While 2020 seems to be intensely engaged in an active round of “Up Your Game,” there is some relatively good news coming out of the book publishing industry (Cue the bullhorns! Good news!). Namely, gatekeepers at publishing houses and those who are writing book reviews are starting to step aside and give voice to those traditionally marginalized. It’s a messy business, because change in power structures is messy. However, readers, educators and librarians have much more access to authentic cultural perspectives from around the globe.
It is, in fact, hard to narrow down my favorite new books featuring #own voices authors and illustrators. That’s a good thing. In the past two years I’ve tasked myself with not only reading non-white authors whenever possible, but following non-white writers and influencers on social media, and sourcing goods for home and work from BIPOC- (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) owned businesses, too. For educators on Instagram, there are several influencers worth following for information and reviews of new books, namely: @thetututeacher, @diversereads, and @theconsciouskid. Penguin Random House has also recently launched The Conversation— a new website to support readers, families, educators, communities, and businesses who are working to combat racism and to end racial inequities. This site brings together a curated array of resources and programming for readers, including discussion guides, title lists, and special content for all age groups.
It’s amazing what a consistently different lens does for one’s own Great Learning and Unlearning. Now let’s get to the exciting part– the BOOKS!
Here is a sample of the best new picture books published in 2020:
Our Favorite Day of the Year by A.E. Ali
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen
I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott
Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Tompkins-Bigelow
You Matter by Christian Robinson
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
Black Is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy
Anti Racist Baby by Ibram X Kendi
If Dominican Were a Color by Sili Recio
Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall
Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love
All the Way To the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel
Papa, Daddy and Riley by Seamus Kirst
And a sample of new books for ages 6-16:
Non-Fiction:
Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid by Mikaila Ulmer
Finish the Fight! The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought For the Right To Vote by Veronica Chambers
Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson & Kwame Alexander
Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi
When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson
Fiction:
Lupe Wong Won’t Dance by Donna Barba Higuera
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Shuri by Nic Stone
Elatsoe by Darci Little Badger
Stand Up, Yumi Ching! By Jessica Kim
Class Act by Jerry Craft
The Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar
BenBee and the Teacher Griefer by K A Holt
Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero by Kelly J Baptist
About the author: Jane Knight is the Children’s Room Manager at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, VT and a member of CLiF’s Board of Advisors.
