Children’s Services – Heights Libraries

COVID-19 Challenges

Heights Libraries understands that this is a particularly challenging time for caregivers due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to the resources listed below, we have a special page of resources to help you keep your children healthy and engaged during the shelter-in-place order from the state of Ohio.

Click here for a list!

Stay home and stay safe with Heights Libraries!

You can learn more about specific services below.

Winter Reading Warmup

Beat the winter blues with our Winter Reading Program! Join our Winter Reading Warm Up challenge on Beanstack by going to https://heightslibrary.beanstack.org or by downloading the “Beanstack Tracker” from your app store and searching for Heights Libraries. Complete five reading activities and earn prizes perfect for winter! For PreK-5th grade.

Tutor.com

Need help with your homework or perfecting an essay? Tutor.com can help you with that and more!

Check out Tutor.com!

Our Collection

Picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, books on CD, Playaway Views, magazines, and a large non-fiction collection ensure that there is something for every reading level.

Visit our branches and talk to a librarian, check out recommendations on our blog, or browse our catalog.

Programs

From storytimes for babies and toddlers to special programs for the school-age set, our children’s programs make learning fun.

Online Resources

Sign up for Heights Little Learners, Heights Libraries’ e-newsletter aimed at caregivers of children ages 0 to 6, featuring upcoming programs, early literacy tips, book recommendations, and more!

Our Youth Librarians have selected a wide variety of digital resources for teachers, parents/guardians, and other caregivers.

Children’s Blog Recent Posts

Library, Cedar Lee District collaborate on holiday Storywalk®

Heights Libraries and the Cedar Lee District are pleased to announce their collaboration on the neighborhood’s first Storywalk®, featuring the timeless children’s favorite The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats. A Storywalk® is a family-friendly, outdoor activity where pages of a book are presented along a popular walking route for people to read in order as they move through the neighborhood. The reproduced pages of the book are featured in windows along Lee Road at local merchants S’Wonderful Gifts, Dewey’s Pizza, CLE Urban Winery, Heights Arts, The Wine Spot, Voodoo Brewery, Atma Center, and the Lee Road branch of Heights Libraries. The installation of the Heights Libraries-Cedar Lee District Storywalk® coincides with the beginning of the holiday shopping season, specifically Small Business Saturday, which falls on November 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and last until January 4, to finish out the holidays. “We wanted to find a way to promote our local businesses and offer our families a fun, safe holiday activity, too,” said Kelley Robinson, director of the Cedar Lee Special Improvement District, or SID. “We hope that while families are enjoying the story, they’ll do some holiday shopping in the district.” Robinson added, “I think folks will appreciate a reason to get outdoors, especially with so many of the wee ones learning from home this year due to COVID-19. Household groups can walk together safely, while easily maintaining a safe distance from others.” Heights Libraries hopes the Storywalk® will also inspire families to make books, movies, and music from the library part of their holiday routines. “With school winter breaks heading our way, we hope our community remembers to stock up on books and movies while everyone is home,” said Heights Libraries Director Nancy Levin. “Even though our buildings are closed, customers can still pick up books and movies curbside, and also enjoy our free online streaming services for music, movies and TV shows and eBooks and audiobooks through Overdrive and other services.” Levin continued, “The Library is happy to create this beautiful display for families and to partner with the SID once again to promote Small Business Saturday.” Story Walk stops, in book order: 1. S’Wonderful Gifts, 2254 Lee Road 2. Dewey’s Pizza, 2194 Lee Road 3. CLE Urban Winery, 2180 Lee Road 4. Heights Arts, 2175 Lee Road 5. The Wine Spot, 2271 Lee Road 6. Voodoo Brewery, 2279 Lee Road 7. Atma Center, 2319 Lee Road 8. Heights Libraries Lee Road branch (Lee Road side), 2345 Lee Road The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
Social Media and Children

If your teen or tween child were to say to you that they were on TikTok or Kik or Tinder, would you know what they were talking about? Would you as a parent know whether what they were doing was safe? I’m lucky in that when my children started getting an online presence, there wasn’t much social media for them to get into. They had to use the family PC, which was in the family room so that my wife and I could watch their every move. With today’s tablets and smart phones, it’s my grandchildren that I worry about. Your child can be on many different social media sites without your knowledge and certainly not when you are watching. In this blog post, we will give you resources to know what is out there and what you need to know to help you guide your children through the social media minefield of criminals, child predators, cyberbullies, and more. Let’s start with learning what apps are out there and are popular with today’s teens. Here a few links to some good websites that can give you some guidance to your child’s online activity. A Complete Guide to Potentially Dangerous Apps All Parents Should Be Aware Of 18 Social Media Apps and Sites Kids Are Using Right Now The Most Popular Apps for Teenagers: What’s Hot, What’s Not Top Apps Teens are Using Right Now Now that we know what is out there and what is popular right now (which may not be the case next week, month or year), what can you do as a parent to help avoid the pitfalls that these social media sites present to you children? Most experts agree that communication is the key, and knowledge is power. Get to know the social media sites that your kids are using. Set up an account, cruise around the site, and educate yourself on what each offers and how kids are using it. Be familiar with sites’ age restrictions and know that kids can easily get around them. If you have a child under the age of 13, check the browser history and all apps on their device. If you see something like Facebook listed, assume your child has created an account. Talk to them about why the age requirement exists and how it might be a good idea for them to hold off on joining. Talk to your children and try to keep an open line of communication. Let them know it is okay for them to talk to you about whatever is going on. Since many of the social media apps allow users to post anonymously, child predators and cyberbullies flourish in those environments. It may be hard for you as a parent to have these types of conversation (no parent wants to have adult-type conversations with their children even if your children are adults!), but if your child is armed with the knowledge that a trusted caregiver has their back, and they can trust you to help and not lecture them about a problem, that is something very powerful. The most important thing is to be proactive in your child’s online activities, not reactive. This site not only list seven apps that are bad for children, but also gives some great advice on how to be involved. 7 Bad Apps for Kids That You Don’t Want on Their Phones Can I monitor what my child is doing online? How about an app for me to watch them? Yes, there are also apps available to you as a parent to help you monitor your child’s devices. 10 Apps for Parents to Monitor Kids’ Mobile Use Best Apps & Devices To Monitor Your Kids Online Activity 5 Effective Safety Apps for Parents of Tweens/Teens Surely there must be some apps out there that my child can be on without fearing the worst for them, right? Yes, there is, and here are a few websites that tell you about the good apps out there. Best Social Media Apps for Kids Social Networks Made for Children Yes, social media can be scary, but hopefully you, with the information we’ve put forward here, are better equipped to help guide your children successfully through the social media minefield and keep them safe.
What’s New in Children’s

July 25th – August 7th Browse our new books from the comfort of your own home! Follow the link to read a summary and place a hold. Picture Books Natsumi’s Song of Summer by Robert Paul Weston Nola’s Scribbles Save the Day by Cristina Lalli Our Favorite Day of the Year by A.E. Ali Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin Rescuing Mrs. Birdley by Aaron Reynolds Runaway Signs by Joan Holub Sloth Went by Adam Herhaupt Tad by Benji Davies Tiger Wild by Gwen Millward Ways to Welcome by Linda Ashman Weasel Is Worried by Ciara Gavin My Ocean is Blue by Darren Lebeuf Foodie Faces by Bill and Claire Wurtzel Home Base: A Mother-Daughter Story by Nikki Tate Non-Fiction How Women Won the Vote by Susan Campbell Bartoletti Seagulls Soar by April Pulley Sayre My Encyclopedia of Very Important Sports by Chris Hawkes 50 Reasons to Love Animals by Catherine Barr National Geographic Kids: Almanac 2021 Graphic Novels Minions: Viva Le Boss! by Stéphane Lapuss Peter & Ernesto the Lost Sloths by Graham Annable This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews
Pride in Picture Books

Happy Pride! Yesterday was the last day of June which means it was the last day of Pride Month! To celebrate we are sharing picture books that celebrate identity and the LGBTQIA+ community. Each title focuses on the topics of identity, gender expression, or experiences of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether they feature characters that buck gender norms, show love between same sex couples, contain information on pronouns, or share questions about identity, each book encourages children and families to be true to themselves. Hopefully, they will also inspire love and acceptance, offer reinforcement of identity, and encourage open conversations. Enjoy the books in the list below ALL YEAR LONG by calling your nearest Heights Libraries branch to order. Neither by Airlie Anderson Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart They, She, He, Me, Free to Be by Maya Gonzalez Maiden & Princess and Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack Jacob’s Room to Choose by Ian Hoffman and Sarah Hoffman I’m a Girl by Yasmin Ismail I Am Jazz by Jazz Jennings Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin Jamie is Jamie by Afsaneh Moradian Be Amazing: A History of Pride by Desmond Napoles Sparkle Boy by Lesléa Newman The Family Book by Todd Parr Who are You? The Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer Jack Not Jackie by Erica Silverman Pride Colors by Robin Stevenson From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book about Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton
Black Stories to Share with Young Children

Black lives matter. Black creators matter. Black stories matter. The list below features picture books written by Black authors. Most are also illustrated by Black artists. These books capture multiple facets of life: family, new beginnings, tall tales, conquering fears, friendships, and more. These books include joy, hurt, anger, love, laughs, tears, and hugs. These books celebrate and affirm Black children’s lives and show a variety of lived experiences. These books are for every family, every child, and should be enjoyed and read no matter your skin color. Check them out online, linked if available, or call your Heights Libraries branch to order. And, also, this is by no means (very much, not at all) a comprehensive list! For more resources and book lists, including information on Juneteenth, scroll to the bottom. Picture Books King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (ebook) and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James (ebook) Grandma’s Purse (ebook) and Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (ebook) Brown Baby Lullaby by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by AG Ford Grandma’s Tiny House by JaNay Brown-Wood, illustrated by Priscilla Burris (ebook) Hair Love by Matthew Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison (ebook) Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper Shortcut by Donald Crews One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson (ebook) My Mommy Medicine by Edwidge Danticat, illustrated by Shannon Wright Chocolate Me and Mixed Me by Taye Diggs, illustrated by Shane W. Evans (audio file) Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita Just Like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin, , illustrated by Ebony Glenn Honey, I Love by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon My Friend Maya Loves to Dance by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by Eric Velasquez (ebook) That is My Dream by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Daniel Miyares (ebook) Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy Please, Baby, Please and Please, Puppy, Please by Spike Lee, illusrated by Kadir Nelson Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter (ebook) Hands Up! by Breanna J. McDaniel, illustrated by Shane Evans (ebook) What is Given from the Heart by Patricia McKissack, illustrated by April Harrison (ebook) The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly (ebook) Thunder Rose by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by Kadir Nelson Sulwe by Lupito Nyong’o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison (ebook) I Got Next by Daria Peoples-Riley Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins, illustrated by Bryan Collier (ebook) Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Nneka Myers Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold Another and You Matter by Christian Robinson M is for Melanin by Tiffany Rose Layla’s Happiness by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie, illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Ebony Glenn Looking for Bongo by Eric Velasquez (ebook) Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (audio file) More resources and booklists: The Brown Bookshelf We Need Diverse Books The Conscious Kid Here Wee Read Diverse Book Finder Social Justice Books This week also marks the 155th anniversary of the holiday Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, news finally reached (or was shared with) Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people were free. Also known as Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, now, each year on June 19, this special day is a celebration of freedom and a call to reflect on the history of enslavement and the path to freedom in America. The holiday also serves as a reminder of how much more there is to achieve in the realm of civil rights and equality for all. As former President Barack Obama tweeted, “Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory, or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible––and there is still so much work to do.” Juneteenth Books Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford All Different Now: Juneteenth the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson Juneteenth Resources Juneteenth – a website launched in 1996 to provide a channel in which to connect all who share the vision of [the Juneteenth] celebration Juneteenth Book Festival – virtual event organized by YA author, L.L. McKinney, and book publicist, Saraciea Fennell. “Things are hard right now, and my goal is that we take a moment to celebrate us during all of this,” said McKinney. The online event, “seeks to use this day of jubilation to boost and celebrate Black American stories and the people behind them.” Dozens of writers and industry insiders, including Angie Thomas, have signed on to participate. You might discover your next favorite book or author! RSVP here or follow on social media, @JuneteenthBkFst, and YouTube for updates. National Museum of African American History and Culture – offers a tour of the “Slavery and Freedom” exhibition given by the Founding Director, Lonnie Bunch III. Teaching Tolerance – offers a guide to adults and educators on discussing and teaching the holiday.
National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, and there are many ways to enjoy it while we’re staying at home. Spring can be a lovely time to add some poetry to your life, especially if you’re spending time outdoors and paying attention to the changes. The short form of poetry can also be comforting in uncertain times like these, when we may have difficulty focusing on something for longer periods of time. While brief, there is often a lot to mull over in a poem. It’s good to read a poem at least twice for comprehension and to appreciate the beauty or cleverness of it. The poem also wants you to read it out loud! As we live with more quiet and solitude, engaging with poetry might provide something we find that we want or need. Here are some ways to begin. To Read: In the digital collections offered by the library, there is a wonderful selection of poetry books you can read or listen to. On Hoopla, there are plenty of poetry Ebooks and audiobooks to choose from, and there is also a more selective list of audiobooks for Poetry Month. On each list, you can filter for children’s titles on the left-hand side, but there are not very many. You can borrow items from Hoopla immediately and check out up to 10 things each month. However, there is a lot for young people to read on Overdrive/Libby, where you can now create an account without a library card number. You just need to sign up with your mobile phone number here or in the Libby app after downloading it onto your phone or tablet. There are amazing picture books, varied poetry collections, and novels-in-verse on the list for children, and the titles for teens include a variety of novels-in-verse for different readers and fabulous collections, too. Here’s a favorite of mine from each list: One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough For little ones, there are many picture books that include rhyme, imagination, or linguistic creativity. Oftentimes, books expose young children to sophisticated words in ways that stick. A good way to help promote early literacy is to name and describe the world around us, which is also a very poetic thing to do! If you are missing storytime like I am, this video of author Micha Archer performing an interactive reading of her picture book Daniel Finds A Poem will be a nice treat. She discusses the creation of the book at the end of the video, too. To Explore: The Academy of American Poets is an organization that offers so much to readers, poets, and educators. Much of it is available on their website, poets.org. On this page, you can also also sign up for one of their great email newsletters; the poem-a-day program sends a poem to your email inbox each day. In their materials for teachers, there are curated lists of poems that children or teens might enjoy. On the Poems for Kids page, there are poem lists for seasons, holidays, topics, and themes. The themed lists on the page for teens illustrates the breadth of serious things poets explore; Poems for Teens has lists for love, loss, breakups, mental health, heritage, politics, and the self. There is also great advice for young poets, recommended reading, and essays on writing here. Finally, there are ideas for celebrating National Poetry Month while practicing social distancing and communicating virtually here. I recommend creating an account so you can save poems you like online! Book Riot also has many insightful, entertaining, and informational articles about all things related to poetry. You can find the current list here. These are two excellent places to start: Where To Find Free Poetry Online Where to Find Free Poetry Resources for Kids Online To Write: Please write if you find yourself inspired to do so. There are so many funny or strange ways to say how you view an infinite number of subjects in a poem, and you might surprise yourself by what you realize. Inspired by National Novel Writing Month in November, NaPoWriMo encourages people to write a poem every day in April. Every day of the month, there is a poetry-writing prompt, a featured submitted poem from the day before, and a unique poetry resource. Every post since 2013 is available on the website. For younger writers, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jason Reynolds, has started a video series project to share writing prompts with young people each week. It’s called Write. Right. Rite. Although it’s not exclusively about poetry, Reynolds has written phenomenal poetry for young people and writes and speaks in a natural, rhythmic, and cool way. It’s how I imagine a lot of teenagers I know would write poetry. I hope that there is something for you here and wish you safety and health until we can see each other at the library again.
Tumble Book Library

The library buildings may be closed, but staff are working hard to continue to connect you to resources and information. Staff are recording video storytimes, writing book reviews, participating in blood drives and food pantries, as well as adding access to new services. I want to highlight one of those new services: Tumble Book Library. The Tumble Book Library collection is a database of ebook and audiobook titles for all ages. This is a robust collection and there is a lot to explore! There are lists based on subject including math and nonfiction, lists based on the amount of time you have, and titles available in Spanish and French. Tumble Book Library also offers language-learning games that allow children to test their comprehension and sentence level reading. There is even a chapter book collection for older kids to read along with highlighted text for guided reading. It’s a great resource for building more reading into your day and is super easy to use. Follow the steps below to try it out. Visit www.heightslibrary.org and hover over the “Digital Collection” tab at the top, click on “eBooks & Audiobooks” 2. Tumble Book Library is the first option on the next page, click on the blue words. You do not need a library card number to access the site as long as you go through this link. 3. The next page breaks down the different categories you have access to through our link. There are categories for school age to adult. 4. Click on your chosen topic and it will take you to the Tumble Book Library collection. Happy reading!! And for more connections with Heights Library keep checking the website, subscribe to our newsletters, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Kids Have Germs!

Books are a great way to talk with children about current events, news, and tougher topics. The news surrounding COVID-19 is a perfect example! The uncertainty, overheard conversations, rumors, and partial messaging can be especially frightening for children. Sharing stories about being sick, going to the doctor, or about the science of germs and following up with a factual conversation can ease stress and anxiety. Below is a list of books that can open up the conversation and give some background to bodies, illness, and germs. Check them out or place a hold at your nearest Heights Libraries branch. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has some great tips for talking with kids of all ages about COVID-19, as does the National Association of School Psychologists. You can also check out the library’s coronavirus web page. Picture Books The Sniffles for Bear by Bonny Becker Wash, Wash, Wash by Pamela Chanko Llama Llama Home with Mama by Anna Dewdney Calling Dr. Zaza by Mylo Freeman Sherm the Germ by John Hutton Bob not Bob! by Elizabeth Scanlon A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen Nonfiction The Magic School Bus present the Human Body and The Magic School Bus Inside Ralphie by Joanna Cole Human Body: A Book with Guts! by Basher and Dan Green Do Not Lick this Book by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost Inside Your Germs by Karin Halvorson Germs: Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes by Lesa Cline-Ransome Why We Go to the Doctor by Rosalyn Clark Doctors Help by Dee Reedy For older kids check out an awesome zine Malaka Gharib put together for NPR. It’s informative, funny, and illustrated! Finally, proper hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spreading of germs. Practice along with this song from Jbrary! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJhWl1LLz5Q
Stonewall Book Awards 2020

The Stonewall Book Awards were first established in 1971 to celebrate and honor GLBTQIA+ literature and in 2010 the award expanded to include a category for children’s and young adult literature. The Stonewall Book Award-Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award goes annually to “English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience.” Recognizing stories that celebrate all people is so important. Not only do these stories inform but they also celebrate and affirm. In an interview with Shelf Awareness, winning author Kyle Lukoff shares that he wrote his story in part to show that, “the world is a better place for having you in it. That you are not someone to accept, or to tolerate, or to deal with, but someone to celebrate and welcome with joy and gratitude.” Stonewall Book Award – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s Literature Award When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl’s room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of life that didn’t fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life. Then Mom and Dad announce that they’re going to have another baby, and Aidan wants to do everything he can to make things right for his new sibling from the beginning–from choosing the perfect name to creating a beautiful room to picking out the cutest onesie. But what does “making things right” actually mean? And what happens if he messes up? For more picture books that highlight GLBTQ identities and experiences check out the parenting section at your nearest Heights Libraries branch. We’ve added a “gender expression” category with picture books that can help start a conversation around gender identity with your child. Having access to books that showcase different human experiences is so valuable. Books help readers to see their own reflection and learn about other perspectives. In that same interview, award winning illustrator Kaylani Juanita says, “There aren’t enough picture books being published that are illustrated and/or written by POCs. Which means there are even less being published about and by queer and trans people of color. We need to make space and support stories for underrepresented people. Inclusive and diverse picture books can help shape a better future for all of us.” Stonewall Book Award – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Young Adult Literature Award The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he’s navigated what it means to be Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican–but never quite feeling Greek or Black enough. As he gets older, Michael’s coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs–and the Black Flamingo is born. Told with raw honesty, insight, and lyricism, this debut explores the layers of identity that make us who we are–and allow us to shine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UdejBoQ1v8 Stonewall Book Award-Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Honors Pet by Akwaeke Emezi There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with this lesson all their lives. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature made of horns and colors and claws, who emerges from one of her mother’s paintings and a drop of Jam’s blood, she must reconsider what she’s been told. Pet has come to hunt a monster, and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption’s house. Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also to uncover the truth and the answer to the question –How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist? Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian It’s 1989 in New York City, and for three teens, the world is changing. Reza is an Iranian boy who has just moved to the city with his mother to live with his stepfather and stepbrother. He’s terrified that someone will guess the truth he can barely acknowledge about himself. Reza knows he’s gay, but all he knows of gay life are the media’s images of men dying of AIDS. Judy is an aspiring fashion designer who worships her uncle Stephen, a gay man with AIDS who devotes his time to activism as a member of ACT UP. Judy has never imagined finding romance…until she falls for Reza and they start dating. Art is Judy’s best friend, their school’s only out and proud teen. He’ll never be who his conservative parents want him to be, so he rebels by documenting the AIDS crisis through his photographs. As Reza and Art grow closer, Reza struggles to find a way out of his deception that won’t break Judy’s heart–and destroy the most meaningful friendship he’s ever known. The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy Rahul Kapoor is heading into seventh grade in a small town in Indiana. The start of middle school is making him feel increasingly anxious, so his favorite person in the whole world, his grandfather, Bhai, gives him some well-meaning advice: Find one thing you’re really good at and become the BEST at it. Those four little words sear themselves into Rahul’s brain. While he’s not quite sure what that special thing is, he is convinced that once he finds it, bullies like Brent Mason will stop torturing him at school. And he won’t be worried about staring too long at his classmate Justin Emery. With his best friend, Chelsea, by his side, Rahul is ready to crush this challenge…. But what if he discovers he isn’t the best at anything? (all summaries from the Clevnet catalog) For …
Coretta Scott King Awards 2020

Another award given out this month was the Coretta Scott King awards. This group of awards recognizes African-American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. You may recognize some of the winners – we have some repeats! New Kid by Jerry Craft and The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson both won the top awards. All of the Coretta Scott King award winners are listed below and you can check them out at your nearest Heights Libraries branch! Coretta Scott King Author Award New Kid by Jerry Craft Author Honors The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus Told in two distinct and irresistible voices, Junauda Petrus’s bold and lyrical debut is the story of two black girls from very different backgrounds finding love and happiness in a world that seems determined to deny them both. Trinidad. Sixteen-year-old Audre is despondent, having just found out she’s going to be sent to live in America with her father because her strictly religious mother caught her with her secret girlfriend, the pastor’s daughter. Minneapolis. Sixteen-year-old Mabel is lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling and trying to figure out why she feels the way she feels–about her ex Terrell, about her girl Jada and that moment they had in the woods, and about the vague feeling of illness that’s plagued her all summer. Mabel’s reverie is cut short when her father announces that his best friend and his just-arrived-from-Trinidad daughter are coming for dinner. (Summary from Clevnet catalog). Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend Eddie when they were in a bus accident together. But on his first night at his grandparents’ farm, a sticky creature shows up in his bedroom and steals Eddie’s notebook. When Tristan chases after, he finds himself in the middle of a battle that has left black American folk heroes John Henry and Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan and these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi to come out of hiding. Can Tristan save this world before he loses more of the things he loves? Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy– Talking about boogers. Stealing pocket change. Skateboarding. Wiping out. Braving up. Executing complicated handshakes. Planning an escape. Making jokes. Lotioning up. Finding comfort. But mostly, too busy walking home. Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award The Undefeated illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Kwame Alexander Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honors The Bell Rang by James E. Ransome Every single morning, the overseer of the plantation rings the bell. Daddy gathers wood. Mama cooks. Ben and the other slaves go out to work. Each day is the same. Full of grueling work and sweltering heat. Every day, except one, when the bell rings and Ben is nowhere to be found. Because Ben ran. Yet, despite their fear and sadness, his family remains hopeful that maybe, just maybe, he made it North. That he is free. An ode to hope and a powerful tribute to the courage of those who ran for freedom, The Bell Rang is a stunning reminder that our past can never be forgotten. Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace by Ashley Bryan From celebrated author and illustrator Ashley Bryan comes a deeply moving picture book memoir about serving in the segregated army during World War II, and how love and the pursuit of art sustained him. Filled with never-before-seen artwork and handwritten letters and diary entries, this illuminating and moving memoir by Newbery Honor-winning illustrator Ashley Bryan is both a lesson in history and a testament to hope. Sulwe illustrated by Vashti Harrison, written by Lupita Nyong’o Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything. (all summaries from the Clevnet catalog). A full list of all the ALA youth media awards can be found here. Newbery Awards Caldecott Awards Pura Belpré Awards

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