 Bill Russell, Basketball Legend, Library Advocate and Reader.
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 We know we're late on the hype for this book, but it's still worthy of another favorable mention.
It's the End of the World and I'm in My Bathing Suit, by Justin A. Reynolds, is clever and downright fun to read AND it's centered on a kid from the great city of CLEVELAND, Ohio! Eddy's a 12 years old kid with ADHD trying to live his best summer life, ready to go to the Beach Bash, and then the adventure begins... The most engaging part of this book is how Eddy checks in with the reader as he explains his story. This upper elementary/middle school story is highly recommend for the young people who love a fun, slice of life story about a kid being a kid. Did we mention it featured Cleveland too! :) Excellent as an audiobook selection, as well. The narrator is awesome! Pick up a copy at your library or local Black owned bookstore! Two African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised a black gloved fist on the podium after winning the gold and bronze medal.
The new graphic novel, Dr. Tommie Smith's, Victory Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice with Derrick Barnes and Dawid Anyabwile is a memoir retelling his life story of a man who is the definition of COURAGE and PERSEVERANCE. From sharecropping to Olympian, Dr. Smith's must-read graphic novel discusses, Jim Crow South, westward Black migration, the Civil Rights Movement, Black Power movement in sports, Dr. Harry Edwards, Black athlete's role, and the moment leading up to and after the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. Dr. Smith also shares his loving family environment, the struggles to feel a part of integrated schools, being an athlete and a scholar, and perseverance. This graphic novel is such a worthy selection for curriculum, character building, social justice themes, history, sports, and comic/graphic novel fans. This is a stand out middle grade-high school book. Check it out at your local library and Black-owned book store. Nigel looks to the moon and dreams. He doesn't feel special enough to dream big out loud.
His parents help him affirm that he can believe and be all that he wants to be from where he is. Author Antwan Eady's story helps those who feel they are not from the 'right' space and know that they can accomplish their dreams from where and by who they are. He also provides a depiction of a loving, supportive, working-class family.  6 grader Chester, a biracial, 11 year old, balances being, a spy-in-training, looking for clues from his dad, a bully, and a worrying mother.
As he searches for clues to figure out a message from his father, Chester's meticulous life unfolds and he discovers lessons about change and adapting. What stands out in the book is that it takes the time to show a character working through relationship building and it's ups and down. It doesn't cut to a tidy solution. The characters goes through the perseverance, need to cope, grapple, and works through issues. A great book to use to create conversation with young men regarding their feelings and their lives. This story is about a young child from the city who is surprised by the beauty of nature visiting a park on a field trip.
Written by Carmen Bogan and illustrated by the great Floyd Cooper, this book expresses the importance of experiential learning. Check it out at your local library today.  The Adoption Network states about 135,000 children are adopted in the United States each year.
Colin Kaepernick writes an endearing book about a child understanding and finding confidence in being racially different in an adopted family. He shares his experience and affirms children to love the strength and history regarding their Blackness. The book includes diverse representation within the story's character. Also included is back matter of important Black leaders to learning more about advocates for Black pride. Check it out at your local library.  Author Jay Cole's story Things We Couldn't Say tells the story of a high school student Gio who is trying to make meaning of himself and his family.
As a Black bisexual teen its hard enough to figure out how to be his true self. Then his mother, who abandoned he and his father, returns to rekindle their relationship. Gio has to brave through his identity and family conflicts to find his truth and peace. This title is a leisure read for those who are interested in storylines involving family issues, identity, interracial relationships, and personal truths.  Magnolia Flower is a must purchase title this year.
Ibram Kendi's unearthing of the 1925 adaptation from Hurston's short story Magnolia Flower, gives honor to Zora's cultural and historical storytelling. Loveis Wise's illustrations use warm, approachable colors, beautifully incorporating ideas of nature and love in the images. The love stories are a central theme in this picture book. The historical setting and cultural themes are the highlights of a book that could be used from elementary through highschool aged student. Maroon, free communities, Indigenous relocation, escaping enslavement are topics for discussion with this title. |
AuthorSWE ARE HERE will provide you book reviews, discussions, news, and programming about literature and literacy by and about Black males. This site will also feature vlog conversations on topics related to the promoting literacy and voice for Black boys and young men. Archives
March 2025
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