The MPPL app is offline. We are actively investigating the issue.
by Alyssa Bermudez
J GRAPH B BERMUDEZ, A.
Alyssa loves to draw and has a crush on Alejandro. She is in middle school and everything is changing, it is a confusing time. I can not imagine what it was like to be a child in New York city when 9/11 happened, but Alyssa describes everything she is feeling so wonderfully. My parents are divorced too and I remember the struggle of making sure I had what I needed at each parent’s house. Alyssa captures growing up in a really universal way.
Today is the first day of Black History Month! According to Britannica Library for Children:
The month of February is African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, in the United States. It was first celebrated in 1926 as Negro History Week. It was created to highlight the contributions Blacks have made to American history and culture. Within a few decades, the event had become an important part of African American life and had spread throughout the country. The United States government declared it a monthlong celebration in 1976.
You can learn more about Black history by researching in our online databases, or come into the library and check our display on Black History Month, which features just a handful of the materials we have about the achievements and history of Black Americans.
You might also enjoy checking out our Black Joy reading recommendations, featuring many #OwnVoices* authors.
*The term #OwnVoices was coined by the writer Corinne Duyvis, and refers to an author from a marginalized or under-represented group writing about their own experiences/from their own perspective, rather than someone from an outside perspective writing as a character from an underrepresented group. (thanks to Seattle Public Library for this concise definition.)
The Youth Services staff at MPPL are happy to announce our picks for best books for kids published in 2020! Whether you need some great choices to meet your reading goal for the year, or want to buy some great books as gifts for the kids in your life, our selections have you covered! Check them out on our website.
And for more great books you might have missed, here are some other end of year lists you will want to check out!
Loving v. Virginia (1967) was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down laws banning interracial marriage. The decision was followed by an increase in interracial marriages in the U.S. and is remembered annually on June 12th, Loving Day.
Check out these resources to learn more about multi-racial families and friendships, Loving v. Virginia, and the couple at the heart of it, Richard and Mildred Loving.
In turbulent times, we realize it can be helpful to use literature as a way to discuss and explain difficult situations with your children. MPPL Youth Services staff have curated a collection of books and resources to assist you as you discuss events with the youngest members of your family.
Anti-racist Books for Families
Anti-racist Books for Pre-K-K
Anti-racist Books for grades 2-4
Anti-racist Books for Tweens (4th-6th grade)
You can place holds on these items for parking lot pick up, or many of them are also available from Hoopla, Overdrive/Libby, and RBdigital.
Hoopla collection of Audiobooks, “Talking to Kids About Race”
These resources have been vetted by library staff, however, since they are outside sites, we are not responsible for the content.
Children’s Books We Use to Teach Young Kids to be Anti-racist
How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids
RESOURCES FOR TALKING ABOUT RACE, RACISM AND RACIALIZED VIOLENCE WITH KIDS
Becoming Upended: Teaching and Learning about Race and Racism with Young Children and Their Families
Racial Equity Tools: Children, Families, and Youth Development
Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup
Anti-racism Resources for All Ages, curated by Dr. Nicole Cooke
