Many of our library patrons have expressed an interest in reading books about racism and how to be anti-racist. Here are some suggested reading lists from librarians in Wisconsin and around the country. Find something you’re interested in reading? Many of these titles are owned at the Mercer Library or can be requested through our Merlin Library Catalog.
Wisconsin’s Digital Library Anti-Racism Reading list
Several titles in this collection are included as “always-available” courtesy of Overdrive’s Black Lives Matter Community Read program:
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander, is available as an audiobook through July 15, 2020.
- Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad, is available as an ebook starting today, June 22, through July 12, 2020.
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, is available as an ebook and audiobook starting today, June 22, through July 19, 2020.
- So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo, will be available as an audiobook from June 29 through July 26, 2020.
See the whole list on the Wisconsin Digital Library Anti-Racism Reading List collection.
Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) “Black Experiences” book list
The CCBC is a division of the School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison and serves as a resource for librarians and school libraries around the state when talking about children’s books. They’ve recently released a reading list of recommended books for children and teens addressing systemic racism, Black Experiences: Affirmation and Resilience, Activism and Resistance in 45 Books for PreK-Grade 12.
Other book lists for young readers
- Author Jacqueline Woodson’s Essential Book List for Discussing Racism with Kids
- The Cincinnati library’s Black Joy Booklist
- CCBC’s list, Race and Racism: Selected books for PreK-Grade 12
- We Are Kid Lit Collective publishes annual summer reading lists focusing on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Other book lists for adults
- Madison Public Library created a resource list to align with the city’s Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative
- New York Magazine’s 7 Anti-Racist Books Recommended by Educators and Activists
- NAACP’s 2020 “40 Best African American Books” list was announced in honor of Black History Month and the annual Image Awards
- Harper’s Bazaar has An Essential #BlackLivesMatter reading list and Why we need to engage with Black literature beyond racial politics, an article about the importance of reading about the broad spectrum of Black life.