Debbie Reese has a downloadable list of xx10 Native American books for children and teens

Paper Tigers is focusing on India this month with artwork, picture

books and books written in Indian languages.

ColorOnline lists November African American releases. The HappyNappyBookseller provides POC weekly releases. I combine Ari and Doret new releases along with my own findings and list POC releases here.

Voces Blog has an interview with author René Colato Laínez. I particularly like the advice he gives to those writing outside

their culture. I like that he doesn’t say don’t do it, but he gives concise directives on how to create something authentic.

Librarian by Day has a very thought provoking post on cell phones and the digital divide. From reading this, I see the need for readers to go beyond data and look at the implications.

The POC Reading Challenge continues. I know I haven’t listed a review in quite a while. Have you?

As Banned Book week ends, know that there is more to fighting for freedom of the press than just buying books. This approach reminds me of greeting card companies promoting Mother’s Day. What else can we do?

• Ask you local school and public librarians if you can see a copy of their policy for book challenges. This will let you know what procedures they have in place when community members ask to have books removed from library shelves.  In schools, challenged books should be taken to the school librarian/media specialist, not classroom teachers or school principals. The librarian will implement the correct procedures for determining whether a book conflicts with a school community’s character.

  

• Fighting Banned Books also includes taking the time to request books by POC and LGQT authors in stores and at libraries. These books are too often censored by publishers!
• And finally, fighting Banned Books means visiting locally owned bookstores. National book chains have as much power to censor books as publishers. Support your local bookseller, they better support your community!

That ends these begin:

nominate books for Cybils. I’m looking forward to judging MG/YA nonfiction books this year and hope readers suggested

great books to read! Need to find Nonfic? Read Rosco from RIF on Mondays.

suggest authors for 28 Days Later. The BrownBookShelf does an incredible job of introducing us to new authors and illustrators every year, but they’re asking for a little help identifying people for February’s list.

sign up for the Dewey Read A Thon (are any of my readers participating?)