Page Turners—Summer 2020

If you love summer reading as much as we do, you might find a title or two here to add to your own list. If you’ve got a book that you think should be on our “must-read” pile, head over to the discussion board and share.

Gail is soaking up these culturally relevant titles that are sure to educate and inspire:

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates 
When Coates examines his evolution of thinking on race in America, pay attention. No one says it better, thinks more originally, and confronts more directly.

Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy by Gholdy Muhammad who presents a framework for implementing culturally and historically responsive instruction that leaves room for thoughtful reflection and, most importantly, action.

Engaging Literate Minds: Developing Children’s Social, Emotional, and Intellectual Lives, K–3 by Peter H. Johnston
Fans of Choice Words and Opening Minds will definitely want to read this book, which talks about how even our youngest learners can be independent and how important it is for us to create socially and emotionally healthy classrooms where they can thrive.

Lifting as We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box by Evette Dionne shares the overlooked story of the black women and their extraordinary part of the suffrage movement in America.

This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewell becomes a guide book for taking action against racism.

Allison is enjoying titles that help her grow both personally and professionally:

Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead, and Live Without Barriers by Jo Boaler shares six keys to unlocking learning potential, based on the latest scientific findings.

Building Equity: Policies and Practices to Empower All Learners by Smith, Frey, Pumpian, and Fisher addresses teachers and school leaders, providing guidance and tools to help understand and uncover equity-related issues within their own space.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle endeavors to help us all experience the joy and peace that can be ours when we begin to really listen to and trust our deep inner voices.

Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick by Wendy Wood helps us understand how our brains are wired and how we can harness the amazing power of our unconscious minds to reach our goals.

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo is highly recommended to help us better understand systemic racism and how we might overcome it.

Doug’s list will be of interest to school and district leaders who are honing their knowledge and craft:

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
After leading a book study with the 1997 edition, my goal is to update an understanding of William Cross’ Racial Identity Development in adolescence.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
When Coates examines his evolution of thinking on race in America, pay attention. No one says it better, thinks more originally, and confronts more directly.

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
This book has been calling me and appears to touch everyone who speak of her story. I can’t wait.

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
You know it when you see it. So happy it grows with practice.

High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way by Brendon Burchard shares six habits we can develop to get more done, lead others better, and achieve long-term success and joy. 

Lori is discovering new books she can recommend to students and colleagues, as well as reading for pure pleasure:

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Wowie-zowie! This fantastic book reveals the history of racism and how we got where we are, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. If you like audiobooks, you’ll want to listen to Jason Reynolds read this one!

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
This historical fiction treasure is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and vastly relevant right now.

The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
What makes it possible to love characters that aren’t real so much? The fact that life has been so brilliantly breathed into them by this amazing author.

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
If you are looking for a strong female character, then you will love Jude, who has left her volatile homeland for a new life in America.

Huckleberry: Stories, Secrets, and Recipes from Our Kitchen by Zoe Nathan
It is safe to say that my quarantine months have been filled with baking. This has become one of my favorite quarantine cookbooks.