How can white kids comprehend what children of color go through every day in a divided society? Having that all important conversation of racism with people not you is difficult but important. One of the answers, of course, can be found in the pages of kids' books. Below are a few that just might break a barrier or two, leading to better understanding all around.
Patricia Polacco's Pink and Say is a timeless story based around the Civil War that details a story of a black family who put their life in danger to care for a young white boy who was wounded. Great for taking a small look into racism, Polacco's book will help your children see just how dangerous it was to be caring as a person of color.
The Jacket by Andrew Clements tells a story that many children of color have experienced with being accused of something negative based off of their skin color. Delivering a walk into a well-needed learning opportunity, The Jacket is a great book for showing children the ugly truth about prejudice.
Under the Same Skytells a perfect story of white privilege and entitlement when 14-year-old Joe Pedersen is forced to work on his father's farm with the hired Mexican laborers. An important story on racism and truth, Cynthia DeFelice's look into how those that are different than us is well needed within today's youth.
Jacqueline Woodson's The Other Side is a story of a friendship not held by the restraints of color and displays a very realistic lesson on how racism is taught to the youth. A brown girl named Clover and a white girl named Anna are divided by their town's segregation fence. They sit together on top of the fence and become friends.
There are so many fine examples of books similar to these that will enlighten all kids of middle years. Have a look for yourself. Better yet, take that callow-aged kid with you, and grow together!
Patricia Polacco's Pink and Say is a timeless story based around the Civil War that details a story of a black family who put their life in danger to care for a young white boy who was wounded. Great for taking a small look into racism, Polacco's book will help your children see just how dangerous it was to be caring as a person of color.
Jacqueline Woodson's The Other Side is a story of a friendship not held by the restraints of color and displays a very realistic lesson on how racism is taught to the youth. A brown girl named Clover and a white girl named Anna are divided by their town's segregation fence. They sit together on top of the fence and become friends.
