Tag diverse books

For African American History Month

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African American Read-in

“It is important for all of us to see ourselves in books.” – Dr. Jerrie Cobb Scott, founder of the African American Read-In

Howard County Library System joins our community in honoring Black History Month, a month-long celebration of African American life, History, and culture, established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926 and founded and promoted by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The ASALH states that Black History Month is a, “way to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about Black life, History, and culture to the global community.” February events at HCLS are for a variety of ages and include read-ins, stories, and crafts. Events planned with a teen audience as the focus include an AfroFuturism ArtLab and teen art exhibit, an author event with We Need Diverse Books founding member Lamar Giles, and an online discussion featuring curator Kevin Strait from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The African American Read-In “was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month.” The commitment for nationwide promotion extends from 1990 to the present. To date, the initiative has reached more than six million participants around the world.

According to the NCTE website, “During the month of February, schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens are urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting an African American Read-In. Hosting an event can be as simple as bringing together friends to share a book or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature professional African American writers.”

Tracey Williams, president of the Southern Howard County/Laurel Chapter of Continentals Society, Inc., says, “It is crucial for all children to hear the voices of African American authors, gain insight into their experiences, and explore our rich heritage.”

Howard County Library System celebrates African American authors and culture as a participant in the National African American Read-In.

Read-In Opportunities
All ages; drop-in.
Honor Black History Month by participating in the National African American Read-In. Community partners and library staff read aloud from books by African American authors. Light refreshments.
Sat, Feb 8 at 12 – 2 pm
HCLS East Columbia Branch
Sat, Feb 8 at 1 – 3 pm
HCLS Glenwood Branch

Meet at the children’s bubble wall to hear library staff read stories by African American authors. Listen for just one or stay for more!
Thu, Feb 20 at 1 – 2 pm
HCLS Elkridge Branch

Anansi Tales & Crafts
Ages 3 – 11.
Anansi is a classic African folktale character who is known for his trickster ways. Enjoy his woven web of cunning triumphs!
Fri, Feb 28 at 10:30 – 11: 15 am
HCLS Central Branch

In partnership with: Continental Societies, Inc., Southeastern Regional Howard County/Laurel Chapter; Columbia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center; The Society Incorporated, Howard County, MD Chapter; Howard County Public School System; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Iota Lambda Omega Chapter Emerging Leaders; African American Community Roundtable of Howard County; and the Youth Leadership Program.

Afrofuturism for Teens

In a circle, a stylized African woman's face is layered with orange color swatches and lines. An orange horizontal banner reads: Afrofuturism: Teen Art Exhibit: Feb 20-28, HCLS Miller Branch

Afrofuturism ArtLab: Learn & Create!
Ages 11 – 18. Register here.
What is Afrofuturism? Explore this multimedia concept, then create your own related artwork. Your work may be chosen for HCLS Miller Branch’s Afrofuturism Student Art Exhibit for Black History Month. All materials supplied, but feel free to bring anything you would like.
Sat, Feb 8 at 3 – 5 pm
HCLS Miller Branch

Afrofuturism with NMAAHC Curator Kevin Strait
All ages. Register here.
Curator Kevin Strait from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture discusses his recent exhibit, Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures. Strait shares the history of Afrofuturism, and how the exhibition explores and reveals Afrofuturism’s historic and poignant engagement with African American history and popular culture.
Thu, Feb 20 at 6 – 7 pm
online & HCLS Miller Branch

A deep red cover with a Black young man's head in deep shadow. The person's eyes and mouth are drawn to appear sewn shut crudely.

Author Event: Lamar Giles
Ages 10 and up.
Register here.
A founding member of We Need Diverse Books, Lamar Giles discusses his novel, The Getaway, (currently in development for TV), and his journey as a writer, while engaging in a Q&A moderated by local teens.
School Library Journal writes, “Nonstop action, increasingly dangerous risks, and themes of racism and classism will keep readers engaged and flying through this one—and rethinking that planned resort vacation.”
Mon, Feb 24 at 6 – 8 pm
HCLS Miller Branch

The book cover depicts three people in silhouette seated on a bridge, overlooking the water, with bright sunshine in the center behind a partially cloudy sky.

We Need Diverse Books

jalansimpson 2 Comments
The book cover depicts three people in silhouette seated on a bridge, overlooking the water, with bright sunshine in the center behind a partially cloudy sky.

By Alan S.

I know that is a groundbreaking title there. Anyway, this post is a personal illustration of connecting with book characters because they are like me. Before anyone else can point it out – yes, I am a white guy. Yes, I am a white, heterosexual male. Yes, there are many books about people like me.  This post is not about me wanting more books about me. I’ve always agreed that we need more diverse books. I can’t imagine why anyone would disagree with this. Kids need to be able to read a book about a person who reflects their personal experience. Intellectually, I always knew this. My last two books have been a good illustration of how a connection to the characters improves the reader’s experience.

I read The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner (also available in ebook and eaudiobook from OverDrive/Libby). It takes place in rural Tennessee, and in the author’s words from the book jacket:

“I wanted to write about young people who struggle to live lives of dignity and find beauty in a forgotten and unglamorous place. Who wonder what becomes of dreams once they cross the county line. This book is my love letter
to those young people and anyone who has ever felt like them, no matter where they grew up.”

I grew up in a place that could be considered forgotten and unglamorous. A small town where many kids dream of escaping to a bigger and brighter world. A small town where some days it seems like your dreams will die. I felt completely connected to the characters and could see a little bit of myself in them. Because of this, the book meant more to me and I was more emotionally invested in the story.

The book cover depicts a girl literally pieced together from different bodies, with an oversized arm and an arm of bones, a ribcage, a heart, an oversized toothy smile, and a single eye looking up.

Immediately after Serpent King, I read Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero. I like the book, but I don’t feel the same connection to the character because I am not a Mexican-American girl living in California. A Mexican-American girl will feel that connection here, but not necessarily in The Serpent King.  It’s important for books like Gabi to exist for that girl. She does not have the plethora of books about people like her that I’ve benefited from my entire life.

I didn’t realize how lucky I was growing up a reader and finding myself in all of the books I read (like the creepy clown in It, for example), and even though I realized it as an adult, it didn’t really stand out to me until I read these two books back to back.

I do think it is important for me to read books about people different from me, but sometimes it is really nice to read a book that feels like home. Everyone should have that opportunity.

For more information about where to find diverse books, please visit the We Need Diverse Books website. They have an excellent resource page of current, active sites that offer recommendations for diverse titles, as well as a great blog to help you discover new authors.

Alan has worked for HCLS for just under 25 years, currently at the Savage Branch. He enjoys reading, television, and most sports.