Category: Children

28 #BlackJoy Middle Grade Novels

Posted on by Phoebe Acheson

Back in March, I posted about 28 #BlackJoy Picture Books because #weneeddiversebooks that feature Black protagonists just living their lives. The post was inspired by my frustration with the book lists faithfully trotted out every February for Black History Month. They were all full of books about Black trauma. So I decided to make a list which turned out to be much more popular than I expected—a big thank you to everyone who commented to let me know the recommendations were useful!

I didn’t want to leave out the older kids (sorry it’s taken so long), so here are 28 #BlackJoy Middle Grade Novels. In order to highlight authors who are writing right now, the list features predominately newer titles (most published within the last five years). Most titles are #ownvoices.

As I said in my previous post books about slavery are important. Books about Jim Crow America are important. Books about the Civil Rights Era are important. Books that feature Black characters experiencing joy are also important. These #BlackJoy books are great reads for Black History Month and all year long!

Enjoy,

~Stephanie

Children’s Room & North Branch

P.S. Click on images to enlarge. When you click the “Click here to request!” link a new tab will open. In the new tab, click on the title of the book you’re interested in to check availability/request it.

Click here to request!

Click here to request!

Click here to request!

Click here to request!

Click here to request!

Click here to request!

Click here to request!

Click here to request!

Click here to request!

Click here to request!

Young Adult & Children’s Books on The Point

Posted on by Phoebe Acheson

Joining Mindy today on The Point’s monthly show on books were Sara Hines of Eight Cousins Books and Mary E. Cronin. The topic was books for children and young adults, and below you will find a list of books that were mentioned, as well as listener picks. We know we discovered lots of new titles we want to read! Miss the show? You’ll be able to listen online!

Jill Erickson, Head of Reference and Adult Services at FPL, took this month off from the book show, but will return next month with Peter Abrahams who will be joining Mindy and Jill to discuss books in translation.

MINDY’S PICKS

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Dusky Rinker and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

I am Gandhi (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer

Martin Sandler books

Journey by Aaron Becker

The Little Sock Pirate by John Whelan; illustrations by Clara Urbahn

SARA’s PICKS

Brick by Brick by Giuliano Ferri

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: a story about knitting and love by Michelle Edwards; illustrated by G. Brian Karas

The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by Justin Robert; illustrated by Christian Robinson

The Pants Project by Cat Clarke

Cilla Lee-Jenkins: future author extraordinaire by Susan Tan; illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte

My Beautiful Birds by Suzanne Del Rizzo

The Journey by Francesca Sanna

Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson

Diversity in Children’s Books 2015 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Saints and Misfits by S. K. Ali

Patina Jason Reynolds

Long Way Down (book in verse) due out in October

MARY’S PICKS

Parrots over Puerto Rico by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore

River Friendly, River Wild by Jane Kurtz and Neil Brennan

Flood by Alvaro F. Villa

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

Posted by John David Anderson

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman

Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman

Doing Her Bit: a story about the Woman’s Land Army of America by Erin Hagar; illustrated by Jen Hill

American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins and Stann Yogi; illustrations by Yutaka Houlette

The Reading Without Walls Challenge

The Nantucket Sea Monster: a fake news story by Darcy Pattison

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown

A Psalm for Lost Girls by Katie Bayerl

LISTENER PICKS

The Cookie Loved ‘Round the World: the story of the chocolate chip cookie by Kathleen Teahan

One by Kathryn Otoshi

Big Hair Don’t Care by Crystal Swain-Bates and Megan Bair

Hippos Go Berserk by Sandra Boynton

Mad Scientists Club by Bertrand R. Brinley

Shadow Man by Melissa Scott

Windows and Mirrors

Posted on by Phoebe Acheson

Stephanie Seales, a library staff member who works both in the Children’s Room at the Main Library and at the North Branch, (and in her spare time is a book critic in the Young Readers division for Kirkus!) was recently on the radio:

“I was recently privileged to be featured on NPR station WCAI’s The Point for a short segment on children’s books (you’ll find me around the 25:00 minute mark). I shared a few new, quality titles that feature racially and ethnically diverse protagonists. When children and teens read books that serve as both windows & mirrors, they increase their capacity for empathy and expand their worldview. The following titles are the ones I highlighted on The Point and have appeal to a broad audience:

PICTURE BOOKS (roughly ages 3-8)

One Word from Sophia illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail and written by Jim Averbeck

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music, illustrated by Rafael López and written by Margarita Engle (sadly, didn’t make it onto the show)

MIDDLE GRADE (roughly ages 8-12)

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

GRAPHIC NOVELS (all ages)

Princeless, written by Jeremy Whitley and illustrated by M. Goodwin & Jules Rivera

Moon Girl and the Devil Dinosaur, Volume I: BFF by Amy Reeder, Brandon Montclare, and Natacha Bustos

Young Adult (roughly ages 14 & up)

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson (sadly, also didn’t make it onto the show)”

Summer Reading Suggestions!

Posted on by Phoebe Acheson

Hello Summer! As teachers and school staff wind down the school year, children’s departments in public libraries across the country are gearing up for summer reading! Here in the FPL Children’s Room, we’ve got lots of great upcoming events for our summer reading program entitled, “Build a Better World.” Some programs that I’m particularly looking forward to are the Summer Reading Kick Off Party, Saturday Cinema at the Library, and the Stuffed Animal Sleepover. See the FPL EventKeeper calendar for more events and info!

As a supplement to school summer reading lists, I’ve created a list of FPL Summer 2017 Recommended Reads. This is my third year creating such a list and at the risk of tooting my own horn, I have to say I think this is the best one yet. Not only is the design better (highly recommend canva.com for any readers who are looking for a good, free design program), but this year I’ve added pictures of the recommended books’ covers to make finding them easier. I am also intentional in including a diverse array of quality titles that serve as windows and mirrors for all readers! There is something for everyone here so stop by the FPL Children’s Room to find the book that’s right for you!

Stephanie Seales, Children’s Room

Summer Reading for Kids on the Point

Posted on by Phoebe Acheson

Today on The Point, Book Show Edition, Mindy Todd and Jill Erickson, Head of Reference and Adult Services, were joined by Mary E. Cronin to talk about great summer reads for kids. The phones were not working this morning, so feel free to leave us a comment with your suggestions!

Mindy’s Pick

Time for Bed by Mem Fox

Jill’s Picks

Lumberjanes: beware the kitten holy by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis

The View from the Cheap Seats: selected nonfiction by Neil Gaiman. Essay from collection: “What the [Very Bad Swearword] is a Children’s Book, Anyway?”

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

How to Get Your Child to Love Reading by Esme Raji Codell

The Penderwicks: a summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits, and a very interesting boy by Jeanne Birdsall (the 1st of what is now 4 books about the family)

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sis

Beach House by Deanna Caswell, illustrated by Amy June Bates

The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberson, illustrated by Gennady Spirin

Firefly July selected by Paul Bl. Janeczko, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is challenging all residents of Massachusetts to read four books this summer – and to share their experience with others. Join the conversation and tell them, #WhatsYourFour?

Laura Ford’s blog about summer reading can be found here.

 

Mary’s Picks

Picture Books

Middle Grades

  • DRAMA by Raina Telgemeier… (graphic novel, theater kids)
  • Donna Gephardt’s LILY AND DUNKIN…transgender character, “outsiders”
  • Varian Johnson THE GREAT GREENE HEIST and TO CATCH A CHEAT… main character is Jackson Greene (a smooth operator), a middle school caper reminiscent of Oceans 11 to save the school election from being stolen by the wrong kid.
  • PAX by Sara Pennypacker… an animal story… a boy main character…. Local author.
  • DISTANCE TO HOME, Jenn Barnes… baseball, girl athlete main character, will appeal to fans of CC Baseball League
  • Kekla Magoon’s CAMO GIRL…. Ella is in middle school, is biracial (a black parent and a white parent) and has uneven skin tone, earning her the nickname Camo Girl. A story about about popularity, loyalty, friendship, middle school.
  • Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s FISH IN A TREE… a girl battles with reading difficulties, adopting a trouble-making personality as a smoke screen
  • ONE CRAZY SUMMER by Rita Williams-Garcia…Three African American sisters go to visit the mother who left them, in 1968 Oakland, California…. The beginning of a trilogy.

Young Adult

  • Ellen Wittlinger, LOCAL GIRL SWEPT AWAY, a juicy Provincetown story… a story of 4 friends, one of whom gets swept away in stormy weather…. And a mystery unravels.
  • A. Barson’s CHARLOTTE CUTS IT OUT… two girls who are juniors in a cosmetology arts program enter a competition, and Charlotte makes a bet with her mother, who wants her to give up cosmetology for college.
  • SIMON VS. THE HOMOSAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertalli… Simon struggles to come out to himself and his wonderfully quirky family, approaching a new romance and unraveling the mystery behind some secret messages.

Reading without walls challenge can be found here.

Listener Suggestion

“Regarding books for children, have you talked about Garth Nix’s trilogy –Abhorsen?  The books, Sabriel, Lariel and Abhorsen, go from wonderful to more fabulous, and create a world that I loved to be in.  I read it as an adult, but also have given it to older adults.”