The Birthday Party Pledge!

Take the Birthday Party Pledge:
I promise to give multicultural books as gifts to the children in my life for ONE year.
I promise to encourage them to read about and appreciate diversity in all its forms.
I commit myself to building a new generation of readers!

Click on the link above to download the certificate! There is also a Birthday Party Pledge blog which you should definitely check out, the blog will be updated at least monthly.

The Birthday Party Pledge website features lists on the side that we update periodically (I helped create the global fiction list with Lyn Miller Lachmann :) Most of the books on the website are MG or YA but we also have a Picture Books list that will be refreshed monthly as well. We refresh the lists in order to offer a wealth of options, hopefully at least one book on the list will appeal to the young reader in your life.

Why did we start this website? And whose we? Doret from theHappyNappyBookseller, Edi from Crazy Quilts, Jill from Rhapsody in Books and authors Zetta Elliott and Lyn Miller Lachman and myself started this website and blog to promote an early love of reading for children of color. We also wanted to provide an unbiased website with no reviews, only summaries of books about people of color, to help parents find diverse reads for their children. Please stop by and SIGN THE PLEDGE!

2012 YA Releases About POC

In case you missed it, here's last year's list of 2011 YA/MG releases. An * denotes if the book is by an author of color. This year the goal is to have 100 YOUNG ADULT books about people of color. I intend on reviewing less MG this year but I may still do a list, I have not decide yet. PLEASE PLEASE GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS. The list is organized by release month. And if I have a book on here that is not about a person of color please let me know. The book does not however, have to be BY an author of color, only ABOUT a teenager of color.



1. What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman (Jan 1)

2. The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams (Jan 3, 2012)

3. In Darkness by Nick Lake (Jan 5)

4. Lovetorn by Kavita Daswani* (Jan 17, 2012)

5. Crow by Barbara Wright (Jan 10)

6. . Irises by Francisco Stork* (Jan 1)
7. Black Boy, White School by Brian F. Walker (Jan 3)
8. Mesmerize (Mystyx #4) by Artist Arthur* (Jan 24)
9. Diabolical by Cynthia Leitich Smith* (Jan 24)
10. The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe (Jan 24)

11. Daughter of the Centaurs (Centauriad #1) by Kate Klimo (Jan 24)-whitewashed cover

12. The Knife and the Butterfly by Ashley Hope Perez* (Feb 1)

13. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz* (Feb 1)
14. Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson* (Feb. 2)
15. DJ Rising by Love Maia (Feb 6)
16. The Jade Notebook by Laura Resau (Feb 14)
17. Bad Boy by Dream Jordan* (Feb 28, 2012)
18. The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee* (Feb 28, 2012)
19. Ship of Souls by Zetta Elliott* (Feb 28)

20. Into the Wise Dark by Neesha Meminger* (March)

21. Power Hitter by M.G. Higgins (March 1)

22. Forced Out (Travel Team) by Gene Fehler (March 1)
23. The Secret Keepers by Paul Yee* (March 1)

24. On the Flip Side: A Fab Life Novel by Nikki Carter* (March 5)
25. Cracking the Ice by Dave Henderson (March 5)
26. Boy 21 by Matthew Quick (March 5)
27. The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind by Meg Medina* (March 13)
28. Vodnik by Bryce Moore (March 28)
29. Cat Girl's Day Off by Kimberly Pauley* (April 1)
30. Above by Leah Bobet (April 1)

31. Torn by Stephanie Guerra (April 1)

32. The Chaos by Naolo Hopkinson* (April 17)

33. Spirit's Princess by Esther M. Friesner (April 24)

34. Creeping With the Enemy (Langdon Prep #2) by Kimberly Reid* (April 24)

35. All the Right Stuff by Walter Dean Myers* (April 24)

36. The Good Braider by Terry Farish (May 1)

37. Crossing the Line (Bordertown #1) by Malin Alegria* (May 1)

38. Burning Emerald (The Cambion Chronicles #2) by Jamie Reed (May)

39. Transcendance by C.J. Omolou (June 5, 2012)

40. Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan (July 3)

41. Capital Girls by Ella Monroe (August)

42. Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan (September 5)

43. What Things Look Like by Angela Johnson (August 28)

44. Foxfire by Karen Kincy (September 2012)

45. Summer of the Mariposas by Guadalupe Garcia McCall* (October)

Late December 2011 Releases

1. Girl Meets Boy: Because There Are Two Sides to Every Story, by Chris Crutcher, Cynthia Leitich Smith*, Jospeh Bruchac*, Rita Williams Garcia*, Sara Ryan, Terry Trueman, Terry Davis, Randy Powell, Rebecca Fjelland Davis, James Howe, Ellen Wittlinger edited by Kelly Milner Halls (Dec 27)

2. Living Violet by Jamie Reed (Dec 27)

Is Jane Austen Only for White People?

Have you ever noticed how there are VERY FEW Jane Austen literary or film adaptations featuring people of color? (except for the Jane Austen Book Club movie in which one of the members was half Latina and a few others I list below). Have you ever noticed that in contemporary fiction only white main characters compare their lives to those of Jane Austen's characters? (Full Disclosure: I don't read THAT much modern day adult fiction so I could be totally wrong). The message seems to be Only White People Read Jane Austen. Is this true in your opinion? I know I'm generalizing here but this is something that has been bothering me for awhile. I want to discuss the topic of Jane Austen and I even attempt to talk about classics but mostly I throw out questions because I want some answers :)

My mother owns the book Emma by Jane Austen but she never read it. When my mom invites friends over to her house they never discuss 'classics' that they have read. In fact they rarely discuss books. She is not part of a book club. My mother has always told me that she loved to read as a kid and she still reads today but not as voraciously as I do. I work at a hair salon and some clients talk about books but rarely do they discuss the classics, if they do, Jane Austen never comes up. And yet this is an author BELOVED by millions of white women in America. White characters talk about her work in books, on TV, in the movies. But nary a peep from people of color. I don't think I've ever heard/read Alice Walker, Toni Morrison or Maya Angelou discuss her works as some of their favorites. Why do we not have Austen fever?

Do we not care about the woes of unmarried young women who think they have no prospects? Actually I think Jane Austen could eerily reflect certain truths of today as we face more and more Black women bemoaning 'where have all the good Black men gone?' , a problem not entirely alien to Jane Austen's characters. Granted they are not looking for Black men, but they are looking for good men, and love, in their own time without familial pressure to get married. I would guess that this is a scenario familiar to many Black women in their 30s (a bit older than Austen's characters but not by much). Personally I really liked all the Jane Austen books I have to read and I'm not even a romantic (or maybe that means I secretly am...), I think they are witty and provide great portraits of a specific time in history while remaining fun and still easy to relate to the present.

Is it because we are simply not interested in life in the 18th century in the English countryside for the upper middle class? Do teachers think students of color will not care so they attempt to 'cater' to the few of us they have in a class (or the majority-depending) by not teaching one of Austen's books? Most Americans take British literature and I know one English teacher at my school teaches Pride & Prejudice but most do not. I get the picture that it is like that in many schools across the nation. I think if one of Jane Austen's books is taught, it would be at a majority white school. I think teachers give us (students of color) too little in credit in thinking we can relate to these books. Maybe guys won't (that is a whole 'nother argument I do not want to get into at the moment) but I think most girls, regardless of ethnic background will if not adore, at least *like* Jane Austen. Most white teenage book bloggers I know LOVE Jane Austen as do my white friends. They love the books and movies. My Black and Latino friends do not read Jane Austen and have no interest because they think she's boring. Why do they think she's boring but my white friends do not? I do think it is in part race-based but I'm trying to understand why. Teachers may say that they want to pick books that we youth of color can relate to, and I applaud that effort. I really do. But I also think they need to push us and force us to go outside of our comfort zones. Perhaps by starting with books that we can easily relate to and then expanding our horizons by giving us a challenge, forcing us to relate to a book that at face value seems so far from our world. I say 'we' but I suppose I really mean working class youth of color but really I think it does apply to all youth of color because even 'privileged' teens of color resist reading Jane Austen. I read Jane Austen because I have always attended majority white schools and everyone always babbled on and on about her. Plus Jane Austen was always mentioned as a 'classic' author and I wanted (want) to be well read. But I have some friends who also attended majority white schools and they did not feel the desire I did to read these books that everyone always talked about.

Most girls seem to begin reading Jane Austen around 6th or 7th grade, often because of their mothers but not always. Regardless it seems that most white girls I know are mysteriously drawn to Jane Austen at this age and yet Black/Latina/Asian/Native American girls are not. Yes the dialogue can be a bit tricky at first or seem silly but I think if we (as in readers) could encourage more and more youth of color (especially girls) to pick up an Austen, perhaps they would be inspired to read more Austen and other classics. Perhaps they would learn that they should be able to be with someone who challenges them intellectually and emotionally as Mr. Darcy is with Elizabeth. Or that it's ok to believe in the chivarly of Captain Wentworth and envy his treatment of Anne. They can appreciate that love can be funny a la Elinor and Edward (Sense and Sensibility is actually the funniest Austen in my opinion and I think it would be a good intro to Austen. But I have not read Northanger Abbey yet so that could win the prize of 'funniest Austen'). Maybe they will realize that they have been as blind as Emma to their own Mr. Knightley (or that they should stop being instigators/matchmakers for all their friends unless asked!). Of course thanks to Fanny Price and Edmund they could also realize that they do not need to be drop-dead gorgeous or willing to sacrifice their morals in order to find love. And I could go on and on but ultimately I think it's important that Jane Austen be brought into more classrooms or youth centers, etc. If you have a book club for youth of color, challenge them with an Austen. I guarantee at least one of them will like it. Then pop in the movie adaptation and compare, bring treats, make it fun.

Please share your thoughts/recommendations. Do you teach Jane Austen to your students? Are you a person of color who loves Jane Austen? Do you hate Jane Austen? Why or why not?

I fully intend on rereading every single Austen before college because I'm sure I will inevitably run into quite a few classmates who love her work and I want to appreciate the books even more...

ETA 1/29 @SarahRettger shared some links with me by Ta-Nehisi Coates who writes for The Atlantic. I loved this one about the connection the author draws between Jane Austen and hip-hop. Who woulda thunk? Also check out this post that makes comparisons between the 18th century British gentry and the 19th century slave owners

Here's My List of Media with main characters of color that mention Jane Austen & co.

Worst Impressions by K. L. Brady (YA)-Pride & Prejudice adaptation

Such a Girl by Karen V. Siplin-Persuasion adaptation

Sass and Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler (YA)-Sense & Sensibility adaptation

Bride and Prejudice (film)

I Have Found It/Kandukondain Kandukondain (film)-Sense & Sensibility adaptation

The Jane Austen Book Club (film-one character of color)

Aisha (film)-Emma adaptation

5 Historical Novels I Wish Someone Would Write

For the first time in my life I am not enjoying my history class (European History) so to cheer myself up and rekindle my love of history I have begun looking for historical fiction to read once college apps/finals are done. My search led me to start thinking about what books I wish would be written about certain time periods. Maybe they will inspire an aspiring author!

1. Harlem Renaissance era story about a dancer. Or aspiring author who visits all the literary hangouts. Luckily for me I recently discovered Persia Walker, I got one of her Harlem mystery books from the library this week. But I'm not a big mystery fan (I don't think haha) so I would like a more general historical fiction book set during this time.

2. Eighteenth Century Enlightenment Salonniere-Salons were hosted by women and they were brilliant. The salons were gathering places for the leading intellectuals of the day and the women steered the conversation. Thus they had to be knowledgeable about a variety of topics. Tres cool! I was astonished at the lack of fictional and non fictional books about these amazing women. Granted this could only be about a person of color if it was steampunk but that would persuade me to try that new genre!

3. Spain during the Golden Age (Siglo de Oro) 15th-17th centuries. I just want to read a book about life during these times, prefarbly for the nobility. Or a fictionalized story about the famous Diego Velaszquez painting, Las Meninas. For some reason that painting intruges me.

4. Life in Paris for Black people post WWI-pre WWII. Many soldiers stayed in France because of the equal treatment they received. Was life really better for them there? Did they all intermarry or stick to Black women from the American forces?

5. Japan's Golden Age (1568-1618 I believe). I would love to know more about life for women during this time as Japan started to reform and Westernize.

As you can see golden ages fascinate me. Mainly because I hope to one day be a "Renaissance woman", someone with basic knowledge about a variety of topics and this often leads back to golden ages of society. Next week will be my 5 Contemporary Novels I Want Someone to Write!

Do you agree with these? Or better yet do you know of any books that pertain to this topic? What are your five historical novels you want someone to write?

Go West young minority!

A short while ago, I completed a fantabulous five meme, in which I talked about five books I recently read, planned to read, etc. I also added my own category, 'five things I want to see more of in YA poc lit'. After I made my list (need more paranormal, boarding school, athletes, inter cultural romance and cowgirls/cowboys/Westerns), I decided to make a list of the few books out there that fit my criteria. You can find my list of YA paranormals about poc here and my list of boarding schools books in which race is not the main issue here. The latest addition is a list of poc athletes. My goal is to list at least 10 suggestions. This week I'm listting Westerns about people of color. Originally I was just going to list historical fiction but maybe we can open it up a bit to the modern day (as long as it has a 'western' feel to it. Y'know? haha. What I mean is, the book can't just be set in the west, it should take involve farms/ranches/history/cobwboys/cowgirls/pioneers/anything else YA/MG Western). I could only come up with 5 so please help me out!

1. Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World by Mildred Walter (I read this book as a kid and had forgot all about until I recently found it in my house. Really cute and it talks about Black cowboys past and present!)

2. Valley of the Moon: the Diary of Maria Rosalia de Milagros (1846) by Sherry Garland

3. The Journal of Jesse Smoke: A Cherokee Boy, Trail of Tears, 1838 (My Name is America) by Joseph Bruchac

4. Blessing's Bead by Debby Dahl Edwardson

5. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

6. The Righteous Revenge of Artemis Bonner by Walter Dean Myers

7. Black Storm Comin' by Diane Lee Wilson

8. Wrango by Brian Burks

9. The Legend of Bass Reeves by Gary Paulsen

10. Geronimo by Joseph Bruchac

11. The Big Burn by Jeanette Ingold

12. Adventerous Deeds of Deadwood Jones by Helen Hemphill

13. Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

To Be Young, Athletic and a Poc

A short while ago, I completed a fantabulous five meme, in which I talked about five books I recently read, planned to read, etc. I also added my own category, 'five things I want to see more of in YA poc lit'. After I made my list (need more paranormal, boarding school, athletes, inter cultural romance and cowgirls/cowboys/Westerns), I decided to make a list of the few books out there that fit my criteria. You can find my list of YA paranormals about poc here and my list of boarding schools books in which race is not the main issue here. My goal is to list at least 10 suggestions. This week, I'm spotlighting YA/MG books by/about poc in which the main characters play sports.

1. Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley (YA-snowboarding)

2. Surf Mules by G. Neri (YA-surfing) ETA: I didn't fully do my research, Doret has informed that the two main characters in this novel are white.

2. The Ring by Bobbie Pyron (YA-boxing). The main character and author is white, but there are strong supporting poc characters.

3. Haters by Alisa Valdes Rodriguez (YA-motocross)

4. How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbaelstier (YA-basketball)

5. Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes (MG-baseball)

6. Samurai Shortstop by Alan Gratz (YA-baseball)

7. The Contender by Robert Lipsyte (YA-boxing)

8. The Warriors by Joseph Bruchac (MG-lacrosse)

9. The Necessary Hunger by Nina Revoyr (YA-basketball)

10. Under the Blood-Red Sun by Graham Salisbury (MG-baseball)

11. Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher (YA-swimming)

12. Double Dutch by Sharon Draper (MG-Double Dutch)

13. Ball Don't Lie by Matt de La Pena (YA-basketball)

14. Necessary Roughness by Marie G. Lee (YA-football)

15. Soul Enchilada by David Macinnis Gill (YA-basketball)

16. Slam by Walter Dean Myers (YA-basketball)

17. Black and White by Paul Volponi (YA-basketball)

18. Mexican White Boy by Matt De La Pena (YA-baseball)

19. I Wanna Be Your Shoebox by Cristina Garcia (MG-surfing)

20. Perfect Shot by Debbie Riguad (YA-volleyball)

21. The Hoopster by Alan Lawrence Sitomer (YA-basketball)

Upcoming Sports Release

1. Skate Fate by Juan Felipe Herrera (YA-skateboarding) Release Date: February 22, 2011

2. How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen (MG-bowling) Release Date: February 22, 2011

3. Tall Story by Candy Gourlay (YA-basketball) Release Date: February 22, 2011

*Please note that I tried to avoid featuring too many books in which the African American main character plays basketball. If you recommend them, I would be happy to add them, but I wanted to try and feature more diverse sports and characters.

Supernaturally Brown

Due to a bookish meme that I gave a new twist, I have begun to think of specific YA sub genres in which poc are ignored. I listed 5 sub genres and I hope to have five posts with recommendations of books in this genre that fit my criteria. If you missed last week's post, it was a list of YA book set in/near boarding schools with poc as the main or very important secondary characters. Feel free to add on recommendations to that list as well!

I'm not entirely clear as to the difference between paranormal and supernatural so I decided to include both. I would love it if someone clued me in on the difference though :) Some of these titles do come from recommendations left at the original post so stop by there to see who recommended what (and thank you so much for all who left recommendations!)

1. Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda (and its sequel The Dark Goddess). I LOVE these books. There are no friendly paranormal creatures in this book, they all want to kill you. Bringing scary back (but not nightmare scary). Seriously READ THEM.

2. Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves. Another book that I become a fangirl over. MUST READ. One of my favorite books of 2010.

3. Daughters of the Moon series by Lynne Ewing

4. Betwixt by Tara Bray Smith

5. Dead Gorgeous by Malorie Blackman

6. Manifest by Artist Arthur

7. City of Ghosts by Bali Rai

8. Invisible Touch by Kelly Parra

9. Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

10. Half World by Hiromi Goto

11. Unleashed by Kristopher Reisz

12. Other by Karen Kincy

13. Sisters of Isis series by Lynne Ewing

14. Ruined by Paula Morris

OK I won't make myself mad by thinking about all the white YA paranormal titles I could list.....

Please leave recommendations!

ETA: It's hard sometimes to distinguish between paranormal and fantasy (for example Half World could probably go either way) so I'm using my discretion when it comes to adding to the list. If it has the usual suspects of vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, it will definitely make the list. For less-popular creatures (at the moment), it's harder to tell but I'll do my best! I don't want fantasy recs yet, solely paranormal.

Help Needed Re: Poetry

We were given an awful assignment the other day in my British Literature class. Immediately I knew that at least I wouldn't be at a complete loss since I have at least 300 people who love to read and at least a few of them must be familiar with the topic introduced ;)

The assignment is to memorize 100 lines of poetry by a British poet. The poet can also be from a former colony of Britain (India, Jamaica, Nigeria, etc.) and I can memorize the works of more than one poet (i.e. ten lines from one, forty from another, etc.). Besides the obvious problem of memorizing 100 lines (of which I have no doubt I will fail miserably at), I'm also at a loss for finding British poets. Oh sure, I could Google them. And I intend to. But I would love to receive recommendations from people who love poetry and have favorite poets. I would prefer humorous poems since I have a hard time delivering emotional poems, but I would be up for the challenge of attempting an intense poem. I would prefer British poets of color, but honestly, I'm willing to settle for a female, humorous poet. Above all, I would love some funny poets.

In sum: BRITISH POET RECOMMENDATIONS NEEDED

You can leave them in the comments or email me. It would be especially awesome if you included the name of the poet and your favorite poem by them. I look forward to reading some great poetry (and shudder at the idea of memorizing it) :)

B.W.B. (Boarding While Brown)

After I mentioned in a random bookish meme, that I wanted to see more YA/MG about poc in boarding schools with some humor, I received some recommendations via Twitter and I did some research of my own. So I've decided for the next five weeks, I will ask for recommendations of books that fit the criteria listed in that meme. This week is poc at boarding school YA/MG that are not completely unhappy and about being the "only" (fill in blank).

So please Please PLEASE help me make this list longer. The list was so tiny as is that I decided to just include all YA/MG about a poc at a boarding school. One day I will be able to differentiate the categories into 'humorous' and 'why so serious?'

1. The Fall of Rome by Martha Southgate (not YA but I think I've heard that it has crossover appeal?)

2. Maizon at Blue Hill by Jacqueline Woodson (MG/YA. Very good)

3. New Boy by Julian Houston (YA. Have yet to review, need to re-read but I remember really liking it)

4. The Poison Apples by Lily Archer (YA. I THINK one of the girls is Asian. and I think it might actually be funny)

5. Samurai Shortstop by Alan Gratz (YA. Funny)

6. Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (YA. I think it's supposed to be humorous and I'm not sure if the main character is a poc but let me know if it needs to be taken off the list). ETA: See comments. Staying on list because boarding school is the backdrop and the cast is diverse.

7. Hidden Talents by David Lubar (YA. I actually own this book. I've read it. and yet I only remember that it was funny and that the guys were "delinquents")

8. The School For Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer (YA. I think it's a plot spoiler if I say who is a poc so just take my word for it?)

9. The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales (YA. I believe half of it is set at boarding school and the other half at home)

10. Sweetgrass Basket by Marlene Carvell (MG/YA)

11. Black Mirror by Nancy Werlin (YA)

12. It's All About Us series by Shelley Adina (YA)

And I just threw this one in because I want to read it...

Black Ice by Lorene Carey (Memoir of her teenage years at boarding school)

Not bad huh? But I bet I could name more than 10 about white teens in boarding school. So help me out, leave recommendations! I will add on to this list as recommendations come in.

The Fantabulous Five Meme

So I totally forgot where I saw this but I do remember the blogger saying he/she got it from Anna Jarzab I wish I could remember where I read it!

5 Books I've Recently Read

1. The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan (Stunning poetry/narrative and drawings)

2. Girl vs. Boy by Yvonne Collins & Sally Rideout (fun read, just what I needed to read while I'm in school)

3. Amigas #2: Lights, Camera, Quince! by Jennifer Lopez

4. The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Hedi Durrow (really liked it!)

5. Pirates! by Celia Rees (A re-read but never reviewed. An old favorite)

5 Books I'm Planning to Read

1. Amigas 3: She's Got Game by Veronica Chambers

2. Sister Chicas by Lisa Alvarado, Ann Hagman Cardinal, and Jane Alberdeston Coralin

3. The Long Song by Andrea Levy

4. Sammy & Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz

5. Other by Karen Kincy

5 of My Favorite Books

1. Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher

2. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

3. A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott

4. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

5. The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz


5 of My Least Favorite Books

1. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

2. The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momoday

3. Beowulf (no author)

4. A Girl Like Me by Ni Ni Simone

5. Naughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman


5 of My Favorite Book-to-Film Adaptations


1. To Kill a Mockingbird

2. Pride & Prejudice (I've never seen the Colin Firth version)

3. Clueless

4. Devil in a Blue Dress

5. Charlie & The Chocolate Factory


5 Things You Want to See More of in YA (I added this question. Why? Because I can)

1. A boarding school setting with a PoC main character that has humor. I get that most of the time we Brown faces will be in the minority at boarding school but do we have to be all angsty about it the ENTIRE book? No. I like boarding school YA novels. I love witty main characters. I like to read about PoC. I think this could be a winning combination.

2. An Inter-cultural couple. As in Latina girl and Asian guy, Native American guy and Black girl, etc. I'm so tired of interracial romance in which the fact that the romance is between a Black person and a White person is a BIG DEAL. I don't mind interracial romances but I would like to see more of them in which the romance/other teenage issues take precedence over the race dynamic. Obviously they are going to face some scrutiny, but I would like to see less emphasis on that.

3. An original paranormal with a poc main character. I might even settle for a poc vampire as long as the story was original. But I'd prefer a leprechaun, djinn, ghost, a hunter of some kind, a made up creature, etc.

4. PoC athletes. Especially female athletes. And not just in the usual sports like Black basketball players and Latino soccer players. Let's see some Black figure skaters, Native American lacrosse players, Latino/a swimmers and Asian baseball players. I would love it if less-popular sports were featured, but let's take it one step at a time.

5. Western historical fiction. I would LOVE to read a YA about a Black cowboy/cowgirl. I also want to know more about life in the Southwest when Mexico (and even earlier on, Spain) was in control of those states. However, when it comes to Asians and Native Americans, I want to see more stories set not in the West, but in other settings. Although I would like to see a few more books about life on the reservation. But I also want to see a book about a Native American teen who does not grow up on the reservation.

Your turn :)

Story of My (Your) Life

I've done a meme like this before but that was last year. I'm going to do one of these every year. It's a fun way to keep track of some of my favorite books/books I really liked from each year :)

I first saw this at BookGazing Feel free to join in the fun! All you have to do is copy the questions and your answers must be books you read this year. Here goes

In school I was: Losing My Cool (still am. I have a father's love. Now I just need a library that will hold 15,000 books. heehee)

People might be surprised I'm: Becoming Billie Holiday (ha! If I could sing. And if I had her looks. But not her family background)

I will never be: 8th Grade Superzero (I was actually a bit popular in 8th grade. Which means oh so much considering how I don't even see those kids anymore. *snickers*)

At the end of a long day I need: His Own Where (should be Her Own Where. I need my privacy)

I hate it when: We Were Here (because it means we are no longer there. And what if the place holds happy memories? If it does, I want to always be there. Plus this book made me cry. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. I hate when books make my cry.)

Wish I had: Good Fortune (I mostly do, when it comes to family and friends but I would love some more money)

My family reunions are: Borderline (NOT. We don't have family reunions. But if we did they would be borderline against the law because we are all crazy)

At a party you'd find me with: The Rock & The River (not sure which I prefer. In the book I would have to say Stick. Especially since Sam is taken ;) No really I like Stick better. But he would make me cry so....But in real life it would probably be The River).

I've never been to: Moonshine (ok so I mean the Moon but this works)

A happy day includes: 32 Candles (Well really a happy day includes this book. I don't actually want to be 32. I'm quite happy being a teenager. So maybe 19 candles?

Motto I live by: Secret Keeper (I'm an excellent listener and I will not share what you tell me in confidence with other people. Also, this book is my motto. Asha is one of my favorite heroines)

On my bucket list: One Crazy Summer (this past summer came pretty close. But I want one that is truly, crazy. Epic. Fun)

In my next life I want to be: Bamboo People (resilient! I like to think that I am, but probably not)

Your turn. Its surprisingly difficult. I'm sure I left out some books that I have praised countless times, but some didn't fit in the context (like Devil's Kiss) and there was just too many books to choose from. Commentary is optional.

Are You Reeaaaddddy? YA Fantasy Showdown

Something is going down. Something big. YA Fantasy Showdown

How would you like to see Edward duke it out against Hermione? Or Katniss and Katsa? Well, guess what? You can, in the first ever YA Fantasy Showdown. In celebration of Suzanne Collin’s final book in the Hunger Games trilogy, a group of bloggers are pitting some of the best-known characters in YA in the ultimate showdown. And you get to pick the winner.

That’s right. You read the battles, evaluate the characters, and vote for who has the honor of moving on to the next round. It’s a tournament like you’ve never seen before (because there’s more). The authors have been asked to participate and advocate their character in writing their own version of the battle. It’s going to be truly epic. Or at least a good way to pass the time until Mockingjay comes out. It all goes down August 10th.

Why do I have an interest in this? Well I loved The Hunger Games. And while I might be one of the few people who finished the first book without feeling a need to read Catching Fire right away (a lot of other books got in the way), I am excited for Mockingjay. I can read Catching Fire and then grab Mockingjay asap. I'm also really happy that this tournament features some diversity. I would have followed it anyway becuase I love some of the books and characters being featured (Alanna! Westley!) but the fact that it showcases some PoC characters in fantasy is icing on the cake. I've only read one of the books that features a PoC (Silver Phoenix), but most of these were already on my list (Eon is not on my list).

The PoC characters are...

Ai Ling - Silver Phoenix
Eona -Eon: Dragoneye Reborn

Katniss - The Hunger Games
Eugenides - The Queen's Thief series

Ged -The Wizard of Earthsea

Goranu - Little Sister

I'm rooting for Ai Ling to win it all. Alanna is my next choice, followed by Westley and Astrid (heehee As represent!)

Who are you cheering for?

No New Crayons, So Not the Drama Playlist, Cool Links

So I got no new books this week :( Oh well. I do have plenty to read.

Updates for next week: My contest for A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott ends Aug. 18 (this Tuesday), hurry and enter now!

I've introduced Whale Talk to a new fan! I forgot to share the link, but a little while ago Cecilia from epic rat did a post on me as a New Blogger on the Block (which I so appreciated. Thanks again Cecilia!) anyway, read the interview here, to see why Cecilia ended up reading Whale Talk. I'm pleased to say that she loved it just as much as I did!! Read her review here

Read Colleen and Susan's posts about how to recommend POC books to non-POC

Check out Steph's opinion on the new Liar cover, baby steps. Love this post and totally agree!

Oh I discovered an awesome list of YA books with Asian-American protags I want to read all the books on this list. And I thought this post on Asian-Americans on YA fiction covers was very interesting. Both links are from the YA YA YAs book blog.

Sad news: I go back to school Aug. 20 (this Thursday) *insert heavy sigh here* I've got some reviews written up and waiting to be published, but there may be a time where the reviews slow down. Be patient and bear with me! I'll type lots of reviews on holiday weekends, but my posts will probably shorten to 4 a week (I hope to keep Male Monday, Throwback Thursday, a regular review and New Crayons going).

One of my new fav poems: Doret from the HappyNappy Bookseller wrote But That's Not What This Rant is About I am so, so in love with this poem and I'm jealous becuase I can't write poetry to save my life! I totally agree with her poem and feelings. Doret you rock!

Now a request: I'm thinking of trying to (somehow, someway) create a list of contests featuring YA books with POC. There are too few contests for YA books with poc. So leave me a comment or email me if you know of a contest being held! I think that if more contests are held for teens featuring books about poc, they will read them more. After all, everyone likes free books.
Now here's my problem (and I'm sure I'm not alone in this), I have no money to spend on buying books. Not right now anyway. So how do we host YA book contests with poc, if we don't have the money to buy the books to giveaway? Thoughts and suggestions would be much appreciated!

I love making music playlists so here's mine for So Not the Drama by Paula Chase. I tried not to use all the songs featured in the book, but some of them are on the list since obviously they fit the book well.
In no particular order...

1. Just Dance by Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis. this song just reminds me of high school, at a party having fun.

2. This is Why I'm Hot-Mims "I'm hot cuz I'm fly, you ain't cuz you not." The popularity creed

3. No More Drama- Mary J. Blige feat. P. Diddy (remix) the original song is good too. The title says it all

4. Family Affair-Mary J. Blige Reminds me of hanging with your friends, basically your second family.

5. Popular-Wicked musical. Just look at the title :) The song is funny and I love this musical

6. Don't Forget About Us-Mariah Carey Ignore the love meaning, the song could be applied to friendships as well, especially Lizzie vs. Mina

7. Big Things Poppin'- T.I. Mina expects big things poppin (or good things to happen) at school.

8. Boom Boom Pow-"I'm so 3008, you're so 2008." Again reminds me of popularity, something a popular, stuck-up person (aka Jessica!) might say.

9. I Gotta Feeling- Black-Eyed Peas "I got a feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night." Good song for the party at the end of the book

10. Bossy-Kelis "You don't have to love me, you don't even have to like me. But you will respect me." Jessica's theme song.

11. Break the Ice- Britney Spears. Craig meets Mina

12. C.R.U.S.H.-Ciara Mina's got a crush on Craig!

13. I Can't Leave Him Alone- Ciara Title perfectly describes how Kelly feels about Angel

14. Girl Gone Wild-Tiffany Evans. I'm relieved that the girls in this book aren't "showing skin, showing legs". This song is just fits some high school girls.

15. Thinkin' About- Tiffany Evans Mina is thinking about Craig ;)

16. Run It!-Chris Brown feat. Julez Santana Reminds me of hig school parties as well as a song that cheerleaders (Mina is a cheerleader) would dance/cheer to.

17. So What-Pink "So what, I'm still a rockstar, I got my rock moves and I don't need you." I like how SNTD focused less on relationships and more on friendships. This song is more about being strong after a break-up, but I think it works in explaining that you don't need a man.

18. When I Grow Up- Pussycat Dolls About popularity and fame.

19. Run the Show-Kat DeLuna Running the show is just another way to describe being popular!

20. Independent-Webbie feat. Lil' Boosie and Lil' Phat All the girls in the Del Rio Bay Clique are independent. Actually any song about women's independence would work (Miss Independent by Ne-Yo or Kelly Clarkson, Independent Woman by Destiny's Child)

21. Umbrella-Rihanna feat. Jay-Z Rihanna sings about always being there for her friend, she is her friend's "umbrella". The true meaning of friendship.

Feel free to comment away if I missed some songs that you think would go great with this book!

Randomness of the Day

I got no new books :( Which is probably best because I have a load of books to read, but I'm going to try and go to the library tomorrow anyway! So instead of a new Crayons post I decided to write some random rants or thoughts that I've had this week (about books and poc obviously)

1. I went to my library's online website to see if they had The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I figured they wouldn't since my library is severely lacking in diversity and I doubted many people in my town would be interested. Boy was I wrong! There's only one copy of the book but 18 requests for it!! So I decided I'm just going to have to buy it because I can't wait for 18 people to read it, since I want to finish it before school starts (Aug. 20 *groan*)

2. Everyone seems to be have just gotten or already read Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia by Cindy Pon. I'm so jealous! Another book I MUST read before school.

3. Question:What ethnicity/nationality do you think is ignored the most in the book world? I personally think it's the Native American community.

4. I'm trying to learn about the art of auto post. We shall see if it works because that would be amazingly helpful once I become really busy.

5. It came to my attention that I needed a review policy. You can see it in my sidebar.

6. So I was nominated in the 2009 Black Weblog Awards. Voting is from Aug. 1-31. I'm in the best Teen blog category. I realize that it's awfully presumptious to think that I, a new blogger, have the BEST teen blog, I'm sure there are others. I really just want to 1)draw attention to the fact that the Black Weblog Awards doesn't have a book blog category and they should because there are some great book blogs out there for Black people 2)Get the word out about my blog (shameless self-promotion :) So please vote for me if you think my blog is decent. Click on the image in my sidebar (very sparkly) to vote. When you get to the page it does say vote for young, black, a reader. Don't panic, that's Reading in Color (I was nominated when my blog name was young, black, a reader) Thank you!

Upcoming This Week
Male Monday: The Making of Dr. Truelove by Derrick Barnes review
Tuesday: A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott Review
Waiting on Wednesday: So many books so little time!
Throwback Thursday: Played by Dana Davidson
Friday: My contest details
Saturday: Most likely nothing. Possibly a review if I finish Rogelia's House of Magic by Jamie Martinez Wood or Rattlebone by Maxine Clair by then.
Sunday: New Crayons. Will I actually have books by then (hope so!)?

Blog Name Change, Voting and a Question

Hey everyone!
So I'm changing my blog name to.............. *drumroll*
Reading in Color
It changes tomorrow. So edit your blogrolls please! Url will be the same.
I hope you like the name, I really do! But if you don't, I hope you continue to visit my blog anyway :D

Also that little Black Blog web awards image I have next to this post, in the right corner? Click on it and vote for me! Thanks!! I am annoyed with the awards though, because they don't have a Book Blog category. There may not be a lot of book blogs for AAs in YA, but there are a pretty good amount of blogs that review books with AAs for adults. So they need a category!

Now for my question: do people prefer Black or African American? I use the two interchangeably, but I know some people find black offensive, or vice versa. Thoughts?