I just went through all 889 blog posts I've written to add a new label--"reading in color." The majority of the posts thus tagged discuss books in which the main character(s) are non-white, based on either the cover illustration, the text, or both. I hope this might be useful for people looking for books with people of color (I know that I would love to see labels like this at some of the blogs I trust to recommend good books to me!).
On 5/17/09 I decided to make an effort to actively seek out more books with people of color. This did have some effect on my book choices, but I'm upping my level of commitment by joining the People of Color Reading Challenge (although I might not remember to link every month...)
Reading as I do mostly middle-grade science fiction and fantasy (with some YA thrown in the mix), I am a little worried about finding books for the challenge. I currently have 31 middle-grade science fiction/fantasy books in my To Be Read/To Be Reviewed pile (not counting library books). Three, I think, will count. One is set in medieval Japan. One is the latest book in Diane Duane's Young Wizards series. And one is a fantasy from Botswana.
Any recommendations of really well-written middle-grade fantasy with strong kids of color, preferably shown on the cover, are welcome.
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You may have read these already but what about Cindy Pon's Silver Phoenix & Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin? I also think Dragonrider by Cornelia Funke had an Asian fee to it, but it's been awhile since I read it. But I do agree with you that having fantasy books with main characters that are of color is a big issue.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Charlotte, I can't help you with the name of any books, but I think your idea is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteMaureen. www.thepizzagang.com
You've read Nancy Farmer's books, I presume?
ReplyDeleteHi there!
ReplyDeleteRe my books: ndot "Young Magicians": rather, "Young Wizards." :)
Yoiks, sorry about that, Diane! Fixed.
ReplyDeleteNatalie--thanks for the recommendations! I've read the first two, but haven't read Dragonrider for ages, and don't recall it very well...I'll check!
Maureen--thanks!
Anne--I've read most of Nancy Farmer's books, but never have written reviews of any. I'll have to do so.
You should check Stacey Whitman's Grimoire-the 7/21 post where she talks about multi-cultural fantasy & sci-fi books. Here's the link hopefully: http://slwhitman.livejournal.com/?skip=20
ReplyDeleteAlso, have you heard about her new publishing company--Tu Publishing? It's going to focus on multi-cultural fantasy & science fiction for kids. Hope this helps.
Oh, and True Meaning of Smekday is a lot of fun, and the heroine is an African-American girl. She's not on the cover, though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me of Smekday--another one I should review!
ReplyDeleteAmiable brief and this fill someone in on helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you seeking your information.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, I don't have a recommendation right now, but I just wanted to say you are an inspiration to me. I also have a mission to read more books about PoC and I mostly focus on middle grade. I'll let you know about any upcoming fantasy/SF titles with PoC that I hear about, but you already seem remarkably well-informed! =) Thanks for your thoughtful blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mama Librarian!
ReplyDeleteKeep posting stuff like this i really like it
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