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READING FOR KIDS
Raise anti-racist kids with the help of these books
By Danielle Teigen
Diversity, inclusion and racial equality are terms being used in daily conversation these days, following several national protests sparked by the brutal death of George Floyd while being detained by Minneapolis police officers. The movement has bloomed here in Fargo-Moorhead, too, with marches, protests and events aimed at illuminating issues of systemic racism and creating an inclusive community.
While many adults struggle with talking about racism, imagine how hard it is for kids to comprehend the complex topic. Perhaps one of the best places to start is to find books on the subject that make the subject more approachable for both parents and children.
At Zandbroz in downtown Fargo, people can find a number of titles for readers of all ages, with a specific list of recommended books shared June 4 in a Facebook post.
Josie Danz, general manager at Zandbroz, said many of the titles are in stock at the store or are in such demand, they are being reprinted and re-stocked. Zandbroz staff members provided the following insights on their favorite titles geared toward children and young adults:
"Not My Idea: A Book about Whiteness" by Anastasia Higginbotham
A picture book about racism and racial justice, inviting white children and parents to become curious about racism, accept that it’s real, and cultivate conversation and justice. The collage artwork and the curiosity of the child character make this a great introductory book for a discussion about racism.
"Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World" by Susan Wood
Featuring the stories of 14 revolutionary young women who sparked change in the world through persistence and determination. These women span the history of the U.S. and the many races that make up our population. This picture book features artwork by 13 different women artists. (By the way, there's even a teaching guide to help you make the most of this compilation.)
"A Place to Land: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Speech that Inspired a Nation" by Barry Wittenstein
In lyrical prose and striking illustrations, this picture book brings to life the renowned “I Have a Dream” speech of Martin Luther King, Jr., that continues to inspire and inform new generations.
“What’s the point in having a voice if you’re going to be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?”
Though "The Hate U Give" is a work of fiction, it gives the reader an intimate look into the life of protagonist, Starr, so much so that it feels all too real at times. Angie Thomas gives readers an approachable exposure to black culture, cultural appropriation, covert and internalized racism, and how the weight of those things impacts one teenage girl’s life. Though, the subject matter is heavy, it’s delivered with grace, honesty, humor and hope. (Plus, there's a teaching guide.)
"Brown Girl Dreaming" is a poetic, autobiographical account of Woodson’s upbringing in South Carolina and Brooklyn during the 1960s. Each area of Woodson’s upbringing provided a vastly different experience, culture and perspective that allows her to vividly describe the civil rights movement across a variety of social and geographical environments. Woodson describes this YA book as “my past, my people, my memories, my story”, but her words are so powerful that they will no doubt leave an imprint on every reader’s heart and understanding of our country’s history and divide during the civil rights movement of only decades ago.
"The Watsons go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis
Winner of the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Award, "The Watsons go to Birmingham" is highly acclaimed and widely embraced for Curtis’s ability to capture the voice of the hilarious, smarty-pants pre-teen boy, Kenny, as he encounters racism and experiences race driven tragedy for the first time during a family trip to Birmingham, Alabama – a different world from the family home in Flint, Michigan. This book provides a way for parents and young readers to navigate a dark and difficult terrain etched in America’s history as the Watson family witnesses firsthand the violence of the civil rights era and a tragic hate crime that claims the lives of four black girls.
If these or other titles on the list are not available, Danz said customers are welcome to call in a special order or pre-order a title and a staff member will call when the book is ready.
For more suggestions on other books about racial equality, check out these suggestions.
For more information on family-friendly ways to discuss race relations, visit The Brown Bookshelf, EmbraceRace, and CommonSense Media.
Zandbroz Variety in Fargo carries several books for kids and young adults focused on diversity, inclusion and being anti-racist, and many other titles can be ordered from publishers. Dave Samson / The Forum
