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Be you!

5/21/2023

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A Boy And His Mirror is by 1st-time author and actor Marchant Davis. Chris, the main character, is judged by his hair and looks for a way to be accepted at school.

He asks his mirror for advice. Through his mom's support and the wisdom of his conversation with the mirror, he learns a strategy to communicate with his peers at school to understand who he is.

This book will help provide a conversation about self-acceptance, empathy, and friendship. This book also relates to Black boys who like to have long hair. 

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Good Trouble and Current Events

5/21/2023

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With the recent happenings of the Tennessee 3, #tn3 , Peabody Library wanted to present the use of resources to draw comparisons in helping young people understand current events.

One example is Brad Meltzer's book 'I am John Lews'. It is a fantastic book to understand civil rights, advocacy, discrimination, and using your voice for #goodtrouble.

The biography uses a picture book/comic approach detailing Lewis' upbring, influences, and courageous actions as he grew in the movement to promote humanity.
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Brown is LOVE!

5/21/2023

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This picture book, by preschool teacher, Ron Grady, shows love to all things brown. Showing scenes from family to nature this book, told in lyrical text, celebrates shades of brown to ensure children feel encouraged in seeing their brown selves as beautiful!
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The Talk

5/21/2023

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Written by Alicia D. Williams and Illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, this title shares the moments many Black and Brown parents and guardians experience with their children in order to keep them safe in spaces.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) research, “Black boys as young as 10 may not be viewed in the same light of childhood innocence as their white peers, but are instead more likely to be mistaken as older, be perceived as guilty and face police violence if accused of a crime."
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Williams shows the humanity and nature of a young boy Jay, the main character, and his friends as they play. Also shown is the adultification and scrutiny Black and Brown children face based on negative stereotypes and perceptions.

The author masterfully intertwines the family's affirmation of Jay as a growing child with everyday interests and joy in contrast to protecting him from a racialized environment he should not have to navigate in a racialized.

Muodiri Uchendu's illustrations reflect the visual comparisons represented in the storyline. The playfulness and warmth of the family, neighborhood, and friends embody the humanity supporting the major themes of the story.

This book provides a sensitive introduction to a difficult topic.

Our content focuses on ensuring young Black males have a positive literacy and literary experience. Follow us and suggest our profile to others who would be interested.
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Bayard Rustin, Civil Rights Leader

5/21/2023

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Carole Boston Weatherford & Rob Sanders co-author the book, A Song For The Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington. This title details Bayard's early life, including his family's Quaker influence, the difficulty in positioning him as a gay man within the Civil Rights Movement, and his credit as an instrumental player organizing the March on Washington & the 10 Demands.

Carole brilliantly incorporates freedom spirituals throughout the story. The brave storytelling is an affirming narrative in children's literature. 

This is a picture book. I would suggest this for upper elementary through high school. With LGBTQ discrimination, one has to be prepared to teach intersectionality and the humanity of Bayard Rustin. This book will help in the discussion of honoring one's civil rights.

Beautiful illustrated by Byron McCray using acrylics, newspaper and sheet music.
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Dr. Carter G. Woodson, American Historian

5/21/2023

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This picture book, Carter G Woodson Reads the Paper is a book focusing on his desire to go to school and documenting his desire to prove Black History exists .

This illustrations are bright and appealing. His story is beautifully detailed.The theme of perseverance is shown as he places such a high value on education and reading. Also, the theme of validating Black History is highlighted in this book 

Fun fact from this book... Did you know that Dr. Carter G Woodson was the first Black person whose parents had been enslaved to receive a doctorate degree from Harvard University?

My only suggestion with this title, is to introduce terms enslaved and enslaver for terms like slave and master to provide value of the actions and positions
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Intersectionality, social justice & advocacy

5/21/2023

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Originally published in 2018, this book is very relevant as a text to have conversations around the social justice issues of today.

Moss Jefferies, an Oakland teen, who's father died at the hands of the police. After his friend faces brutality from high school security, Moss' participation in a school protest brings his past to the present.

Topics in this story include sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, race, police brutality, immigration and ethnicity.

A very engaging text for young adults.

This award-winning book is a great recommendation for teens and youth book clubs.
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Share books about this amazing athlete and humanitarian.

5/21/2023

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Pele, King of soccer.
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Emile and the Field

5/21/2023

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Written by poet Kevin Young and beautifully illustrated by Chioma Ebinama, this story shares the relationship a young Black boy has with the neighborhood fields and nature around him. 

The book provides a sense of wonder and sense of place in nature. The water color and ink illustrations reflect Emile's reverence for the natural world around him.

A fresh, rare story of a young Black male defining his place outside of an urban landscape.
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Family Time!

5/21/2023

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Reinforcing family connections, family reunions are a Black tradition to create roots and identity where family history is recounted, traditions are taught, and bonds are strengthened through shared memories.

Family Reunion by Chad & Dad Richardson and illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin, is a picture book telling the story of a young boy initially reluctant to go to his family's 10th reunion. This story shares many of the elements of a Black family reunion, the t-shirts, food, reminiscing, dancing, and church.

Share this story to introduce or reinforce a Black cultural tradition.
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    WE 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.

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