Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam read by Ethan Herrise

​Sixteen-year-old Amal Shahid is a young black man with a promising future. A talented visual artist, his large-scale works feature innovative design and bold use of color. He recently earned a coveted spot for a prestigious high school art exhibition. His talent is not limited to visual expression. He is also a poet. One night he finds himself in a situation he never considered possible. A combination of wrong place, wrong skin, wrong time set him up for criminal conviction and subsequent incarceration that should never have happened. The only witness who knows the truth is in a comma.

Additional Resources

A Vote is a Powerful Thing
by Catherine Stier ill by Courtney Dawson

The Vote is a Powerful Thing introduces youngsters to the voting process. Callie’s class is learning about elections. Their teacher explains that participation in the selection of leaders and governing laws is important. Knowing this, the students decide to vote on an issue of current school-related interest. The class will plan a field trip. Where should they go? Lynn suggests a trip to the local cookie factory. Callie knows about her grandmother’s interest in the Wilderness Park and recommends visiting this nature preserve. She sets to work, hoping to convince classmates to select her proposed destination. She searches for information about the park, its creation, purpose, and preservation. She makes promotional materials and prepares a speech. Lynn is following a similar pattern, advocating for the cookie factory. The ballots are cast and counted. After a moment of uncertainty, Wilderness Park wins the election by one vote.

The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents  
​by Kate Messner ill by Adam Rex

The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents is set in a museum that closely resembles the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Visitors explore the halls, looking back at history and then imagining what might happen in the future. Kids are reminded one or more of them could be a future president. Rex uses a mixed media approach. Black line drawings mix with realistic portraits as well as stylized color wash renderings. The variety of styles reinforce a sense of traveling through time. A limited color palette consisting of various shades of red and blue gives a unifying visual effect. ​

Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel
by Cynthia Levinson & Sanford Levison  art by Ally Shwed

The Levinsons' seminal study of the U. S. Constitution, particularly an examination of the document’s potential flaws was published in 2010. Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Graphic Novel presents the same information in comic book format, primarily with panels that are interspersed interspersed with maps and infographics. The result is a concise, highly readable US Constitution primer. Text alternates between historical background and contemporary applications of decisions that were made by the founding fathers. Format generally follows a configuration of horizontally organizing each page into thirds. Square and rectangular panels fit neatly within this structure. Chapter headings and an occasional concept use the full page. ​This structure offers concise chunks of information that are easy to digest and understand.

The Voting Booth
​by Brandy Colbert

Boy meets girl. She's a serious student and advocate for voting rights. He's not sure where to vote. Fortunately for him, this activist comes to his rescue. The story takes place in one day with visits to multiple polling places and working through a mammoth amount of regulations. However, before the day is over he votes. When your hero is Fannie Lou Hamer, voting is not optional. It's vital. Marva Sheridan has devoted her efforts to understanding the voting process and helping people register to vote. She is disappointed when her white boyfriend Alec decides that he will not be voting. Duke Crenshaw comes from a family of civic-minded citizens. He knows that voting is the right thing to do. If only it weren't so complicated. Marva is precisely the guide to help him through the election rules and red tape. During the day this unlikely pair discover that their interest is in more than the ballot box. There is definitely a mutual attraction that extends beyond a lesson in civics.

28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World by Charles R. Smith ill by Shane W. Evans full cast narration

A handsome volume of intertwined poetry, prose, and direct quotations honors Black History Month by using the February calendar format with twenty eight entries. Subjects include individuals, federal laws, and milestone events that have positively influenced United States’ Black history. A nod to Leap Year adds a twenty ninth entry that encourages readers to create their own significant moments in history. Beginning with Crispus Attucks and bookending with Barak Obama, a selection of outstanding Black individuals are featured. Notables include Harriet Tubman, Hank Aaron, Malcolm X, Matthew Henson, Shirley Chisholm, and Oprah Winfrey. Lyrical verse combines with informational text to highlight the contributions of these Black change agents.

Free audiobook. Listen here.

Bonus

Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim

Danbi’s off for her first day of Kindergarten. A momentous occasion. For this little charmer, the day is even more significant. It's her first day of school in America. New day. New school. New country. Boom. Boom. Boom. She approaches this venture into the unknown with her heart wildly thumping. For a girl from Korea, everything is strange and puzzling. A blonde teacher with very pale skin, and a cluster of children, many who do not look like her, stare in wonder at the newcomer. Things are off to a difficult start. Everything is foreign. New language. Baffling writing system. Dancing is strange. Games don't follow any rules that she knows.  Saddest of all, she is without a friend.

Welcome to Kindergarten

Everything Sad is Untrue: (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri

​Like Scheherazade, Nayeri has a gift. He weaves a thousand and one tales into an opulent Persian tapestry: a story of mythology and memoir, of lineage and loss. A story that is as true as what you see with your own eyes and as real as what you cannot see. The saga begins: a ten-year-old Iranian refugee stands up in an Oklahoma schoolroom and tells classmates his story, his history. There are so many things going on in this narrative. Several pages are devoted to considerations of poop. It should not be surprising. This is not some esoteric philosophical treatise, although there are ample references to God and religion, anxiety and resilience, dignity and prejudice. At its core, it is a story of basic human needs. It's a story of survival. Nayeri lays bare his heart, his devotion to his mother, his complicated relationship with his father. It’s a guidebook for navigating a strange western culture and for methodically escaping the cruelty of others. It’s all of it.

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Black Lives Matter: Audiobooks

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim

Hurrah! A middle grade book that is funny. And heartwarming and painfully honest. Bonus: It is served with a side of tasty Korean barbecue. Meet Yumi Chung, eleven-year-old daughter of immigrant parents. Pressure. She constantly feels parental pressure to excel academically. It's particularly difficult because her older sister Yuri is the embodiment of the ideal Korean daughter: accelerated educational advancement and currently a medical school student. Not Yumi. Earning high marks and academic accolades are not that important. What she really loves is stand-up comedy. This seems bizarre, as she is painfully self-conscious. Mom has decided that Yumi will spend her summer with tutoring sessions in preparation for the SSAT, Secondary School Admission Test. ​​​Yumi grudgingly heads off for morning test prep sessions combined with three hours of afternoon study at the library.

Holy Hot Cheetos! It's Yumi's Super-Secret Comedy Notebook Yumi picked up a tip from her comedy idol Jasmine Jasper. She maintains a journal, recording her observations and reactions to events in her life. These entries could be the basis for possible jokes and comedy routines. Readers will find several pages from Yumi’s notebook scattered throughout the first person narrative. Yumi accompanies her entries with personal emojis that express her current mood .

Frederico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez ill by Elisa Chavarri

Once upon a modern time... Gomez takes the well-known tale of "Little Red Riding Hood," dresses the main character in a scarlet hoodie, adds a distinctive Latin flavor, and sets it to a rhythmic beat. It's Federico and the Wolf, a contemporary retelling. In this version, young Federico bikes to his grandfather's shop. First he stops to purchase ingredients for pico de gallo.  He and grandfather plan to enjoy lunch together and then whip up a batch of hot salsa.  Federico is on his way with a basket of groceries when a hungry wolf appears and declares his intent to devour this niño. It takes some quick thinking and a large habanero to outwit un lobo.

At the tale's conclusion, Gomez shares a recipe for pico de gallo. She adds a glossary of Spanish words and phrases with pronunciation guide along with definitions.  Chavarri's charming illustrations have a contemporary folk-art quality. End papers feature colorful traditional patterns with the faces of Federico and Grandfather nestled within the designs. Her portfolio includes this dazzling bookmobile art.

Brick by Brick by Heidi Woodward Sheffield

Brick mason meets young reader. Sheffield has ingeniously woven together the building of an architectural structure and the creation a reader. Both are busy: constructing brick by brick, book by book. ​Pages views alternate between parallel activities. Papa scales the scaffolding while Luis scrambles up playground equipment. Papa mixes mortar and trowels a layer of cement as Luis molds clay. Papa stacks bricks row by row and Luis arranges a tower of his favorite stories, book upon book. The heart of the story is the relationship between a father and son. Luis rides on his father's shoulders while wearing papa's hard hat. The two share a warm abrazo. Together they work and plan for the fulfillment of a dream: a house that they can call home.

All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney

Allie Abraham works on blending in. A Circassian with reddish-blond hair and hazel eyes, it is easy for this sixteen-year-old cheerleader, academic standout, and school choir member to ignore her Muslim heritage. Allie's non-practicing Muslim father believes that this will protect her from discrimination. However, Allie is drawn to the culture and religion of her grandmother. She wants to learn Arabic, study the Qur'an, begin a habit of regular prayer, and dress modestly. She meets with a group of forward-thinking Muslim young women who practice their faith in modern America. She's an All-American Muslim Girl. Publicly acknowledging her heritage is a challenge. She hides her newfound interest in Islam from her father, walks a fine line with her boyfriend whose father is a well-known and bigoted news personality. She deals with classmates who mock her faith and other Muslims who condemn her for not being Muslim enough. What to do?

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed

​This collection of short stories paints miniature portraits of an assemblage of Eid-al-Fitr celebrations. While the practice of faith varies within the Muslim community, each unique Eid observance is memorable. The anthology contains lighthearted as well as poignant glimpses into the culminating observance of Ramadan with descriptions of private prayer, public celebrations, distinctive clothing, special food, and gifts. Readers meet a recent convert to Islam who fasts and samples spicy fare for the first time. For others Eid is bittersweet, reviewing celebrations from years past and remembering absent family members. ​ Some stories follow the journey to be with family: taking the subway to the Bronx or sitting in the car’s back seat with siblings while traveling to Sydney, Australia. I loved the descriptions of clothing: choosing to wear a hajib for the first time or fashioning a unique gown from a thrift store purchase.

Jude leaves her father and brother to escape the increasing violence in her Syrian hometown.  She and her mother journey to Cincinnati, Ohio where they take refuge at the home of her uncle. Mother and daughter attempt to build a new life. It's hard. Everything is foreign including communicating in an unfamiliar language, eating strange food, and encountering a different style of dress. Jude has the added burden of being a seventh grade student, a difficult experience for anyone. Ignored by her cousin, Jude must navigate the treacherous waters of this strange school environment on her own. She struggles to find her place among students who “don’t look like me." A possible solution presents itself. Jude loves theater and movies. She learns that the school is staging a production of Beauty and the Beast. Summoning her courage, she auditions for a part in this fairy-tale musical. Can a girl from Syria can make it onto the stage in Ohio?

20 First Words in 20 Languages by Odd Dot

The 66% jump in juvenile nonfiction unit sales was led by the education/reference/language segment, where sales soared 186% over the previous week. Jim Milliot. Print Units Held Steady Last Week, Publishers Weekly.  March 26, 2020

Photographs of infants illustrating simple words beginning with "hello" and ending with "goodbye" bookend images of familiar individuals, objects, and concepts. ​Almost square dimensions with a generous eight-inch height, the chunky volume can rest in a lap for shared exploration. It also works well spread on any hard surface including a low table or floor for kids who want to interact with the book on their own. Here's the twist: Embedded in each page is a wheel with sprockets, making it easy to rotate and learn the equivalent name in a wide variety of languages. Words are displayed using the language's specific alphabet or writing system. Pronunciation approximation is given in parenthesis.

It’s a book with multiple possibilities. Old and young will enjoy exploring these pages together. The creative minds at Odd Dot have developed another winner.

A toddler embraces a teddy bear with a “hug.” The Dutch say “knuffel." Aha! Mo Willems' Knuffle Bunny series takes on added meaning.