We’ve received a number of requests from around Wisconsin in recent days for books for children and teens addressing systemic racism. But just as important, we know, thanks to Black colleagues and book creators, are books that go beyond pain narratives and celebrate Black lives.
We also know that the work of seeking out and sharing books about Black experience is the responsibility of all of us doing work related to connecting young readers with books, not just of Black librarians and educators. But it’s important to know there are other wonderful curated lists available. Here are two to start with:
- Black Joy Booklist (Alia Jones, Cincinnati Public Library) (focus: Black experience)
- We Are Kidlit Collective Summer Reading lists (focus: Black, Indigenous and People of Color)
If you’re interested in purchasing books on any of these lists, check out this list of Black-owned bookstores.
Finally, by all means share the books on this list with white children, too; as a matter of course and intention sharing diverse books is essential. But if you are also looking specifically for books about race and racism, we have also created Race and Racism: Selected Books for Children and Teens.
We have chosen books for this list from among titles we’ve recommended for our annual best-of-the-year list, CCBC Choices, emphasizing books by Black creators. It is far from exhaustive; there are many other books we’ve recommended, and as the Cincinnati Public Library and other lists attest, many other books available for children and teens, acknowledging that Black Lives Matter by celebrating and affirming Black identity and speaking the truth of Black experiences.
Finally, by all means share the books on this list with white children, too; as a matter of course and intention sharing diverse books is essential. But if you are also looking specifically for books about race and racism, we have also created Race and Racism: Selected Books for Children and Teens.
We have chosen books for this list from among titles we’ve recommended for our annual best-of-the-year list, CCBC Choices, emphasizing books by Black creators. It is far from exhaustive; there are many other books we’ve recommended, and as the Cincinnati Public Library and other lists attest, many other books available for children and teens, acknowledging that Black Lives Matter by celebrating and affirming Black identity and speaking the truth of Black experiences.
To view the booklist, visit: https://ccbc.education.wisc.
For more information on anti-racism and activism
resources, please see these additional YSS posts:
- Race, Justice, Kids and Libraries 5/28/20
- CCBC - Black Experiences: Affirmation and Resilience, Activism and Resistance 6/19/20
- CCBC - Race and Racism: Selected Books for Children and Teens 6/19/20
- DPI- Race and Anti-Racism Resources for WI Libraries 6/22/20
- Antiracism Work with Preschoolers 6/24/20
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