The Library in the Woods by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (Carolrhoda Books, 32 pages, grades 1-5). When a hailstorm destroys their crops, Junior and his family are forced to leave their farm and move to the city. City living feels strange, with indoor plumbing, cars driving up and down the roads, and the need for shoes all the time. But Junior is thrilled when some new friends introduce him to a public library just for Black people. He borrows three books for himself and his parents and excitedly gives his mom a book of poetry by Phillis Wheatley and his dad a book about George Washington Carver. Every night for two weeks, Dad sits out on the porch with his book, until Junior finally learns from his mother that his father can’t read. When Junior gently takes the book and starts to read it out loud, he sees tears of joy in his dad’s eyes. Includes an author’s note about his childhood, the library on which this book is based, and the ways his community and family supported education for themselves and their children.
Junior tells his story with hope and determination, showing a family doing their best to make better lives despite hard times and racism, and emphasizes the importance of books and education. The illustrations place the story in the mid-twentieth century (the author’s note reveals he first visited the library in 1959) and do an excellent job portraying the family and their North Carolina surroundings.
A Place for Us: A Story in Pictures by James E. Ransome (Nancy Paulsen Books, 32 pages, grades 1-5). The author’s note at the beginning challenges readers to think about this question: In a country of vast resources, what is our responsibility to those without access to the basic necessities? The story begins with a woman walking across a city street. Soon we see that she’s picking up her son from school. They go to a fast food restaurant where, after saying grace, they eat their dinner. From there, they head to the library, where she reads a book (Finding Langston by the author’s wife Lesa Cline-Ransome, if I’m not mistaken). When the library closes, they head for a park bench where the boy sleeps with his head in his mother’s lap, covered by her jacket, while she sits up all night. After changing his shirt and washing up at a park fountain, the boy and his mom walk back to school.
This is a powerful story, all the more so for being wordless, leading to greater reflection as you study the pictures. The falling brown leaves made me think winter is coming and wonder what these two will do. Watching them get ready in the morning raised the question of where they do their laundry and how they can live out of two backpacks. The author’s note at the front sets the tone for the story, which will undoubtedly fuel many thoughtful conversations.