Antiracist reading recommendations from Black-owned bookstores
These recommended reading lists from Brain Lair Books in South Bend, Indiana, and Loyalty Bookstores in Washington, D.C. and Silver Spring, MD, are stocked with antiracist reads by writers of color to add to your bookshelf immediately.
Children’s books that address race and racism
Books are some of the most helpful tools we have to start conversations with children about race and racism. This list, published by The Conscious Kid, contains 30+ titles for children from ages 3 through 12.
Find and support a Black-owned bookstore near you
The African American Literature Book Club maintains a list of Black-owned bookstores in the U.S. Even if you can’t find one in your area, you can order online from anywhere in the country from participating bookstores via their websites or via Bookshop.org.
Kidlit Rally for Black Lives
On June 4, The Brown Bookshelf will host a Kidlit Rally for Black Lives on Facebook Live. The event is organized by Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson, and Jason Reynolds and will also feature Renée Watson, Jerry Craft, and many others. From 7 to 7:45 p.m., the rally will focus on talking to young people; from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m., the focus will switch to talking to parents, educators, and librarians.
Antiracist Book Club
Loyalty Bookstores also hosts a virtual Antiracist Book Club each month, where readers discuss leading titles in antiracist literature. The June selection is Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad and will be discussed on June 24; previous selections include How To Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. While all book club meetings are free, users must RSVP to receive the online chat link.
We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse Books is a nonprofit organization that champions diversity in kidlit publishing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also providing emergency grants to diverse authors and professionals in the publishing industry who are facing financial hardship. Donations to WNDB will help support the fund in addition to its overall mission of making stories featuring diverse characters and authors more available to all young readers. You can also utilize its list of organizations, book recommendations, and educational resources on race, equity, antiracism, and inclusion.
Donate to organizations and funds that need financial support
Publishers Weekly has compiled a substantial list of arts, social justice, and regional organizations and funds for authors and publishing professionals to support. The list will be maintained and updated by PW; readers can suggest other organizations to add by emailing the staff.
