3 stars A lovely picture book that goes beyond Aretha Franklin’s career as a singer and delves into her activism and faith. Abdurraqib’s text is lyrical with some lovely images created. He focuses not just on Franklin’s most well-known song, but how it inspired others to act and its continued effect in bringing people together…
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4 stars A fantastic collection of hard-hitting poems from a variety of poets. I really enjoyed the premise of this anthology. The poems address various social justice issues and each pairs their work with a specific organization related to that issue. The book not only brings up important issues but also provides concrete ways to…
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4 stars A fantastic introduction to some of the basics of Indigenous history in America. Told in a creative format, Sorell uses the frame story of students putting together presentations for Indigenous Peoples’ Day Projects in order to touch on Native peoples’ encounters with the US government and white/European culture. Each topic is given a…
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5 stars A beautiful, powerful, inspiring, empowering story of courage, strength, love, tradition, and making change. I’m disappointed such a book had to be written and how events have transpired to inspire it, but it’s a wonderful step to help guide the world toward a better path. Goade’s artwork is phenomenal. Each page tells its…
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5 stars A fiercely powerful collection of prominent voices in the YA and children’s lit community. This is a book everyone should read. Regardless of race, ethnicity, skin color, age, religion. Everyone should read this book. Told from a variety of perspectives, each parent, author, artist, and educator gets at the same message of a…
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4 stars A well-written book that takes some big topics and simplifies them for a young audience. Systemic racism can be a big idea that’s hard to wrap your head around, especially when you aren’t used to trying to see it or when it’s easier to ignore. This book helps kids and adults alike understand…
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5 stars Damn. Another excellently-crafted work from West. I am so thankful Lindy West is on this planet. She has such a way of cutting through all the B.S. to call out what is wrong, doing so in a way that is humorous and entertaining without taking away from her message. Pulling from pop culture,…
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