Are you a parent, caregiver, or educator who wants to help children become brave justice seekers? Subscribe for practical tips, children's book recommendations, and resources for antiracist families and classrooms.
I couldn't find this resource - so I created it
|
Hi Reader, I'm thrilled to announce that From The Margins to the Center: A People's History of the United States Told Through Children's Books is now available! I started researching and writing this ebook five months ago after deciding that none of the homeschool U.S. history programs out there were quite what I wanted. As I searched for engaging non-fiction books and historical fiction that would pull my son into different eras, I wished I could find some type of mega-list of U.S. history books for kids. And not just any history books - ones that told history from the perspective of ordinary people. Books that didn't repeat tired, inaccurate, whitewashed narratives. Stories and non-fiction resources that told the truth in age-appropriate ways. I couldn't find a resource like that - so I created it myself! Now I know, chances are you aren't a homeschooler (few people on my email list are.) I created this resource for ANY family, educator, or community worker who's looking for great historical fiction picture books and novels, as well as engaging, truth-telling non-fiction. At a time when public schools are under increasing pressure not to teach history truthfully or use a diverse array of voices, we all need to share accurate history with the kids in our lives. In the past 10 years or so, education and the publishing industry have taken major steps forward in sharing history from the perspectives of groups who'd been ignored in the past. It hasn't been enough, by any means, but now both sectors are facing pressure to go backwards. That's why it's so important that we use books that tell history from the perspective of marginalized groups. Purchasing these books, reading them with our kids, checking them out from the library, and sharing them with our friends is an act of resistance. Still, finding books like these is no easy task. I should know - that's what I've spent the last 5 months doing! The books I've included center the voices of groups that society has marginalized, telling how they have experienced and shaped U.S. history. You'll find books centering
Here's what's inside the ebook: Book reviews that are broken down by historical period (for example Abolitionism and the Civil War, Progressive Era movements, and the Great Depression.) There are book recommendations for periods as far back as Indigenous history before colonization and as recent as the COVID-19 pandemic. In-depth book descriptions about the plot, historical connections, and other details to help you decide whether the book is one your kids will enjoy. Bibliographical information including recommended ages, page numbers for chapter books, dates the book takes place in, whether an audio book is available, and the identities of main character and author. Reading checklists for each time period: As you read through the guide, use these printable checklists for each historical era to note which titles are interesting to you. Then take your checklist to the library or bookstore. I can't wait to see how you'll use this resource with your family, in your classroom, or in your community.
Happy learning, Rebekah You'll find answers to frequently asked questions and you can even download sample pages of the ebook. Rebekah Gienapp (she/her/hers) | rebekahgienapp.com | Connect on Instagram | Coffees for Gaza | |
Raising antiracist kids
Are you a parent, caregiver, or educator who wants to help children become brave justice seekers? Subscribe for practical tips, children's book recommendations, and resources for antiracist families and classrooms.
Hi Reader, If you're in the U.S., you'll likely heard that starting November 1, families will no longer receive SNAP benefits (also known as food stamps) because of the government shutdown. Roughly 1 in 8 Americans rely on SNAP to help feed their families, and the budget bill Congress passed this summer already included major changes to the program that kicked some families out of the program and that will reduce benefits to others. One of the fundamental tests of our morality as a society is...
Hi Reader, The first person to tell me that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza was actually going to be signed was Ameera. (If you're new to my email list, our community has been supporting Ameera, her husband, and her three children for the past year as conditions in Gaza became increasingly horrific.) Just a week before, Ameera and her husband were trying to decide if it was too late to flee Gaza City. Every time I messaged her I was worried there might only be silence on the other end. I'm...
Hi Reader, Indigenous Peoples Day is this Monday. November is Native American Heritage Month. We're about the enter the short time of year when non-Native children are most likely to hear things about Indigenous peoples, especially at school. I'm hopeful this time of year that educators, families, and community groups will take advantage of the growing body of resources for respectfully and accurately learning about Indigenous nations in the present day, as well as their histories. But I'm...