The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

5 books for young people that deal with race

  • Written by Sarah J. Donovan, Assistant Professor of Secondary English Education, Oklahoma State University

With a national debate raging[1] about how – or even if – teachers should discuss race in their classrooms, many educators may find themselves uncertain about how to navigate the subject of race.

Parents may also find it difficult to broach topics of race in conversations with their teens.

As a former junior high teacher and current teacher educator[2], I have found that literature can do much of the heavy lifting for these kinds of discussions.

Books offer a way for educators and parents to engage students[3] on a particular topic over an extended period of time. They also enable young people to imagine possibilities[4] and rehearse[5] for how to confront inequities in society.

However, when it comes to books that deal with racism[6], I have found that it beneficial to read the text using an anti-bias, anti-racist lens[7].

A closer look

Reading with an anti-bias, anti-racist lens means readers doing certain things when they encounter a scene that involves harm or unfairness. That includes, among other things, summarizing what took place and naming it. Is it racism? Homophobia? Sexism? Ableism? Hate speech? Categorizing the harm or unfairness will help readers better understand it.

Readers should also look for what, if anything, is being done in the story to repair the harm, whether by another character or the community at large.

With that said, here are five titles that I believe can engage young people in conversations about race in America.

The cover of Angel of Greenwood. Angel of Greenwood is a historical fiction about the Tulsa Race Massacre. Feiwel & Friends[8]

This historical fiction novel is – above all – about love in the 1921 Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, that is often referred to as “Black Wall Street,” a Black community thriving apart from Jim Crow America.

Angel and Isaiah fall in love over books, debating Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois, days before white rioters burn 35 blocks of their home, killing hundreds. Pink centers love, literature and family in two-thirds of this novel, because love takes time.

2. ’A Song Below Water[9]’ (2020) by Bethany C. Morrow

5 books for young people that deal with race A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow. Tor Teen[10]

A story of fantastical characters is offered in this novel of magical realism narrated by two sisters: Tavia, who is learning to use her voice through song; and Effie, who performs as a mermaid at the local Renaissance fair.

Set in Portland, Oregon, with elokos – beings who captivate with melodies held in lockets – protective gargoyles and powerful sirens (some forced to wear silencing collars), Morrow confronts the present-day push to limit civil rights by interrogating discrimination, bias used to excuse harm and even hierarchy among creatures.

The book cover to 'Land of Cranes'. Land of Cranes takes place in an ICE detention center. Scholastic[11]

This novel – written in poetic form – is an act of activism[12] as Salazar explores how terms like “illegal” can be weaponized and how anti-immigrant policies are the structures of racism.

In this story, a 9-year-old girl, Betita, and her pregnant mother are detained at the Mexican-U.S. border. While the main character is young, Betita is observant and wise, with caring parents who help her find courage and agency in ancestral stories.

4. ’Dragon Hoops[13]’ (2020) by Gene Luen Yang

5 books for young people that deal with race Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang. First Second[14]

This graphic memoir captures in comics multiple story threads: an Oakland high school basketball program, a teacher contemplating leaving the classroom, the history of basketball and the emergence of basketball as a sport in China.

Through sarcasm and humor and a steep learning curve with basketball, Yang shares the joy of sports alongside subtle and overt racism.

5. ‘Hearts Unbroken[15]’ (2020) by Cynthia Leitich Smith

5 books for young people that deal with race Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Candlewick Press[16]

This realistic fiction novel won the American Indian Library Association’s Youth Literature Award[17]. High school senior Louise is making sense of her Muscogee Nation heritage while competing for bylines in her school’s newspaper. When the school musical gets pushback in the mostly white, middle-class Kansas town for casting a nonwhite lead in “The Wizard of Oz,” Louise reports on the newly formed Parents Against Revisionist Theater.

[Like what you’ve read? Want more? Sign up for The Conversation’s daily newsletter[18].]

References

  1. ^ national debate raging (abcnews.go.com)
  2. ^ current teacher educator (scholar.google.com)
  3. ^ engage students (hbr.org)
  4. ^ imagine possibilities (library-ncte-org.argo.library.okstate.edu)
  5. ^ rehearse (www.ethicalela.com)
  6. ^ deal with racism (nyupress.org)
  7. ^ anti-bias, anti-racist lens (library.ncte.org)
  8. ^ Feiwel & Friends (us.macmillan.com)
  9. ^ A Song Below Water (www.torteen.com)
  10. ^ Tor Teen (www.torteen.com)
  11. ^ Scholastic (scholasticlibrary.digital.scholastic.com)
  12. ^ activism (oaklandside.org)
  13. ^ Dragon Hoops (us.macmillan.com)
  14. ^ First Second (us.macmillan.com)
  15. ^ Hearts Unbroken (www.goodreads.com)
  16. ^ Candlewick Press (www.candlewick.com)
  17. ^ American Indian Library Association’s Youth Literature Award (ailanet.org)
  18. ^ Sign up for The Conversation’s daily newsletter (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/summer-reading-5-books-for-young-people-that-deal-with-race-162226

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...

What Makes a Small Group Tour of Italy So Memorable?

Traveling to Italy is on almost every bucket list. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sparkling canals of Venice, the country is filled with sights, flavors, and experiences ...