ guns~ news~ tragedies~ current events~ violence in the media~ violence in movies~ explaining race~ difference

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​​​By: Ashaunta Anderson, MD, MPH, MSHS, FAAP & Jacqueline Dougé, MD, MPH, FAAP Given the tragic and racially-charged current events, many parents are wrestling with their own feelings, the hopes they have for their children, and the difficulty of helping those children thrive in a world full of racial bias.

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Children Are Not Colorblind: How Young Children Learn Race

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Children Are Not Colorblind: How Young Children Learn Race

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Children Are Not Colorblind: How Young Children Learn Race

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Academia.edu is a platform for academics to share research papers.

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How silence can breed prejudice: A child development professor explains how and why to talk to kids about race

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How silence can breed prejudice: A child development professor explains how and why to talk to kids about race

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(iStock)

I'm a white woman married to a black man. Several years ago a friend's 6-year-old son Jake met my husband for the first time. He looked at me and then at my husband, as if puzzled by what he saw, and then asked "But if you're white and he's dark brown, why did you marry him?" His mother was notably mortified by the question - she exclaimed "Jake!" and then whispered "I'm sorry" to me.

However, I simply told him that my husband is a very nice man and I married him because I love him. That answer was sufficient for Jake and he went on with his day.

Jake's question was very innocent and simply a reflection of the fact that he was not used to seeing interracial couples. When children ask these questions, all they need to hear is that "When you love someone, it doesn't matter what color they are" or "Friends come in all colors. As long as they're nice, they can be your friend."

Over the past year, racially charged clashes between whites and blacks - the Charleston church shooting, the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, racial profiling at a McKinney pool party, and racists chants by University of Oklahoma fraternity members - have made it clear that even white parents have a responsibility to engage in conversations about race. Children see and hear the news, and unless we teach them otherwise, they may start to believe that white and black people don't like each other and are meant to be separate.

[We need to deal with our discomfort and talk to our children about racism]

Young children don't need a long explanation about racial politics and history. They just want to understand the world in the simplest terms.

Nonetheless, Jake's mother's reaction is not uncommon.

Another friend of mine told me of a time when she and her husband took their 7-year-old niece to a Thai restaurant. While waiting for a table, the young girl looked around and suddenly commented "There sure are a lot of Chinese people in here!" My friend told me they immediately shushed her but afterwards wondered if that was the right thing to do.

These questions from children offer great opportunities to teach children about race and diversity in a way that makes them both tolerant and comfortable with the topic. One way to respond to this last example would be to say "Actually, this is a Thai restaurant, so maybe some of them are from Thailand. It's a different country than China, and they even speak a different language." Thus, the child's comment could be turned into a fun educational opportunity.

It may be difficult to initiate these conversations if you are not used to it, but sticking to simple facts and information children can easily understand can make it easier.

Books and videos can be great conversation starters. Two books that have inspired a lot of conversation at my house are "All the colors we are: The story of how we get our skin color" and " Shades of People." These books allow children to explore skin colors, label them, and even learn the science behind pigment. From there, the conversation can move to different hair textures, cultures, and common interests. Children can imagine being friends with the children in the books and talk about what that would be like.

However, many adults - white people in particular - are not comfortable talking about race or ethnicity. So rather than engaging in conversation, they try to silence the children.

But what happens when we silence children's questions about race? Ironically, the result is not silent at all.

It sends a very loud message to the children that this topic is taboo. While the intended message may be "Shhh... race is a sensitive topic in this country, so be careful what you say out loud, because we don't want to offend anybody," what the child is more likely to hear is "Shhh... there's something wrong with these people, so let's not talk about them."

In my research on racial socialization of children, I have spoken to many white parents who say they intentionally avoid conversations about race.

In a recent study of more than 100 parents, 70 percent fell into this "colorblind" or "colormute" category, and one of the main reasons for choosing this approach was that they did not want their children to pay attention to race and develop biases. More than half of the parents also indicated that they did not perceive a need to discuss race because it had "never been an issue."

These white parents are clearly well-intended in this approach, but a colorblind ideology may actually do more harm than good.

While parents may assume that their own egalitarian attitudes will rub off on their children, this is usually not the case. In one of my studies I found that children were more biased than their parents, and there was no direct association between the parents' and children's attitudes. Instead, the children's attitudes matched their perceptions of the parents' attitudes.

Almost half of the 5 to 7-year-old white children in the study said they did not know whether their parents liked black people, and about 35 percent either said that their parents would not approve of them having a black friend or they did not know if their parents would approve. This was despite the fact that their parents reported positive racial attitudes.

So in the absence of conversation, children are apt to make assumptions that may not be true, but these assumptions often reflect the biases the children are exposed to in the world around them. In other words, the silence can breed prejudice.

Silence about race removes the opportunity for children to learn about diversity from their parents and puts it in the hands of media and misinformed peers. Television, moves, and video games are full of stereotypes, and over time children pick up on these. They see blacks portrayed as criminals, Hispanics as uneducated service workers, Asians as unassimilated foreigners, and whites as powerful CEOs.

Without discussion about the errors in these portrayals and a conscious effort to expose them to counter-stereotypical examples, children will unwittingly adopt these images as pieces of evidence of how the world is supposed to be, and these pieces become a breeding ground for prejudice.

Brigitte Vittrup is an associate professor of child development at Texas Woman's University and a Public Voices Fellow with The OpEd Project. She holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin, and her research focuses on parent socialization practices and media influences on children.

Join On Parenting on Facebook for more essays, news and advice. You can sign up here for our e-newsletter and can find us at washingtonpost.com/onparenting.

You might also be interested in:

A mom braces herself for when her child first hears the N-word

Where are all the interracial children's books?

5 ways to raise kind kids

guidelines or contact the commenting team here.

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How silence can breed prejudice: A child development professor explains how and why to talk to kids about race

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I'm a white woman married to a black man. Several years ago a friend's 6-year-old son Jake met my husband for the first time. He looked at me and then at my husband, as if puzzled by what he saw, and then asked "But if you're white and he's dark brown, why did you marry him?"

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How to talk to your children about protests and racism

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How to talk to your children about protests and racism

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how to talk to your children about protests and racism - cnn

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How to talk to your children about protests and racism

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Protecting your children from the disturbing images of riots and police brutality is a battle in today's smartphone-addicted society. Here are expert tips on how to help your child navigate the trauma of today's protests while tackling the underlying cause: racism.

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Why It’s Important to Talk to Your Child About Racism and Hate

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Why It’s Important to Talk to Your Child About Racism and Hate

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The world may have changed, but most parents' desire to love and protect their children remains unchanged. As toddlers, we shield them from stumbles, fictional monsters, and swallowing small objects. As we try to balance being present with allowing tweens and teens the space and freedom to grow, safeguarding them becomes much more complicated.

Since social media and the smart phone became ubiquitous, we no longer have the option of not discussing racism and hate with our children. Even if your child doesn't own a smart phone or watch the news at home, they can be exposed to hate or racism through their friends, the internet, or classmates. In the absence of knowledge, kids become vulnerable and susceptible to misinformation.

The seeds of racism and hate are sown when "others" are regarded as suspicious, inferior, or threatening, rather than trustworthy and deserving of respect. Before parents talk to their child about racism or hate, they need to explore their own feelings and prejudices. It is a difficult and sensitive subject - go in prepared. We're afraid of saying the wrong things and sending the wrong message, but there are many resources to educate and guide. During the conversation, pause and listen to your child. Create a safe place and encourage him/her to share experiences so you understand their influences and what they've already been exposed to. The child who may have been the target of racial slurs needs to know and hear that he/she did not cause the attack and needs empowerment and loving affirmation of his/her worth.

Using movies or books to initiate the discussion can make difficult conversations less threatening and more natural because media provides the distance from a real-life situation, while invoking empathy for the characters. I remember my kids clutching my arm when Mufasa died in The Lion King. It was our opportunity to talk about bad things happening to the people we love the most. Reassurance of safety and optimism is important. Small gestures of normalcy help, and that evening we got ice cream and played Pictionary. Additionally, reading a powerful story like Jacqueline Woodson's If You Come Softly would help to facilitate the discussion about racism and hate.

In Count Me In, the grandfather of Indian-American Karina is the victim of hate. In her moment of despair, she reaches out to her support circle on social media and learns about the power of empathy when dealing with senseless hate. She and her friend Chris grapple with belonging, speaking up, and becoming accidental activists.

While the barrage of negativity can at times be overwhelming, it is important to convey a sense of hope and agency. Count Me In is an uplifting story of friendship and the power of community support. Adults can also model accepting and helping behavior through their own actions - by supporting organizations and causes that help fight racism and hate.

The ultimate goal is to uplift, support, and affirm each child in an increasingly complicated world, and to send the message that there is no room for hate.
Resources to help:

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Why It's Important to Talk to Your Child About Racism and Hate | Brightly

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The world may have changed, but most parents' desire to love and protect their children remains unchanged. As toddlers, we shield them from stumbles, fictional monsters, and swallowing small objects. As we try to balance being present with allowing tweens and teens the space and freedom to grow, safeguarding them becomes much more complicated.

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Anti-Racist Books and Resources for Our Readers

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Anti-Racist Books and Resources for Our Readers

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The ongoing murders of Black lives at the hands of the police are just one example of how American society is still racially divided and unequal on almost every institutional level. If you are looking to educate yourself and your families, the books and resources below center Black Americans in the story of American democracy, examine the flawed power structure that has shaped our country since its founding day, and share the ongoing actions we can collectively take to work towards liberation for Black Americans because Black Lives Matter.

Recommended Reading for Adults

How to Be an Anti-Racist by Dr. Ibram X Kendi

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Slavery By Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

The Source of Self-Regard by Toni Morrison

Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison

by Jennifer Eberhardt

Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

The Light of Truth by Ida B. Wells

American Poison by Eduardo Porter

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Policing the Black Man by Angela J. Davis, Bryan Stevenson, Marc Mauer, Bruce Western and Jeremy Travis

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

How We Fight For Our Lives by Saeed Jones

Women, Race, & Class by Angela Davis

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley

There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé by Morgan Parker

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Hellhound On His Trail by Hampton Sides

Recommended Reading for Kids

That is My Dream! by Langston Hughes, Illustrated by Daniel Miyares

by Lupita Nyong'o, Illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Christian Robinson

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Mommy's Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Don't Touch My Hair! by Sharee Miller

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Brave. Black. First. by Cheryl Hudson, Illustrated by Erin K. Robinson

Gordon Parks by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Jamey Christoph

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Malcolm Little by Ilyasah Shabazz, Illustrated by AG Ford

Let It Shine by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Stephen Alcorn

Films, Shows, and Documentaries
If Beale Street Could Talk I Am Not Your Negro On The Record Strong Island When They See Us ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke Do the Right Thing The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 Dear White People
More Articles and Anti-Racist Resources

The 1619 Project, edited by Nikole Hannah-Jones for The New York Times

How to Talk to Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help, ReadBrightly.com

Resources for White Allies, Dismantle Collective

Anti-racism Resources for White People, compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein

75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice, Corinne Shutack (medium.com)
How Racism Invented Race in America, The Atlantic
Showing Up For Racial Justice's Educational Toolkits, ShowingUpforRacialInjustice.org

Anti-Racism Project, antiracismproject.org

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Anti-Racist Books and Resources for Our Readers | Penguin Random House

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The ongoing murders of Black lives at the hands of the police are just one example of how American society is still racially divided and unequal on almost every institutional level.

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Books to Help Kids Understand the Fight for Racial Equality

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Books to Help Kids Understand the Fight for Racial Equality

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The Voting Rights Act of 1965 became law on August 6, 1965. By signing this legislation, President Lyndon B. Johnson brought the authority of the federal government behind the battle to remove state-sanctioned disenfranchisement of Black American citizens. The murders of civil rights activists in Philadelphia and Mississippi and the attack by state troopers on peaceful marchers in Alabama (recently depicted in the film "Selma") brought national attention that prompted the passage of the law, but many had been fighting for centuries to bring about this change.

Most of us know the "big" names and symbols of the Civil Rights Movement: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, bus boycotts, images of horrific violence, thousands of all races marching to the Washington Monument. Unfortunately, we seem to know little else. In its report, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) notes that "Only 2% of high school seniors in 2010 could answer a simple question about the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision."

Here are some resources to help us move beyond tokens and icons to a deeper understanding of our history and its legacy, toward our own marches for liberty and justice for all.

Picture Books

by Duncan Tonatiuh

One way to demonstrate the universality of the struggle for civil rights is to introduce readers to Sylvia Mendez, whose story is told here. Almost a decade before Brown v. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez, an American girl of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, helped to end school segregation in California. Mendez and her family brought a lawsuit against a "Whites Only" school that denied her enrollment in spite of her command of spoken and written English, and in 1947, schools across the state were desegregated.

(*Note: Sylvia Mendez's story is also featured in the middle grade novel Sylvia and Aki, Winifred Conkling's fictional account of the intersecting narratives of Sylvia and a real-life young Japanese counterpart, Aki Munemitsu, whose family is sent to a Japanese internment camp.)

by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Written to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Lillian's Right to Vote tells the story of "a very old woman" named Lillian, who at 100-years-old has seen a great many chapters in American history. As Lillian makes her way up a very steep hill on Voting Day, she is reminded of the enormous uphill battle faced by African Americans in the struggle for voting rights. Through Jonah Winter's poignant prose and Shane W. Evans's expressive illustrations, a new generation of young readers will learn about the long journey - from slavery to segregation, from poll taxes to protests and finally, legislation - to the ballot box.

Tween

by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn

This gorgeously illustrated collection of short biographies illuminates the lives of women like Ella Josephine Baker, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Dorothy Irene Height. Each sentence shines with personality, and by connecting the life and work of women like Harriet Tubman to Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to seek nomination to the office of President of the United States, Davis Pinkney helps us appreciate their extraordinary accomplishments in arts, literature, politics, education, and athletics across many eras.

Teen

by Congressman John Lewis, with Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell

My daughter saw Rep. Lewis speak not too long ago, and the power of his words left a lasting impression - she devoured this book that same night. This gripping, award-winning graphic novel poignantly captures the strength of his memories, from his childhood as a sharecropper's son to his participation in the movement and the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. Rep. Lewis tells a tale of courage and perseverance that never seems didactic or forced. He continues the story in March: Book Two, and a Teacher's Guide is available for free download from the publisher.

by Kekla Magoon

Magoon's novel takes place three years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, and offers an authentic portrait of life as a Black teen as the civil rights struggle continued. When 13-year-old Sam witnesses the brutal police beating of a friend, he begins to question the nonviolent philosophy of his activist father, and explores the revolutionary viewpoint of his older brother, who has joined the Black Panthers. Magoon's exploration of the political education and community-oriented work of the Panthers is notable. There are no easy answers in this complex and well-rounded tale of a strong family working in various ways to fight oppression.

by Anne Moody

This was one of the first memoirs of the movement that I read as a child, and I've saved that same copy for my own child. Moody, who died earlier this year at age 74, shares in vivid and painful detail the aggressions that Blacks in the Jim Crow era faced each day. Moody went on to college and activism, working with various civil rights organizations. She was part of the history-making group of students who sat-in and prayed at a Woolworth's lunch counter in 1963, while whites poured mustard and ketchup over their heads and used physical violence against them. Senator Edward M. Kennedy wrote in The New York Times, "Anne Moody's powerful and moving book is a timely reminder that we cannot now relax in the struggle for sound justice in America or in any part of America. We would do so at our peril."

"Someday somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down," says Annie in The Other Side. This is American history. All of our children should know what happened, why, and what it means in our lives today. And by making these and other stories of the battle for justice a part of our lives, we will continue to knock down fences and build brighter futures.

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Books to Help Kids Understand the Fight for Racial Equality | Brightly

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The Voting Rights Act of 1965 became law on August 6, 1965. By signing this legislation, President Lyndon B. Johnson brought the authority of the federal government behind the battle to remove state-sanctioned disenfranchisement of Black American citizens.

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How to Diversify Your Child’s Bookshelves

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How to Diversify Your Child’s Bookshelves

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I spent my elementary school years at a different school for each grade. We spent some time in Lagos, Nigeria, and on my first day of school in suburban New York, the teacher asked the class to "welcome" me and said:

"Now, Gbemi, come to the front of the classroom and tell everyone about Africa."

If my not-quite-right clothes and hair didn't make me feel "other," THAT certainly did.

At a children's book fair, a tween wanted to purchase my novel, 8th Grade Superzero. Her mom checked the flap copy. "Jamaican?" she murmured, shaking her head, "That's not for us."

Too often, we "otherize" books and the children we think "should" connect to them. Yet, as Professor Rudine Sims points out, young readers need books to be windows - "...they will see that we can celebrate both our differences and our similarities, because together they are what make us all human."

Here are a few ways to step outside of our reading comfort zones into a world rich in stories.

Make An Effort
Try a formal "Reading Challenge." We Need Diverse Books promotes "literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people." Check out their 2015 Reading Challenge for ideas and inspiration. And even if you or your children are firmly entrenched in a particular genre, there are likely a multitude of stories, storytellers, and perspectives within it.

Make It Normal
Be intentional about diverse gifts and recommendations. Debbie Allen'sDancing in the Wings might help a young dancer soar. Y.S. Lee's The Agency series can hook a historical fiction lover as much as Jane Austen. For readers with songs in their hearts and souls, Tim Federle's Better Nate Than Ever has got it covered. Carole Lindstrom's Girls Dance, Boys Fiddle inspires trailblazers to follow their passions. Judy Blume fan? Meet Veera Hiranandani's The Whole Story of Half a Girl. Atinuke's Anna Hibiscus is a vibrant heroine in the tradition of Ramona or Clementine.

Don't bring diverse titles to the front of the class to "tell everyone about Africa." Find everyday inspiration in award-winning author Grace Lin's " cheat sheet" or bookseller Elizabeth Bluemle's " A World Full of Color " database.

Make Leaps
Seek out lists like " Notable Books for a Global Society," " The Rainbow Book List," and " 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know." Outside in World can launch literary voyages through translated books; Disability in Kidlit, The Brown Bookshelf, and Mamiverse are also wonderful resources for titles featuring underrepresented people and their stories.

Make Connections
I love the If You Liked... series, pairing diverse reads with tried and true favorites. An example: "If You Liked Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, try Two Parrots by Rashin, an award-winning new artist from Iran, who brings Rumi's classic to life."

Make It Social
On Twitter? Follow powerhouse librarians like@CrazyQuilts, @ MrSchuReads, and @AllieJaneBruce who know and love diverse literature for all ages.

Make Books Your Passport
Use literature to enhance travel - bring Tracey Baptiste'sThe Jumbies along on a Caribbean vacation or subway ride through Brooklyn, New York. On runs to The Pickle Guys and the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side, I share memories of Sydney Taylor's lighthearted All-Of-A-Kind Family series set in that neighborhood. Explore the Sydney Taylor award winners, stories that "authentically portray the Jewish experience."

While it's generally a good idea to avoid presenting diverse literature only as opportunities for teachable moments, it's also important to steer away from an empty calorie buffet approach. I remember "International Heritage Days" where we brought in foil-covered samples of "cultural" foods, nibbled, and moved on.

It can be uncomfortable, but don't avoid unpacking issues of representation that come up in children's literature. Mitali Perkins's " Straight Talk on Race: Challenging the Stereotypes in Kids' Books" is a great starting point for conversation, as are Debbie Reese's American Indians in Children's Literature and The Pirate Tree blogs. We're all better off if we help our children navigate the challenges of our world rather than pretend they don't exist.

We each have a story. All of our stories are precious. There is a world full of beautiful, complex tales out there - let's go up to the front and enjoy them, together.
Looking for some great stories to share with your child? Check out Kids Like Me: 18 Books with Diverse Main Characters.

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How to Diversify Your Child's Bookshelves | Brightly

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I spent my elementary school years at a different school for each grade. We spent some time in Lagos, Nigeria, and on my first day of school in suburban New York, the teacher asked the class to "welcome" me and said: "Now, Gbemi, come to the front of the classroom and tell everyone about Africa."

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If you are planning on talking to your students or children about the recent racial violence or civil disobedience, please first read . This piece illustrates how vital it is to engage young people in conversations about race and racism, and Ms. Pitts lays out the argument better than we ever could.

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As educators we (sometimes unknowingly) step into roles of advocate, caretaker, guide, and even mother or father to students. Students pay attention to everything we say and do. They particularly pay attention to our silence.

We may be uncomfortable talking about race, but we can no longer afford to be silent. We have chosen a profession, which-like parenting-requires that our comforts come second to those of children.

Many black and brown students are educated in school systems and classrooms where they, despite making up the racial majority, are taught how to understand a world by a staff comprised of a powerful minority. When their teachers choose to remain silent about moments of racial tension or violence-violence that may well touch students' own communities or families-these children are overtly reminded of their inferior place in society.

Even as a black teacher, I have to set a tone for my students that signals that it's safe to talk about race. Even with me, students of color are afraid to say the word white or to name the blatant racism of slavery and Jim Crow. If that's the case, imagine how much more difficult it is for them to engage in dialogue about mass incarceration rates; the militarism of police; the killing of innocent black men and women; cycles of poverty; the destruction of our bodies, minds and souls; the lack of access to healthy food and quality schools; and gentrification. These are all symptoms of a type of racism that remains deadly to this day because, despite bodies lying in the street, we refuse to talk about it.

White teachers must also broach these topics with white children attending white schools. These students need to learn about the destructive power of racism and brutality that have plagued our country for centuries. They should also understand that Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and Trayvon Martin were preceded in death by Emmett Till, Jimmie Lee Jackson and countless others whose stories and deaths we must also teach. Our lack of instruction becomes deadly when we allow fear and discomfort to indirectly allow white students to labor under false, privileged assumptions.

Moreover, the silence on the part of white teachers who teach black and brown children is insulting. Imagine seeing white people, the perceived dominant race, loving and appreciating black culture when it is pretty-enjoying the music, food, culture and beauty of our people-but remaining silent about our oppression and refusing to see how the beauty of our culture was largely born out of necessity. It hurts students when their teachers only acknowledge what black people have done for this country and not what this country has done to them.

But how encouraging is it to know that we stand in a powerful and political position where we can directly influence and break this silence?

Begin by confronting your own biases-about yourself, your students, your fellow educators, the world. This process is essential; if educators don't do this, think about how much damage we could do to the open, vulnerable minds of our students. In particular, examine your feelings about the police. And, regardless of your personal feelings about law enforcement, it is critical to understand that many black and brown students have incredibly negative perceptions about the police. This difficult understanding on the part of teachers can hopefully lead to dialogue and healing in schools.

Once you've done the inner work of evaluating your own comfort levels and examining your biases, start the conversation. You might begin by admitting to students that-like them-you are scared, frustrated, angry, confused, hurt or uncomfortable. Students at any age understand these feelings and will appreciate your humility, compassion and vulnerability, especially black and brown students. This is how you lay the foundation.

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As educators we (sometimes unknowingly) step into roles of advocate, caretaker, guide, and even mother or father to students. Students pay attention to everything we say and do. They particularly pay attention to our silence. We may be uncomfortable talking about race, but we can no longer afford to be silent.

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Acknowledge what has happened. Acknowledge this is hard. Show that you care, and tell our youth you are here for them. Be patient and understanding.

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Topic Summary
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an African American man, was killed while being arrested by the police. A bystander video recording of the incident showed that a white police officer pinned Floyd to the ground while he was handcuffed. The police officer's knee pressed into the back of Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes, even after Floyd lost consciousness. On the video, Floyd was heard saying, "Please, I can't breathe. My stomach hurts. My neck hurts. Everything hurts. ... (I need) water or something. Please. Please. I can't breathe, officer. ... I cannot breathe. I cannot breathe."

A video taken by a bystander of the incident was shared widely on social media. This led to community and national outrage, an F.B.I. civil rights investigation and the firing of the officer, Derek Chauvin and three other officers who were also at the scene. On May 29, 2020 Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. On June 3, the charges against Chauvin were upgraded to second-degree murder and the three other officers were charged with aiding and abetting murder.

Trial of Derek Chauvin

The murder trial of Derek Chauvin began on March 29 and concluded on April 19, 2021, when the defense and prosecution delivered their closing arguments. On April 20, 2021, the jury announced a verdict of guilty on all three counts in the murder of George Floyd. Chauvin was denied bail and taken into custody; his sentencing is to take place in eight weeks. After the verdict was read, Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother said, "I was just praying they would find him guilty. As an African American, we usually never get justice."

Protests Across the Country

The murder of George Floyd spurred what has been called the largest protest movement in U.S. history; data suggest that up to 26 million people in the U.S. participated in demonstrations. There has also been widespread protest and activism around the world. Proposed legislation followed as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 was introduced in Congress. The bill's stated goal is to "to hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct in court, improve transparency through data collection, and reform police training and policies."

There is a larger context and history of Black men and boys who were killed at the hands of the police, many of whom, like George Floyd, were unarmed. Since 2014, some high-profile deaths include Eric Garner (2014), Michael Brown (2014), Tamir Rice (2014), Laquan McDonald (2014), John Crawford (2014) Freddie Gray (2015), Walter Scott (2015), Alton Sterling (2016), Philando Castile (2016), Terence Crutcher (2016), Antwon Rose (2018) and others. Black women and girls are also targets of police violence, a reality that sparked the "Say Her Name" movement to highlight how this violence often goes unnoticed. Women who have died as a result of police interactions include Sandra Bland (2015), Deborah Danner (2016), and Atatiana Jefferson (2019) and Breonna Taylor (2020).

Despite having video recordings of many of these deaths, it is very rare for police officers to get arrested, prosecuted or convicted for excessive use of force. This perceived lack of accountability has led to a public outcry for justice.

Black Lives Matter is an activist movement which began as a hashtag (#BlackLivesMatter) when in July 2013, white civilian George Zimmerman was acquitted in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African American teenager killed in Florida. The Black Lives Matter movement became more widely acknowledged and highlighted after two 2014 high-profile deaths of unarmed African American men (Eric Garner in Staten Island, NY and Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO). Neither of the police officers involved in their deaths were indicted (i.e., formally charge with a crime).

Systemic Racism

Racism is defined as: "the marginalization and/or oppression of people of color based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges white people." Racism shows up in all aspects of our lives and society: in interpersonal communication, through discriminatory policies and practices, in biased language, and in our laws and institutions (e.g., education, media, employment, government and the criminal justice system).

Many see Floyd's death as an example of systemic racism, referring to the way race disadvantages people of color in the criminal justice system. Black and Latinx men are disproportionately represented in all levels of the criminal justice system, from arrest to sentencing to death row. Moreover, research shows that African American people are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than white people.

How Hate and Bias Escalate

On the same day that George Floyd was killed, another incident occurred in Central Park in New York City. Christian Cooper, a Black man, was birdwatching when he encountered an unleashed dog. He asked the dog's owner, Amy Cooper (no relation), to put the dog on a leash, as the park rules require. When she did not, he began to film her on his phone. In response, Amy Cooper said she would call the police, stating "I'm going to tell them there's an African American man threatening my life" while pulling out her cell phone and calling 911.

While these two events appear to be unrelated, they both demonstrate a very important concept: when left unchecked, hate and bias can escalate and lead to dangerous, and sometimes deadly, outcomes.

The Pyramid of Hate illustrates how the levels of biased attitudes and behaviors grow in complexity from the bottom to top. Like a pyramid, the upper levels are supported by the lower levels and it becomes increasingly difficult to challenge and dismantle as behaviors escalate. Bias at each level negatively impacts individuals, institutions and society. When bias goes unchecked, it becomes "normalized" and contributes to a pattern of accepting discrimination, hate and injustice in society.

Amy Cooper's anger and bias led her to threaten Christian Cooper with the bias she assumed the police would have when she described the man who was threatening her as African American. This is a situation that could have easily escalated if the police arrived on the scene and engaged in a confrontation, or worse, with Christian Cooper. All too quickly and pervasively, the escalation of bias and hate has led to violence and the deaths of George Floyd and many others.
Age
11 and up
Questions to Start the Conversation

What were your initial thoughts and feelings when you heard about what happened to George Floyd?

How do you feel about the guilty verdict on all three counts for Derek Chauvin?

Do you see people talking about this issue on the news, on social media or among your friends? What impact has that had on you?

Why do you think the movement to stop police violence against African American people is called Black Lives Matter? What does it mean to you? What kind of change are activists and others calling for?

In your own words, how would you describe the connection between the two incidents (the one in Central Park in NYC and the death of George Floyd)?

Questions to Dig Deeper
(See the Additional Information section for articles and information that address these questions.)

Why do you think it is rare for police officers to get arrested, prosecuted and convicted in these cases? What should be done about that?

What are your thoughts and ideas about how we can transform policing and public safety for all?

What can each of us do as individuals to stop the escalation of bias and hate? What can we do on a societal level?

What are other ways that racism (or other forms of injustice) show up in our institutions (education, government, business, media, etc.) and what can we do about that?

Take Action
Ask: What can we do to help? What actions might make a difference?

Talk with others about what happened to George Floyd and others and the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement by sharing information on social media, having individual conversations or organizing an educational event in the school or community.

Learn more about bias and talk together about how our biases may show up, especially on the lower levels of the Pyramid of Hate (i.e., biased attitudes, acts of bias).

Write a letter to your school or community newspaper about your thoughts and feelings about George Floyd and the racial disparities in the criminal justice system. In the letter, explain what you think should be done about it.

Get involved in local activism on these or other issues of injustice that are important to you.

Additional Resources Resumen del tema
El 25 de mayo de 2020, George Floyd, un hombre afroamericano, murió mientras era arrestado por la policía. La grabación en video del incidente por parte de un testigo muestra que un oficial de policía blanco inmovilizó a Floyd en el suelo mientras era esposado. La rodilla del policía presionó la nuca de Floyd durante más de nueve minutos, incluso después de que Floyd perdiera el conocimiento. En el video, se escucha a Floyd diciendo: "Por favor, no puedo respirar. Me duele el estómago. Me duele el cuello. Me duele todo. ... (Necesito) agua o algo. Por favor. Por favor. No puedo respirar, oficial. ... No puedo respirar. No puedo respirar".

El incidente fue captado en video por una espectadora y ampliamente compartido en las redes sociales. Esto provocó la indignación de la comunidad y de la nación, una investigación de derechos civiles del FBI y el despido del oficial, Derek Chauvin y otros tres oficiales que también estaban en el lugar. El 29 de mayo, Chauvin fue detenido y acusado de asesinato en tercer grado y homicidio. El 3 de junio, los cargos contra Chauvin se elevaron a asesinato en segundo grado y los otros tres oficiales fueron acusados de colaboración y complicidad en el asesinato.

Juicio de Derek Chauvin

El juicio por asesinato de Derek Chauvin comenzó el 29 de marzo y concluyó el 19 de abril de 2021, cuando la defensa y la fiscalía presentaron sus argumentos finales. El 20 de abril de 2021, el jurado anunció un veredicto de culpable en los tres cargos del asesinato de George Floyd. A Chauvin se le negó la libertad bajo fianza y fue puesto bajo custodia; su sentencia tendrá lugar en ocho semanas. Después de que se leyó el veredicto, Philonise Floyd, el hermano de George Floyd, dijo: "Solo estaba rezando para que lo encontraran culpable. Como afroamericano, generalmente nunca recibimos justicia".

Protestas en todo el país

El asesinato de George Floyd desató lo que se ha llamado el mayor movimiento de protesta en la historia de Estados Unidos; Los datos sugieren que hasta 26 millones de personas en los EE. UU. participaron en manifestaciones. También ha habido protestas y activismo generalizados en todo el mundo. Después se presentó en el Congreso la propuesta de legislativa Ley de Justicia en la Policía de George Floyd de 2020. El objetivo de este proyecto de ley es "responsabilizar a las fuerzas del orden por mala conducta en los tribunales, mejorar la transparencia a través de la recopilación de datos y reformar la capacitación y las políticas policiales".

Existe un contexto más amplio de hombres y niños afroamericanos asesinados por la policía y muchos de ellos -como George Floyd- estaban desarmados. Desde 2014, algunas muertes muy conocidas incluyen a Eric Garner (2014), Michael Brown (2014), Tamir Rice (2014), Laquan McDonald (2014), John Crawford (2014) Freddie Gray (2015), Walter Scott (2015), Alton Sterling (2016), Philando Castile (2016), Terence Crutcher (2016) y Antwon Rose (2018) entre otros. Las mujeres y niñas negras también son blanco de la violencia policial, realidad que desencadenó el movimiento "Di su nombre" ("Say Her Name") para resaltar cómo esta violencia a menudo pasa desapercibida. Entre las mujeres que han muerto como resultado de interacciones con la policía se encuentran Sandra Bland (2015), Deborah Danner (2016), Atatiana Jefferson (2019) y Breonna Taylor (2020). A pesar de disponer de grabaciones en vídeo de muchas de estas muertes, es muy raro que los agentes de policía sean detenidos, procesados o condenados por el uso excesivo de la fuerza. Esta percepción de falta de responsabilidad ha provocado una protesta pública pidiendo justicia.

Black Lives Matter (Las vidas negras importan) es un movimiento activista que comenzó como un hashtag (#BlackLivesMatter) cuando en julio de 2013, el civil blanco George Zimmerman fue absuelto por la muerte de Trayvon Martin, un adolescente afroamericano desarmado que fue asesinado en Florida. El movimiento Black Lives Matter logró mayor reconocimiento y visibilidad después de las notorias muertes en 2014 de dos hombres afroamericanos desarmados (Eric Garner en Staten Island, NY, y Michael Brown en Ferguson, MO). Ninguno de los policías implicados en sus muertes fue acusado formalmente.

Racismo sistémico

El racismo se define como: "la marginación y/u opresión de la gente de color basada en una jerarquía racial socialmente construida que privilegia a los blancos". El racismo se manifiesta en todos los aspectos de nuestras vidas y de la sociedad: en la comunicación interpersonal, a través de políticas y prácticas discriminatorias, en el lenguaje prejuiciado y en nuestras leyes e instituciones (por ejemplo, en la educación, los medios de comunicación, el empleo, el gobierno y el sistema de justicia criminal).

Muchos ven la muerte de Floyd como un ejemplo de racismo sistémico, refiriéndose a la forma en que la raza pone en desventaja a las personas de color en el sistema de justicia criminal. Los hombres afroamericanos y latinos están desproporcionadamente representados en todos los niveles del sistema de justicia penal, desde el arresto hasta la condena a muerte. Además, las investigaciones demuestran que los afroamericanos tienen 2.5 veces más probabilidades de ser asesinados por la policía que los blancos.

Cómo se incrementan el odio y el prejuicio

El mismo día en que George Floyd fue asesinado, ocurrió otro incidente en Central Park en Nueva York. Christian Cooper, un hombre afroamericano, estaba observando aves cuando se encontró con un perro que andaba sin correa. Le pidió a la dueña del perro, Amy Cooper (sin parentesco entre ellos), una mujer blanca, que le pusiera la correa al perro como lo exigen las reglas del parque. Cuando ella se negó, él comenzó a filmarla. En respuesta, Amy Cooper dijo que llamaría a la policía y, mientras sacaba su celular y llamaba al 911, afirmó: "Voy a decirles que un hombre afroamericano está amenazando mi vida".

Aunque estos dos acontecimientos parecen no estar relacionados, ambos ilustran un concepto muy importante: si no se controlan, el odio y los prejuicios pueden incrementarse y llevar a resultados nefastos.

La Pirámide del Odio ilustra la forma en que los niveles de actitudes y comportamientos prejuiciados se hacen más complejos de abajo hacia arriba. Como una pirámide, los niveles superiores se apoyan en los niveles inferiores y, a medida que los comportamientos se intensifican, se hace más difícil desafiarlos y desmantelarlos. El prejuicio en cada nivel afecta negativamente a los individuos, las instituciones y la sociedad. Cuando el prejuicio no se controla, se "normaliza" y contribuye a un patrón de aceptación de la discriminación, el odio y la injusticia en la sociedad.

La ira y prejuicio de Amy Cooper la llevaron a amenazar a Christian Cooper con el prejuicio que asumió la policía tendría cuando ella describiera como afroamericano al hombre que la amenazaba. Esta situación podría haber escalado fácilmente si la policía hubiera llegado a la escena y hubiera enfrentado a Christian Cooper. Con demasiada rapidez y de forma generalizada, la intensificación de los prejuicios y el odio ha llevado a la violencia y la muerte de George Floyd y muchos otros.
Edad
De 11 años en adelante.
Preguntas para iniciar la conversación

¿Has visto a la gente hablando de este tema en las noticias, en las redes sociales o entre tus amigos? ¿Qué impacto ha tenido eso en ti?

¿Por qué crees que el movimiento para combatir la violencia policial contra los afroamericanos se llama Black Lives Matter? ¿Qué significa para ti? ¿Qué cambios están pidiendo los activistas y otros?

En tus propias palabras, ¿cómo describirías la conexión entre los dos incidentes (el del Central Park en Nueva York y la muerte de George Floyd)?

Preguntas para profundizar aún más
(Consulte la sección "Más información" para ver información y artículos que abordan estas preguntas).

¿Por qué crees que es raro que los agentes de policía sean arrestados, procesados y condenados en estos casos? ¿Qué debería hacerse al respecto?

¿Cuáles son tus pensamientos e ideas sobre cómo podemos transformar la policía y la seguridad pública para todos?

¿Qué podemos hacer cada uno de nosotros como individuos para detener la intensificación de los prejuicios y el odio? ¿Qué podemos hacer a nivel de la sociedad?

¿En qué otras formas se manifiesta el racismo (u otras formas de injusticia) en nuestras instituciones (educación, gobierno, empresas, medios de comunicación, etc.) y qué podemos hacer al respecto?

Tomar medidas
Pregunte: ¿Qué podemos hacer para ayudar? ¿Qué acciones podrían marcar la diferencia?

Habla con otros sobre lo que le pasó a George Floyd y los objetivos del movimiento Black Lives Matter, compartiendo información en las redes sociales, sosteniendo conversaciones individuales u organizando un evento educativo en la escuela o la comunidad.

Aprende más sobre el prejuicio y discute la forma en que pueden manifestarse nuestros prejuicios, especialmente en los niveles inferiores de la Pirámide del Odio (es decir, actitudes prejuiciadas, actos prejuiciados).

Escribe una carta al periódico de la escuela o comunidad sobre tus pensamientos y sentimientos acerca de George Floyd y las desigualdades raciales en el sistema de justicia criminal. En la carta, explica lo que crees que se debe hacer al respecto.

Involúcrate en el activismo local sobre estos u otros temas de injusticia que sean importantes para ti.

Recursos adicionales

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George Floyd, Racism and Law Enforcement (in English and en Español)

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Topic Summary On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an African American man, was killed while being arrested by the police. A bystander video recording of the incident showed that a white police officer pinned Floyd to the ground while he was handcuffed.

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Instructional Activities to reflect and share with students

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Instructional Activities to reflect and share with students

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Hold space for youth to reflect and to share how they feel. Acknowledge the issues behind the current moment and the pain folks are feeling. Consider holding circles or free-form discussions. If you are a teacher looking for ideas on how to introduce these discussions in your classroom, explore these instructional protocols and activities

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Teaching Tolerance provides a range of materials—articles, modules, self-assessments, publications and more—that allow educators to improve their practice at their own pace.

“Teaching Tolerance has helped me so much in how I approach and facilitate discussions about injustice.”

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Teaching Tolerance provides a range of materials-articles, modules, self-assessments, publications and more-that allow educators to improve their practice at their own pace.

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This document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Feel free to circulate this document on social media and with your friends, family, and colleagues.

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Parenting Forward podcast episode ‘Five Pandemic Parenting Lessons with Cindy 🤬 Brandt’

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Parenting Forward podcast episode ‘Five Pandemic Parenting Lessons with Cindy 🤬 Brandt’

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Integrated Schools podcast episode “Raising White Kids with Jennifer Harvey”

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Integrated Schools podcast episode “Raising White Kids with Jennifer Harvey”

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“America’s Racial Contract Is Killing Us” by Adam Serwer | Atlantic (May 8, 2020)

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“America’s Racial Contract Is Killing Us” by Adam Serwer | Atlantic (May 8, 2020)

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Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement (Mentoring a New Generation of Activists

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Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement (Mentoring a New Generation of Activists

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“Where do I donate? Why is the uprising violent? Should I go protest?” by Courtney Martin (June 1, 2020)

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“Where do I donate? Why is the uprising violent? Should I go protest?” by Courtney Martin (June 1, 2020)

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Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw

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Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw

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Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins

Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Dr. Brittney Cooper

Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon

How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad

Raising Our Hands by Jenna Arnold

Redefining Realness by Janet Mock

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

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13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix

Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Available to rent

Blindspotting (Carlos López Estrada) — Hulu with Cinemax or available to rent

Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu) — Available to rent

Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix

Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — Available to rent

I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc) — Available to rent or on Kanopy

If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu

Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S.

King In The Wilderness  — HBO

See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix

Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — Available to rent

The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax

When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

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Talking to your kids about race

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A Summer Workbook for Educators by Tamisha Williams

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A Summer Workbook for Educators by Tamisha Williams

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PDF-based and intended to take time over a summer to include reflection.