Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi is a fun, colorful, and meaningful picture book that helps introduce young kids to the idea of fairness, inclusion, and standing up against racism. With nine simple steps, Kendi encourages little readers (and the adults reading with them) to be aware of racial differences, challenge injustice, and embrace kindness.

The book’s bright and bold illustrations by Ashley Lukashevsky make it super engaging for kids, and the rhyming text keeps things fun while delivering an important message. It’s a great starting point for parents who want to have early conversations about race in an age-appropriate way.

Even though Antiracist Baby is meant to promote positive values, it has been banned in some schools and libraries for addressing race and social justice. But that’s exactly what makes it such an important book—it encourages open conversations and helps raise thoughtful, compassionate kids.
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This is a great pick for parents, teachers, and caregivers looking to introduce kids to big ideas in a simple, engaging way. It’s a book that sparks important discussions while keeping things fun and accessible for little ones.

Reserve it at the library!

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

I Am Alfonso Jones is a graphic novel that hits hard. Alfonso is a Black 15-year-old boy with big dreams, but his life is cut short when he’s wrongfully shot by an off-duty cop after a hanger is mistaken for a gun. In the afterlife, he meets other victims of police violence, while his family and friends fight for justice back home.

The story is raw, emotional, and eye-opening, with powerful artwork that brings it to life. It’s been challenged in some schools for tackling police brutality and racial injustice, but that just makes it an even more important topic to discuss.

If you’re looking for a book that makes you think and feel, with great art to boot, this one’s a must-read.

Check it out at the library.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Sharon M. Draper’s Blended is a powerful and relatable story about identity, family, and figuring out where you fit in. The book follows 11-year-old Isabella, whose parents are divorced—her dad is Black, her mom is white—and she feels like she’s constantly switching between two worlds. As she moves between their homes, their expectations, and even their cultures, she struggles to figure out who she really is.
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Draper does an amazing job capturing what it’s like to be a middle schooler dealing with family changes and big questions about race and identity. The story is easy to read but doesn’t shy away from tough topics, including racism and feeling torn between two sides of yourself. There’s even a shocking and emotional moment involving police violence that makes this book especially relevant.
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Despite its important themes, Blended has been banned in some schools for addressing race, privilege, and police brutality. However, these are exactly the kinds of conversations that make the book so valuable. Draper handles these issues with honesty and sensitivity, making Blended a must-read for young readers and adults alike.

Reserve the book at the library or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those books that sticks with you. Set in the 1930s South, it’s told through the eyes of Scout Finch, a curious, sharp kid growing up with her brother Jem and their dad, Atticus. When Atticus, a lawyer, defends a Black man falsely accused of a crime, Scout starts to see the ugly side of the world—racism, injustice, and the way people refuse to do what’s right.

Harper Lee’s writing is simple but powerful, making big themes like racism, morality, and empathy easy to connect with. At its core, it’s about growing up and realizing the world isn’t always fair, but that standing up for what’s right still matters.

The book has been banned and challenged in some schools for its discussions of race, language, and tough topics. Some people think it’s too controversial, but others see it as an important read for understanding history and injustice.
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Whether you’re reading it for the first time or coming back to it, To Kill a Mockingbird is a book that makes you think, feel, and see things a little differently.

Reserve the novel in regular or Large Print. Or, download the eBook or audiobook narrated by Sissy Spacek. We also have the classic movie starring Gregory Peck available on DVD for checkout.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

1984 pulls you into a world where the government watches everything, controls what people think, and even rewrites history. Winston Smith, the main character, dares to question the system—but in a place where Big Brother sees all, that’s a dangerous game.

Orwell’s writing is unsettling and powerful. We’ve seen nations dealing with real-life examples of media suppression and attempts to rewrite history, making this dystopian story feel eerily close to reality. While it’s clearly fiction, it scratches that uneasy spot where the line between imagination and truth starts to blur.

The book has been banned in some places for its political themes, sexual content, and sharp critique of authoritarianism. Some found it too radical, while others just thought it was too bleak.
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Love it or hate it, 1984 stays with you forever. It’s a must-read for anyone who cares about freedom, censorship, and the dangers of unchecked power.

We have the novel as well as a graphic novel if you prefer. There's also an eBook and audiobook available for download with your SPL card. There is also a Spanish edition eBook and audiobook available.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

The Poet X is a powerful story told in verse about Xiomara, a Dominican-American teen who finds her voice through poetry. Caught between her strict religious upbringing and her need for self-expression, she pours her thoughts into her notebook, using poetry to figure out who she really is.
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Acevedo’s writing is raw and emotional, making Xiomara’s journey feel real and relatable. The book has been banned in some schools because it talks about sexuality, religion, and standing up for yourself—but that just makes it even more worth reading for adults and youth alike. If you love stories about finding your voice and pushing back against expectations, this one’s for you.

Reserve it at the library or get the audiobook with your SPL card.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You isn’t a dry history book—it’s fast, engaging, and written in a way that feels like a conversation. Jason Reynolds takes Ibram X. Kendi’s work and makes it super readable, breaking down how racist ideas started, how they’ve changed over time, and how they still show up today.

This book has been praised for making tough topics easy to understand, especially for younger readers. But it’s also been banned in some schools for talking about systemic racism and U.S. history. Some critics say it’s too divisive, while others believe it’s an important tool for understanding the world we live in.
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No matter where you stand, Stamped gets people talking. If you want a fresh, honest take on history and race, this is a book worth reading.

Get a copy at the library or download the audiobook. There is also Stamped (for Kids) that was adapted for younger audiences by Sonja Cherry-Paul. Reserve it at the library!

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Fahrenheit 451 throws you into a world where books are illegal, and firemen don’t put out fires—they burn books instead. Guy Montag, one of these firemen, starts to question everything after meeting a curious young woman. As he secretly begins reading the books he’s supposed to destroy, he realizes just how much his society fears knowledge and independent thought.

Bradbury’s writing is intense and poetic, making this dystopian world feel eerily close to home. It’s not just a book about censorship—it’s about what happens when people stop thinking for themselves and let entertainment replace real conversation.

Ironically, Fahrenheit 451 has been banned and challenged in schools for its themes, language, and critique of censorship—the very thing it warns about.
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It’s a quick, thought-provoking read that still feels relevant today. If you care about free speech, curiosity, and the power of books, this one’s a must-read.

There are many options for checking out this title! We have the novel and the graphic novel adaptation. We also have a copy in Spanish! You can download the eBook. There are four different readers to choose from for the audiobook, Stephen Hoye.  Christopher Hurt, Tim Robbins, or author Ray Bradbury himself. We also have the 1966 film on DVD available for checkout.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

After we broke away from Great Britain, the Articles of Confederation were supposed to run the show, but they just didn't work. So, the same folks who led the revolution and got the government started got together again to fix things. That's where our Constitution came from. Now, if you want to understand why they set things up the way they did—like checks and balances and separation of powers—you've got to read The Federalist Papers. Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison wrote them to explain exactly why this new Constitution was so important. They cover everything, from why we need a strong federal government to how to protect our rights, and honestly, it's all still relevant today.

The Federalist Papers are available to reserve at the library and always available as an eBook download. 

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye is a heartbreaking and powerful novel that dives deep into themes of race, beauty, and self-worth. Set in 1940s Ohio, it follows Pecola Breedlove, a young Black girl who believes that having blue eyes will make her beautiful and, more importantly, loved.

Morrison’s writing is stunning—poetic, raw, and completely immersive. She doesn’t hold back in exploring tough topics like racism, trauma, child abuse, and societal neglect, making this a book that’s as thought-provoking as it is emotionally heavy. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s an important one that forces you to see the world through a different lens.
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Though The Bluest Eye has been banned in many places for its difficult themes, it remains a must-read. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you long after you’ve finished, reminding you of the power of storytelling and the importance of representation in literature.

Get the eBook or audiobook download with your SPL library card. If you prefer a physical copy, contact us and we can order one through interlibrary loan.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian