June 9th, 2020 Diverse Books and Difficult Conversations

WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS!

Representations Matters!
Research shows us that when we expose ourselves to different points of view, the more compassionate and understanding we become. The vast majority of books in this country are written by and are full of depictions of white people, even though that's not what the world really looks like. It's important for us to see and hear stories about all types of people with different life experiences. It's good to read books that talk about the struggles of other people, but it's equally important to celebrate joy, ingenuity, and creativity as well.  

But It's Hard!

Yes! Talking about differences can be hard, especially a difficult topic like race. But we can practice! And we will make mistakes! That's what growth based mindset is all about. We can use growth based mindset to talk about differences the same way we use it to talk about math! We can make mistakes, and we can apologize and learn to do better. The famous author Maya Angelou said "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Talking about race and racism is difficult, but you can help your family to learn to talk, and most importantly, listen to stories about race and begin to broaden your view of the world and your own community. 

Where Do I Start?

Right here! Below is a list of books to share with your family. I'm giving examples of books at every age group, including adults about race and racism. Read these books together and talk about them. Reading, talking, and listening is a great start! You can also refer to the list of family-friendly websites listed below to dive deeper into discussions. 

Please note: This is not a complete list! It is only scratching the surface of the thousands of wonderful books about black lives that we have access to.While there are TONS of diverse books from various viewpoints, this list deals specifically with the perspective of black Americans. Visit your local library for more!

Kindergarten through 5th Grade: 

• Let's Talk About Race by Julius Lester
• A Kids Book about Racism by Jelani Memory (this is the book I did for read aloud today!)
• Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship by Charles Waters and Irene Latham
• Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness (Ordinary Terrible Things) by Anastasia Higginbotham
• Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin 
• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson 
• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena
• Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
• Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford, Ekua Holmes
• The Unstoppable Garrett Morgan: Inventor, Entrepreneur, Hero by Joan DiCicco
• Firebird by Misty Copeland
• The Hula-Hoopin' Queen by Thelma Lynne Godin

Middle school:

• Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi
• March graphic novels by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell
• Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
• Ghost by Jason Reynolds
• Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renee Watson
• Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
• Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper
• The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

For Teachers/Adults:

Websites for adults: 

• Teach Tolerance 
• Talking About Race
• CommonSense Media
• Mother.ly

Books 

A List from the NYT

• So You Want To Talk About Race Ijeoma Oluo
• How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
• White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
• Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi