Point of View
Presentation by Library Girl - Jennifer LaGrarde
The Kids are Listening: Books to Help Readers of all ages cope with tough topics in the NEws
by Library Girl - Jennifer LaGrarde
- From terrorist attacks to sexual assault, the 24 hour news cycle exposes kids and adults to tough topics everyday Learn about ways to use books as an antidote to the trauma filled information overload that has infiltrated our daily lives and we'll explore some of the latest titles to help readers feel safe, develop skills for navigating conflict and employ empathy in the face of increasingly divisive narratives in the news.
- Representation is important to show our students in books. They need to see other cultures and such in the books they read because books are the bridge to understanding
- Empathy has a profound affect on human beings bit.ly/2qA8GRx
- Books to Help Readers Cope with Tough Topics in the News
https://padlet.com/jlagarde/m5mtfro58pba
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
- Dreamers: by Yuyi Morales
★ "The magical art marries the succinct and powerful narrative in a resplendent celebration of literacy, language, and the transformative power of the picture book form . . . This excellent memoir encapsulates the fears, hopes, and dreams that come along with immigrating to a new place . . . A timely and much-needed selection."—School Library Journal, Starred Review - Author Interview
- Book Trailer
- Dreamers Read Alloud Picture Book
- Book Humanizes the Dreamers
Sadie by Courtney Summers YA Books
- Sadie- "The fresh, nuanced, and fast-moving narrative will appeal to a range of YA and new adult readers, and serves as a larger examination on the way society interacts with true crime...It's impossible to not be drawn into this haunting thriller of a book. A heartrending must-have." -- School Library Journal (Starred Review)
Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D Jackson
- YA Book
- Honor book for Snyder Book Award
- Involves characters that stutter and are on the Autism spectrum with children of color
- “This thought-provoking thriller examines issues such as abuse, gentrification, and the marginalization of people of color with nuance and sensitivity. The narrative deftly moves back and forth between past and present, building to a devastating conclusion. A spellbinding, profoundly moving choice for YA collections.” (School Library Journal (starred review))
The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees
- Graphic Novel
- "[Brown] succeeds in offering a window into the humanity of displaced groups—their resilience and tenacity but also their inspiring, hopeful nature. The pen-and-ink digitally colored art has a loose, informal style that vividly expresses the intense emotions contained in the book. A moving chronicle of a real humanitarian tragedy."--Kirkus, STARRED review
"Brown provides concrete comparisons that make the problem more tangible and relatable...The varied panels perfectly control the pacing, thoughtfully guiding readers through difficult subject matter."--Horn Book Magazine, STARRED review
"This accessible and heartbreaking primer, with its stirring simplicity and a note of hope, should be required reading for all teens hoping to be empathetic and engaged world citizens."--School Library Journal, STARRED review
The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed
- YA
- “The rules are what keep us silent. The rules are what didn't get justice for Lucy. The rules are what's broken.”
#MeToo
Rape/Rape Culture
Online Bullying
Patriarchy
Breakout by Kate Messner
- Middle School
Prisons
Crime
Racism
Media Coverage
“I don’t know if journalism will work the same way by the time you are reading this, but in case it does, here’s my advice. If you’re going to talk to a reporter, be careful what you say….”
"Breakout is the story of a prison break narrated by three girls who live in the neighborhood surrounding the prison. What begins as just reporting on the event ends up saying a lot about racism and criminal justice, told in a very accessible style of texts, comics, letters, and more." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Piecing me Together by Renee Watson
- Upper Middle School or HS
Police Violence
Sexual Harassment
Racism/Classism
Bullying
“I don't know what's worse. Being mistreated because of the color of your skin, your size, or having to prove that it really happened.”
Gr 7 Up—High school junior Jade is an "at-risk" student from a rough neighborhood in Portland, OR. She is also a talented collage artist, and she attends an elite private school on scholarship. More than anything, she wants to go on a study abroad week offered at her school to use her Spanish skills. Instead, she is given an invitation to join Woman to Woman, a mentorship program for young women like her: poor and black. Her mentor, Maxine, is from a more privileged background, and Jade doesn't see what she can learn from her. But in spite of her early resistance to Maxine, Jade begins to open up and gain confidence, and, eventually, she is able to express the importance of her family, her community, and her art. The two strong female characters and the ways in which they struggle with and support each other form the center of this tale. Most young people will relate to Jade's search to find her voice and learn to advocate for herself in appropriate ways. The lack of a romantic lead may leave some young teen readers disappointed, but there is a real, refreshing strength in a fully fleshed-out female character whose story is her own. This is a memorable novel that demonstrates that a happy ending doesn't require a romantic subplot. VERDICT This unique and thought-provoking title offers a nuanced meditation on race, privilege, and intersectionality. A first purchase for YA collections.—Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Grades 4-6
Chinese American
Immigration
Exploitation
Homelessness
Poverty
“Often during tough times, the first instinct is to exclude. But this book is about what happens when you include, when, despite all your suffering and your heartache, you still wake up every morning and look out at the world with fresh, curious eyes.”
Gr 4–6—Mia Tang and her parents expected to work hard when they came to the United States, but they had no idea how difficult things would be. After a year or two struggling to make ends meet, they find themselves managing a motel for a cruel and exploitive owner. The work is exhausting and the problems are many, but the Tangs approach their new responsibility with determination, creativity, and compassion, making friends everywhere and sheltering a trickle of immigrants in worse straits than themselves. Ten-year-old Mia takes over the front desk, and makes it her own, while dreaming of a future as a writer. Based on Yang's own experiences as a new immigrant in the 1980s and 1990s, her novel speaks openly of hardship, poverty, assault, racism, and bullying, but keeps a light, positive tone throughout. Mia herself is an irresistible protagonist, and it is a pleasure to see both her writing and her power grow through a series of letters that she sends to remedy injustices. The hefty and satisfying dose of wish fulfillment that closes the story feels fully earned by the specificity and detailed warmth of Yang's setup. Many young readers will see themselves in Mia and her friends. VERDICT A swiftly moving plot and a winsome protagonist make this a first purchase for any collection, especially where realistic fiction is in demand.—Katya Schapiro, Brooklyn Public Library
Love Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed
- Author Interview1
- Author Interview 2
Terrorism
Immigration
Racism
“‘Egyptian? Indian? What’s the difference? You’re both ragheads.’ Spit comes out of Brian’s mouth as he yells…. ‘Why don’t you people leave America if you hate it so much?’”
A searing #OwnVoices coming-of-age debut in which an Indian-American Muslim teen confronts Islamophobia and a reality she can neither explain nor escape—perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Jacqueline Woodson, and Adam Silvera.
American-born seventeen-year-old Maya Aziz is torn between worlds. There’s the proper one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter: attending ...more
Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka
- Scholastic Book Trailer
- Graphic Novel
- Middle and High level due to language
- Audio biographical of a child of parents that were addicts.
- NPR Article
Deals with:
Uses some strong language
Opioid Addiction
Incarceration
Domestic Violence
Mental Illness
“We think that it’s about time that you knew the truth about your mother. Your mother… Your mother is a drug addict. The reason why you haven’t seen her in a while is… she’s been in jail.”
Only Child by Rhiannon Navin
New Genre: Deals with School Shootings
Topics Include:
School shootings
Gun control
Violence
“Yesterday we did all the things we do every Tuesday, because we didn't know that today a gunman was going to come.”
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Novel in verseCharacter watches is brother get shot down in the street.
- Gr 8 Up—Fifteen-year-old Will's big brother has been shot and killed. According to the rules that Will has been taught, it is now his job to kill the person responsible. He easily finds his brother's gun and gets on the elevator to head down from his eighth-floor apartment. But it's a long way down to the ground floor. At each floor, a different person gets on to tell a story. Each of these people is already dead. As they relate their tales, readers learn about the cycle of violence in which Will is caught up. The protagonist faces a difficult choice, one that is a reality for many young people. Teens are left with an unresolved ending that goes beyond the simple question of whether Will will seek revenge. Told in verse, this title is fabulistic in its simplicity and begs to be discussed. Its hook makes for an excellent booktalk. It will pair well with Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give and Reynolds's previous works. The unique narrative structure also makes it an excellent read-alike for Walter Dean Myers's Monster. VERDICT This powerful work is an important addition to any collection.—Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH
The Truth as told by Mason Buttle by Leslie O'Connor
5th grade and above
Violence
Law Enforcement
Mental Illness
Bullying
“Matt and Lance fire lacrosse balls at me. And you might know it. Those are hard. Rubber or something. They smart when they smack you. It’s not as bad when they throw apples. And they can now. It’s apple season.”
- “In this sensitively written novel, Connor introduces a learning-disabled 12-year-old who will warm readers’ hearts and earn their respect with his honesty and compassion. Poignant and suspenseful, Mason’s story crystalizes an adolescent boy’s joys and fears as he comes into his own.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))
Most People by Michael Leannah
- Most people are good
- Picture Book
- Video
- K-Gr 2—"Most people love to smile. Most people love to laugh," begins this well-intentioned work of bibliotherapy. In a bright, clean city, a large cast of recurring diverse characters go about their day, illustrating the book's message that "Most people want to make other people—even strangers—feel good. Most people are very good people." Of course, some people do bad things, like swear, lie, steal, bully, and destroy, but the book repeatedly reassures readers that they are in the minority. Doing something bad doesn't necessarily make someone a bad person; people make mistakes and can change. People can be sad or mad or have a bad day, but most would rather be happy. The friendly cartoon illustrations do a great job showing the connectedness of the community, emphasizing how each person can positively affect others, and dispelling stereotypes. Some parents may be chagrined to find that swearing is lumped into the "bad person" category. Additionally, the spread that discusses the total ratio of good to bad people is a little alarming, as it crowds all the bad people together "in a dark and gloomy room" and the shadowy figures are the opposite of reassuring. This book may be useful for kids struggling with general anxiety, but its simplistic message belies the lived experiences of many children. VERDICT Buy to spark classroom discussion or to fill a very specific gap in collections.—Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, MN