Hey, remember me? I have been feeling a little MIA from my very favorite people - school counselors! You might have heard, I am writing a book! I have an amazing co-author and am thrilled to be sharing our thoughts on equity in school counseling with the world. I am not going to lie though, it's challenging stuff. I've been devoting all the free time I can to book writing and haven't been here with y'all as much as I would like. Our book is due to the publisher at the end of June so never fear, this too shall pass.
In the meantime, I want to share with you some of the social justice children's books that I have sitting in my Amazon cart. They look wonderful and I can't wait to get my hands on them. I'll do some Instagram Stories with walkthroughs so you can see the illustrations and hear my opinions about the books.
In the meantime, I want to share with you some of the social justice children's books that I have sitting in my Amazon cart. They look wonderful and I can't wait to get my hands on them. I'll do some Instagram Stories with walkthroughs so you can see the illustrations and hear my opinions about the books.
Equity Children's Books In My Cart
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I Am Enough by Grace Byers
What It's About: As a mother, educator, and counselor, I want to whisper these words into every girls' ear. We are all enough. Amazon describes it as "a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, a being kind to one another." Need I say more.
Why I'm Excited: As a white woman, and mother to a white girl, I love that this book brings the positive message of loving who you are with a black girl at the center. I want my child to see positive messages about children of different races to balance out the white-centered world we live in. As an educator, I love that this book features a black girl because I want my students to see themselves represented in the books that we read and the stories we tell. Also, Grace Byers of Empire fame!
What It's About: As a mother, educator, and counselor, I want to whisper these words into every girls' ear. We are all enough. Amazon describes it as "a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, a being kind to one another." Need I say more.
Why I'm Excited: As a white woman, and mother to a white girl, I love that this book brings the positive message of loving who you are with a black girl at the center. I want my child to see positive messages about children of different races to balance out the white-centered world we live in. As an educator, I love that this book features a black girl because I want my students to see themselves represented in the books that we read and the stories we tell. Also, Grace Byers of Empire fame!
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The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
What It's About: Unhei moves to the United States from Korea and is worried that no one will be able to pronounce her name. She tells her classmates that she will choose a name and they all put ideas in a jar to help her choose. One child from her class comes to her house and learns her real name and it's special meaning. The class encourages Unhei to go by her own name.
Why I'm Excited: Stand up on the soap box with me y'all. Names are important! Pronouncing names are important! It's not ok for us to ask kids and families to change their names to make it easier on us.
What It's About: Unhei moves to the United States from Korea and is worried that no one will be able to pronounce her name. She tells her classmates that she will choose a name and they all put ideas in a jar to help her choose. One child from her class comes to her house and learns her real name and it's special meaning. The class encourages Unhei to go by her own name.
Why I'm Excited: Stand up on the soap box with me y'all. Names are important! Pronouncing names are important! It's not ok for us to ask kids and families to change their names to make it easier on us.
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Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Masters' Strike of 1909
What It's About: Clara, an Ukranian Immigrant, moves to the United States and begins working in a garment factory. Frustrated by the terrible working conditions, Clara never gives up. She learns English and leads the largest walkout of women workers.
Why I'm Excited: Girl Power! I cannot wait to share this story with some strong girls in my life. So much to admire about this true story. Clara is an English Language Learner who overcomes obstacles to be a strong leader for change. I'm also excited about opening up discussions about child labor and poor working conditions that still go on today. I think that bringing up difficult topics alongside positive stories of historical relevance can make big problems seem less overwhelming or scary to younger children.
What It's About: Clara, an Ukranian Immigrant, moves to the United States and begins working in a garment factory. Frustrated by the terrible working conditions, Clara never gives up. She learns English and leads the largest walkout of women workers.
Why I'm Excited: Girl Power! I cannot wait to share this story with some strong girls in my life. So much to admire about this true story. Clara is an English Language Learner who overcomes obstacles to be a strong leader for change. I'm also excited about opening up discussions about child labor and poor working conditions that still go on today. I think that bringing up difficult topics alongside positive stories of historical relevance can make big problems seem less overwhelming or scary to younger children.
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The Youngest Marcher
What It's About: Get ready to be a rebel for change. Audrey Faye Hendricks was the youngest child ever to be arrested in the civil rights protests of Birmingham Alabama in 1963.
Why I'm Excited: My child has been to 3 marches in her young life and we will be going to her fourth in just a few weeks in DC. I want her to be active and strong. To take on the causes of our society with passion and that's just what Audrey Faye Hendricks models. For school, I think it would be an amazing discussion in an upper grade around doing what's right when it's hard. Visually, the book looks beautiful with an unusual layout and gorgeous illustrations.
What It's About: Get ready to be a rebel for change. Audrey Faye Hendricks was the youngest child ever to be arrested in the civil rights protests of Birmingham Alabama in 1963.
Why I'm Excited: My child has been to 3 marches in her young life and we will be going to her fourth in just a few weeks in DC. I want her to be active and strong. To take on the causes of our society with passion and that's just what Audrey Faye Hendricks models. For school, I think it would be an amazing discussion in an upper grade around doing what's right when it's hard. Visually, the book looks beautiful with an unusual layout and gorgeous illustrations.
Equity Books for Adults in my Cart
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Born a Crime
What It's About: Comedian Trevor Noah, The Daily Show, was born in apartheid South African to a white father and black mother. By law, this union was illegal and punishable by 5 years in prison. Noah's mother had to keep him hidden for many years so that she would not be arrested and he would not be taken away. After apartheid lifted, the mother and son were able to live openly for the first time..
Why I'm Excited: Trevor Noah is funny, I enjoy hearing him on the Daily Show and like his wit and charm. I knew that he was from South Africa but had no idea of the true story behind his childhood. I anticipate learning a lot about how races interact, changing systemic racism, and what it means to set apart from society around you.
What It's About: Comedian Trevor Noah, The Daily Show, was born in apartheid South African to a white father and black mother. By law, this union was illegal and punishable by 5 years in prison. Noah's mother had to keep him hidden for many years so that she would not be arrested and he would not be taken away. After apartheid lifted, the mother and son were able to live openly for the first time..
Why I'm Excited: Trevor Noah is funny, I enjoy hearing him on the Daily Show and like his wit and charm. I knew that he was from South Africa but had no idea of the true story behind his childhood. I anticipate learning a lot about how races interact, changing systemic racism, and what it means to set apart from society around you.
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For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood
What It's About: Dr. Emdin is a former classroom teacher turned professor whose experience has led to his theory of reality pedagogy. This book aims to share Emdin's experiences and wisdom from his time as a student and teacher in urban schools.
Why I'm Excited: This one is cheating a bit because I've already read this book. It's a dense read but worth the effort. I found it best to read a bit and take a break to reflect and practice concepts before returning. My sister is a 5th grade teacher and she and I read the book at the same time. She has implemented some of Emdin's ideas in her classroom. We both found his book to walk the line of the theoretical and the practical in a great way.
What It's About: Dr. Emdin is a former classroom teacher turned professor whose experience has led to his theory of reality pedagogy. This book aims to share Emdin's experiences and wisdom from his time as a student and teacher in urban schools.
Why I'm Excited: This one is cheating a bit because I've already read this book. It's a dense read but worth the effort. I found it best to read a bit and take a break to reflect and practice concepts before returning. My sister is a 5th grade teacher and she and I read the book at the same time. She has implemented some of Emdin's ideas in her classroom. We both found his book to walk the line of the theoretical and the practical in a great way.
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Going to School in Black and White
What It's About: Two students in Durham, North Carolina learn that they will need to change schools due to desegregation in their community. One student is black. One student is white. They later become friends as adults and share their stories in this memoir.
Why I'm Excited: I am participating in a book study with my daughter's school district for this book. I am interested to hear the stories of these two women. I think that the narrative of the students who experienced desegregation is under-represented in our stories of history. This was also apparent when I watched the powerful documentary Teach Us All and I want to continue my learning in this area.
What It's About: Two students in Durham, North Carolina learn that they will need to change schools due to desegregation in their community. One student is black. One student is white. They later become friends as adults and share their stories in this memoir.
Why I'm Excited: I am participating in a book study with my daughter's school district for this book. I am interested to hear the stories of these two women. I think that the narrative of the students who experienced desegregation is under-represented in our stories of history. This was also apparent when I watched the powerful documentary Teach Us All and I want to continue my learning in this area.
So what's on your book list? I am an avid reader (read 125 books last year!) and am always looking to add books to my ever-growing "to read" list. I would love for you to share your favorites with me.
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