Black History Trivia: "Are You Smarter Than 5th Grader?”

*2017 Winner - Mr. Aaron Pollitt*

In the Margins Book Award and Selection Committee 2017 Awards

2017 Press Release ITM Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

01/30/2017

Contact: Dale Clark, In the Margins Book Award and Committee dngclark@shaw.ca

Burnaby, BC – We are thrilled to announce our fourth annual Fiction, Non-Fiction, Top Ten and Social Justice/Advocacy Awards along with our official list of 25 books published by and about those living In the Margins. Our list highlights a survival story of an often overlooked aspect of a teen’s life – aging out of the foster care system – as well as a stunning, self-published fiction debut with a great cover. In a world hungry for diversity in books, we strive to find small press and independent titles and bring them to light, while also acknowledging titles that may be more popular in the US and Canada but specifically resonate with youth living in the margins. Our Social Justice/Advocacy Award goes to the top book recommended for adults to highlight issues facing marginalized and resilient communities. Who Do You Serve, Who do you Protect? Brings forth provocative and hard-hitting questions we collectively need to answer.

ITM Social Justice/Advocacy Award - Who Do You Serve, Who Do you Protect?

As we enter our fifth year, we are excited about our next year’s committee and are currently looking an official sponsor.

In the Margins Official 2017 Top Ten List

1.     Abram, Christy Lynn. Little Miss Somebody. 259p. Humble Bee Publishing. July 2015. PB $9.99.  ISBN 9780692386224.

2.     McLellan, Michael.  American Flowers. 296p. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. August 2015. PB. $11.99.  ISBN 9781516830695.

3.     Carter, Alton. Aging Out: A True Story. 203p. Roadrunner Press. November 29, 2017. Tr. $15.00. ISBN 9781937054298.

4.     Glasgow, Kathleen.  Girl in Pieces.  416p. Delacorte Press. August 2016. Tr. 18.99.  ISBN 9781780749457.

5.     Westhoff, Ben. Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap. Hachette Books. September 2016. Tr. $28.00. ISBN 9780316383899. 

6.     Sterling, S.C. Teenage Degenerate. 252p. S.C. Sterling. January 2016. PB $14.99. ISBN 9780997017540. 

7.     Simone, Ni-Ni. Dear Yvette.  288p. Dafina. November 2016. PB $9.95. ISBN 9780758287762.

8.     Desire, C.  Other Broken Things. 256p. Simon Pulse. January 2016. Tr. $17.99.  ISBN 9781481437394.

9.     Johnston, Jeffry W. Truth. 256 p. Sourcebooks Fire. February 2016. PB $9.99. ISBN 9781492623205.

10.   Free Minds Book Club. The Untold Story of the Real Me: Young Voices from Prison. 106p. Shout Mouse Press. October 2015. PB $14.99 ISBN 9780996927444.

In addition, for the third year, we have chosen a title for our Social Justice/Advocacy Award.  The winning title is:  Who Do You Serve, Who Do You Protect? by Maya Shenwar

The Decision Making

This year’s choice for Top Fiction spot was highly debated amongst the committee members. Popular with our readers, Little Miss Somebody chronicles what so many of our young teens face in their daily lives. Wanting to belong, be part of a loving family and yet facing uncertainty in so many ways is a constant struggle for far too many of our youth. At the same time, American Flowers depicts the tragedy and downward spiral of drug abuse. This is a book which hauntingly highlights the consequences of a few bad decisions easily made by young people. The relevance of this book, in the face of the opioid crisis facing so many communities is undeniable.

ITM Top Fiction - Little Miss Somebody

Alton Carter’s book, Aging Out was chosen by the majority of our In the Margins committee. We debated whether it best fit the Non-Fiction category or the Social Justice/Advocacy spot. However, throughout the discussions and as the year progressed, we realized that many of our youth were selecting this book to read and were recognizing so many areas of commonality with their own lives and experiences.

ITM Top Non- Fiction - Aging Out

Across the continent, young adults face the desperation of racial inequality, social upheaval and economic disparity. Through reading, our young people can find solace in knowing that their struggles are the struggles of others. Most of us who work with marginalized youth are regularly amazed and inspired by the conversations and comments our kids make about the books that they read. (There is nothing more heartwarming than seeing a group of teenage boys debating the qualities of books in a juvenile detention center library.) It is incumbent upon us, as librarians, to provide them with the books that will continue to ignite their enthusiasm for reading.

The full list of 25 titles with annotations and more information on the committee, selections, and process can be found at:

http://www.youthlibraries.org/margins-committee

The award was announced (date of SLJ publication) http://www.slj.com/2015/02/awards/top-2015-titles-for-youth-in-custody-or-in-your-libraries/..

In the Margins identifies quality and meaningful resources for librarians and library workers who work with teens in lockdown, foster care, homeless shelters, and other non-traditional venues living in the margins.

2017 Committee Members

• Sabrina Carnesi, School Librarian: Crittenden Middle School; Newport News, VA
• Dale Clark, Teacher-Librarian: Fraser Park Secondary; Burnaby Youth Custody Services; Burnaby, BC, Canada
• Marvin DeBose Sr., Library Supervisor: Free Library of Philadelphia, PA
• Susan McNair, Librarian: Birchwood School; South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice; Columbia, SC
• Maggie Novario, Teen Librarian: Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, WA
• Jean Smith, HS Library Media Specialist: Atlanta Public Schools, GA

This is What Haverford Books Clubs Are Reading!

Haverford's Senior Book Club Reading Book for Jan. 2017

Poitier credits his parents and his childhood on tiny Cat Island in the Bahamas for equipping him with the unflinching sense of right and wrong and of self-worth that he has never surrendered and that have dramatically shaped his world. "In the kind of place where I grew up," recalls Poitier, "what's coming at you is the sound of the sea and the smell of the wind and momma's voice and the voice of your dad and the craziness of your brothers and sisters...and that's it." Without television, radio, and material distractions to obscure what matters most, he could enjoy the simple things, endure the long commitments, and find true meaning in his life.

Poitier was uncompromising as he pursued a personal and public life that would honor his upbringing and the invaluable legacy of his parents. Just a few years after his introduction to indoor plumbing and the automobile, Poitier broke racial barrier after racial barrier to launch a pioneering acting career. Committed to the notion that what one does for a living articulates to who one is, Poitier played only forceful and affecting characters who said something positive, useful, and lasting about the human condition.Poitier was uncompromising as he pursued a personal and public life that would honor his upbringing and the invaluable legacy of his parents. Just a few years after his introduction to indoor plumbing and the automobile, Poitier broke racial barrier after racial barrier to launch a pioneering acting career. Committed to the notion that what one does for a living articulates to who one is, Poitier played only forceful and affecting characters who said something positive, useful, and lasting about the human condition. Here is Poitier's own introspective look at what has informed his performances and his life. Poitier explores the nature of sacrifice and commitment, price and humility, rage and forgiveness, and paying the price for artistic integrity. What emerges is a picture of a man in the face of limits—his own and the world's. A triumph of the spirit, The Measure of a Man captures the essential Poitier. Amazon.com



Haverford's Teen Reading Lounge Book for Jan. 2017

Real Estate Billionaire. Reality TV star. President?
Donald Trump inherited a fortune from his father. But he wanted more. Shrewd and indefatigable, he never missed an opportunity to expand his holdings. He transformed himself into an international brand. He marketed his personality into a product. He built an empire. But that wasn’t enough. He wanted to be President, and he was willing to do and say whatever it took. Donald Trump, who never held political office, pulled off his ultimate acquisition: the hostile takeover of the Republican Party. Everyone was shocked except those who knew him.  Who would every thought he would be the 45th President of United State of America. Amazon.com

Haverford's "Teen Reading Lounge Book Club"

Soulful Christmas Party @ Haverford Library

Omar Tyree stopped pass Haverford Library!

My childhood friend New York Times best-selling author and NAACP Image Award winner Omar Tyree  stop pass the Haverford Library Tuesday Dec. 13 to give out some autograph copies of his book "All Access: When our Real Lives".... Thanks for the visit my brother see you the next time you’re in Philly! Mr. Philly Librarian

There Goes That "Book Bike" Again!

Mr PhillyLibrarian  @ Goodwill Tabernacle Baptist Church Community Day.

Here Comes The Book Bike!

By Link R.   

The Book Bike is a new program from the Free Library that sends bicycle-powered mobile libraries to outdoor events in Philadelphia. The custom cargo bicycles, built by Philadelphia-based Haley Tricycles, are ridden by a library staff member to community events and provide a selection of library materials. Patrons with library cards can check out books directly from the bike, learn about library services and programs, or even attend a storytime led by a librarian.

The Book Bike has already started making appearances at community events including the Clark Park Farmers’ Market and Story Jams in Dickinson Square Park. At our first event at Clark Park this month, we brought more than 50 books catered to the audience at the Farmers’ Market about food, cooking, and culture. Children and adults alike were excited to see this unique display! We signed up several new patrons for library cards who were enthusiastic about starting to use the library.

The Book Bikes will continue helping library outreach efforts at events throughout the city. View our schedule of upcoming events to see when the Book Bike will be at a location near you!

If you would like to have the Book Bike at your community event, please contact Link Ross (RossL@freelibrary.org) or Kate Eckert (EckertK@freelibrary.org) for availability. You can also find us on social media using the hashtag #FLPBookBike

See you on the road! Mr. Philly Librarian