A must read (or listen) for all white people. I'm not saying POC shouldn't read it, but I'm don't think they need to hear the message the same way white people do. I learned from this book, and it was also a good reminder that I will always screw up, because I am white and in a white supremacist system.

Nala stressed me out. She sort of knows what she likes, but when she meets a cute bit, she pretends to be something she is not. That's realistic for a teen, but stressful for the adult! I did like the messages of learning to be strong in who you are and love yourself, in addition to serving your community.

A remix of Little Women that truly stands on its own. You learn so much about slavery, about Freedman's Colonies, about life and love. I really really liked it.

This is a good introduction to ballerina Misty Copeland's life. You get an overview of what her childhood was like, and some of her struggles as she became the ballerina she is today. I read this one after reading the biography from the "You Should Meet" series, and I liked that one a little more, but I think that one was aimed at a slightly older audience.

Ella and Herbie, twins, have moved to a new house. While their mom goes shopping for hardware supplies, the local handyman Mr. Mital keeps the children busy by having them help him with his work. Along the way, he points out a variety of inventions that were created by African-Americans. Flaps fold out from the pages with more information on each adventure. I enjoyed the combination of a fictional story with facts about inventors, and it’s sure to make you want to learn more about who invented the things around your house.

I had never heard of Vincent Chin before reading this story. Chin was horrifically murdered after a drunken fight and the murderer, Ebens, was only given probation and a small fine. Not only did this case start the Asian American movement for civil rights, it also inspired changes in the judicial system. Yoo does a great job of laying out the case and the different moves the lawyer made. The only part that didn't entirely work for me were the chapters from Chin's fiancée, Vickie Wong, son's perspective. I didn't feel like they really wrapped up.

I love every book in this series. I didn't go back and read the other two before this one, to try to get a sense of whether you can read this one without being familiar with the others and it still be okay. I think it is. Waylon knows he doesn't fit in the way others kids do--he's gay and fat and both are obvious. Luckily he's got his twin, Clementine, who always has his back. This story is about the way he learns to live separately from Clementine and keep his own head high. It also has a cute romance with a guy named Tucker. So fun.

I didn't quite know how to feel about this one. It's a lot--it's pretty bleak, with lots of horrible things happening to people. I've read other bleak books this year, so I'm wondering if it's a trend or just my reading habits. I feel like one thing I need to remind myself of with this book is what the world was like in 2002 compared to today with trans issues. Not that today is any utopia, but even I have to admit my views were different then than now. I don't know. I feel like I need to sit with this one for a while.

Started but did not finish because I can't handle dystopias around January 6, 2021.

Picked back up in September 2021. Finished it. I would say I found it more readable than I thought, and it shows the way culture and family influence people, and also how people can resist those influences while others don't. It's a heavy read when it feels too close to reality.