At this special time of year, DEB is excited to present several books, businesses, and non-profit recommendations aligned with our mission. |
|
The upcoming time away from school and our regular schedules gives us lots of time to read stories and books and continue to build empathy for others. To that end, below are a few book recommendations for all the young readers in your house. Thank you to our teachers and parents for these great recommendations!
Younger Readers
-
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman - A picture book celebrating diversity, for ages 4-7
-
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena and Christian Robinson - A picture book about seeing beauty in the world around you, even in challenging economic circumstances, for ages 3-7
-
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordan C. James - A picture book that is an empowering story of Black boy joy, celebrating confidence, pride, and value, for ages 3-5
-
All Because You Matter by Tami Charles and Bryan Collier - A picture book that is an ode to Black and brown children, providing a message of hope, assurance, and love, for ages 5-8
-
In Our Mothers' House by Patricia Polacco - A true story picture book about a family with two moms, for ages 6-8
-
Mr. Lincoln's Way by Patricia Polacco - The touching story of a school principal and the bully whose life he'll change, for ages 6-9
-
Each Kindness by Jaqueline Woodson – A story about bullying and excluding, ages 5-8
-
The Other Side by Jaqueline Woodson – A story about two girls and their friendship during the time of segregation, for ages 5-8
-
Call Me Max by Kyle Lukoff – This book details the journey of a transgender child, ages 7-9
Middle Age Readers
-
The Other Boy by M.G. Hennessey - A beautifully heartfelt story about one boy’s journey toward acceptance, for ages 8-12
-
George by Alex Gino – A novel about a gender non-conforming kid, for ages 8-12
-
Roll With It by Jamie Sumner - A novel about a girl with cerebral palsy who moves to a new town, for ages 9-12
-
Front Desk by Kelly Yang - A novel about the contemporary Asian-American immigrant experience in Southern California, for ages 9-12
-
The Best Man by Richard Peck - A novel about love and what makes a family is not always heteronormative, for ages 9-13
-
Young, Fearless, Awesome - 25 Young People Who Changed the World by Stella Caldwell - Nonfiction about young activists throughout the world, for ages 8-12
-
Rebel Girls Explore: 20 Tales of Extraordinary Women by Francesca Cavallo and Elena Favilli - Nonfiction about extraordinary women throughout history to help empower young women to dream big, for ages 9-13
-
Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome – Historical fiction novel about one boy's experiences during the Great Migration, for ages 8-12
-
The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate by Janice Cohn, Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth, ages 7 to 11
-
Angel Square by Brian Doyle – A mystery that confronts the issue of racial hatred, ages 9 to 12
Young Adult Readers
-
It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (Adapted for Young Readers) by Trevor Noah – A memoir from the host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, who shares his personal story and the injustices he faced while growing up half black, half white in South Africa under and after apartheid, for ages 10 and up
-
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie – The story of a boy growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation who leaves to attend an all-white farm town high school, young adult, for ages 12 and up
-
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas - A young adult novel about prejudice and racism, ages 14 and up
-
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of Stamped From the Beginning by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi - A timely, crucial, and empowering exploration of racism--and antiracism--in America, young adult, ages 12 and up
-
In the Neighborhood of True by Susan Kaplan Carlton - A powerful story of love, identity, and the price of fitting in or speaking out, young adult, ages 14 and up
-
The Assignment by Liza Wiemer - Inspired by a real-life incident, this riveting novel explores discrimination and antisemitism and reveals their dangerous impact, young adult, ages 12 and up
|
|
You can find many of these titles at your local library or your local independent bookshop who can offer curbside pickup or ship them to you! Two great local options are listed for you here:
Semicolon Bookstore and Gallery
The Book Stall
If you have additional recommendations, please forward them along and we’d be pleased to include them in a future newsletter. Happy reading!
|
|
Businesses that
Support Anti-Racism.
In our most recent DEB newsletter, we highlighted the local parent group HEROS (Healing Everyday Racism in Our Schools). In a recent HEROS newsletter, they highlighted some ways to identify businesses that support anti-racism. If you are considering gifts that support Black creatives, business owners, and people of color, here are a few local shops to consider.
-
Maison du Prince (Winnetka) - a new boutique floral design and home accessories store in Winnetka founded by acclaimed Chicago designer Ramsey Prince. http://www.maisonduprincedesign.com/
-
Semicolon bookstore (Chicago) - a black woman-owned bookshop that is committed to raising literacy rates. The shop invites CPS students every month to #ClearTheShelves. Free of charge, students can take home whatever books they’d like. https://www.semicolonchi.com/
|
|
Non-Profits Making a Difference. |
|
If giving is your gift of choice this holiday season, here are a few non-profits to learn more about and consider donating to - in time or in dollars!
The Nora Project
Co-founded by an educator and the parents of a child with disabilities, The Nora Project aims to normalize difference, demystify disability, and promote meaningful connections between students and their peers with disabilities. We do this through a suite of programs that teach empathy, inclusive beliefs and behaviors, disability awareness, storytelling, accessibility and innovation, and advocacy.
GLSEN
GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together we can transform our nation's schools into a safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.
HEROS
HEROS is a working group of students, parents, teachers, and neighbors who self-organized in early 2018. Our aim (and our name) is Healing Everyday Racism in Our Schools (HEROS). We believe that such healing is possible if we join together, listen to one another, and take bold, courageous action that centers the lives of those who experience racism on a daily basis. HEROS currently does not take monetary donations, please consider donating your time to this New Trier based community group.
The Surge Institute
The Surge Institute is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the empowerment, advancement, growth, and achievement of youth and communities of color. We do this by educating and elevating leaders of color, preparing them to transform urban education and expand the opportunities for our youth. The Surge Fellowship is the signature program of the Surge Institute and serves as a best-in-class, cohort-based experience that unites, accelerates, and empowers emerging leaders of color in education. It is a key facet of our growing movement to better serve the communities too often ignored due to a lack of leadership that understands their needs.
|
|
In February 2019, members of the JSSPVA met with the Joseph Sears School Administration to encourage richer dialogues and augmented programming around diversity, equity, and belonging in our school community. In response to this request, the JSSPVA and the administration co-created the DEB committee in August 2019 with monthly meetings beginning in November 2019. The committee is made up of parents, faculty, administration, socio-emotional learning team leads, and a school board member representative. This unique collaboration amongst school and community stakeholders allows for diverse perspectives on the committee and in the school house. |
|
The Joseph Sears School DEB Committee
Faculty/Staff Committee Members
Nancy Economou, Social Worker
Hilary Harvey, Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator
Jennifer Arra, Fourth-Grade Teacher
Robert Drewry, ELA Teacher
Myra Love, Student Services
Laura Romisher, Eighth-Grade Math Teacher
Toula Sideris, Third-Grade Teacher
Daphna Stepen, Sixth-Grade ELA Teacher
Parent Committee Members:
Kathy Ambrosino, Shawn Bard, Marjorie Bransfield, Tanya Brown, Sarah Czepiel, Steve Fifita,
Brittany Gottschall, Joe Guarino, Omar Khalaf, Radhika Maheshwari, Vanessa Menton,
Steve Mugg, Amisha Muthialu, Joanna Naftali, Kyra Nelson, Claire Serpi, Janet Scholl, Meredith Sullivan
|
|
Interested in joining the DEB Committee? Please fill out the following form and a committee chairperson will reach out with more information. |
|
The Joseph Sears School Diversity, Equity, Belonging Committee
542 Abbotsford Road, Kenilworth, IL, 60043
School Office: 847-256-5006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
