Finally got the chance to read Brand Colbert’s The Only Black Girl in Town. I hate it took me so long to get to it because it’s such a good, light read. If you aren’t familiar with it, the story centers around Alberta, an upcoming 7th grader who until now, was the only Black person in her grade and on her street. Though she has a best friend and enjoys attending surf camp every summer, she’s not at all popular and a nemesis often makes her life uneasy. Having a Black girl her age move in next door brings about a friendship where Alberta learns how varied family dynamics can be, not to be so easily bruised, and what true friendship really looks like. Plus, she and her new friend Edie manage to uncover a decades old secret.
Fans of Varian Johnson’s The Parker Inheritance will appreciate this story of newfound friendship and uncovering a mystery. I loved the representation Colbert incorporated—Alberta’s same sex parents, small town California vs. Brooklyn, a Black-surfer protagonist, families navigating life after divorce. I also appreciate Colbert writing one of the ways in which color shapes perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors in the 50s because we don’t see it often. Without spoiling it, I simply wish there were a more explicit explanation of “passing” because I’m not sure the younger end of the target audience will understand. Overall, a solid middle grade debut✊🏽; a perfect choice when you need a break from the heavy stuff.
Yesterday, my Facebook page reminded me that this time last year, I was presenting in Austin at Scholastic Book Fairs’ Reading Summit. I shared about using literacy as a foundation for empowering learners in what was then often called the “stay woke” era in my business casual look—black, slacks, and a memorable graphic tee. “Make good trouble,” it read. Words to live by from the admirable John Lewis. I made a commitment to provide additional resources for a specific group of educators during that event. I never forgot; it was just never the right time. That reminder yesterday was sort of the push I needed because life has been insanely different since that presentation, and in many ways, I believe the 11 months in between weren’t the right time to push that content out. I spent two hours riding around DC on a Segway today and in each of the moments I passed flags at half-staff, my heart sank a little. Now, I sit here wrapping my mind around the confirmation of John Lewis’ passing. And how much good trouble I’ve gotten into over the past year. And of course how much more I’ll get into in the days and months ahead.
I never had the pleasure of meeting John Lewis in person, but processing this loss will be a task for sure. It comes at a time where I find myself saying “please don’t take *insert significant human we can’t live without right now*” more than I really want. It’s selfish in a way, to hope that extended time is granted to laborers and fighters who without question met their purpose and ran their course ten times over. But sometimes, it’s tough to lose powerful, impactful people in the flesh even though you know the spirit of their work will live on.
Most times, I make good trouble as it relates to librarianship, education, diverse literature, and the intersectionality of those. More recently, my good trouble has been focused on human rights, specifically the lives of Black people. By the time the school year starts again, it’s likely teachers will be solely focused on how to get through teaching in such a different environment, whether it be virtually or face to face while figuring out how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. What I hope they’ll remember is that our students have been exposed to trauma in the months since we’ve seen them last. Many of them will want to engage in civil discourse. Some may be bold enough to share what actions they believe we should be taking. A few won’t know where to begin expressing their anxiety. And others will understandably be in complete shutdown mode. Wherever they are in this process, we owe it to them to meet their needs and provide avenues for them to understand our current social unrest, prominent issues in our society, and the role they can play.
In the spirit of John Lewis, here are a few titles for younger readers that educators and other adults can use as a foundation to help empower grade school children understand the issues and find and use their voices, because it’s past time for us all to make good trouble.
Flint still doesn’t have clean water.
Oil is still flowing through Standing Rock and the controversy over the Dakota Access Pipeline continues.
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illus. by Michaela Goade is a story of the importance of water and our responsibility to our planet.
“We are not what other people say we are. We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love. That’s okay.”
Laverne Cox
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn, illus. byNoah Grigni explains gender identities, understanding your own identity and others.
Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love shares the a story of confidence and being comfortable in your skin.
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illus. by Kaylani Juanita was one of my favorites the year it released. Lukoff writes a plot I don’t believe I’ve ever read before. Aidan’s parents had given him everything they thought a girl would want, except those things just don’t fit right. Tell me what picture book character owns their confidence enough to help their parents identity right for their soon to arrive baby.
“It’s not enough to be not racist. You must actively be antiracist.”
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, illus. by Ashley Lukashevsky has released twice in the past few months. Originally in board book format, the fact that the publisher soon after released it as a picture book tells you all you need to know. Everyone needs this book.
Hands Up! by Breanna J. McDaniel, illus. by Shane W. Evans is a fresh take on the phrase “hands up, don’t shoot” that originated as a result of police brutality and killings of Black citizens. McDaniel centers joy in this work as a young girl raises her hands in celebration, praise, and triumph across brightly painted pages.
Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, illus. by Theodore Taylor, III is a collection of unique poems tackling topics like ableism, body positivity, acceptance and more. A highlight of this one is that you can pull a specific one that relates more to your needs or read them all.
Woke Baby by Mahogany L. Browne, illus. by Theodore Taylor, III showcases what it’s like to be “woke,” an activist, shaking up with world.
The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illus. by John Parra highlights the courage and commitment of the lone female Black journalist in the White House briefing room at one time.
For more titles and varied social justice focuses, here’s a to my live bibliography.
“Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
John Lewis
I imagine you’re preaching to the chickens now, John Lewis. Take your rest, dear sir; you’ve earned it tenfold. We’ll be here continuing the work, making good, necessary trouble and empowering the next generation to do the same.
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