Learn YA Lit with Me (Ch.17)

The one where Ms. Shattuck learns about "We Need Diverse Books, the website."

I'm taking a class on Young Adult literature this semester at SHSU and am required to blog about each chapter that I read, so I thought I'd create a series to share with my blog friends. Welcome to Chapter 17.

Summary:

According to their website, WNDB is "a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people." They offer many programs such as:

• Black creatives revisions workshop

• Black creatives fund

• Heartdrum

• Ourstory App

• Emergency fund for diverse creatives in publishing

• Walter Grant

• Mentorships

• The Walter Awards

This website is dedicated to putting more books that feature diversity and diverse characters into the hands of all children, not just the ones that are being represented. They want to have a world where every child can find a version of themselves on a page. They want diversity in their books to include, "LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities*, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities."

To learn more about their programs, please visit: https://diversebooks.org/

Reflection:

I had no idea this website existed and am so excited to dive deeper into this website. I love some of the programs they offer and would love to get involved once I finish my coursework. I think this is a beautiful way to be and advocate, to learn how to help students find connection on the page, and to broaden the definition of diversity.