Reading Recommendations to Help Understand Racism by Bryan Avery

Some reading suggestions for this month, as the country attempts to heal.

This has been quite a month. As the tide turns, and America (and Americans) begin to face the past, teachers and parents are looking for reading recommendations to help understand how racism has affected Blacks in this country. Lists of Black books are popping up all over the internet.
I believe, as writers who create stories for children, we have a significant responsibility to those who read our books and fall in love with our characters. Below, I’ve listed some of my favorite books (both non-fiction and fiction) that I think are important reading for everyone. I’ve mentioned many of these in previous posts but wanted to consolidate them here. 
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You’ll notice, not all of these books feature Black protagonists facing down racism. I think it’s important that readers also see Black characters just being people. It’s one important way that books can help us see that we’re not so different from one another after all.

Picture Books

THE BEAUTITUDES – FROM SLAVERY TO CIVIL RIGHTS
written by Carole Boston Weatherford
illustrated by Tim Ladwig

THIS IS IT
written and illustrated by Daria Peoples-Riley

WE SHALL OVERCOME: THE STORY OF A SONG
written by Debbie Levy
illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL
written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson

SATURDAY
written and illustrated by Oge Mora

Middle Grade Books

MARCH, BOOK 1,2,&3
by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell

GARVEY’S CHOICE
by Nikki Grimes

THE PARKER INHERITANCE
by Varian Johnson

NEW KID
by Jerry Craft

CLAYTON BYRD GOES UNDERGROUND
by Rita Williams-Garcia

One last thought: I fell in love with both magic and books at an early age, mainly because of their ability to transport me to worlds I never thought possible. These are trying times, but I truly believe that what readers read and, therefore, what writers write, will make a difference in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

Happy writing and have a magical month. 

Bryan Patrick Avery discovered a love of magic and mystery at the age of four, after receiving a magic set and his first Bobbsey Twins Mystery book. Today, he is  an award-winning poet and author, and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Mystery Writers of America. He's also a life member of the Society of American Magicians (which was once led by Harry Houdini) and charter member of the International Association of Black Magical Artists. Bryan's greatest joy is making stories appear out of thin air.