Review: You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen

You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen

You Truly Assumed
Laila Sabreen
Inkyard Press
Published February 8, 2022

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About You Truly Assumed

Sabriya has her whole summer planned out in color-coded glory, but those plans go out the window after a terrorist attack near her home. When the terrorist is assumed to be Muslim and Islamophobia grows, Sabriya turns to her online journal for comfort. You Truly Assumed was never meant to be anything more than an outlet, but the blog goes viral as fellow Muslim teens around the country flock to it and find solace and a sense of community.

Soon two more teens, Zakat and Farah, join Bri … Continue reading

Banned Books Giveaway: 15 Books I’ve Reviewed on the Krause Banned Books List

15 Books I’ve Reviewed on the Krause Banned Books List

What happened: Recently a Texas congressman compiled a list of hundreds of books he feels could cause students distress based on their race or sex and has asked school libraries to alert him about how many titles they have on their shelves. The governor has been conducting similar inquiries, and it looks like at least one district has pulled over 400 books from their shelves in response to pressure from politicians and some parents.

It seems really weird to me that politicians in a state which values personal freedom over protecting the community from a potentially deadly virus through mask wearing, think … Continue reading

Review: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy by Emmanuel Acho

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy by Emmanuel Acho

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy
Emmanuel Acho
Roaring Brook Press
Published May 4, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy

UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK BOY is an accessible book for children to learn about systemic racism and racist behavior. For the awkward questions white and non-black parents don’t know how to answer, this book is an essential guide to help support communication on how to dismantle racism in our youngest generation.

UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK BOY  creates a safe, judgment-free space for curious children to ask questions they’ve long been afraid to verbalize. How … Continue reading

Review: Malcolm and Me by Robin Farmer

Malcolm and Me by Robin Farmer

Malcolm and Me
Robin Farmer
SparkPress
Published November 17, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Malcolm and Me

Philly native Roberta Forest is a precocious rebel with the soul of a poet. The thirteen-year-old is young, gifted, black, and Catholic—although she’s uncertain about the Catholic part after she calls Thomas Jefferson a hypocrite for enslaving people and her nun responds with a racist insult. Their ensuing fight makes Roberta question God and the important adults in her life, all of whom seem to see truth as gray when … Continue reading

Author Q&A with Robin Farmer

Author Q&A with Robin Farmer

Author Q&A with Robin Farmer

When I received an opportunity to review MALCOLM AND ME, I was so moved by the description of the book that I knew I was going to read it even before I reached the end of the email. I didn’t expect to ALSO have the amazing opportunity to do a Q&A with the author, Robin Farmer, whose own experiences inspired this amazing story. I’m super excited to share her answers with you today.

First, here’s a little bit about the book in case you aren’t familiar.

Malcolm and Me by Robin Farmer

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Review: Take Me with You by Tara Altebrando

Take Me with You by Tara Altebrando

Take Me with You
Tara Altebrando
Bloomsbury YA
Published June 23, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Take Me with You

Eden, Eli, Marwan, and Ilanka barely know each other beyond having a class or two together. But when they are all summoned via messaging app to an empty classroom after school, they find a small cube sitting on a desk. Its sides light up with rules for them:

Do not tell anyone about the device. Never leave the device unattended.
And then, Take me with you . . . or else.

At first they think it’s some … Continue reading