Diversity
On May 13, First Book, a nonprofit committed to providing books to children in need, called for U.S. publishers to publish diverse picture books and then pledged to buy 10,000 copies of each title selected by First Book. The nonprofit will also fund affordable paperback editions of diverse titles that are only publicly available in expensive hardcover formats.
Authors address the topic of the day in this 12-minute clip from the "Diversity in Middle Grade Fiction" panel at School Library Journal's Day of Dialog, held in New York on May 28, 2014.
Diverse characters are on the rise in comics and graphic novels. But superhero comics remain predominantly white and male.
These are books that bring together elders and youngsters, relatives and friends, as they explore the various roles of caregivers, mentors, and companions. The intergenerational relationships that are depicted can be richly rewarding, poignant, and sometimes wildly funny.
In the Margins (ITM), under the umbrella of Library Services for Youth in Custody, has announced the nominated titles for their 2014 book list. A couple may be familiar, but there are definitely some that will be new to you.
Kids are coming out younger, reflecting their courage and desire to live authentic lives. Will the first major queer character for middle-graders emerge through a big publishing house—or find a voice through the chaotic fan fiction of the Internet?
A study by author Krista Maywalt Aronson revealed that children who looked at picture books portraying children from different races together reported more interest in playing across difference.
"If we want parents to have serious discussions about race with their four and five and six-year-olds then we need to have books that help to do this," writes Betsy Bird on her blog A Fuse #8 Production. "A Picture Book Reading List for Discussing Race, Religion, and Alternative Lifestyles with the Young" is included.
In response to the passionate and engaging conversation around the recent list of culturally diverse books, SLJ's review editors asked readers and experts in the field to select titles for inclusion in this expanded list. Add your own favorite titles in the comments section.
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