Comments on: YALSA 2009 Teens Top Ten

By: Vivian Johnson

Vivian Johnson — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:30:11 +0000

It is an honor to read the Brown Bookshelf! For nine years my two colleagues, Dr. Toni Walters, Dr. Jonella Mongo and I, Dr. Vivian Johnson have been writing about African American children’s literature. Our focus is literature written and/or illustrated by African Americans. I discovered this website while once again digging for treasure, that being literature with characters who engaged children of color. We continue to work with educators sharing ways to use AA literature in classroom pedagogy. As a former middle & high school teacher, I have seen the power of young adult literature. Now as an Academic Consultant I am going broke buying books for a group of high school students who are requesting a new book every other week! And yes, they are reading them! We just presented some of their work using AA YA literature as mentor text. It was a start of great things to come, that is if I don’t go broke first! Thanks to this website search, my shopping cart has far exceeded my budget. Do I eat or do these students feast on words that keep them coming back for seconds! Keep preparing wonderful stories smothered with delicious characters and events. Their joy of reading is my just reward.

Thank you for The Brown Bookshelf.

Vivian Johnson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
Coordinator, Graduate Reading & Literacy Program
Marygrove College
Detroit, MI 48221

By: LaTonya

LaTonya — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:31:56 +0000

Thanks Paula,

Linking this for Little Lov’n Monday. Did you post about Kidlit Con? I’ve been off the grid for a week.

By: Heather Z.

Heather Z. — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:12:07 +0000

I will definitely spread the love. And I’m always for making people more aware of POC books. Thanks for the list.

By: Susan (Bloggin' 'Bout Books)

Susan (Bloggin' 'Bout Books) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:06:24 +0000

It’s unfortunate that the list doesn’t include a little diversity, since POC are certainly creating worthy books. These days, it’s all about word of mouth, and I think there are some important new book bloggers (like The Brown Bookshelf) that are really helping to get the word out. Personally, I never read a lot of “brown” books until I adopted my daughter (who’s bi-racial) – now, I’m wondering why there aren’t more books with brown or bi-racial heroines. As a white woman, I honestly never realized how little “brown” literature is available. However, by seeking books by POC, I’ve discovered some incredible authors/illustrators – Jacqueline Woodson, Linda Beatrice Brown, Kadir Nelson, just to name a few.

This is getting a bit wordy, but I guess what I’m trying to say is THANK YOU and keep up the good work. You’re bringing literature by POC out of obscurity and that’s a wonderful thing.