“Imagine a world in which all children can see themselves in the pages of a book.”
This is the statement, and the challenge, of the movement We Need Diverse Books, a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people.
The group’s mission is to promote literature tat is a window into the lives of all youth in our culture, because when young readers see themselves represented in a book, they are validated and encouraged. Our world is multi-faceted and multicultural, with unique experiences, all of which should be reflected in the books published for young readers and the books we add to our collection.
Part of the mission of the Teen Services staff is to create a collection that reflects our patrons, and we take diversity very seriously, often referring to this website when we choose titles to purchase. Some of our favorite titles, and the best-loved by patrons, include the following; click the title to place a hold on a copy today.
Last Seen Leaving, by Caleb Roehrig
My So Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma
The Way You Make Me Feel by Laurene Goo
Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, Illustrated by Giovanni Rigano
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree, by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani