We’ve all experienced the uncomfortable feeling of not fitting in from time to time. It’s no different for kids.
For kids especially, who’ve had far fewer years of experience in handling such feelings, not fitting in can be more distressing than for an adult. It’s important to raise a child’s awareness of what another feels when that person is left out or made fun of.
We raise that awareness by teaching kids through our own actions, what we say (or fail to say) and by reading books that both address these issues and ultimately can act as a springboard for further discussion and understanding.
It’s all boils down to compassion and empathy, and we need a lot more of that in our world, don’t you think?
Books to borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“Goin’ Someplace Special” by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, Atheneum, 36 pages
Read aloud: age 4 – 5 and older.
Read yourself: age 8 and older.
In a 1950s Southern town, an African-American girl, ‘Tricia Ann, lives with her grandmother, Mama Frances. One day, ‘Tricia Ann decides she is ready to go to Someplace Special by herself.
Her grandmother hesitates, and tells her granddaughter, “Goin’ off alone is a mighty big step.” Finally, she relents, and as ‘Tricia Ann is leaving, her Grandmother tells her, “And no matter what, hold your head up and act like you belong to somebody.”
On her journey, ‘Tricia Ann encounters stinging signs of prejudice everywhere. Then, in front of a beautiful hotel, she is swept up in a crowd of people who are there to see a famous celebrity. Suddenly, ‘Tricia Ann is inside the hotel, and it is quickly and loudly made clear she wasn’t allowed to be there.
Being cast out of the hotel, ‘Tricia Ann heads for the sanctuary of the Mission Church ruins. There, she meets the kind and gentle Blooming Mary, who listens to ‘Tricia Ann’s story and tells her to listen closely and she will hear her granny speaking to her.
As ‘Tricia Ann listened, she began to hear her grandmother’s steady voice, telling her, “You are somebody, a human being — no better, no worse than anybody else in this world . . . don’t study on quittin’, just keep walking straight ahead — and you’ll make it.”
And that’s just what ‘Tricia Ann did. Finally, ‘Tricia Ann arrived at Someplace Special. She looked up and read the message chiseled in stone across the front of the building: PUBLIC LIBRARY: ALL ARE WELCOME.
Based on the true events in McKissack’s young life, this powerful story should be required reading.
Librarian’s choice
Library: Womelsdorf Community Library, 203 W. High St., Womelsdorf
Children’s program coordinator: Jessica Molinari
Choices this week: “Verdi” by Janell Cannon; “Stage Fright on a Summer Night” by Mary Pope Osborne; “Horrible Harry and the Hallway Bully” by Suzy Kline
Books to buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
“Where?” by Jordan Collins, illustrated by Phil Lesnie, Candlewick, 2024, 40 pages, $18.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 5 – 9.
Read yourself: age 7 – 9.
People repeatedly ask the child, “Where are you from?” The child knows people ask that question if their skin isn’t the same color, or their hair is different. The child isn’t sure how to respond in the way that will make others understand, and ultimately decides that an intergalactic explanation of sorts might help.
Like everyone else, the child is from the interiors of collapsing stars, cosmic dust and the same ancient ancestors, all part of a line of shared humanity.
Lavish illustrations perfectly complement this deeply reflective story of accepting differences, fitting in and what being a human really means.
“The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage” by David A. Robertson, Highwater Press, 2024, 184 pages, $12.95 paperback
Read aloud: age 9 – 12.
Read yourself: age 9 – 12.
When 11-year-old Alex’s family moves from their home in Norway House Cree Nation to the city, his world is turned upside down. It’s hard enough being the new kid, but for the first time, Alex doesn’t fit in because his classmates don’t understand Indigenous culture.
Alex has always been an excellent ice hockey player, and he decides to try out for the local hockey team. Securing a position to play with the Kodiaks isn’t difficult, but despite what a star player he is, Alex is faced with racist comments and more from opposing players because he is Indigenous. Will Alex be able to find a way to be accepted and still be proud of being Cree?
Fast-paced and loaded with ice hockey action and more, “The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage” expertly explores real-life issues of prejudice, friendship, and standing tall.
Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at [email protected].
This post was originally published on here
