Tight writing that doesn’t make me want to skim is always a plus. And this book was one of those. The use of historical material woven into the story was another aspect of this book that I liked. The fact that it was done seamlessly made the story flow. It made me want to learn more about the time period in Korea’s history that it’s referencing.

Summary

In A Crane Among Wolves, our main character is Iseul. She sets out from her village determined to reunite with her older sister who was taken by the King’s men. When taken, women are added to his very large collection of concubines. Iseul is resourceful, but headstrong with a passionate personality that sometimes gets her into trouble.

One such incident brings her into contact with the King’s favorite brother, Prince Daehyun, and they initially clash. It is only after they learn they have a common enemy that their animosity begins to lessen. They begin to work together to bring about a change that will help everyone they care about.

What I think

I liked the characters in this book. Sometimes I have to remind myself that as an adult, many of the annoying and dumb choices made by young characters are because of their age. While there is some of that in this book, it isn’t so often and so egregious that it’s distracting. And there aren’t so many characters that it’s hard to keep track of or confusing.

In addition to the main plot of getting her sister back, Iseul is involved in solving the mystery of who is killing supporters of the king. It keeps things interesting and encourages the reader to observe and pay attention to things along with Iseul. This keeps things moving, and while not entirely connected with their mission, it brings about character development in key ways.

I read through this book quickly because I was interested in the plot, it moved at a good pace, and it had enough mystery and twists to keep me guessing. The friendships that formed throughout the story were fun to read and made me like each character–even when there were surprises. The way the author incorporated true historical facts and made plausible reasons for them to have happened made me like it even more. It is an enjoyable YA book that is great for fans of light romance, Asian characters and political intrigue.

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I know, you’re probably thinking, “What in the world are these Who Was books she’s going on about, and why is she addicted to them?” Welllllll, the collection also includes What Was and Where Is and What is the Story Of books too. It is a series of over 250 books dedicated to the most important people, events and places in world history and culture, right up to present times.

What kinds of topics are there?

Some examples include “Who Was Cleopatra,” “What Was The Boston Tea Party,” and “Where Is Easter Island.” Plus a WHOLE lot more ranging in topics from scientists to artists to athletes to wonders of the world–all significant in understanding the world.

I’ve added several to our shelves this year, but I started my collection several years ago. I love them because they teach important things about the world in a way that’s easy for kids to understand.

Each book is solely focused on the topic at hand–though they do include extra information that is relevant to the time and place that helps explain the person or thing or place. For example, “What is the Constitution,” gives a brief history of what was happening at the time, and what led up to the creation of the Constitution. Then it talks about some of the men who wrote it and how it was ratified and became the law of the United States of America.

Who are they for?

Whenever there is a person or a topic I think my kids should know about, I have them read one of these books. Written at about a 2nd or 3rd grade level, depending on the child, they’re great to read together or alone. The print is pretty large, and there are lots of pictures. Each book is broken up into chapters and runs about 70-90 pages depending on the topic. And adult can read one in about an hour, maybe two.

As we study each home school unit, I gather all of the books pertaining to our unit and include them in our reading. For example, right now we’re studying space, so I’ve added these to our reading list:
Where is Our Solar System
Who is Neil Armstrong
Who is Sally Ride
Who is Galileo
What is NASA

When we did our American Government Unit, I included
What Was the Boston Tea Party
What Was the Declaration of Independence
What Was the Constitution
Who Was Thomas Jefferson
Who Was Alexander Hamilton
Who Was Benjamin Franklin
What is a Presidential Election
Who Was Martin Luther King Jr.
Who Was Rosa Parks
Who Was Harriet Tubman
What Was the Underground Railroad
What Was the March on Washington

Whew…that was A LOT!
The kids (and I) learned soooooo much! They really made the things we were learning in our lessons stand out, while giving all of our topics even more context.
I am not going to list all of the books we’re going to be reading during our Europe Unit, or the ones we read for North America, because that would be even longer, but you can check out the full list at the Who HQ.

And, like I said before, they aren’t just history books. They cover popular bands like The Rolling Stones, authors like J.K. Rowling and artists like Dr. Seuss.

If you want easy to read chapter books that cover important subjects in pop culture, history and geography, I can not recommend these books enough!

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I love to gather my kids up on the couch with blankets and hot cocoa and dive into a good story; well, at least I did when they were younger. But, once kids age past picture books, but aren’t yet old enough for teen or adult fare, it seems there aren’t a whole lot of options unless you’re into Goosebumps…which my 7 year old is not.

That’s why I was super excited to stumble upon the Witches of Orkney series by Alane Adams. This is a prequel series for fans of Legends of Orkney. It’s about witches, obviously, can get you into the spirit of the season, and is perfect for middle-grade kids between 7-12. Younger kids will probably need to be read to, but older kids could tackle it on their own.

Ok, so what’s it about? Well, I’m glad you asked.

The first book is The Blue Witch. It introduces us to Abigail, an orphaned witchling, (young witch) who is starting her first year at Tarkana Witch Academy.

She wants to be a great witch, but she faces bullies and struggles to find friends. An even bigger problem–she’s going to fail out of school if her magic powers don’t show up soon.

In her quest to fit in, things don’t always go as planned, and she isn’t immune to influences that do not have her best interests at heart.

You can listen to/watch the author read the entire book, chapter by chapter, on her YouTube channel. It’s a fun way for kids to listen and each video auto plays into the next.

Book 2, The Rubicus Prophecy picks up where the first book leaves off.

Abigail is starting her 2nd year at Tarkana academy, taking her classes, trying to resist an evil spell book that wants her to use it, and learning about the famed Rubicus Prophecy–about the chosen one who will break the God Odin’s curse over the witches–as it becomes the talk of the school.

Once a mysterious ship arrives, she and her friend Hugo are swept up in a mystery quest searching for a missing object with a by from the ship. Then she learns she must stop the Rubicus Prophecy or everyone she cares about could be destroyed.

Book 3 is Witch Wars, and it’s brand new!

Since the end of the Rubicus Prophecy things have not been going well for Abigail. After throwing off the balance of powers between the witches, Gods and regular humans, she is determined to fix it before war erupts and destroys them all.

With the help of friends, she’ll have to outwit foes who are trying to stop her. But, the outcome is far from certain. Will Abigail and Hugo be able to turn things around and bring peace?

What I like about this series it that it’s a pretty easy and quick read for middle-grade readers. It’s a fun one to read aloud too. The books are full of suspense that isn’t too scary, but lends enough sorcery, witches and magic to make it fit right in with October fun.

Abigail is a nice girl who struggles following her heart when witches are “supposed” to be mean and hard hearted. It’s great for lessons on friendship, being yourself, overcoming challenges and learning a bit about Norse mythology too.

My daughter and I really enjoyed the Witches of Orkney series. The stories are a bit simple and not very in depth; and the world isn’t fleshed out fully, but they’re fun and there is always something happening.

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But, searching through all of the books was time consuming and with a toddler/preschooler, you know they don’t have much attention span. That’s why I compiled this list of books about the ocean for preschoolers, so that you save your time and just pick up some awesome books. You’ll also likely build life-long memories about the sea and the amazing creatures in it.

The Big Book of the Blue
If you have a little one who loves this ocean, this book is amazing! The illustrations are well done, with lots of color. While staying age appropriate, it also gives lots of really cool facts about the ocean and the animals that live there.

Somewhere in the Ocean by Jennifer Ward. A counting book of different sea animal mothers and their babies.

Simple and fun to look at, this is a great beginning book about the ocean and its animals.

I’ll Follow the Moon by Stephanie Lisa Tara, is a book about sea turtles finding their way from their nests into the ocean. It was inspired by a night when the author saw hundreds of sea turtles crossing the beach in the moonlight outside her home in Florida. The illustrations are adorable and the repetition is perfect for little ones.

If I Were a Whale by Shelley Gill, is rhyming board book describing different types of whales with easy to understand facts like where they live and what they eat. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers alike.

One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies is another cute book about sea turtles making their way to the ocean. Written both in easy to read and understand prose and smaller text that gives more “facts” about sea turtles, this book blends fiction and non-fiction beautifully.

A Swim through the Sea by Kristin Pratt-Serafini is an alphabet book for parents and children. Each letter represents a different sea creature, with an alliterative description led by a cute seahorse.

Save the Ocean by Bethany Stahl is a fictional, easy to follow story with pretty illustrations. It teaches kids about the need to save the ocean through recycling and conservation.

Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible Alvin by Michelle Cusolito lets readers experience a day in the life of an Alvin pilot. You’ll join scientists at the seafloor to collect samples and conduct research. Alvin is a robot/submarine that can travel deep into the water to discover things there. It also explains how Alvin works, describes the author’s research, and includes a glossary and further reading list.

Hooray for Fish by Lucy Cousins is one of my favorite books about the ocean for preschoolers. It’s very simple and perfect for toddlers, but my seven year old still loves it too. The illustrations are fun a whimsical and the rhyming and poetic writing will keep them engaged.

The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson is a beautiful rhyming book about a snail in search of adventure. He finds a whale who takes him on one and they become friends. But when the whale is in danger, will the tiny snail be able to help?

Manfish: A story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne, is an easy to understand, large text story about Jacques Cousteau. The illustrations are fun and the story about the famous oceanographer is engaging, even for little ones.

Down, Down, Down, a Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins, has beautiful illustrations. Plus, this simple word story about creatures of the deep will keep young children fascinated by the interesting facts they learn.

With this list of books about the ocean for preschoolers, your little one is sure to satisfy their love of the ocean and sea animals. And they’re a beautiful addition to your home library too!

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Well, with some intention and thought, creating a home library on a budget that everyone in your home can enjoy can be fun, not break the bank and leave you some walking room too.

Why is a home library important?

Keeping good books around is a vital part of encouraging kids to read. The better stocked your library, the more likely they are to pick them up and want to read them. The more they want to read them, the better readers they’ll be. They are the stories that help them fall asleep, and the books they reach for at story time. But it isn’t just the quantity of books–the quality of the books matters too.

Our home libraries are usually a combination of books we enjoy, books that show off what we aspire to be, and books that project what we want others to think about us as well. Building it can also reflect who you are at a given time, what your interests are and what phase of life you’re in.

When you get the right books in your library, they can become the books you treasure and go back to again and again.

Knowing your why

Simon Sinek is famous for helping entrepreneurs discover why they are in business and why they exist. It helps you figure out what you’re doing and move forward.

Well, the same can be said for your home library. These are a few questions you can ask yourself:
Why do you want one?
Why are you building it?
Who is it for?
What purpose will it serve?

The answers don’t need to be too deep. There isn’t a department of home libraries giving out permits or licenses. This is your thing, and it can be whatever you want, for whatever reasons you want. But, having an idea of what you do want, will help you not go crazy and buy everything you see just because it’s there.

My library of books has been a work in progress for most of my life. I’ve always loved books and had a large collection. But, when I left home for college I left most of them behind, as many people do. Then my parents moved, and most of them were “lost.” So, I’ve spent the majority of my adult life building my collection back up, adding favorites and finding new ones.

I want to have a home library filled with books from my childhood and teen years that I want my kids to read too. Maybe to pass on to them or my grandchildren some day. I want to be able to pick up a book at any time and be reasonably sure I’ll like it. It is for me and my family–perhaps my kids even more than myself–because I want them to love reading and have a varied collection.

See, not too difficult or deep. Once you know why you’re building a library, it’s easier to know what to add and be more selective about the books you’re choosing. This helps you save money by not wasting it on books you’re unlikely to enjoy.

Choosing books for your home library

When building my library, now I often go for quality over quantity. But, that has not always been the case. When my kids were little we were reading so many stories all of the time that I would often pick up anything that looked interesting or thought they may like just to give us more variety. Especially inexpensive ones. My goal was to have as many books as possible.

But, now my goal is to be a bit more careful in choosing and think about what my kids and I will enjoy rather than just adding a book because it was $2. Which is fine, because libraries aren’t stagnant. They should be constantly changing and growing depending on what stage of life you’re in, what the purpose of your library is, and what your current needs are.

When it comes to choosing books for your library, go back to your purpose and what types of books you like.

Are you a fan of mysteries? Of fiction, non-fiction, classics or romance? Do you want a large, varied collection, or a smaller more specialized one? All of these choices are up to you and what you want because your library is yours!

How to build a library on a budget

So, now you know what kind of books you want, and why you want to go about creating a home library. But, how do you do it without breaking the bank?

There are lots ways to go about it, but I’ll talk about just a few.

Remember when I said up there that I used to get LOTS of kids books? That was mostly through Scholastic Book Clubs. They have such great deals on books that it can be hard NOT to go crazy and get everything. Just remember your why. (Which, if it is to have as many books as possible, go as crazy as you want!) They’re a great budget-friendly option!

The books I am most likely to get are classics, award winners and popular series for my kids. That way I know they’ll be good quality, and they’re books I really want my kids to read. We are currently getting a monthly subscription box of books that I, and my girls LOVE, which helps us diversify and get books we wouldn’t normally find for ourselves too–but can return if they aren’t something we want to keep.

For myself, I rarely buy a book that I’m unsure of. I’ve either read it before, or I’ve read a sample and was intrigued by the story, or I’ve read a book by the same author and can reasonably assume I’ll like their other books too. I do pick up classic works that I haven’t read, but want in my collection because I feel like they should be there. I’ve gone through several of them during the past six months, so I’m happy I had them.

It isn’t very often that I buy a book at full price either. I love discount and second hand book sellers. They keep great books in circulation, and I get to add more books that I really want to my library for a great price.

Also, you don’t have to get everything at once either. Sometimes I forget this little fact and want sooooooo many. That’s why I keep a list in the notes app on my phone. I can search for books I want and add them when I have a bit extra in my book budget that month.

Finding Space for Your Books

Once you’re creating your library, space is definitely a factor. Even when you’re careful, adding too many books can be a problem if you have a small area. Having many different places for books can help with this. A bookcase in multiple rooms, shelves on the walls, or even in a basket.

And if they really are getting too unmanageable, it could be time for a book culling. Go through your books and pull out any that you just really don’t want anymore. Maybe you read it and didn’t love it. Or can’t even remember why or where you got it in the first place. Donating your books to the library or a charity is a great option. Or selling them to a secondhand book store can be even better.

As you create your home library, just remember the two most important things to think about are why you want a library at home and the types of books you want in it. With the answers to these questions in mind, you’ll be able to create an awesome home library over time that you and your family will love.

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There’s just something about middle grade fiction that speaks to so many emotions. To the challenges and the process of growing up that make them essential reading.

I’ve also found that the character and plot development is often superior to many young adult and adult fiction books. Maybe it’s because they have to catch and keep a young person’s attention and so there has to be a real plot and interesting characters right away. Or maybe because they have to write more simply and straightforwardly than books for older people. Whatever the reason, I come away from my middle grade reads feeling satisfied. Like I learned something, gained valuable insights, or just had fun reading in a way that I often don’t with “grown up” books.

What makes must read middle grade book?

Obviously taste is subjective, and what one person loves another person could really, um, not. But, when books win awards for outstanding children’s literature, there’s usually a pretty good reason! Now, not all of these fall into that category, but many do.

A book is a must read if it has important life lessons that can help you grow and become a better person. The characters develop and change as the story goes along; and you as the reader grow and change along with them. The story often helps you as the reader look at the world from a different perspective.

All of these books are on this list because I feel they have these qualities. So, here are some of my must read middle grade books, in no particular order:

Witch of Blackbird Pond

Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare, is one of my all-time favorite books. Speare is known for her historical fiction, and this one won the Newbery Medal in 1959.

It begins in 1687 and tells the story of Kit Tyler, an English girl born and raised in Barbados. She is the wealthy granddaughter of a prominent plantation owner. Kit travels to Puritan Connecticut to live with an aunt she’s never met and finds she doesn’t fit in with the very different way of life. She ends up meeting an old woman, who also doesn’t fit in, and they become friends. Will Kit learn to be more like her cousins, will she ever fit in? Prejudices and superstitions threaten from all sides.

I love it because it shows the strength of character Kit has. And that even though your beliefs may differ from someone else, judgments, prejudices and treating people badly just because they’re different is not ok.

Wrinkle in Time

Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle is the first book in a fantasy/sci-fi series that won the Newbery Medal in 1963.

It tells the story of Meg Murray and how she travels through space and time along with her little brother and friend to save her dad, who is a scientist, and has disappeared. They are helped by a neighbor who turns out to be a supernatural being. They travel to other planets and meet fantastic creatures on their journey.

It a fun story, full of challenges, surprises and requires a lot of emotional growth from Meg.

Maniac Magee

Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli has been one of my favorites since I was about 12. It won the Newbery Medal in 1991.

This book covers themes of racism, inequality and how we have the power to come together as a community. It tells the story of Jeffrey, “Maniac” Magee who is an orphan boy looking for home when he stumbles upon the town of Two Mills, which is racially segregated east and west. He has a special talent for athleticism and being helpful to people, and becomes a local legend.

I love this book because instead of the main character really changing and growing a lot, its the others around him that he has a positive affect on. By being himself, and being ignorant of the tensions that divide his adopted town, he draws others together.

Wonder

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio is about a 10 year old boy with severe facial deformities who is entering school for the first time in 5th grade because his parents want him to experience the world and find a place in it outside his loving home. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell real friends from fake, to stand up for others in the face of bullies and to see people for who they are on the inside.

I love this book because it changed my heart and couldn’t wait for my kids to read it. It is filled with wit, wisdom and character-building precepts courtesy of English teacher Mr. Browne, that I think is a beautiful way for children–and adults–to find compassion for others.

Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1978 and is a beautiful tribute to friendship and growing up.

It’s about 2 unlikely friends who create a secret magical–to them–place in the woods near their homes. Here they can play and rule in their land of Terabithia. Some of the book deals with bullying and understanding that people have stories that we often don’t know about, but should treat them kindly anyway.

SPOILER ALERT FOR PARENTS: Near the end of the book, one of the children dies in an accident and the other characters deal with their grief and guilt.

I love this book and recommend my children to read it because of the themes that it deals with and life lessons that the characters learn. From dealing with class differences, having compassion for others, and friendship, this story stays with you for a long time.

Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt is consistently on lists of the top chapter books for children and has won several awards.

It tells the story of a wealthy girl in a small town at the turn of the 20th century. She is bored with her life, stuck behind the fence of her house and always made to act like a lady. One day she sneaks out to the woods across the road and sees a teenage boy drinking from a spring. She wants some water, but he insists she not drink it, and she isn’t happy about it. Finally he has to tell her why not–because it will give her eternal life.

The story is about immortality and how it may not be as great as it seems. It’s also about friendship and doing the right thing and what it means to be alive.

I love this book because of the simple, yet complex theme that it tackles and does so in such a concise and interesting way. It’s a short book, with prose that is easy to follow, but the story is engrossing and well done.

The Little Prince

Originally written in French by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince is a very short story with profound meaning about living life in the best way possible.

The story is told by a narrator, an aviator crash landed in the Sahara Desert. He’s trying to repair his plane when he meets “the little prince.”

The little prince has come from a tiny little planet where he lived alone with a beautiful rose. He decided to visit other planets to see if there was somewhere he might like better because he felt the rose wasn’t treating him well.

The book then describes the other planets and what he finds there, finally arriving on Earth and meeting the narrator. It’s largely a commentary on childhood versus adulthood and what makes life beautiful.

I love it because it’s simple, yet vague and can seem complicated at times. There’s symbolism and great life lessons to be taken from it.

The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry rivals Witch of Blackbird Pond in my favorites. Winner of the Newbery Medal in 1994 and is often read in middle school English classes.

It tells the story of a boy named Jonas as he approaches his 12th birthday in his Utopian community. Everything is planned out and organized to give citizens the best outcome.

After Jonas is given a unique job and learns from The Giver he begins to see his community isn’t all he thought.

I love this book because it is both exciting trying to discover what’s really wrong in this society. It’s also terrifying once you discover what is happening. It also shows you what can happen when one person is willing to stand up for what he believes in.

There are 3 other books in the series, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and The Son that follow the characters that Lowry wrote several years later that I highly recommend.

This list is by no means complete, but these must read middle grade books are a great place to start! What are your favorite middle-grade reads? Tell me in the comments below!

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Summary

I heard about A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi months ago, and when I saw it on a list of must read books for YA I was intrigued. It’s about Shirin, a 16 year old American girl who is also an Iranian Muslim. She wears a head scarf and is subjected to the fear, prejudice and racism of others in the aftermath of 9/11. In her new school she meets Ocean, an all-American boy who seems to see her for who she is and not what she looks like. Can they be together, or will outside forces tear them apart?

The official description:

It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped.

Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments–even the physical violence–she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day. So she’s built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her. Instead, she drowns her frustrations in music and spends her afternoons break-dancing with her brother.

But then she meets Ocean James. He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. It terrifies her–they seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds–and Shirin has had her guard up for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down.

First impressions

One of the reasons I love books is that they have the ability to draw you out of your own world and see things from a perspective that you never would otherwise. This book does that. I sped through it. I was appalled that some of the things happen at all. And appreciative that some of them would have very different outcomes today in the age of cellphones and video cameras.

The racism, prejudice and fear exhibited by characters young and old is astounding, but realistic. I want to say that times have changed, but with these same things showing up on the news daily, it is sad to say they haven’t.

The writing

At first the tone and pacing of the writing was annoying in it’s juvenility. But then I quickly reminded myself that duh, it’s meant to be for juveniles, not adults, so I didn’t mind.

The way it’s written, I felt like I was just hanging out with Shirin, and she was telling me what her sophomore year in high school was like. Not stream of consciousness exactly, but as a great story teller. She knew what parts to skip and which ones to focus on to help me get to know her story.

The main characters we’re pretty well fleshed out and had some depth to them, which is always good. But there were also some characters that existed just to provide some drama at times.

Why it’s an important book

I, as a white woman who grew up as a member of the majority religion in a non diverse state, obviously have no personal experience with this. The only Middle Eastern person I knew was my best friend. She was also Catholic, and the beloved valedictorian; so I got no education in the complexities of race, racism or what it’s like to be misjudged because of fear. That is the reason books like this need to exist. To educate the privileged. One of the profound passages is this:

“I tried to tell him that the bigots and the racists had always been there, and he said he’d honestly never seen them like this, that he never thought they could be like this, and I said yes, I know. I said that’s how privilege works. He was stunned.”

Shirin, a Very Large Expanse of Sea

This book draws you in and makes you want to know what will happen next, because there is something heart pounding in either it’s awesomeness or in its awfulness whenever characters interact.

My take

Read this book. It was an education. And also a reflection on what it means to be human, the feelings of first love and the profound affect we have on each other for good or bad.

Age Range: I’d say grades 8+, but possibly for advanced 12-13 year olds.

Side note, there is a fair amount of swearing, mostly by Shirin, so proceed with caution.

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By chance, several of the books I’ve read recently have had themes dealing with the affects of racism, religious stereotyping, physical disabilities and mental disabilities. They’ve explored the way that knowledge, education and empathy are the key to making the world a better place for everyone.

It is time to change the world. It is time to stand up and not accept the way things have been going any more. It needs to stop. It needs to change. Now.

Below is a list of books for different ages to help kids, teens and adults understand what racism is, and how to build a better, safer, more just America for everyone.

Young Kids:

A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory. This is a very simple book that uses words and phrases a young child can understand, to describe a big concept.
When you don’t know where to start, this is a good option. It’s good for kids as young as 3 or 4 on up.

Early Grades

Something Happened in our Town by Marianne Celano and Marietta Collins

This book follows two families — one white, one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children’s questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives. It includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing race and racism with children, child-friendly definitions, and sample dialogues.

Free, downloadable educator materials (including discussion questions) are available at www.apa.org.

Upper/Middle Grade

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor was a book that I read when I was young–and it became one of my favorites. It’s currently on my must-read list for my own kids. The book is about a young African American girl named Cassie and the racism her family deals with in Mississippi during the Great Depression and Jim Crow era. Told from Cassie’s perspective, the reader sees through her eyes what it’s like growing up in that place and time. The injustice and blatant cruelty made a big impact on me as a child, and is especially important now. This is a great book for kids about the detrimental effects of racism.

Understanding the history of racism–systemic and overt–that happened in the past, is critical to ending it now.

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli has been on my Reeder Family must-read list for a while, and obviously still is. I can’t remember how many times I’ve read it, but it’s a lot. The study in racism is more subtle in this book, but just as profound. It tells the story of Jeffrey (Maniac) Magee, an orphan who drifts from town to town and settles in Two Mills, Pennsylvania. He is an athletic prodigy, and through is amazing feats may be just the person to integrate his racially segregated town.

Young Adult/Upper Grades

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. This one was a must. This book is powerful in its direct and unflinching call out of racism in America and the consequences of the quick to shoot police that are doing the opposite of protecting people.

To be fully honest and transparent, this book has never been on my reading list. With so many books on my to read list, this one didn’t seem like my kind of book. And it isn’t. But then America very visibly turned upside down and I knew I needed to read it anyway. It still isn’t what I’d usually pick up. It makes me uncomfortable. And that’s why it’s important to keep going. If you’re only going to read one book for kids about racism, make it this one. I had no idea. Now I do. Now I can make different choices.

The official summary:
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does–or does not–say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

For Non-fiction read Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Jason Reynolds.

This is a rewrite for a younger audience of Dr Ibram X. Kendi’s award winning book Stamped from the Beginning.

This is NOT a history book.
This is a book about the here and now.
A book to help us better understand why we are where we are.
A book about race.

The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. It reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited.

Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative written by beloved award-winner Jason Reynolds, this book shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas–and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives.

Adults

I know I said this was about kids books, but adults need to know these things too. All of the above books are a great place for adults to start. If you want something written specifically for adults you could try Dr. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning. If you have a teen, you could read your versions together and compare notes and have a discussion about them.
Another option is:

So you want to talk about race by Ijeoma Oluo.

This book is illuminating. I had several ah ha moments, so much more understanding, understood previous encounters so much more, and have more courage to have discussions about race

Widespread reporting on aspects of white supremacy–from police brutality to the mass incarceration of Black Americans–has put a media spotlight on racism in our society. Still, it is a difficult subject to talk about. How do you tell your roommate her jokes are racist? Why did your sister-in-law take umbrage when you asked to touch her hair–and how do you make it right? How do you explain white privilege to your white, privileged friend?

In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to “model minorities” in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life.

This is not an exhaustive list, of course. It’s just a place to start; but that’s the important part. Starting your kids’ education about racism is critical to being part of the solution to a problem that I’m only just starting to learn about and understand myself.

How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi is powerful. This book changed my entire perspective and given me a profound shift in the way that I view racism, what it is to be racist, and the way that is has permeated our society–which is necessary to begin changing it. I am forever changed for the better.

Official summary:
At it’s core, racism is a powerful system that creates false hierarchies of human value; its warped logic extends beyond race, from the way we regard people of different ethnicities or skin colors to the way we treat people of different sexes, gender identities, and body types. Racism intersects with class and culture and geography and even changes the way we see and value ourselves.

In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas–from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilites–that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their posionous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves. Kendi weaves an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science with his own personal story of awakening to antiracism. This is an essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a just and equitable society.

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Editor’s note: This post has been updated from it’s original.

The post Books to Help Kids (and Adults) Understand Racism appeared first on Vibrant Mom Society.

My heart nearly stopped beating, I cried and I might have had a mild panic attack once or twice while reading this book. Not bad One Day in December, not bad.

I’ve had my eye on this one for a while, and as Reese’s Book Club pick I knew it would be good, but whew! This is definitely going on my read again list for sure. (ok…I may have actually already re-read most of it). It’s the kind of book you want to go back and reread passages over again to let them sink in. The phrasings are thought provoking, interesting and sometimes just so heartfelt you need them to wash over you again and again.

What’s it about?

So, what’s it about? It’s about a young man and woman whose eyes meet one December day when she’s on the bus and he’s at the bus stop. The instant attraction they feel is powerful. But, the bus pulls away, leaving him behind. For the next year the woman, Laurie, looks for her “bus boy” everywhere and doesn’t see him again. Until the next Christmas when he shows up at her house as the new boyfriend of her best friend and flatmate Sarah. (Insert knife in heart!)

What follows is 9 years of Jack, Laurie and Sarah’s relationships–with each other, with others, and their families as they navigate their 20s with new jobs, grief, tragedy and love.

Here’s the official summary:

Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story.Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn’t exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there’s a moment of pure magic…and then her bus drives away. Certain they’re fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn’t find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they “reunite” at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It’s Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.

The good

One of the things I love the most is that Josie is able to create a romantic story about love and friendship and growing up that’s so rooted in reality. She doesn’t invent crazy situations just to see what her character will do. They’re like real people. Their decisions and paths follow a sometimes tragic, sometimes wonderful path that feels real. Things don’t always go the way we think they will. Life is full of the unexpected, and finding your way isn’t always easy.

I also love that it had me examining my relationships with those I love as well–girl friends, family, my husband, in a way that I hadn’t before. One strand of conversation between Sarah and Laurie when they’re talking about where their place is in the world is this: “Your place isn’t somewhere, it’s someone.” I LOVE that line. I’d never thought of it like that before, but it’s so true. When you’re with the right person, you’ll go anywhere they are, just to be with them. Life takes unexpected twists and turns, and as we get older our world expands more and more. Friendships can be tested by events or by miles, but it doesn’t mean they have to break.

I sincerely cared about these characters, and even though I’d read the summary and had an idea of where it would end, I had no idea what would happen in the middle. I stayed up very late to get to the end, and I was not disappointed.

The bad?

Nothing. There is nothing bad. Is it a perfect book? No. Was everything written the way I’d write it (or wished it was written? No. Usually it was little things that I wish had been more, or phrased in a bit of a different way.

Are there some things that don’t make total sense? Yes. A few. But this is fiction people. That’s the point. It’s not EXACTLY like real life. But it did feel pretty close.

Final thoughts

I heart this book. It is a romance that doesn’t use graphic sex as a way of making it sound grown up. It could be a YA, but the characters are adults and have adult choices and decisions to make–which is so refreshing.

Read this book if you like modern romance, stories about friendship and the journey we take along the way.

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Also, I don’t like committing to subscriptions unless it’s for a gift or something, because with 3 kids, the monthly cost really adds up.

But, the more I looked into it, I saw how different it was from others and that I needed it in my life…I mean, my kids’ lives.

What is the Literati Book Club Box?

Well, it’s a box full of books that arrives on your doorstep every month. Pretty cool, huh?! Especially right now since most libraries are closed and heading to the book store isn’t quite a thing. There are online book stores, including our own Vibrant Mom Books, but, what’s cool about this one is that all of the books are curated and chosen by professionals who know all about the best, most recent, most loved books. Yes please! (For more on how they do that, click here.)

Each month, a bright and happy blue box shows up at your door with five books in it. When you sign up, you select the age range of books you want your child to have. There are five different levels ranging from newborn up to 12.

What are the age ranges?

Each level, or age range has a cute name to go with it.

1. Neo is for newborn to age 3, and includes board books with bright colors and fun characters
2. Sprout is for ages 3-5, and includes picture books with fun, simple stories
3. Nova is for ages 5-7 and includes more advanced picture books with more complex stories and beginning readers.
4. Sage is for ages 7-9 has early chapter book series, graphic novels, nonfiction and activity books.
5. Phoenix is for ages 9-12. It has more advanced chapter books, new and classic middle grade novels plus some nonfiction and activity books.

Because my daughters are 7 and 9, we got both the Sage box and the Phoenix box.

What are the books like?

Honestly, I hadn’t heard of almost all of the books in the two boxes we received. It doesn’t mean they’re obscure or weird, just that I wasn’t familiar with many of them. I liked that because it exposed us to new authors and stories we may not have otherwise seen.

Let’s break it down.

The Sage box–for kids ages 7-9 contained a mixture of hardcover and soft cover books of varying degrees of difficulty. A couple of the books were too easy or not my daughter’s taste.

But, she was very excited about The Secret Rescuers and Henry Whiskers.

When it came to the Phoenix box, I was curious what kind of books they’d be and if they’d appeal to both my 9 year old and my 12 year old–and they did!

There were both fiction and nonfiction, hard cover and soft cover, and one book that I couldn’t wait to dive into myself. I felt like the books were just right for this age range. And, a mixture of a more popular book–Spy School, with lesser known books, like The Collectors.

What if I don’t like the books?

This may be my favorite feature of this book box and why I chose it over other options. The subscription is only $9.95 a month. Plus the cost of the books you choose to keep.

If you don’t like a book, or you’ve read it before, or already own it, just send them back within a week in the box it came in with the enclosed prepaid return label and you’re not charged for them. You only get charged for the ones you keep!

There is a price breakdown of each book on the included packing list so you know how much each one will cost.

The prices are always the same or lower than the list price on Amazon, so you don’t have to comparison shop.

Even better? You can skip a month or cancel any time. Being able to skip months is especially nice if you’re going to be traveling, or get a back up of books that you want the kids to read first. The flexibility the Literati book club box offers is my second most favorite feature after the price.

Cons

The one problem that I have with it is that I may end up spending more money on books than usual because I just want them all and don’t want to send any back!

In this case I’m really listening to my kids and their interests because they’re for them.

Final thoughts on the Literati Book Box

I am a fan. My kids are fans. There wasn’t anything about this experience that I didn’t like. I did have one question, that came up because I had two boxes. My interaction with customer service was a great experience as well.

My question was about if I should/could put the books that we were returning in the same box, or if they needed to be returned in the box they came in. The answer was that it’s easier for them to process if they return in the same box because the return label is associated with a specific box. If you do need to put them together, just write a nice little note letting them know which child’s books are which and it’ll be fine too.

You can also buy one time gift boxes with based on a theme if you want to give it as a gift. More info about that here: Literati Gift Box

I can’t wait for our next box, and I know my girls can’t either.

If you try it out using this link, right now you’ll get a $20 book credit on your account too!

Check out the unboxing video for each one below:

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