October is National Diversity Awareness Month
Children are taught that the United States is a “melting pot” where people of all cultures, races, religions, disabilities, and socio-economic groups contribute to society. What they also need to know is that a diverse population includes all ages, genders and sexual orientations. The best way to help children and teens become aware of diversity is to encourage them to read books with all types of characters. Perhaps it’s a novel like Racing the Moon by Alan Armstrong where a girl aspires to be an astronaut. They may gain empathy for those with disabilities after reading books like Wonder by R. J. Palacio. And with the current national debate about immigration reform, readers need to better understand the plight of today’s immigrant. Here are a few programming ideas for school and public libraries for National Diversity Awareness Month.
- Ask readers to find out from their parents or older family members their country of origin. Then have them seek books about that culture. Are there family traditions that reflect that culture? Why is it important to maintain these family traditions?
- Sponsor a panel discussion of religious leaders in the community. Have them focus on the aspects of their religion that are universal, and the theology that is different.
- Invite a “new American” to speak to a group of children and teens. Ask them to address the following questions: Why did they come to the United States? What has been their most difficult adjustment? Have they encountered any cultural prejudices? What do they miss about their homeland? What advice do they give to immigrants seeking to make the United States their home?
- Identify community organizations that help those from diverse populations. Visit the website of these organizations and read their mission statement. Maybe it’s a Senior Action Center, a Kroc Center, YMCA, YWCA, a literacy group, or community health organizations. Then read a picture book or novel with a main character that might enjoy the services of one of these organizations. Suggestions from Random House include:
All Ages
Song and Dance Man (picture book) by Karen Ackerman & illus. by Stephen Gammell
Stitchin’ and Pullin’ (picture book) by Patricia McKissack & illus. by Cozbi A. Cabrera
Alida’s Song (middle grade) by Gary Paulsen
Jake (middle grade) by Audrey Couloumbis
Gingersnap (middle Grade) by Patricia Reilly Giff
Lily’s Crossing (middle grade) by Patricia Reilly Giff
Socio-economic Groups
Faith, Hope and Ivy June (middle grade) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Mighty Miss Malone (middle grade) by Christopher Paul Curtis
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (young adult) by Gary D. Schmidt
Disabilities, Disorders or Learning Differences
Annie and Helen (picture book) by Deborah Hopkinson & illus. by Raul Colon
All the Way Home (middle grade) by Patricia Reilly Giff
Beholding Bee (middle grade) by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Navigating Early (middle grade) by Clare Vanderpoole
Wonder (middle grade) by R. J. Palacio
Black Box (young adult) by Julie Schumacher
Small Steps (young adult) by Louis Sachar
Unraveling (young adult) by Elizabeth Norris
Genders
Harriet the Spy (middle grade) by Louise Fitzhugh
Hokey Pokey (middle grade) by Jerry Spinelli
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies (middle grade) by Mick Cochrane
Heart of a Shepherd (middle grade) by Rosanne Parry
Racing the Moon (middle grade) by Alan Armstrong
Lord of the Deep (young adult) by Graham Salisbury
The Chocolate War (young adult) by Robert Cormier
Nationalities and Cultures
Cuba 15 (middle grade) by Nancy Osa
How Tia Lola Came to Stay (middle grade) by Julia Alvarez
Return to Sender (middle grade) by Julia Alvarez
Enrique’s Journey (middle grade) by Sonia Nazario
Burning (young adult) by Elana K. Arnold
Mexican WhiteBoy (young adult) by Matt De La Paña
Racial
Tar Beach (picture book) by Faith Ringgold
Bud, Not Buddy (middle grade) by Christopher Paul Curtis
Burning Up (young adult) by Caroline B. Cooney
Religions
Sunday is for God (picture book) by Michael McGowan & illus. by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher
Amen, L. A. (young adult) by cherle Bennett and Jeff Gottesfeld
Days of Little Texas (young adult) by R. A. Nelson
Growing Up Muslim (middle grade – young adult) by Sumbul Au-Karamall
A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life (young adult) by Dana Reinhardt
Intentions (young adult) by Deborah Helllgram
Kindred (young adult) by Tammar Stein
Sexual Orientations
Boy Meets Boy (young adult) by David Levithan
Happy Families (young adult) by Tanita S. Davis
Two Boys Kissing (young adult) by David Levithan
