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- Ashley S.
- Friday, June 24, 2022
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"That is the power of a diverse book: You can change everything for one kid, and you create empathy in 100 more." - Kelsey W.
Here at Richland Library we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that celebrates and respects our differences and unique learning styles. Each month a blog post will go live that showcases forthcoming diverse youth titles that have been purchased by the library. From differences in race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability and more, these titles are great reads for the entire family.
Be sure to check out the 5 titles that I'm most excited for in the slideshow below as well as the curated list of releases at the bottom of this post.
Enjoy!
The Color of Your Skin
Published in 2021
"Vega and her friend Alex wonder why the pencil in the box is called 'skin color' when it doesn't match either of them. This question leads them on a beautiful journey of exploring the diverse array of skin colors they see in the world. Together, they discover how to bring all of them into their art."-- Provided by publisher.
The Swag is in the Socks
Published in 2021
Twelve-year-old Xavier Moon gets the courage to step out of the shadows when his great-uncle gives him some outlandish socks and some even stranger requests.
Aaron Slater, Illustrator
Published in 2021
When Miss Greer asks each child in the class to write a story, second-grader Aaron, who loves to draw but struggles with reading, creates a story using pictures.
Soul Food Sunday
Published in 2021
Granny teaches her young grandson how to cook the family meal, in this celebration of food, traditions, and gathering together at the table. Includes recipe for baked macaroni and cheese.
Skin of the Sea
Published in 2021
Transformed by the goddess Yemoja into a Mami Wati, an African mermaid charged with collecting the souls of those who die at sea, Simi goes against the gods to save a living boy, Kola, from drowning.
What Will My Story Be?
Published in 2021
"A young girl hears stories from her aunties and then begins to imagine all the possibilities for her future"-- Provided by publisher.
African Proverbs for All Ages
Published in 2021
"It has been said that a proverb is a short sentence based on long experience. African Proverbs is An Oprah Book about the power of proverbs, how they evolve over time, and the wisdom of various cultures in Africa. Whether you're young or old, proverbs can open your mind to new ways of seeing the world. We underestimate children, assuming they are incapable of understanding metaphor and deeper meaning. Children learn in multiple ways, but for each method by which they learn, they need engaged imaginationand ignited visual sensibilities. And as adults, we underestimate ourselves when we allow our lives to be about practical matters only. Proverbs can stir our soul and spark our imagination"-- Provided by publisher.
Black Ballerinas
Published in 2021
"From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland comes a nonfiction picture book celebrating dancers of color who have influenced her on and off the stage. As a young girl living in a motel with her mother and her five siblings, Misty Copeland didn't have a lot of exposure to ballet or prominent dancers. She was sixteen when she saw a Black ballerina on a magazine cover for the first time. The experience emboldened Misty and told her that she wasn't alone--and her dream wasn't impossible. In the years since, Misty has only learned more about the trailblazing women who made her own success possible by pushing back against repression and racism with their talent and tenacity. Misty bringsthese women's stories to a new generation of readers and gives them the recognition they deserve. With an introduction from Misty about the legacy these women have had on dance and on her career itself, this book delves into the lives and careers of womenof color who fundamentally changed the landscape of American ballet from the early twentieth century to today"-- Provided by publisher.
Maria Tallchief
Published in 2021
"A biography of Maria Tallchief, part of the She Persisted chapter book series"-- Provided by publisher.
Out of My Heart
Published in 2021
Because she loves horses but is scared of them, Melody wants to conquer her fears, so she hopes a summer camp will be the place to welcome someone with cerebral palsy who wants to learn to ride.
Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed
15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora
Published in 2021
"A Most Anticipated Book (Refinery29, HipLatina, Publishers Weekly, Latino Book Review, and more)! Edited by The Bronx Is Reading founder Saraciea J. Fennell and featuring an all-star cast of Latinx contributors, Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed is a ground-breaking anthology that will spark dialogue and inspire hope. In Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed, bestselling and award-winning authors as well as up-and-coming voices interrogate the different myths and stereotypes about the Latinx diaspora. These fifteen original pieces delve into everything from ghost stories and superheroes, to memories in the kitchen and travels around the world, to addiction and grief, to identity and anti-Blackness, to finding love and speaking your truth. Full of both sorrow and joy, Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed is an essential celebration of this rich and diverse community. The bestselling and award-winning contributors include Elizabeth Acevedo, Cristina Arreola, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Naima Coster, Natasha Diaz, Saraciea J. Fennell,Kahlil Haywood, Zakiya Jamal, Janel Martinez, Jasminne Mendez, Meg Medina, Mark Oshiro, Julian Randall, Lilliam Rivera, and Ibi Zoboi"-- Provided by publisher.
Our Violent Ends
Published in 2021
"Though secrets and lies keep Juliette and Roma apart, a monster still prowls the city of Shanghai, and the two are going to have to put aside their differences to end this threat once and for all"-- Provided by publisher.
Carla and the Christmas Cornbread
Published in 2021
"When Carla accidentally ruins a Christmas surprise for Santa, she must find a way to make things right again. Includes a recipe for cornbread"--OCLC.
Born on the Water
Born on the Water
Published in 2021
Stymied by her unfinished family tree assignment for school, a young girl seeks Grandma's counsel and learns about her ancestors, the consequences of slavery, and the history of Black resistance in the United States.
Santa in the City
Published in 2021
"With a little help from her family, community, and Santa himself, a little girl's faith in the magic of Christmas is restored"-- Provided by publisher.
Valenslime
Published in 2021
Ever since Victoria Franken brought her slime to life she and Goop have been great friends, but after realizing on Valentine's Day that while she had many friends, Goop only had her, she tries to create a new slime friend for him.
The Grandmaster's Daughter
Published in 2021
At her father's dojang, Sunny and her friends practice Tae Kwon Do, defend the school against magical creatures, and make peace over shared persimmons.
Sky Watcher
Published in 2021
Jada is excited to do a school project about her hero Dr. Mae C. Jemison until her research reveals how accomplished her hero truly is, making Jada feel like a failure in comparison.
Ace Takes Flight
Published in 2021
Eleven-year-old Ace Wells’s dream has finally come true: he is a new cadet in the B.E.S.T. (Biological Enhancement Systems Technology) Program. Until now, he’s been living in the shadow of his superstar brother, Finn—but not for long. This is new Ace! He knows he can make his mark on the world with SuperSoar wings, but on day one, nothing goes as planned. The antagonistic elevator AI Otis wants to eat his belongings, the physical feats set by his tough-nut coach are impossible, and his celebrity roommates are far from welcoming. It becomes crystal clear that Ace is not prepared to fly—in any sense of the word. As tensions build, Ace has a sinking suspicion that there's something more going on at B.E.S.T. than meets the eye. Will he ever make it to graduation and get the aug of his dreams?
Words to Make a Friend
A Story in Japanese and English
Published in 2021
"When a young Japanese girl moves into her new house, she is happy to see a girl her age playing in the snow just outside her window. The only problem is the Japanese girl doesn't speak English and the American girl doesn't speak Japanese. But each girl'slove of the snow teaches them that they don't need to speak the same language to have fun!"-- Provided by publisher.
Crazy Horse and Custer
Born Enemies
Published in 2021
"In 1876, Lakota chief Crazy Horse helped lead his people's resistance against the white man's invasion of the northern Great Plains. One of the leaders of the US military forces was Army Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer. The men had long been enemies. Atthe height of the war, when tribalism had reached its peak, they crossed paths for the last time. In this action-packed double biography, S. D. Nelson draws fascinating parallels between Crazy Horse and Custer, whose lives were intertwined. These warriors were alike in many ways, yet they often collided in deadly rivalry. Witness reports and reflections by their peers and enemies accompany side-by-side storytelling that offers very different perspectives on the same historical events. The two men's opposing destinies culminated in the infamous Battle of the Greasy Grass, as the Lakota called it, or the Battle of the Little Bighorn, as it was called by the Euro-Americans. In Crazy Horse and Custer, Nelson's gripping narrative and signature illustration style based on Plains Indians ledger art, along with a mix of period photographs and paintings, shines light on two men whose conflict forever changed Lakota and US history. The book includes an author's note, timeline, endnotes, and bibliography"-- Provided by publisher.
If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving
Published in 2021
"Do you know the true story of the Thanksgiving feast at Plimoth? Carefully crafted to explore both sides of this historical event, this book is a great choice for Thanksgiving units, and for teaching children about the true history of this popular holiday"-- Provided by publisher.
Girls of Fate and Fury
Published in 2021
Told from their alternating viewpoints, as battle lines are drawn between the powerful Hanno clan and the Demon King of Ikhara, the warrior Wren fights to find Lei, who is trying to assist the rebellion even though she is the King's prisoner.
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
Published in 2021
Portico Reeves' secret identity as Stuntboy allows him to use his superpower keep everybody safe, but when his superhero parents start fighting a lot he feels the responsibility to save them.
Stuck
Published in 2021
"A coming-of-age story about a boy who is used to constantly moving and flying under the radar at school, and the classroom of kids who help him stand out in the best way"-- Provided by publisher.
Klezmer!
Published in 2021
"A child makes a music-filled visit to her grandparents' apartment on the Lower East Side. Along the way, she dances to klezmer music, connecting its Old Country beginnings to its new rockin' vibe"-- Provided by publisher.
You've Reached Sam
Published in 2021
Seventeen-year-old Julie fell in love with Sam the day she met him, and planned to attend college with him; but Sam died, and getting rid of his things, trying to erase him from her life is not working, so desperate to hear his voice one more time, Juliecalls his cellphone expecting to hear his voicemail--but then Sam answers, and suddenly their cellphones become the living connection between them, a connection Julie finds impossible to let go.