We Are KidLit 2019 Summer Reading List Out

While reading though my feeds, I was thrilled to catch the announcement of the new We Are KidLit Summer Reading List for 2019 at CraziQuiltEdi's blog.

The list, full of great kids books (both newer and older titles) that emphasize #ownvoices from BIPOC, LQBTQIA+ and disability communities, is put together by a dedicated group of kid lit lovers: the We Are Kidlit Collective.

One of my favorite parts of Edi's post announcing the new list is how she shines a light on how the booklist is put together and who does (and did) the work. Once you get to the We Are KidsLit website, you also can access previous lists to build your collection and expand the books you recommend to kids.

Two More Best Lists

While all the more well-known youth awards are coming out of Midwinter, two of my personal favorite lists are also being discussed and decided on:

The Rainbow List highlights noteworthy GLBTRT for youth. Thanks to 2011-12 Rainbow Project jury  Francesca Burgess, Jane L. Cothron, Christie L. R. Gibrich (incoming chair, 2014), Christine Jenkins, Adela Peskorz, Victor Lynn Schill, and Anna C. White.

The Amelia Bloomer Project Top 10 list focuses on books with significant positive impact of women. Thanks to Amelia Bloomer Project committee members: Jennie Law (co-chair), Angela Semifero (co-chair), Ann Bever, Betsy Miguez, Katie Mitchell, Lalitha Nataraj, Linda Parsons, Kelly Rottmund, April Witteveen, and Joy Worland.

It's great to live in a world of outstanding books for youth!

Gift Kids with THESE Books

There is always a flurry of recommended book lists that appear in November in anticipation of the holiday buying season. Most (my own included) concentrate on gems and somewhat gauzy suggestions that appeal to the gifted kid, grandkid, great niece or nephew. Not that most kids are that gifted but adults in their lives sometimes make picks that they think the kids might like.

Sara over at Bryce Don't Play takes holiday book selection in a delightful new direction, steering adults away from their insanely stupid inclinations to more practical and soon-to-be-devoured-by-reluctant-readers picks. If you missed this, get on her feed and make sure you follow this blogger!

Amelia Bloomer Awards Announced

From the ALA press release:

DALLAS – The Amelia Bloomer Project, a product of the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table’s (SRRT) Feminist Taskforce, announced the 2012 Amelia Bloomer List at ALA’s Midwinter Meeting in Dallas, held Jan. 20-23, 2012.

The bibliography consists of well written and illustrated books with significant feminist content, intended for young readers from birth to 18 years old. This year’s list includes 78 titles published between July 1, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2011.

Named for Amelia Bloomer, a pioneering 19th century newspaper editor, feminist thinker, public speaker and suffragist, the list features books about girls and women that spur the imagination while confronting traditional female stereotypes.

The bibliography is intended to aid children and teens in selecting high-quality books released over the past 18 months and may be used for a recommended reading list for youth and those who interact with them and as a collection development or reader’s advisory tool for interested librarians. Find the top 10 titles of the 2012 Amelia Bloomer List here.

I'm a Proud Co-Mom!

 I am tickled pink to see the newly revised Great Early Elementary Reads booklist available on the Association for Library Service Website (ALSC) website. My wonderful national colleagues on the School Age Programs and Services Committee (chaired so beautifully by Iowa's own Tami Finley) worked happily and virtually in Google docs this fall to suggest and annotate over sixty great books for kids just beginning to read and those who are exploring early chapter books.  Each book, published between 2009 and 2011, has complete bibliographic info to make ordering copies a snap.

We were building on the pioneering work of our School Age Programs and Services committee predecessors, chaired by Shilo Pearson, who conceived of and created the first list almost three years ago.  Both lists contain great books from first time authors as well as popular writers who have made a mark on children's literature. There is a smattering of non-fiction and poetry as well as plenty of fiction featuring a rainbow of child protaganists.

ALSC  "recommends these titles for children who are just learning to read and beginning to read on their own. The books included were published between 2009 and 2011. However, many are part of a larger series that young readers also will enjoy. Librarians, educators, and others who work with families are encouraged to download and print the brochure and share it with parents, grandparents, and caregivers in their community."

Hats off to my co-moms on the committee who worked to create this great list to share with all of you: Tami L. Chumbley Finley, Sarah Abercrombie, Janis Cooker, Claire Moore, Sara Lissa Paulson, Erin Lynn Pierce, Elizabeth D. Rosania and Sarah Stippich and to the great staff at the ALSC office who supported our efforts to update this jewel!

Rainbows and Bloomers

Two of my favorite recommended booklists have just hit the press. The Rainbow Project, a joint committee of ALA's SRRT and GLBTRT looks at books for kids birth through age 18 that have significant authentic GLBTQ content and publishes an annual list. I am truly pleased to see the robustness of the list. Every child needs to find themselves in books and this list will help all of us grow our collections for the rainbow of children who use our libraries.

And the Amelia Bloomer Project from ALA's Feminist Task Force of SRRT has come out with their list of recommmended feminist literature for kids birth through age 18 as well. It is another rich list that has content that celebrates strong women and girls as well as highlighting the struggles women have had and continue to have.

Thanks to library.groupie@gmail.com for the heads up!

Image: Glass Paperweight http://www.flickr.com/photos/48600090482@N01/5143288