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.
31 Children’s books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance
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
Refugee by Alan Gratz, a captivating novel, is written with an interlacing of three different stories, following the lives of three disparate children, and their families. These emigrants are grappling to find the courage they need to escape from the country they have loved. All are fleeing from their oppressed, unstable homeland and searching for a new frontier. A brand-new beginning.
All these stories are set at various times and places in the 20th century. You will meet a Jewish boy named Josef, fleeing from his beloved Germany during WWII. Also, Isabel, escaping Cuba in the midst of rioting and turmoil, takes a makeshift boat fleeing to America. Finally, there is Mahmoud, a Syrian refugee, his home torn apart by violence and war, fleeing to wherever they will be welcomed.
These engaging stories, meant for more mature readers, are so captivating, you won’t be able to set this book down.
This book is also available as an ebook and e-audiobook in Overdrive’s Digital Library. It is also available as an e-audiobook on Hoopla.
Book reviewed by Darice C., Youth Services Assistant
Before the war, Pet was just an ordinary 11-year-old living with her family. But when Hitler’s bombers begin attacking the English coast, everything starts to fall apart. Someone in her village is helping the Germans by sabotaging telephone lines and setting fire to buildings. Since Pet’s mother is German, she is the most obvious suspect. The tribunal finds her guilty of being a traitor and she is taken away to an internment camp. Pet is determined to prove her innocence by finding other suspects such as her sister Mags who is keeping secrets or her neighbor Spooky Joe who is skulking around with binoculars and a notebook. Who is the real spy? Will Pet be able to find answers that will set her mother free?
Book reviewed by Mary S., Youth Services Department Head
