At Page Turners Make Great Learners, we believe that all children find themselves when they are lost in the pages of a book. In the company of beloved literary characters, mythical heroes, historical giants, or even evil archvillains, children learn about themselves and who they can choose to become. In this time of civil unrest, books have the power to enlighten, to change perspectives and to heal the wounds of hate and division. This is why Page Turners’ work is more important today than ever before.
Through our in-school book clubs, book donations and author visits, Page Turners strives to introduce children to diverse cultures and view points. For the vast majority of the students we serve, books are a luxury their families can seldom afford. More than 90% of these students are Black. Most of the books they read in school, while of undisputed literary value, do not feature characters who look like them or whose experience mirrors theirs.
Given the current civil unrest in our nation, we believe it is vital to introduce Black authors, characters, and texts to both Black and non-Black parents and children. We hope the titles listed below will spark productive conversations about racism and prejudice and lead to greater empathy, understanding and harmony.
We welcome your thoughts about these books and would love to hear more about the discussions you are having with your families and friends. You can share them on our social media platforms via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
What affects Black communities, affects us all.
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Slay by Brittany Morris
The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake
Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Blended by Sharon Draper
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
Parker Looks Up by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry
Infinite Hope by Ashley Bryan
Love by Matt de la Pena
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Crown by Derrick Barnes
New Kid by Jerry Craft
https://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=igl23NeuQlg&video_referrer=watch
https://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=igl23NeuQlg&video_referrer=watch
I teach 4th grade at Dunwoody Springs Elementary. My students are reading Bud, Not Buddy. Bud moves to a new home with The Amos’ and does not have a great experience.
My name is Kiearah Perkins and I’m reading Bud Not Buddy. I have read this book for a while now and I think people my age and older should also read it because there is a lot of information that kids should read because Bud was only 6 years old in the beginning . Later on in the chapters he grows up and a lot of things are happening to him. First, it was a normal day at foster care and Bud and his friend were getting breakfast and a lady came over and said someone wanted them in their family. So, they split up and went their separate ways. Bud had a very hard time with his family. Since he was younger he would wet the bed when he sleeps so, he was put in a shed all night. Bud was trying to escape because it seemed he had something important in there that he wanted no one to see. Finally, he got out and saw that his suitcase was still there where he left it. Some more things have happened in the book for all 14 chapters I have read. If you get this book, read it everyday to catch up with me and you will learn a lot of things in those 14 chapters of Bud Not Buddy. There are still more chapters to read. Anyway, this is how far I have gotten. Thank you for this opportunity!!!!!!!!!!
Hello. My name is Jaliyah Bunkley and,I think you should read a book called Bud Not Buddy.I think you should read this book because this book is very funny.Like in chapter 2, when he said that the girls were going to dress his friend up like a doll. I also like this book because this book can help anyone that read it to improve their literacy. At first I thought that this book was going to be about this boy who was somebody’s buddy, and I was right. I can compare and contrast this book in reality. Like in one chapter it talks about the great Depression. The great Depression is when people lost their jobs. I can compare this in real life because people are still losing jobs even today. I recommend kids my age to read this book and I think the kids who read it will learn something.
My name is Miracle Arnold.I think Bud Not Buddy is a great book for kids to read.My favorite part is when he was in a shed.It seemed interesting to me.I did not know what he was going to do next.It seemed like there was no way to get out of the shed. This is a very good book.I think that his mom would like that he does not let anyone call him buddy. I also enjoyed when he starts talking about how when people turn six they turn into a man.Of course, now days, I don’t think that is still true in our time. The part when he said that your teeth fall out of your mouth at the age of six; that may be true.I do like that this book is a great book to start reading at a good start to read chapter books.This book is a good book. I recommend that kids read this book.It is a great book to read. Thank you for your time reading this.