Anti-Racist/Diverse Book Selections for D46 Each title has the call number next to it. If the library does not currently own the title, it is on order or coming soon (as noted). The Coretta Scott King Book Awards 2020 Author Winner The 2020 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Author Winner is Jerry Craft, author of "New Kid" (J Graphic Novel - Craft, J.) ​ ​ ​ “New Kid” published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, tells the story of Jordan Banks, an artistic Black middle school student who has transferred from public school to an elite, predominantly White private school and must contend not only with typical middle school challenges but also with microaggressions and code-switching. Told in a graphic novel format, Jordan’s experiences are rendered highly accessible to young people and include his own doodles, journal entries and handbooks for middle school students. 2020 Illustrator Winner The 2020 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Illustrator Winner is Kadir Nelson, illustrator of "The Undefeated" written by Kwame ​ ​ Alexander and published by Versity, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. (E Fiction - Alexander, K.) ​ Curated on June 8, 2020 for Community Consolidated District 46 "The Undefeated" is an emotional deep dive into the unapologetic brilliance of the Black experience in the face of unspeakable injustice. Capturing the excellence of iconic figures in Black history, as well as the known and unknown victims of brutality, this book showcases the raw humanity of generations of determination and will. Themes of survival, hope, and resilience permeate in this masterful picture book, 2020 John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Author) The 2020 Coretta Scott King Book Awards John Steptoe Award for New Talent Author goes to Alicia D. Williams for “Genesis Begins Again,” published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book. (J Fiction - Williams, A) ​ There are 96 things that Genesis hates about herself, and her dark skin is at the top of the list. Genesis tries to hold her family together as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Williams’ authentic youthful storytelling explores how Genesis navigates poverty, family relationships, bullying, and overcomes the feelings of self-hate due to the trauma of colorism.. 2020 John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Illustrator) The 2019 Coretta Scott King Book Awards John Steptoe Award for New Talent Illustrator is April Harrison for “What Is Given from the Heart,” published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. (E Fiction - McKissack, P) ​ Harrison’s soft illustrations, a mix of collage and acrylic painting, tell the story of James who knows what it’s like to have very little. When his close friend Sarah’s family loses all they own in a fire, he struggles to come up with a suitable gift to give her. The carefully pieced together illustrations and earthy tones are a suitable pairing for this tale that reminds the reader that a gift that comes from the heart is always priceless 2020 Author Honor Books ● “Look Both Ways,” (J Fiction, TEEN Fiction and Teen Playaway - Reynolds, J) ​ ​ by Jason Reynolds, and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an Curated on June 8, 2020 for Community Consolidated District 46 imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book. ● “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them,” (coming soon) by Junauda ​ ​ ​ Petrus, and published by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. ● “Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky,” (J Fiction and Playaway, Mbalia, ​ ​ K.) by Kwame Mbalia, and published by Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Disney ​ Book Group. 2020 Illustrator Honor Books ● “The Bell Rang,” (E Fiction - Ransome, J) illustrated and written by James E. ​ ​ ​ Ransome and published by Atheneum Books For Young Readers, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book ● “Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace” (coming soon) illustrated and written by Ashley Bryan and published by ​ Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book. (coming soon) ​ ● “Sulwe,” (E Fiction - Nyongo, L) illustrated by Vashti Harrison and written by ​ ​ Lupita Nyong’o, and published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. ● Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice (on order) by Mahogany L. Browne & ​ ​ ​ others. illus. by Theodore Taylor III. Roaring Brook. ISBN 9781250311207. The team behind Woke Baby introduce concepts and explains issues that ​ ​ concern activists of all ages. These 24 poems celebrate diversity and individuality, touching on issues of gender, physical ability, race, immigration, and protest, as well as the complex web of discrimination and systemic oppression that impacts many marginalized people. The message is clear: We must fight against injustice, and our words can be our greatest source of power. ● An ABC of Equality by Chana Ginelle Ewing. illus. by Paulina Morgan. ​ Quarto/Frances Lincoln. ISBN 9781786037428. (Board Book, Ewing, C) ​ Many people must consciously unlearn the system of beliefs imposed by parents, authority figures, and the overall dominant culture. Ewing’s colorful, sunny board book takes such nebulous ideas and packages them into an easily digestible vocabulary bank for young readers. Highly recommended for school and public libraries and can serve as an entry point into social justice literature. Curated on June 8, 2020 for Community Consolidated District 46 ● Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham. illus. by ​ ​ ​ author. Dottir. ISBN 9781948340007 (coming soon) ​ In this call to action, a young white child catches news fragments of a police officer shooting an unarmed black man, then witness their family members’ discomfort and avoidance of the topic (“We don’t see color”). The child's confusion leads them to the library for answers about the history of racism in the United States. Employing age-appropriate language and direct explanations, this is an essential text for young readers, and adults, unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the role of white people in dismantling racism. ● We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices ed. by Wade Hudson & Cheryl ​ Willis Hudson. Crown. ISBN 9780525580423. (Adult Non-Fiction 303.4 WE) ​ Within these pages is the collected wisdom from dozens of writers and artists who share poems, advice, artwork, passion, concern, love, and experience with the next generation. In the introduction, the editors describe this book as a treasury for children to read, and reread, when they need a boost, or comfort, or love. A book to be quietly contemplated, and shared with an adult, as there is much to be discovered from multiple readings. ● ● IntersectionAllies: We Make Room for All by Chelsea Johnson & others. illus. ​ by Ashley Seil Smith. Dottir. ISBN 9781948340083. (E Fiction - Johnson, C) ​ A cheerful, diverse cast of friends describe living the ally life in this progressive picture book. Though they’re all the same age, the friends are otherwise very different; their unwavering support for one another helps readers understand what intersectionality means and looks like. The book’s core message—“Where there’s room for some, we make room for all. Friends can be allies no matter how Curated on June 8, 2020 for Community Consolidated District 46 small!”—offers a memorable refrain caregivers and educators will be eager to integrate into daily mantras. ● Dictionary for a Better World by Irene Latham & Charles Waters. Illus. by ​ Mehrdokht Amini. Carolrhoda. ISBN 9781541557758. (coming soon) ​ This collaborative effort from the team behind Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of ​ Race, Mistakes, and Friendship uses poetry to explore identity, diversity, ​ empathy, social justice, community, and change. Inclusive and thought-provoking, it offers a number of entry points for exploring concepts and issues related to identity, social justice, and making a difference. ● Black Women Who Dared by Naomi M. Moyer. illus. by author. Second Story. ​ ISBN 9781772600711. (E Non-Fiction 920.72 MOY) ​ The importance of collectives is central to this illustrated nonfiction work, dedicated to communities within transnational (mostly Canadian) Black history. Moyer focuses on grassroots organizations, ranging from the international Black Cross Nurses group in the early 20th century to the more recent creation of Blockorama, which makes "a space for the black LGBTTI2QQ community within Toronto's Pride Parade.” It is a testament to the book's strength that after reading each profile, readers will want to know more; librarians would be wise to have a list of further reading handy. ● A Is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara. illus. by author. Triangle Square. ISBN ​ 9781609805395. (E Fiction, Nagara, I) ​ Not your typical alphabet board book, this powerful title presents a letter and a bit of social commentary urging children to take a stand against war and violence, develop an awareness of our environment, and promote acceptance and equality for all cultures, races, religions, genders, and walks of life. "A is for Activist./Advocate. Abolitionist. Ally./Actively Answering A call to Action." "Y is for You. And Youth./Your planet. Your rights/Your future. Your truth./Y is for Yes. Yes! Yes! Yes!" ● Kid Activists: True Tales of Childhood from Champions of Change by Robin ​ Stevenson. illus. by Allison Steinfeld. Quirk. ISBN 9781683691419. (Y ​ Non-Fiction 361.2 STE) Stevenson highlights many figures for whom there are few youth resources available, including Janet Mock, James Baldwin, and Autumn Peltier, as well as names that often appear on juvenile biography shelves, like Alexander Hamilton and Rosa Parks. The author never shies from topics such as racism, Curated on June 8, 2020 for Community Consolidated District 46 homophobia, or transphobia and uses plain language and simple descriptions to examine the oppression and discrimination the activists faced in their youth.