…changing the world, one reader at a time.
My most recent anti-racist read was You’ll Never Believe what Happened to Lacey – Crazy Stories about Racism, by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar. I experienced this book in the audiobook format. Here is some information about the book, from Brave and Kind Books: Writer and performer on Late Night with Seth Meyers Amber Ruffin […]
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This week, I had the amazing opportunity to moderate a virtual session for the Virginia Festival of the Book‘s Shelf Life series. Double Draw Dare had everything – a gameshow wheel, outer space dragons, sea creatures in formal wear, and two incredibly talented illustrators: Tom Angleberger and Dub Leffler. I’m still sore from laughing! I […]
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My most recent anti-racist read was Subtle Acts of Exclusion: How to Understand, Identify, and Stop Microaggressions, by Dr. Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran. I experienced this book in the audiobook format. Here is some information about the book, from Bookshop.org: The first practical handbook that helps individuals and organizations recognize and prevent microaggressions so […]
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Recently, I’ve noticed that many of my Learn from Home students have hit a wall. It’s been almost a full calendar year since they have attended school in a physical building and regularly interacted face-to-face with a large group of people that love and support them. And for many, it’s been almost a full year […]
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Looking for a book to add to your middle school curriculum that will spark meaningful conversation about racism, especially in schools and sports? Black Brother, Black Brother, by Jewell Parker Rhodes, could be it. Read it with… Jerry Craft’s New Kid to compare microagressions and overt racism, and open readers’ eyes to look more critically […]
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My November anti-racist read was We Want to Do More than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom, by Bettina L. Love. I experienced this book via audiobook, and then re-read the hard copy from my local library. Here is some information about the book, from IndieBound: Drawing on personal stories, research, and […]
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Catching up with kids after time away from school can be such a great way to learn more about their lives and deepen connections. And, this year, when teachers are being asked to blur the lines between being educators, counselors, and social workers, it’s more important than ever that we know our students as full […]
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Image via Brave and Kind Books My September and October anti-racist read was Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor, by Layla F. Saad. In September, I experienced this book via audiobook, which the author read herself. In October, I purchased a hard copy from my local bookstore, […]
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We’re six weeks into the 2020-2021 school year, and the charm is starting to wear off a bit. Maybe you’re feeling it, too? August, in all of its uncertainty and whirlwind, felt a bit like the pandemic’s beginnings in March. New and scary, with lots of questions, but a heightened sense of togetherness. We can […]
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September 28-October 2 is Banned Books Week. Buckle up, because – surprise! – I have some feelings about censorship. Librarian Mike Rawls, otherwise known as @thebookwrangler, put it beautifully on his Instagram page this week: “Books are banned for all kinds of reasons… but 8 out of 10 books on the American Library Association’s Most […]
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