In response to the killing of George Floyd, our community rallied in the #blacklivesmatter movement by reading and requesting anti-racism books, and through activism. Our police department assisted a non-profit group in blocking the streets and crowd-control for a well-attended protest against racism and police brutality, one of our library patrons wrote and performed a poem , a petition was started and shared to remove a Confederate statue in downtown Statesville, and we at the library responded to our patron’s questions. Teens and adults wanted suggestions and book titles, and as librarians, that is something we can do. Although, we recognize this is not all we should be doing. We are watching webinars provided by the American Library Association, and having tough conversations to help us on our anti-racist journeys.
However, we are librarians, and do want to offer you some booklists for your anti-racist and diversity endeavors.


FOR ADULTS
Backlash by George Yancy
When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
White Rage by Carol Anderson
Begin Again by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
FOR TEENS
Rules for Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno
Go With the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Scheemann
White Rose by Kip Wilson
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Slay by Brittney Morris
Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro
Black Panther & the Crew by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Watch Us Rise by Renee Watson and Ellen Hagan
No More Excuses by Amber J. Keyser
Forgotten Bones by Lois Miner Huey
FOR KIDS
Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Nelson
Almost to Freedom by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
The Dozier School for Boys by Elizabeth A. Murray
Holy Mole! by Caroline McAlister
Red Bird Sings by Gina Capaldi