Not My Idea by Nastasia Higginbotham

Appropriate Age Range: 8-12 years

What this book is all about:

Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness begins when a young girl overhears a news story about a police officer killing an unarmed black man. After her mother attempts to hide the news away from her, stating that her family does not see color, the girl becomes frustrated and eventually seeks information on her own. As the girl learns more she realizes that she does see color and becomes frustrated about the history that has been hidden from her.

Why you might want to read it:

Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness provides an honest explanation about racism and racial justice, inviting white children and parents to become curious about racism, accept that it's real, and encourage them to make a difference.

4 questions for you to ask your children after reading it:

  1. What are your reactions after reading the book? What feelings did the story bring up for you?

  2. What are some of the ways that you have seen how your skin color affects your experiences?

  3. In what ways is it harmful to not see the color of one's skin?

  4. How can you make a difference?

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The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad & S.K. Ali

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Mixed Me! by Taye Diggs