Everyone needs books that mirror their own experience and realities. Some people have always had these. Some people need window books to view others’ worlds and realities and everyone needs to walk through sliding glass doors to join the work for freedom and justice for all. Biographies can do all these things. Here are some […]
New Year, New Books
For every young girl and person who’s been told they are “too this and too that” here’s an empowering book of inspiration. “Ambitious Girl” by Meena Harris and Marissa Valdez is a celebration of girl-power, overcoming obstacles, finding inspiration in role models, and pursuing dreams and ambitions. It’s about strong women, finding one’s confidence, and […]
2022 Book Award Finalists Announced!
New York, N.Y–(December 3, 2021)–The Jane Addams Peace Association is delighted to announce the finalist titles under consideration for the 2022 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. The Peace Association will announce winning and honor books from among these finalists on January 14, 2022. Awards will be presented to the winning and honored authors and illustrators […]
Connecting Mirrors, Windows, Doors, Curtains, Telescopes, and Banned Books
Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop uses “Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass Doors” as an analogy to discuss the importance of diversity in books and the authors who write them. Listen to a Youtube interview with Dr. Rudine Sims Bishops and click here for her 1990 ‘Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding […]
October into November: Time for Remembering
Indigenous Peoples’ day was October 11.Sometimes dates and dedicated months can help us remember and keep us on an anti-racist and inclusive social justice path, an important and sometimes difficult task while breathing the air of systemic racism. National American Indian Heritage Month is in November. Too often Indigenous stories, voices, and history are absent.Too […]
Fall is for change !
The year back to school for some educators has meant fear: fear for the health of themselves and their family, fear of teaching with an anti-racist, anti-bias lens, fear of using books that represent all young people, fear of loss of income. For some, this fear may coexist with the stress of too many students, […]
Summer Freedom Reading!
Summer for some means more freedom, not having to follow a school schedule. For some this freedom may coexist with the stress of unstructured time. For some, summer means more reading time. This summer gives us a long overdue and welcome “Freedom Day” holiday as Juneteenth became a national holiday AND a reminder that working […]
May is a Month of Memories!
So many names to say, so much is the same and so much has changed. It is crucial that we say names of people who are gone too soon, not just gone, but murdered in the mess of oppression and hate that we ingest every day. We also report in this newsletter on memory-making that […]
April is a time of Regrowth and Hope. With Love and Hope, we can Rock the Boat!
It’s the season of spring: Earth day, Passover, Ramadan, International Women Day, Deaf History Month, as well as water, workers’ rights, sexual assault awareness, and the first openly transgender Federal Official & first Native American Interior Secretary! It’s the season of celebration. Register now for the April 28th Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Virtual Ceremony. […]
Books and Pictures Change Lives!
“She looks like me! One day, I can do that too!” That’s the message that children receive when they see and read about people who look like them. In March and every month, we invite discussion & action about power, equality, and the worth and importance of Black girls and all children. Women’s history is […]