Book Talks and Reviews
As a former English teacher and librarian, book talks were a staple in our founder’s classroom and library. She posted those book talks and reviews on her personal page, educatorbarnes.com. Those reviews are now on this website, and our founder will continue adding new book reviews.
Books for Adults & Kids
Children’s Books – Fiction
The Cajun Night Before Christmas by Unknown
Earth Yay! by Jonathan Sundy
The Escape of Robert Smalls: A Daring Voyage Out of Slavery by Jehan Jones-Radgowski
Hello There, Sunshine by Tabitha Brown
In the Nick of Time by Deedee Cummings
Juneteenth: A Day to Celebrate Freedom from Slavery by Angela Leeper
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess by Deedee Cummings
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess – A Little Magic by Deedee Cummings
The New LiBEARian by Alison Donald
More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby
Old to Joy by Anita Crawford Clark
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
There’s Something I Have to Tell You All…Mommy Has Cancer by Towanna Hogue
This is the Earth by Deedee Cummings
This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
This Little Light of Mine by Darcy Pattison
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
Fiction – Chapter Books
Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files – All About Plants! by Andrea Beaty and Dr. Theanne Griffith
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
Bluford HIgh Series by various authors
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Lena & the Burning of Greenwood: A Tulsa Race Massacre Survival Story by Nikki Shannon Smith
The Library of Doom: Attack of the Paper Bats by Michael Dahl
The Library of Doom: The Beast Beneath the Stairs by Michael Dahl
The Library of Doom: Poison Pages by Michael Dahl
The Library of Doom: The Smashing Scroll by Michael Dahl
The Marvelous Land of Oz (Book 2) by L. Frank Baum
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
The One & Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Snitchers by Stephane Dunn
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Nonfiction
How to Write Haiku and Other Short Poems by Paul Janeczko
Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty by Dorothy Roberts (content includes rape, abuse, addiction, and abortion)
The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet by Leah Thomas
Nothing General About It: How Love (and Lithium) Saved Me On and Off General Hospital by Maurice Benard with Susan Black
Graphic Novels
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts by Dr. Rebecca Hall
Drama/Plays
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Historical
Nonfiction
African Americans in Indianapolis: The Story of a People Determined to Be Freeby David Leander Williams
Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston
Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts by Dr. Rebecca Hall
Fiction
Juneteenth: A Day to Celebrate Freedom from Slavery by Angela Leeper
Lena & the Burning of Greenwood: A Tulsa Race Massacre Survival Story by Nikki Shannon Smith
Mystery & Horror
Chapter Books
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Poetry
Haiku for Justice: 365+ Day Commentary of (In)Justice In American & Abroad – Poetry in the Age of Social Media by Discopoet Khari B.
Harlem by Walter Dean Myers
i am the rageby Dr. Martina McGowan
The Raven & Other Poemsby Edgar Allan Poe
The Venus Hottentot by Elizabeth Alexander
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Chapter Books
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Feedby M.T. Anderson
Singularity by William Sleator
Professional Books
Professional Books for Educators
Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind: Practical Strategies for Raising Acheivement by Eric Jensen
Identity Affirming Classrooms: Spaces that Center Humanity by Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera
The Principal As Instructional Leader in Literacy by Ontario Principals’ Council
Real Talk? How to Discuss Race, Racism, & Politics in 21st Century American Schools by Dr. Marcus Croom
Teaching with Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids’ Brains & What Schools Can Do About It by Eric Jensen
Books for Any Profession
Dusk of Dawn: An Essay Toward an Autobiography of a Race Concept by W.E.B. DuBois
I Own My Magic: Self-Talk for Black Women – Affirmations for Self-Care & Empowerment by G. Michelle Goodloe, LCSW
The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet by Leah Thomas
Leadership & Self Deception by the Arbinger Institute
Books for Parents
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, Self-Involved Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD
Social Justice Parenting: How to Raise Compassionate, Anti-Racist, Justice-Minded Kids in an Unjust World by Dr. Traci Baxley
Books for Adults
Fiction
Beloved by Toni Morrison
We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza (sexual content)
Nonfiction
Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty by Dorothy Roberts (content note: rape, abuse, addiction, and abortion)
Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture by Sherronda J. Brown (content note: sex, sexual abuse, queerphobic violence, lynching, racial fetishism
Mystery & Horror
Graphic Novel
Bodies by Si Spencer (adult content)
Self Help
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, Self-Involved Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD