Dear Martin

Long after segregation, the educational system in the United States is far from perfect—or even fully integrated. I was lucky enough to have a scholarship to a private school when I was in high school, and while there were many wonderful opportunities, it was a tough place to be. Ten years later I can still […]

One of the most fascinating things about writing (and reading!) fiction is where the stories come from—the genesis of the idea. Sometimes the origins are simple and straightforward, a spin on a classic or a ripped from the headlines tale. Or a situation the writer witnessed or experienced. Other times, the “where did come from” […]

Angie Thomas’s stunning and socially-minded The Hate U Give has held court at the top of the New York Times YA bestseller list since it debuted. Everybody’s heard of it and read it—and everybody wants more. But Angie isn’t the only author to write about social justice, or even about the Black Lives Matter movement. Here […]

Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite phrase: “reluctant readers.” I’m firmly of the opinion that readers are only reluctant because they haven’t yet found a book that suits them, or are simply tired of only being handed books about thin, white, cishet protagonists. Whatever the reason may be, this list seeks to provide recommendations for many […]