Thursday, June 04, 2020

It Doesn't Matter if You're Black or White: Recommended Reads





ChattState's Amanda Jordan wrote a powerful blog post - please visit the link to read. Amanda also recommended four books for children to read.

"It Don't Matter if You're Black or White" blog post by Amanda Jordan

"Over the past week or so, there has been what some consider an awakening in America. Regardless of where you stand on current events, I think we can all agree that we have come to a boiling point. The elephant in the room — racism — has officially been identified and now we are taking steps as a nation to address it."
Check out the library's guide Racism, Allyship, and #BlackLivesMatter. The guide has a recommended reading list.
This guide is meant to serve as a starting point for students and faculty to better understand racism, allyship, and the Black Lives Matter movement. It features resources from Kolwyck Library and Information Commons and open-access web resources.
Book recommendations from my (Dwight Hunter) Twitter friends. Many of these books are new or will be available soon.

This is my America by Kim Johnson
Kirkus, starred review: "Harrowing and worthwhile; a call-to-action from the anti-racist insights of a generation of black activists."
 
Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne
From Kirkus Reviews: "Read it; gift it; use it to challenge, protect, and grow."
 
The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow
The story follows a Black teen-librarian after aliens have invaded the Earth on a mission to save humanity through songs.

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
Booklist, starred review: “Morrow expertly and smartly explores race, bigotry, oppression, and injustice against a backdrop of ordinary life with a dose of the supernatural added to the mix."
 
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Kirkus Reviews, starred review: "Tackles family secrets, toxic masculinity, and socio-economic differences with incisive clarity and candor... Every line is laced with betrayal and longing as the teens struggle with loving someone despite his imperfections. A standing ovation."

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
Kirkus Reviews: "Filling her pages with magic, humanity, tragedy, and hope, Zoboi builds up, takes apart, and then rebuilds an unforgettable story. This book will take root in readers' hearts.”

For Black Girls Like Me by Marima J. Lockington
Booklist, starred review: "In this #OwnVoices middle-grade debut, Lockington captures the joy and angst of transracial adoption . . . an authentic and intimate portrayal . . . this is a necessary read for girls struggling with identity and purpose within their families, as well as a powerful coming-of-age story of Black womanhood."
 
The South of Black Forgiveness by Donna Clovis
From Kirkus Reviews: A novel with a real-world setting explores the disturbing consequences of racial intolerance.

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