This is, at one and the same time, a much-needed corrective for 'white' complacency and a most personal declaration of a questing soul who can settle for nothing less than truth in coming to know what it really means to be aware, sensitive and black in a society built on centuries of lying to ourselves about every aspect of black existence." There were also stories about growing up black in America, like The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and books to teach empathy such as Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt and Chocolate Milk, Por Favor: Celebrating Diversity with Empathy by Maria Dismondy. Promising review: "I had to read the book for one of my English courses. I Am Enough by Grace Byers, illustrations by Keturah A. Bobo ($19 from Pyramid Books at the time of publication), “When I am looking to draw students into conversation about who they are to the world, I begin by reading I Am Enough by Grace Byers,” says Keisha Rembert, assistant professor of teacher preparation at National Louis University in Chicago. If you lived through that period in Jamaica it is a great deal of fun guessing, mixing and matching the fictional characters to the real ones. It tells a story about one girl's quest to change her eye color to look more traditionally beautiful. Religion and all its complexities on the black church hit you full force and leave you wanting more. Her optimism, despite some very trying circumstances, is both contagious and empowering. Readers will also be schooled as she dedicates a few of her chapters to teaching the misinformed of America about its false history that we are led to believe as we go through the educational system. What a talent Ward is. It's also a testament to the talents and strength of people around her and the culture in which she was raised. I Am Enough is a lyrical story about a Black girl making her presence known in the world, announcing, “Like the bird, I’m here to fly and soar high over everything.” The story celebrates the things that make people different and wonderful. Jason Reynolds, the current National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, is the author of several popular, thought-provoking books for kids and teens. And the very feeling that every modern African American has. Children's books to create awareness and foster discussion early. I loved it!" Her quilt patterns and her other written work have appeared in various publications. It's a story about life and love and loss and how the decisions we make can affect and change our lives. Kathy Burnette, a former school librarian who now owns Brain Lair Books in South Bend, Indiana, recommends Jacqueline Woodson’s Harbor Me, a tale about six kids with different family struggles who are sent to their school’s old art room for a weekly talk with one another (the author is the 2018–2019 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature). They all seemed so realistic, it was beautiful. —Russell Gollard, Promising review: "This is a wonderful book written by a daughter about her father. A diverse range of classics, contemporary must-reads, and memoirs you'll definitely wanna fill your time with! When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This picture book about a white child who sees the news report of a police killing of a black man offers an opportunity for white parents to discuss racism and police brutality with their children. It is introspective, heartfelt, frustrating and insightful. I definitely plan to read any future works by this impressive comedian." —Jordean Soren-Jahnke, Promising review: "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes a great novel that puts into perspective and emotive language how it feels to immigrate to the US and England. Note that they may be backordered due to increased demand following the nationwide protests over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tony McDade, as well as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has disproportionately affected Black and brown Americans. This is one of my favorite books. Trump Condemns White Supremacists 2 Days After Charlottesville Violence, Read President Trump's Remarks Condemning White Supremacists, You can unsubscribe at any time. To encourage conversations about race and diversity with your children, check out this list of children's books to read together as a family. —Liz S. Yes, there is more to this book than the iconic Oprah line, "All my life I had to fight! —Valentina Alexandre, Promising review: "The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is a novel that one does forget. To categorize this as a book of music criticism is both accurate and inadequate. Teaching children about racism is one of the hardest and most essential things any parent or educator can do. In addition to reading, Smith suggests classrooms and parents have “diverse dolls and diverse play foods” to help promote inclusion and visiting museums to expose kids to different social environments that explore various cultures. It is a must-read for anyone concerned with social justice." —Duce, Promising review: "Maya Angelou, in the Complete Poetry (which is simply a collection of her separately published books of poems), is confident and self-possessed. “They are among our youngest learners, so the focus is on the first of the anti-bias and anti-racist goals,” she told me, referring to the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s anti-bias education. Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson ($18 from The Tiny Bookstore at the time of publication), Another title that Chicago educator Keisha Rembert says is one of her favorites to share with students is Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson. At the heart of the book is the tale of a poor family and the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina." It drops on May 18th! Smith works in a diverse classroom within a diverse school district. “Yang does an effective job of revealing the racial microaggressions Asian Americans deal with and the ways it can personally affect them,” she told me. These are the books they have personally taught and shared, the ones they know have made an impact on kids. —NASwrites, Promising review: "This book is FULL of essays and I really believe there is something for everyone in here. —Read-A-Lot. Her students devour the book. Richard Wright takes us through his difficult childhood of poverty and struggle, through his years as a young man who leaves the South as soon as he is able, and into a northern environment where racism is not as blatant as Jim Crow, but is still present. Then, as the years go on, as you assimilate into the new culture, that push and pull between wanting to belong, but knowing and accepting the differences is constant. “We want to raise a conscientious generation, and to do that, we need to be mindful of what we’re teaching them as children,” Smith explains. With books about everything from jazz and Jackie Robinson to slavery and segregation, there are many rich biographies and themes to explore with children during Black History Month (February) or any time of year. I believe students are engrossed in this text because it respects [the] young adult reader’s need to have an unfiltered truth of something that impacts their world.”, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah ($17 from Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre on Bookshop.org at the time of publication), Rembert also told us that Born a Crime “should be the central text of its own course.” Late-night talk show host Trevor Noah tells the story of his childhood during apartheid in South Africa.