Synergy: Principles of Tolerance

In its Declaration of Principles on Tolerance, UNESCO defines tolerance as “respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference.”

Read the recently published children's picture book, then learn more at the website:

FOR BEAUTIFUL BLACK BOYS WHO BELIEVE IN A BETTER WORLD by Michael W. Waters and Keisha Morris tells the inspirational story of a boy growing up in a world of racism and gun violence who learns the importance of hope and activism. This timely, honest picture book includes a discussion guide to jump-start conversations about respect, nonviolence activism, and diversity.

The TEACHING TOLERANCE website helps parents and educators start difficult conversations about topics such as racism and violence.

Visit the Teaching Tolerance website at https://www.tolerance.org/.
Visit the UNESCO website at https://bit.ly/3lUZ6UI.

ARC courtesy of Flyaway Books.

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/.

Book Review: The Constellations

The CONSTELLATIONS by Claudia Gray is a thought-provoking science fiction adventure series exploring the relationship between a soldier and a robot.

In the first book DEFY THE STARS (2017), readers are introduced to teen soldier Noemi who stumbles upon a sophisticated robot named Abel. Although enemies, they work together to save Noemi’s planet of Genesis.

In the second book DEFY THE WORLDS (2018), a deadly plague threatens Genesis. Noemi and Abel once again must work together to save the universe. A cliffhanger at the end of this book establishes intriguing questions for the next book in this series.

Librarians will find an audience for this series among young adults who enjoy the combination of science fiction and adventure with a hint of romance. Exploring topics such as immortality and tolerance, the series is deeper than the standard YA options.

Published by Hachette. ARCs courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Generation On

GENERATION ON is a website exploring youth service projects from around the world.

While to website features it’s own projects, the ideas can be applied to any local service learning organization. The website is divided into resources for kids, teens, and adults.

The Kid’s section begins by providing stories about young people doing good in their communities. Next, students can explore a wide range of service areas including animal welfare, bullying and tolerance, literacy, education, environment, citizenship and civic engagement, emergency preparation and response, homelessness and poverty, health and wellness, hunger, senior citizens, peace and kindness, as well as military and veterans. Within each area students can view dozens of project ideas and examples. The resources section provides specific guidelines and fact sheets to help youth better understand the activities involved in service learning. Links are provided to games and interactives that contain background information about many of the topics such as emergency preparedness and environmental issues. Finally, current opportunities are featured to help jumpstart service learning projects.

The Teen’s section contains similar sections to the kid’s area, but includes more depth and age-appropriate activities and project examples. This section also promotes the idea of service clubs and sharing.

Parent, Educator, and Organizations sections provide information about ways to involve youth in service learning projects and detail upcoming activities.

Librarians will find endless ideas for service learning projects at this constantly updated website. A blog and calendar provide easy access to news and information about upcoming opportunities.

To visit the website, go to http://www.generationon.org/.

Book Review: The Big Dark

THE BIG DARK by Rodman Philbrick explores life in a small town after an apocalyptic event.

When a geomagnetic storm disrupts all electronic devices, lawlessness ensues and an anti-Semitic survivalist tries to take charge of their town. The situation becomes desperate when Charlie’s mother begins to run out of medicine. Charlie must trek 50 miles through the snow in search of the nearest hospital.

Although the bad guy is somewhat one-dimensional, the author successfully captures the havoc caused by the disaster. The themes of courage, tolerance, and personal responsibility are effective for the middle grade audience.

Librarians will find this quick read provides a nice introduction to science fiction and dystopian novels for readers seeking to expand their reading options.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.rodmanphilbrick.com/.

Published by The Blue Sky Press, an imprint of Scholastic on January 5, 2016. ARC provided by the publisher.