Synergy: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker

DR. MARY EDWARDS WALKER was an American surgeon, abolitionist, suffragette, and Civil War era spy. Known for her unconventional wardrobe and efforts to promote human rights, Walker received the Medal of Honor.

Read the recently published young adult biography, then learn more at the websites:

I COULD NOT DO OTHERWISE by Sara Latta tells the story of a Civil War surgeon and spy who broke gender norms and fought for social justice. Disregarding social conventions and championing human rights, Dr. Mary Edwards is still the only woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Weaving primary sources documents and photographs into an engaging narrative, Latta successfully immerses readers in the life of this lesser-known historical figure. ARC courtesy of Zest Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group.

CHANGING THE FACE OF MEDICINE is an online exhibition celebrating America’s women physicians. The website includes a database, resources, and activities. Dr. Walker is included in the database.

To visit the website, go to https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/.

MEDAL OF HONOR: MARY WALKER is an online graphic biography from the Association of the United States Army.

To read the ebook, go to https://online.flowpaper.com/77a9072e/MedalofHonorMaryWalker/#page=1.

Synergy: Bigotry

Bigotry is the unreasonable attachment to or intolerance of a belief or opinion. Specifically, bigotry is prejudice against a person based on their membership in a particular group such as a race or religion.

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

DAYS OF INFAMY: HOW A CENTURY OF BIGOTRY LED TO JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT by Lawrence Goldstone is part of the True Stories in Focus series. This title examines iniquities of the American justice system and the history of racism. Although the emphasis is on the deportation and detention of Japanese Americans during World War II, this work of nonfiction also explores other key events in Japanese American history. ARC courtesy of Scholastic Focus.

The NATIONAL JAPANESE AMERICAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION website provides resources related to Japanese American history. The LEARN section explores the history of forced removal and incarceration, the American soldiers, discrimination, and the American Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The PROGRAMS area provides educational resources.

To visit the website, go to https://www.njamemorial.org/

Synergy: Black Panther Party

The Black Panther Party was a political organization formed in the 1960s. Known for both their community activism and controversial approaches to promoting civil rights, the group promoted self-defense and challenged police brutality. Their Ten-point Program advocated for social justice, but their message was often overlooked by the media in favorite of a focus on member violent conflicts and criminal activities.

Read the recently published, award-winning nonfiction history for youth then learn more at the website.

REVOLUTION IN OUR TIME: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People by Kekla Magoon puts this controversial organization and its members within the larger context of Black American history. Providing an accurate and balanced examination of this influential black movement group, the book is a “must read” for teens grappling with today’s issues of social justice. Primary source documents and images are effectively woven into the engaging narrative. Useful end matter includes information about key people, a time line, glossary, and further readings.

BLACK PAST is a website dedicated to providing reliable and accurate information about African American history to promote constructive change. The website contains sections focusing on African American history and global African history along with main and special features. Resources including 101 African American firsts, genealogy materials, office holders, and STEM innovators. A search for Black Panther Party leads to several useful articles and resources.

To visit the website, go to https://www.blackpast.org/. 

BLACK PANTHER PARTY COLLECTION website includes video footage from the 1960s and 1970s related to the Black Panther Party’s Oakland Chapter.

To visit the video collection, go to https://bit.ly/3GCocl6.

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Synergy: John Lewis

John Lewis (1940-2020) was a Georgia congressman and civil rights leader. From 1963-1966, he was the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). In addition, he was one of the key organizers for the 1963 March on Washington and led the first of three Selma marches.

Read the recently published graphic memoir then learn more at the website.

RUN: BOOK ONE by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin is a companion to the MARCH graphic memoir series. Set after the 1965 Selma marches, this graphic history focuses on John Lewis’ continuing role leading grassroots Civil Right and social justice efforts. The gray-scale comic-style illustrations by L. Fury with Nate Powell combined with hand-drawn reproductions of primary sources such as letters and newspapers add to the reading and learning experience. The book concludes with biographical sketches of key individuals involved with the movement and fascinating notes about specific events connected with the narrative.

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Digital Gateway explores the history and work of this group. From leading voter registration efforts to building grassroots movements, the SNCC documentary website features the work of young activists in empowering the Black community.

To learn more, go to https://snccdigital.org/.

ARC courtesy of First Second.

Synergy: Massacre

A massacre is the deliberate and brutal slaughter of multiple individuals. Often perpetrated against defenseless victims by those seeking political or social gain, these mass killings are often aimed at minority, racial, or ethnic groups. The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre is an example.

Read the recently published works of nonfiction for youth, then learn more at the website.

BLACK BIRDS IN THE SKY by Brandy Colbert shares the story and legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Emphasis is placed on the larger history of violence against African Americans as well as the Native Peoples who came before them. Of particularly note is the focus on active suppression of information about the event and how it connects to broader discussions of systemic racism.

THE BURNING by Tim Madigan was recently adapted for young people by Hilary Beard. In addition to an account of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the book explores the larger historical context along with a discussion of the need for social justice.

The TULSA RACE MASSACRE is an interactive article from The New York Times. Using maps, historical photos, and the stories of individuals, the project explores the prosperous Black community known as America’s Black Wall Street and the tremendous loss of life and property street-by-street. By telling the story of the individual people and places, readers become immersed in the time and place of the massacre.

To explore the interactive, go to https://nyti.ms/3k8l1J4.

ARC courtesy of Henry Holt and Harper Collins.

Synergy: Artist Ben Shahn

Ben Shahn (1898-1969) was a Lithuanian born, American social realist artist and educator. Through his paintings, murals, prints, photographs, and illustrations, he told the stories of civil rights activists, political protestors, and ordinary people facing injustice.

Read the biographical picture book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

THE PEOPLE’S PAINTER: HOW BEN SHAHN FOUGHT FOR JUSTICE WITH ART written by Cynthia Levinson and illustrated by Evan Turk tells the true story of a boy who escaped injustice and spent his life sharing the stories of others who faced persecution. Notes, a timeline, and resources are useful in learning more about this artist.

The Archives of American Art contains collections, oral histories, and digital reproductions of the work of BEN SHAHAN.

To visit this collection, go to https://s.si.edu/34ytHjt

BEN SHAHN: PASSION FOR JUSTICE is an award-winning PBS documentary telling the story of this socially engaged artist. Told through interviews and examples of his work, excerpts from this documentary would be useful in helping students understand the continued relevance of this artist.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/LFYwcq0veXc

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Book Review: Breakout

BREAKOUT by Kate Messner is a fast-paced story exploring issues of social justice and perspective.

When inmates from a local prison escape, Nora Tucker’s summer vacation is disrupted as her family, friends, and the entire community deals with the impact of the breakout. Of particular note is the author’s use of comics, poems, text messages, letters, and news stories to move the story forward. The book concludes with an author’s note and wonderful book list for young readers.

Librarians will find this book popular with students who enjoy books containing documents as part of the storyline. The story’s balance of suspense and social themes will broaden the appeal. The novel’s focus on multiple perspectives will appeal to teachers wishing to use this book for class discussions.

Published by Bloomsbury on June 5, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Eleanore Roosevelt

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: FIGHTER FOR JUSTICE by Ilene Cooper is a biography focusing on Roosevelt’s lasting impact.

Designed for intermediate and middle grade readers, this biography includes the basics of Roosevelt’s life. However this work of nonfiction places emphasis on her transformation into an advocate for social justice. The author uses a conversational approach to describe how Roosevelt overcame her own prejudices and used her powerful position to promote important causes such as the Civil Rights Movement. Historic photographs and other illustrations will contribute to the appeal of this title. The book includes a timeline, biography, and index.

Librarians will find their collection filled with books on Eleanor Roosevelt. What makes this book unusual is its emphasis on her national and international contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and other efforts related to social justice. Students doing reports on both Roosevelt and the Civil Rights Movement will find the book useful.

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers on August 7, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Teaching Tolerance

TEACHING TOLERANCE is a website dedicated to educating youth about diversity, equity, and justice.

Sponsored by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the website contains classroom resources, professional development materials, and publications including their free magazine and other documents. The “Build a Learning Plan” area helps educators apply the four domains of social justice: identity, diversity, justice, and action to learning outcomes across grade levels. Users can explore the online resources by topic and examine social justice standards by grade level. Opportunities for grants and campaign participation are also offered.

Librarians will find this website provides a wealth of resources for the social justice curriculum along with more general suggestions for establishing an anti-bias education program. Connect the suggested activities with picture books, novels, and other literature focusing on importance issues related to tolerance.

To visit the website, go to https://www.tolerance.org/.