Walls by L. M. Elliott

Current headlines include these concepts: borders, walls, refugees, family separations, authoritarian regimes. informants, and asylum seekers. These issues are not new. They were on the minds of people during the years following World War II. Walls introduces young readers to the politics and intrigue behind a wall that was created sixty years ago as a guarded barrier, physically and ideologically dividing Berlin. This fictional account of events begins in August 1960 and culminates with initial construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961. Fifteen-year-old Drew McMahon and his family relocate to Berlin for his father’s next military duty assignment. They reside in the zone occupied by America. Drew’s mother views this as an opportunity reconnect with her German relatives. She introduces her family to their German cousin Matthias who lives in the Soviet Union Sector. Initially, both boys appear to have little in common. Drew plays baseball and is an "army brat." Matthias is a skillful soccer player who pledged to take up arms against NATO.

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom
by Angela Johnson art by E. B. Lewis

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom takes a fresh approach to the story of Juneteenth, a United States federal holiday celebrating African American freedom and achievement. Johnson, recipient of several ​Coretta Scott King Awards and a MacArthur Fellow, sets her story in a Texas community, when the day begins like every other day.  People rise early, preparing to toil in the cotton fields.  Gradually, word of the Emancipation Proclamation spreads throughout Texas, eventually reaching a young girl and her family. The narrative builds momentum as the day unfolds.

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Juneteenth for Mazie

Juneteenth Jamboree

Curated list of suggested books. Meaning of the Juneteen flag.

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
by Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Well, there goes the neighborhood! Zuri Benitez is appalled when wealthy Darius Darcy and his family move into her predominantly African American/Latino working class community. Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix maintains several elements of Austen's novel: five sisters, a scoundrel who initially appears charming, a family with an uncertain financial future, and a younger sister who makes a troubling choice. Zoboi sets this version in a contemporary urban environment with a sensory-rich description of life in Bushwick and the Haitian-Dominican culture. Zuri also confronts racism, gentrification, and stereotyping. The expectation of higher education for students of color is a welcome addition and includes a nice shoutout to Howard University.

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Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price read by Morag Sims

What happens when the daughter of a barrister decides to solve a murder? Welcome to the 19th century world of Lizzie Bennett. Price and Premeditation is a mystery that preserves Austen's setting and cast of characters along with several of their idiosyncrasies. Price moves the story away from Longbourn and to the law firm of Mr. Bennett. He employs Lizzie, Charlotte, and the odious Mr. Collins who does little work but takes all the credit. Lizzie hopes to expand her role from quietly working behind the scenes to taking an active role in a case of murder. To her dismay, she learns that haughty Fitzwilliam Darcy will be representing the defendant. Undaunted, Lizzie soldiers on: interviewing witnesses, uncovering evidence, and eventually trying the case before a judge. While this aspect of the story is historically inaccurate, it fits neatly with her personality.

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On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

Francisco X. Stork books often feature teens who find themselves in difficult situations, the result of personal choices and circumstances beyond their control. The protagonist struggles with a moral dilemma. There are no easy answers. There is no simple solution. Stork’s stories are filled with complications. Like life. Case in point: Sixteen-year-old Hector Robles has a lot going for him. An excellent student and exceptional chess player, he has a best friend he can confide in, a loving and supportive family, and a good part-time job. He also deals with some serious problems. Hector resides in the gang-infested projects of El Paso. His father’s death, along with older brother Filipino's difficulty in coping with the loss of his father, make life doubly hard. His drug-dealing neighbor Joey constantly bullies and threatens him. Hector bears the scar from an encounter with Joey: a “C” carved into his chest with a box cutter. Joey's omnipresent threat haunts Hector. "You know I'm coming. You're dead already."

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Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn art by Victo Ngai

The tale begins in the dead of night as a young girl rouses from sleep and with her immediate family prepares to leave behind all that she has ever known and travel across the sea in search of the promise of safety and security. Wishes tells the immigration story from an unusual point of view. This perilous journey is described through the wishes of inanimate objects. ​ ​A bag wished it was deeper. The boat wised to be bigger. ​The heart wished it was stronger.

Immigrants All

Immigrating to an unfamiliar land where everything is strange.

What if all you could carry on your journey was a teacup of soil from your homeland?

"A young man... left his home in Japan and went to see the world."

From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry:
The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement
​by Paula Yoo

June 2012. Jarod Lew came face to face with his past, a past that he never knew existed. Eventually he would uncover a thirty-year-old family secret. June 1982. Vincent Chin was sitting in front of a McDonalds when he was bludgeoned with a baseball bat. Days later, he died of massive brain injuries. Yoo's narrative introduces several seemingly unconnected individuals and brilliantly interweaves their life stories. Jarod Lew wanted to understand his past. Vikki Wong fought for justice after the violent death of her son. Detroit auto workers Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz worried about job security when Toyota, Datsun, and Honda began to dominate the car market. Vincent Chin's life and death is the common factor that connects these people. It is a real life drama: a heinous hate crime and the resulting mobilization of the Asian American community.

Hear My Voice/Escucha mi voz:
The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United States
compiled by Warren Binford forward by Michael Garcia Bochenek 

The plight of immigrants arriving at the United States’ Southern Border is well documented.  Politicians, media outlets, community leaders, humanitarian groups, and religious organizations have weighed in on the subject.

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"Project Amplify is a national nonprofit (501c3) launched to establish legal protections for children in government care." Co-Founders Professors Warren Binford, Hope Frye, Erin Albanese work to shape legislation and provide legal support for child migrants. All royalties from Hear My Voice/Esucha mi voz will be donated to Project Amplify.

Meet the Artists

Stories to Read and Share 

Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask: Young Readers Edition by Anton Treur

It begins at the cover with intricate eye-catching beadwork created by Jana Schmieding (Lakota). The floral motifs, a hallmark of Ojibwe decorative arts, reflect the author's heritage. This book promises to be unique. Treur has adapted his 2012 book of the same title for a younger audience. It follows a question and answer format and is divided into sections covering a variety of topics such as History, Religion, Culture & Identity, Tribal Languages, Economics, Education, and Social Activism. The volume can be read cover to cover for a broad introduction the subject. Some readers may choose to take a deep dive into a specific topic. Others may opt to peruse the Contents or Index for questions of particular interest. Skimming through the book and pausing to digest fascinating factoids is another approach. It is possible to read the book differently each time you pick it up.

Treuer talks about creating a book for young readers.

Questions. Many Questions.

Standing on Her Shoulders
​by Monica Clark-Robinson art by Laura Freeman

Mother and grandmother share with a young daughter/granddaughter her awe-inspiring legacy. For generations the women in her family have been trailblazers, creating a noble foundation for their progenitors. Due to their efforts, their descendants face the possibility of a bright future. As the narrative progresses, a vision of the reach of influential women expands beyond family to encompass a broad range of American women who have made significant contributions to arts, sciences, athletics, and activism. Individuals such as Shirley Chisholm, Serena Williams, Chloe Kim, Frida Kahlo, Mary Church Terrell, Ynes Mexia, and Megan Rapinoe are singled out. ​Clark-Robinson's succinct text consists primarily of rhythmic rhyming couplets. Alliteration packs a powerful punch. Excellent read aloud. For we are standing on the shoulders of the strong, smart, sage, and soulful ​ones who have gone before us.

What's Silly Hair Day with No Hair?
​by Norene Paulson ill by Camila Carrosine

Young Bea has one characteristic which differentiates her from her classmates. She is bald. Within the circle of her family members and close friends, this is generally not a problem. ​However, no hair becomes an issue during the school-wide Spirit Week. Thursday is designated as Silly Hair day. How can someone without hair participate? Bea and her best friend consider several solutions including wearing a wig, crafting fake hair, even staying home from school. Sadly, nothing feels right. At the last possible moment, the two girls brainstorm and come up with a solution that is “absolutely right.” Readers will cheer for Bea, a girl who has many interests, a wonderful best friend, and a desire to be fully engaged in the world around her. She is not a child to be pitied. Carrosine's sweet illustrations show Bea with a slightly enlarged head which gives her baldness emphasis. Facial expressions eloquently convey Bea's wide range of emotions.

Personal Connection

Viva la difference