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Edited by Nafiza Azad and Melody Simpson, Writing in Color is a guidebook of sorts for any aspiring writer. This collection of fourteen essays not only shares lessons on the writing craft and the publishing trade but offers encouragement and advice to all of us. One tidbit of wisdom suggests that to grow as writers, we need to explore the world. The more experiences we acquire and the more perspectives we are able to take, the more material we will have at our disposal for storytelling and empowerment purposes. After all, “stories are vessels of entertainment, understanding, and knowledge; they change every person they touch”Read More →

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Joining Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give, Marie Arnold’s book I Rise has potential to inspire activism while also offering rich allusions to influential personalities from the Black community as well as allusions to Black poets like Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, and Sonia Sanchez; in addition to Black musicians like Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston. Through her story telling, Arnold creates a safe space for all traumatized youth. Almost fifteen, Ayomide Bosia no longer has the energy to carry the sadness and pressure of activism life. She yearns to be young and unencumbered by the heavy responsibility that her mother shoulders daily. Ayo’sRead More →

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In: General Book Reviews, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade Reviews, Multicultural, Mystery & Suspense
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Justina Ireland explores the notion of unfairness in her novel for middle grade readers, Ophie’s Ghosts.  Readers will accompany Ireland on this justice-seeking journey as she asks important questions: How do we live, survive, and thrive in a system that is unjust? How do we remain strong and unbent, willing to do the right thing, even when it puts our own comfort and lives at risk? What are we willing to put on the line in the name of justice that is denied to us? How do we grieve when the ghosts of our loss appear in the everyday suffering of those around us? AsRead More →