Read Woke

Look, black boy book cover

Look, black boy

Caleb Rainey

811.6 /Rainey
Black Lives Matter, Read Woke, Black History

"In his debut poem collection Caleb 'The Negro Artist' Rainey explores racial tensions in America from the perspective of a young Black male."--

Victoria's picture

Caleb Rainey is a local poet and founder of IC Speaks, a poetry group for high schoolers. This book will have you nodding, snapping and clapping line after line. His verse is raw, honest and spot on. Go see him live if you get the chance! -Victoria

Apple : skin to the core : a memoir in words and pictures book cover

Apple : skin to the core : a memoir in words and pictures

Eric L. Gansworth

BIOGRAPHY Gansworth, Eric L.
Read Woke, Memoir

"The term "Apple" is a slur in Native communities across the country. It's for someone supposedly "red on the outside, white on the inside." Eric Gansworth is telling his story in Apple (Skin to the Core). The story of his family, of Onondaga among Tuscaroras, of Native folks everywhere. From the horrible legacy of the government boarding schools, to a boy watching his siblings leave and return and leave again, to a young man fighting to be an artist who balances multiple worlds. Eric shatters that slur and reclaims it in verse and prose and imagery that truly lives up to the word heartbreaking." -- Inside front jacket flap.

Victoria's picture

A heartbreaking, poignant, and fascinating look into the world of Eric Gansworth, an Onondaga and his Native American experiences in the United States.. -Victoria

I love you, baby burrito book cover

I love you, baby burrito

Angela Dominguez

jE Domingue
Picture Books, Read Woke

"From Pura Belpre honoree Angela Dominguez, Love You Baby Burrito is a modern classic picture book celebrating the act of swaddling a newborn into a baby burrito." -- Provided by publisher.

Casey's picture

Angela Dominguez's latest book is beyond adorable. Karen G. and I were "oohing" over it when it first came in. I can't wait to share it in Book Babies soon! Anyone who's ever burritoed a baby owes this one a read. -Casey

An American sunrise : poems book cover

An American sunrise : poems

Joy Harjo

811.6 /Harjo
Read Woke, Poetry

A stunning new volume from the first Native American Poet Laureate of the United States, informed by her tribal history and connection to the land.

Casey's picture

Celebrate National Poetry Month! This collection is simply wonderful, I'm looking forward to finding and being found within it again. -Casey

The Patron Saints of Nothing book cover

The Patron Saints of Nothing

Randy Ribay

YOUNG ADULT FICTION/Ribay Randy
Read Woke, Young Adult

When seventeen-year-old Jay Reguero learns his Filipino cousin and former best friend, Jun, was murdered as part of President Duterte's war on drugs, he flies to the Philippines to learn more.

Victoria's picture

This is the story of Jay- a Filipino-American straddling two countries; the US where he's spent most of his life and the Philippines, where his parents chose to leave shortly after he was born in pursuit of a better life. Author Randy Ribay excels in exploring identity, what it means to look a certain way and be interpreted in another. Another theme I appreciated was no matter how much you feel a part of the country you left behind, you will often be seen as an outsider once you leave making you question where your home really is. This book is an excellent read for young adults and adults. It humanizes victims of the war on drugs in the Philippines and allows the reader to explore the conflict from alternative perspectives. This is an exceptional read and provides many opportunities for discussion around immigration, politics, family tradition and connections. -Victoria

Sing, unburied, sing : a novel book cover

Sing, unburied, sing : a novel

Jesmyn Ward

FICTION Ward Jesmyn
Fiction, Diverse Characters, Read Woke

"A searing and profound Southern odyssey through Mississippi's past and present"--

Jason's picture

Ward's story grapples with the trauma of racism, gun violence, and incarceration via a multi-generational household. Her story is set in rural southern Mississippi yet these themes are familiar to many in America. Chapters are told from alternating character's point of view including those of a ghost. -Jason

IN MY MOSQUE. book cover

IN MY MOSQUE.

M. O YUKSEL

ON ORDER BOOK
Read Woke, Picture Books

Casey's picture

Added by Casey

Milo imagines the world book cover

Milo imagines the world

Matt de la Peña

ON ORDER BOOK
Read Woke, Picture Books

While Milo and his sister travel to a detention center to visit their incarcerated mother, he observes strangers on the subway and draws what he imagines their lives to be.

Casey's picture

The team behind "Last Stop on Market Street" and "Carmela Full of Wishes" are back, and this one looks great! -Casey

A sled for Gabo book cover

A sled for Gabo

Emma Otheguy

ON ORDER BOOK
Read Woke, Picture Books

Gabo, shy with other children and having no sled or winter clothing, yearns to go sledding and his neighbor's granddaughter, Isa, helps him find a way.

Casey's picture

Added by Casey

Off to see the sea book cover

Off to see the sea

Nikki Grimes

ON ORDER BOOK
Read Woke, Picture Books

Casey's picture

Nikki Grimes is another favorite author, and this cover is so striking! -Casey