3 stars A nice collection of poetry. Includes topics of COVID-19, connection, history, racism, war, loneliness, politics, and grief. I enjoyed the different styles used and the various forms the poems take, from erasure poems to a screenplay, found poetry to concrete poems. The formatting is visually interesting, utilizing different page colors, shapes, and orientations…
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Illustrated by Loveis Wise 5 stars A fantastic book that blends the principles of Kwanzaa, Black history, poetry, and breathtaking artwork. Through moving verse, Zoboi takes the reader though time, recounting significant events in American history. The book remembers the joyful and freeing times as well as the dark and violent ones. From the Transatlantic…
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by Estela Juarez with Lissette Norman Illustrated by Teresa Martínez 5 stars A heartfelt story with a powerful message of hope, resilience, and using your voice to demand change. Estela lives happily with her family… until the government tells her mother she must return to the country she was born in. As part of coping…
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By Aubrey Gordon 4 stars A great read that confronts many popular myths about weight, health, and the lives of fat people. Using research to back up her claims, Gordon expertly shows the inaccuracy and harm in such myths and how they lead to discrimination and affect the wellbeing of fat people. Gordon goes through…
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Illustrated by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya 4 stars A powerful, beautiful celebration of resilience and identity told through fierce verse and stunning illustrations. The book draws parallels between different culture’s histories, struggles, and treatment while still recognizing the distinctness and diversity of different groups. Gorgeous illustrations that pair wonderfully with each verse. Beautiful color and a wonderful…
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5 stars A modern-day Monster with a story all its own. Told through powerful verse and emotive visuals, this is the story of Amal Shahid, a teenage artist and poet sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. I love Zoboi’s writing and this one did not disappoint. Packed with raw emotion, this book is…
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Illustrated by Cbabi Bayoc 5 stars A lyrical book that dreams of an equitable world for all. Beautiful representations of different people and families living together in a vibrant community. Lush, dynamic artwork. A nice place to start introducing ideas of activism, equity, antiracism, and justice. Inspiring and hopeful. A beautiful book. Goodreads
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by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard Illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin 4 stars A nice resource to guide discussions of race, discrimination, and police brutality. The fictional story follows conversations between two families, one White and one Black. These conversations bring up various issues such as racism, discrimination, fairness, and slavery, demonstrating the different…
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Young Readers’ Edition by Layla F. Saad 5 stars This is such a fantastic book. I want to give it all the stars! A kid-friendly primer on various concepts related to antiracism and white supremacy. There is a lot of information packed into it, but Saad gives the readers time to reflect and engage with…
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by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III Forward by Jason Reynolds 5 stars A phenomenal collection of poetry focused on race, identity, equality, and justice. The book blends elements of history, resistance, injustice, and anti-racism. It also explains various concepts such as privilege, intersectionality, and stereotypes. Each…
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