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Nonfiction
Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six
Author: Maya Payne Smart Genre: Education Donor: Maya Payne Smart Comment: Reading for Our Lives gives parents easy, immediate, and accessible ways to nurture language and literacy development from the start. Through personal stories, historical accounts, scholarly research, and practical tips, this book presents the life-and-death urgency of reading, investigates inequity in its achievement, and illuminates a path to a true, transformative education for all. |
The Warmth of Other Suns
Author: Isabel Wilkerson Genre: History Donor: Linda M. Mitchell Comment: Now I know how my ancestors got to Chicago and why they left the South during the Great Migration |
Guns, Germs, And Steel
Author: Jared Diamond Genre: History Donor: Ryan Johnson Comment: This book opened my eyes and shattered so much "received wisdom." |
They Called Us Enemy
Author: George Takei Genre: Memoir Donor: Catherine Boulanger Comment: A view from well known Star Trek actor George Takei as a small child when his family was put in an internment camp during WW II simply because they were of Japanese heritage. Takei wants all kids to understand what the US government did to its own citizens and how they survived. |
The Sweeter the Juice
Author: Shirlee Taylor Haizlip Genre: Memoir Donor: Linda M. Mitchell Comment: This is one book I can't give away. Even though it was written in 1994, it still speaks to the race issues of today. |
How Are You Today? A Celebration of Children's Emotions
Author: Linda M. Mitchell Genre: Parenting/Families Donor: Linda M. Mitchell Comment: Displays multicultural photos of young children displaying an array of emotions. It is a great social and emotional resource for parents, teachers, childcare professionals and social workers to get kids talking about their feelings. |
A Woman Called Mary
Author: Willi Ray Genre: Memoir Donor: Willi Ray Comment: A Woman Called Mary is the story of a single mother, well acquainted with grief, who triumphantly crossed the hurdles of a poverty-stricken life carrying ten children on her back. This book serves as a testimony that you can make it no matter how big the problem if you let Jesus slay the in your life and give you peace. |
Just Mercy
Author: Bryan Stevenson Genre: Social Justice Donor: Karen Parker Davis Comment: Bryan Stevenson gives first hand account of ways he provided justice for death row inmates in Alabama prisons. The book showed the injustices of the Black men incarcerated for years without adequate legal representation. |
Everything's Trash, But It's Okay
Author: Phoebe Robinson Genre: Humor/Memoir Donor: Aviva Jaye Comment: N/A |
What Keeps Me Standing, Letters from Black Grandmothers on Peace, Hope, and Inspiration
Author: Dennis Kimbro Genre: Inspiration Donor: Linda M. Mitchell Comment: I keep this book on my night stand to enjoy beautiful doses of grandmotherly wisdom. |
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Author: Maya Angelou Genre: Biography/Memoir Donor: Denise Hughes Comment: This book depicts how a young girl growing up in the United States in the 1930s and 40s copes with and survives the adversities of racism, rape and teen pregnancy. Like the caged bird, she yet sings (thrives) as self worth triumphs over hardships and limitations. |
Cicely Tyson, Just As I Am
Author: Cicely Tyson Genre: Memoir Donor: Dr. Wanda LeFlore Comment: This recently released memoir weaves Cicely Tyson's journey through the entertainment world as she tells her truth about her relationship with Miles Davis. |
Sugar Hill, When the Sun Rose Over Harlem
Author: Terry Baker Mulligan Genre: Memoir Donor: Terry Baker Mulligan Comment: |
The Purpose Driven Life
Author: Rick Warren Genre: Inspirational Donor: Linda Mitchell Comment: Reportedly the second best-selling book in the world, The Purpose Driven Life is dripping with wisdom throughout every sentence it seems. Pastor Rick Warren explains how we can find and live out our purpose in life very simply and clearly. I love this book, and I reread it often. |
The Last Children of Mill Creek
Author: Vivian Gibson Genre: Memoir Donor: Vivian Gibson Comment: N/A |
Oh the Things You Can Do While You Wait
Author:Candy Pettiford Genre: Self-Help Donor: Candy Pettiford Comment: Suggestions of things to do when you're laid off or retired. |
What Do You Do While You Wait?
Author: Candy Pettiford Genre: Self-Help Donor: Candy Pettiford Comment: Creative ideas for what to do when you're waiting at a doctor's office, airport line, grocery line, and more. |
Year of Yes; How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person
Author: Shonda Rhimes Genre: Self-Help Donor: Annie P. Clark Comment: N/A |
Our InVisibile World
Author: Bill Anderson and Annie P. Clark Genre: Inspiration & Spirituality Donor: Annie P. Clark Comment: N/A |
Called to War - How Life's Battles Prepare Us for God's Purposes
Author: Dawn Amsden Stark Genre: Christianity Donor: Dawn Amsden Stark Comment: Called to War is a book about faith and personal transformation. Part inspirational, part devotional, and part autobiographical, Called to War explores how the very thing you run from becomes the very thing you embrace, and why a journey with God transforms your eyes, your heart, and your walk. |
The Fierce 44
Author: Robert Ball Genre: Biography/Memoir Donor: Linda Spencer Comment: A collection of dreamer and doers |
Broken: But Not In Despair Author: Willi Ray Genre: Self-Help Donor: Willi Ray Comment: Broken But Not in Despair was written by a woman for women to say, "Yes, I am shattered today, but I will survive tomorrow." |
Coming Soon
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Coming Soon
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Coming Soon
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Fiction
Busy Feet
Author: Dr. L.A. Smith Genre: Children's book Donor: Dr. L.A. Smith Comment: Busy feet, busy feet. Everyone should have busy feet. Not just feet that jump and run, but feet that keep marching to get the job done. This fun book adds enthusiasm to early exploration of children’s talents. It seeks to promote child discovery of their goals to encourage an early start of reaching them. Let your little ones start marching and see what successful path their busy feet will lead. 
The Pout-Pout Fish
Author: Deborah Diesen Genre: Children's book Donor: Linda Mitchell Comment: My granddaughters love seeing the fish go from grumpy to happy. |
Helping Hands
Author: Dr. L.A. Smith Genre: Children's book Donor: Dr. L.A. Smith Comment: Journey the streets of one neighborhood with Breana as she discovers all the helping hands in her neighborhood. From school to the bus, from the postal service worker to the construction men down the street, from the lap of her loving grandmother to the arms of her tender parents. This observant young lad recognizes all the positive interactions of the people she meets daily as she successfully travels to and from school each day.
Daddy Loves Me
Author: Dr. L.A. Smith Genre: Children's book Donor: Dr. L.A. Smith Comment: This book addresses the positive effects a mentor had in the life of a child. Ty was hurt and confused about the absence of his male parental figure, but all that changes when he becomes a member of a local Boys Club. This book is written to encourage youth that positive influence, love, and friendship can come from many sources. |
Mama Always Knows Best
Author: Dr. L.A. Smith Genre: Children's book Donor: Dr. L.A. Smith Comment: A quirky little tale that takes a glimpse in the life of a youngster, who fails to follow the simple advice and directives from the adult in her care. Find out what happens when you watch scary movies, play with your gum, and give your teacher a shiny new rock on the first day of school. 
Frederick
Author: Leo Lioni Genre: Children's book Donor: Meaghan Harned Comment: In this book we learned that everyone contributes in their own unique way! |
Another Country
Author: James Baldwin Genre: N/A Donor: Aviva Jaye Mitchell Comment: One of my favorite Baldwin books 
Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi Genre: Young Adult Donor: Odell Mitchell III Comment: With five starred reviews, Tomi Adeyemi’s West African-inspired fantasy debut, and instant #1 New York Times Bestseller, conjures a world of magic and danger, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sabaa Tahir. |
How You Get Him is How You Keep Him
Author: Dr. L.A. Smith Genre: Children's book Donor: Dr. L.A. Smith Comment: ristan was smart, successful, attractive- and SINGLE! She had experienced some of the worst dating woes and had grown weary of meeting the same old tired, sorry, poor-excuse-for-a-man hopefuls she met on the dating scene. Like so many women, the failures of romance led her to submerge herself in her church, family, and career. Her motto: Men. Who Needs ‘Em? At a time in her life when she least expected love, she meets Calvin. Will there be a happy ever after? 
The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency
Author: Alexander McCall Smith Genre: Romance/Mystery Donor: Linda M. Mitchell Comment: I love these stories. I've read or listened to the whole series. It's about the adventures of a woman who opens a detective agency in Botswana. Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose act in the TV series. |
Redeeming Love
Author: Francine Rivers Genre: Historical Romance Donor: Linda Mitchell Comment: One of the most romantic stories I have ever read. Michael never gave up on his dream of having Angel, a former prostitute, love him back. The story is set in California during the gold rush era of the 1850's. It is based on the biblical book Hosea and has a most satisfying ending. |
Tommy Turner Never Smiles
Author: Dr. L.A. Smith Genre: Children's book Donor: Dr. L.A. Smith Comment: This book addresses the impact one child can have on another. Tommy was a young lad who mystifies his classmates, who wonders why he never smiles. Determined, she seeks to better understand the role she can play in learning him and helping him find his inner- and outward- happiness. Join the journey to learning why Tommy Turner Never Smiles. |
If Only I Could Bark
Author: Debra Weingarth Genre: Children's book Donor: Debra Weingarth Comment: Great story of a kitten who wants to bark like a dog but has to find her own talent to solve a problem. |
On Beauty
Author: Zadie Smith Genre: Race Donor: Aviva Jaye Comment: N/A |
Boasts, Quotes, and Love Notes
Author: Dr. L.A. Smith Genre: Children's book Donor: Dr. L.A. Smith Comment: This neat little book has tear-out notes to leave in your loved ones lunch box, drawer, desk, pillow, and so forth. |
My Beads and Me
Author: Amber T. Bogan Genre: Fiction Donor: Amber T. Bogan Comment: Celebrating the magic between Mya and her beads, My Beads and Me is an ode to every girl who has been adorned by this coming of age tradition. With a rhythmic cadence and vibrant illustrations, this self-affirming picture book is perfect for every little girl who knows that a girl and her beads are truly the perfect pair! Come along on this journey of boundless adventure and experience just how special a head of beads can be! |