Diverse Voices YA Set
Diverse Voices YA Set
While characters are becoming more diverse in literature, too often these characters are written by authors who don’t reflect the demographics of their characters. That’s why these stories are so important: we need more books written by people who are from the communities they’re writing about. At Shout Mouse Press, we trust that our authors are experts on their lived experience. This collection of books includes voices of young people sharing personal stories in service of building empathy and understanding. In Voces Sin Fronteras, young, Latinx immigrants write about their journeys to the United States. In They Called Me 299-359, incarcerated poets share work about their experience of being caught in the justice system. In The Ballou We Know, writers from Ballou High School in Southeast D.C. share their memoirs. I Am the Night Sky features the art and stories of young Muslim American writers.
Books In This Set
by the Latino Youth Leadership Council of LAYC
With a foreword by Newbery Medal-winning author Meg Medina
Winner of the 2019 'In the Margins' Top Nonfiction award and 2020 International Latino Book Awards
“Spotlighting underrepresented voices, this work is highly recommended for all communities in their efforts to promote empathetic, inclusive discussions around immigration.” — Starred review in School Library Journal!
"Enlightening and inspiring #ownvoices accounts by young activists." – Kirkus Review.
During a time of heated immigration debate and unrest, this book is an opportunity to hear directly from youth who are often in the headlines but whose stories don’t get told in full. Sixteen young people from the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) in Washington, D.C. came together to tell their own stories of immigration and transformation in comics form. The result is this side-by-side bilingual collection of graphic memoirs that not only builds connections across language, but also breaks down barriers and expands hope.
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En tiempos de inquietud y acalorados debates sobre la inmigración, este libro representa una oportunidad para escuchar directamente a los jóvenes quienes suelen ocupar los titulares en la prensa, pero cuyas historias no se alcanzan a narrar por completo. Dieciséis jóvenes del Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) en Washington, D.C. se unieron para contar sus propias historias de inmigración y de transformación en formato de cómic. El resultado es esta colección de memorias gráficas bilingüe, que no sólo construye conexiones entre los idiomas, sino que también elimina barreras y abre un espacio a la esperanza.
ISBN: 978-1945434921
Age: 12+
Lexile: 720L
Page Count: 320
Published: 2018
#1 on the Top Ten Books for 2022 In The Margins Book Award
They Called Me 299-359 is an anthology of poetry and essays written, edited, and compiled by incarcerated youth who are Free Minds Book Club members, held both at the DC Jail and in adult federal facilities across the country. Through moving personal testimony, these young writers explore the challenges and pain of incarceration as well as family, forgiveness, redemption, and dreams. Their book is used as a tool for violence prevention and healing in Free Minds’s youth violence prevention initiative “On the Same Page,” and is also taught as part of college curricula at several universities. This 10th anniversary edition includes updated forewords from Free Minds poet ambassadors as well as from award-winning formerly incarcerated poet Reginald Dwayne Betts.
ISBN: 978-1-950807-15-4
Age: 12+
Lexile: NP
Page Count: 120
Published: Fall 2020
by the teen artists and writers of Next Wave Muslim Initiative
With a foreword by award-winning author Hena Khan
“Captivating and uplifting.” — Starred review in Kirkus Reviews + named a Best Book of 2019
“Get it soon… It would be difficult to ignore or forget these voices.” — Rich in Color Reviews
Included on the “2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List for Ages 0-18”
During an era characterized by both hijabi fashion models and enduring post-9/11 stereotypes, ten Muslim American teenagers came together to explore what it means to be young and Muslim in America today. These teens represent the tremendous diversity within the American Muslim community, and their book, like them, contains multitudes. Bilal writes about being a Muslim rocker. Noor reflects about speaking in multiple tongues. Samaa creates her own cartoon Kabob Squad. Ayah responds to online hate. Through poems, essays, artwork, and stories, these young people aim to show their true selves, to build connection, and to create more inclusive and welcoming communities for all.
ISBN: 978-1945434938
Age: 12+
Lexile: 830L
Page Count: 192
Published: 2019
Proceeds from book sales go to a Ballou HS scholarship fund and to empower new authors.
This book, the fifth volume of The Ballou Story Project, was initiated by these young people in response to a challenging year for the community. They wanted to illuminate the Ballou not often represented in the media--one full of love, hard work, and transformation. They set their mission: to change the story about their school and the people who call it home. To combat stereotypes and assumptions. To motivate the next generation to persevere, and to believe in themselves, no matter what.
Most importantly, these young people wanted to speak for themselves, not to be spoken about. They remind us that there are many sides to every story, and that all voices should be valued and heard. “This is our last line of defense,” they write. “These are our stories. This is the Ballou We Know.”
The Ballou We Know is the fifth volume of The Ballou Story Project, a program that provides a platform for these students to tell their own stories and act as leaders in their community. Learn more.
ISBN: 978-1945434914
Age: 12+
Lexile: 760L
Page Count: 72
Published: 2018
