Recent Stories
"Nine Days: The Race to Save Martin Luther King Jr.'s Life and Win the 1960 Election" by Stephen Kendrick and Paul Kendrick
Always look for the helpers. No doubt, you've heard those words before: whenever you're in trouble – lost, scared, unsure, in danger – look around. Somewhere nearby, there's someone who'll help. As in the new book "Nine Days" by Stephen Kendrick and Paul Kendrick, though, it might not be quick. The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. had been in jail before.
Best Books of 2020
You've got a little extra time this month, and you don't want to waste it. You want to read something good, the possibilities are endless, and the best place to begin is with these Best Books of 2020 titles...
"Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson's Journey to the Stars" by Gary Golio, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
It's almost time for lights out. Just before that, though, you have a ritual: you wash your face, brush your teeth, put on your jammies, crawl into bed, and get a bedtime story. Then it's lights out until morning but before your good-night kiss tonight, ask for one last thing. Ask for "Dark Was the Night" by Gary Golio, illustrated by E. B. Lewis.
"We're Better Than This: My Fight for the Future of Our Democracy"
Things could always be worse. You didn't sleep well last night, your day started earlier than usual, and traffic, ugh; then you forgot your lunch and lost a bag of chips in a vending machine, and you never did catch up. You had a rotten day but look on the bright side: you're above ground and breathing and, as in "We're Better Than This" by Elijah Cummings with James Dale, someone had your back.
"I Got the School Spirit" by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison
A brand-new, shiny box of crayons. That's just one of the things you're looking forward to when you finally start school. Mom says you can't have them yet, though, you have to be patient. So why not read "I Got the School Spirit" by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison in the meantime?
"Thank You for Voting: The Maddening, Enlightening, Inspiring Truth about Voting in America" by Erin Geiger Smith
The checkmarks marched down the columns like hand-holding toddlers on a daycare outing.
"One Year of Ugly" by Caroline Mackenzie
The officer at the bank said "yes." And there you were: the proud owner of something big, something you'd wanted your entire life. That's thrilling, on one hand, and scary on the other: you've achieved your dream, but you'll be contributing toward that loan for many years. And as in the new novel "One Year of Ugly" by Caroline Mackenzie, payback is no fun.
"We Are Power: How Nonviolent Activism Changes the World" by Todd Hasak-Lowy
You put a lot of work into your sign. When you were done, what was once the side of a cardboard box suddenly became a note to the world – but as you were making it, you have to admit that you wondered if one cardboard sign was going to make much of a difference. You were protesting, but who would notice?
"Keep Calm and Log On: Your Handbook for Surviving the Digital Revolution" by Gillian "Gus" Andrews
IT stands for "information technology." That's the department assigned to fix your computer, the one you've called four times today so far. No, you're not an idiot. You're not some old dog with new tricks. What you are is growly and irritated but read "Keep Calm and Log On" by Gillian "Gus" Andrews, and your confidence will click in no time.
"Black Widow" by Leslie Gray Streeter
You find yourself spinning, spinning, spinning. When you lose someone, that's how it feels: like you're spinning in place, you can't think or understand, and there's a time limit, as if you're in one of those game show Cash Machines and you can't catch a thing. You can barely fathom that, as in the new book "Black Widow" by Leslie Gray Streeter, it will get better.
