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Anti-racism RecommendationS
Anti-racism RecommendationS
Alexander, Kwame. The Undefeated. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018.
The Undefeated is inspiration in verse, an original poem with woven in excerpts by some of the most celebrated Black American poets. Colorful and vivid illustrations show the endurance of unforgettable athletes, artists, and activists. Teachers can use this text as a springboard into students’ biographical exploration of many inspiring Black Americans who defied defeat. The Undefeated is a winner with multiple 2020 recognitions including the Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, and Coretta Scott King Book Award for Kadir Nelson's paintings of historical figures and contemporary heroes .
Consider a deeper exploration into the life of one the featured undefeated African Americans in Alexander and Nelson's picture book. Through the exploration of additional reliable sources, lift open the window into this person's life.
Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down. Illustrated by Brian Pinkney. San Diego: Harcourt Children's, 2006.
Through watercolor and India ink depictions of four friends' protest of segregation, this nonfiction text provides a historical account of white-only lunch counter sit-ins. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King’s nonviolent philosophy, David, Joseph, Franklin, and Ezell stand up to injustice by sitting down at a Woolworth lunch counter. Readers will realize that all forms of protest help lead the way to justice through the powerful role models in Sit-In.
Consider opening up other windows that provide a view of non-violent protest. Begin looking for these windows in age-appropriate news reporting on the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
Joy, Angela. Black is a Rainbow Color. Illustrated by Ekua Holmes. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2020.
Ekua Holmes' vivid paintings show a wide arc of positive Black culture and history while Angela Joy's rhyming text celebrates associations with the color Black. Though not a color in the rainbow, "Black is.." a celebration of lived experience from the bottom of one's feet to the inspiring words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Billie Holiday and Nina Simone's song "Don't Explain" is alluded to, and deeper exploration is offered in the back matter, including poetry by Langston Hughes and Paul Lawrence Dunbar, that complement the text.
Consider how Angela Joy's celebration of the color black may clash with the Julius Lester's theme in Let's Talk About Race. Help students see through this window that reveals the interconnectedness of culture and race.
Easton, Emily. Enough! 20 Protesters Who Changed America. Illustrated by Ziyue Chen. New York: Crown Books for Young Readers, 2018.
Enough! 20 Protestors Who Changed America is a 2019 National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council (CBC) Notable Social Studies Trade Books winner. Following the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland FL, Emily Easton chose to highlight 20 great activists who changed America. Featuring historical and contemporary revolutionaries like Samuel Adams to present-day athlete a Colin Kaepernick, Easton delivers one clear statement of the protestor’s action. Zyui Chen’s colorful and clear illustrations give life to the heroic accomplishment of each patriot who simply had enough and stood up in protest.
Consider widening your students' awareness of an advocate in your community who use their voice to stand up and protest. Help students open the window to see and hear more about the productivity of protest.
Lester, Julius. Let's Talk About Race. Illustrated by Karen Barbour. New York: Amistad, 2009.
Accomplished children's literature author Julius Lester shares his own story, stressing that his race is just one aspect of his identity. Each page poses a question for readers, an opportunity to dialogue about race, ethnicity, culture, and discrimination. Readers realize, that underneath the clothes and skin color, we are all the same. Karen Barbour's vibrant mixed media with a folkart-feel, help illustrate the message of interconnected humanity. Let's Talk About Race has world-wide recognition as a White Ravens Award Winner (2006) granted by the International Children's Digital Library.
Consider presenting Let's Talk About Race as your first read-aloud with discussion prompts. Lester's theme that race should not define a person is echoed in each of the anti-racism recommendations in this exhibit.
Winter, Jonah. Lillian's Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Illustrated by Shane W. Evans. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2015.
100 year-old Lillian, inspired by Lillian Allan who voted for Barack Obama in 2008, shows readers the African American battle for the right to vote. Lillian is determined to vote, a right for all Americans. Shane E. Evan's realistically painted pictures of Lillian's uphill struggle to secure the right to vote accompanies Jonah Winter's historically accurate century-long struggle. Lillian's Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a 2019-2020 California Young Reader Medal nominee.
Consider sharing this book a month before an election. In addition to discussing the right to vote, also discuss voters' responsibilities. These discussions may lead to student-generated Letters to the Editor of a community newspaper in which your students provide readers a window that describes how adult votes and decisions impact their lives.
These Grades 3-5 Antiracist Recommendations, descriptive reviews, and curricular considerations are carefully offered after consultation of a variety of online resources with particular attention to the Children’s Literature Collective Database and the educator resource TeachingBooks.org.
(Please consult the *Resources tab for links to additional book finding and educator resources.)
Older readers benefit too, when educators incorporate picture books in upper-middle grade classrooms. Don't underestimate the power of an excellent read-aloud children's book!
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