Preschool
When the Schools Shut Down: A Young Girl's Story of Virginia's "Lost Generation" and the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Decision
by Yolanda Gladden as told to Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, illustrations by Keisha Morris
An awe-inspiring autobiographical picture book about a young African American girl who lived during the shutdown of public schools in Farmville, Virginia, following the landmark civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.
Most people think that the Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954 meant that schools were integrated with deliberate speed. But the children of the Prince Edwards County school district in Farmville, Virginia — who were prohibited from attending formal schools for five years — knew differently.
This is the story of how one community triumphed together despite the shutdown.
The Dream Catcher/El atrapasueños
by Marcelo Verdad
Some people dream of fancy castles. Some just dream of having a meal for the next day.
And Miguelito? As he and Abuelito work in the hot Oaxacan sun selling coconuts and dream catchers, Miguelito's one wish is to have his parents by his side.
This poignant tale of hope and resilience shows how living in the here and now can be a journey every bit as beautiful as a dream.
Primary (Kindergarten–Grade 2)
Dear You, Dream Big!
by Baptiste Paul, illustrations by Toni D. Chambers
Perhaps you want to become an artist, or a scientist, or maybe even president. Even when — especially when — the path is hard, dear you, dream big!
A personal, poetic, and uplifting affirmation from Caribbean-born author Baptiste Paul encouraging today's Black youth to reject those who wish to silence them, exclude them, and deny their talents using one powerful refrain.
My Daddy Is a Cowboy
by Stephanie Seals, illustrations by C. G. Esperanza
In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery, and pride.
Seeing her city from a new vantage point and feeling seen in a new way, the child discovers that she, too, is a cowboy — strong and confident in who she is.
Intermediate (Grades 3–5)
The Doll Test: Choosing Equality
by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrations by David Elmo Cooper
Four dolls.
Two psychologists.
One landmark court case.
During the first half of the twentieth century, schoolchildren in many parts of the United States were segregated — Black children and white children could not legally attend the same schools. In their so-called doll test, pioneering Black psychologists Dr. Kenneth Clark and Dr. Mamie Clark investigated the effects of segregation by presenting children with two Black and two white baby dolls. "Show me the doll that is a nice doll," they said. "Show me the doll that looks like you."
Their research showed that segregation harmed Black children. When the Brown v. Board of Education case came along to challenge school segregation, Dr. Kenneth Clark testified about the doll test. His testimony was compelling, and in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately declared school segregation to be illegal.
No Place Like Home
by James Bird
When home is a car, life is unpredictable. Opin, his brother Emjay, and their mother are trying to get to Los Angeles, where they hope a new life is waiting.
Opin finds a stray dog who needs him as much as he needs her, and his longing for a stable home intensifies.
Will anything other than a real home ever be enough?
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
Kin: Rooted in Hope
by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrations by Jeffery Boston Weatherford
The ancestors of Carole and Jeffery Boston Weatherford are among the founders of Maryland. The family history there extends more than three hundred years, but as with the genealogical searches of many African Americans with roots in slavery, their family tree can be traced back only five generations before it vanishes.
So, from the scraps of history, the authors bring forth the voices of their kin, creating an often painful but ultimately empowering story of who their people were in a breathtaking book that is at once deeply personal yet all too universal.
Ultraviolet
by Aida Salazar
For Elio Solis, eighth grade fizzes with change. His body teems with hormones. His feelings flow like lava. His relationship with Pops, who is always telling him to man up the Solis way. And especially Camelia, his first girlfriend.
But then, betrayal and heartbreak send Elio spiraling toward revenge: a fight to prove his manhood and defend Camelia's honor. He doesn't anticipate the dire consequences — or that Camelia is not looking for a savior.
High School (Grades 9–12)
She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman
by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
Harriet Tubman is best known as one of the most famous conductors on the Underground Railroad. As a leading abolitionist, her bravery and selflessness have inspired generations in the continuing struggle for civil rights. Now National Book Award nominee Erica Armstrong Dunbar presents a fresh take on this American icon, blending traditional biography, illustrations, photos, and engaging sidebars that illuminate the life of Tubman as never before.
Not only did Tubman help to liberate hundreds of slaves: she was the first woman to lead an armed expedition during the Civil War, a spy for the Union Army, a fierce suffragist, and an advocate for the aged. She Came to Slay reveals the many complexities and varied accomplishments of one of our nation's true heroes and offers an accessible and modern interpretation of Tubman's life that is both informative and engaging.
Shut Up, This Is Serious
by Carolina Ixta
Belén Dolores Itzel del Toro wants normal experiences, but life in East Oakland is tough. With her father absent, poor grades, and a depressed mindset, she watches her super-Catholic, nerdy best friend Leti face a secret pregnancy. Amid distractions and uncertainty, Belén struggles to envision a future for herself, questioning her place in a world full of challenges.
Books in Spanish
La academia (grado 6–12)
de David G. Puertas
Un selecto group de alumnos ingresa en la academia Roca Negra, una institución elitista ubicada en un paraje frío e inhóspito de Baqueira. Este prestigioso internado les garantiza convertirse en los líderes del mañana. A cambio, solo deben acatar las normas y mantener la compostura. Pero todo da un giro inesperado cuando la nieve los deja incomunicados y un cadáver con evidentes signos de violencia aparece en escena.
To access the books on our monthly MPS Reads book lists, visit your school library or local library, or go online to Sora* (formerly OverDrive) and log in with your MPS student ID number.
*Some titles are not available through Sora.