|
|
|
|
|
Hispanic Heritage Month
2025's Theme - Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
|
|
|
|
Latinas/os in New Jersey: Histories, Communities, and Cultures
by Aldo Lauria-Santiago
New Jersey Collection: Since the 1890s, New Jersey has attracted hundreds of thousands of Caribbean and Latin American migrants. The state's rich economic history, high-income suburbs, and strong public sector have all contributed to attracting, retaining, and setting the stage for Latin American and Caribbean immigrants and secondary step migrants from New York City. Since the 1980s, however, Latinos have developed a more complex presence in the state's political landscape and institutions. The emergence of Latino-majority towns and cities and coalition politics facilitated the election of Latino mayors, council persons and many social and community leaders, as well as the election of state-wide officers like US Senator Bob Menendez. This collection brings together innovative and empirically grounded scholarship from different disciplines and interdisciplinary fields of study and addresses topics including the demographic history of Latinos in the state, Latino migration from gateway cities to suburban towns, Latino urban enclaves, Latino economic and social mobility, Latino students and education, the New Jersey Dream Act and in-state tuition act organizing, Latinos and criminal justice reform, Latino electoral politics and leadership, and undocumented communities.
|
|
|
|
El Norte: The Epic and Forgotten Story of Hispanic North America
by Carrie Gibson
Non-fiction: Because of our shared English language, as well as the celebrated origin tales of the Mayflower and the rebellion of the British colonies, the United States has prized its Anglo heritage above all others. However, as Carrie Gibson explains with great depth and clarity in El Norte, the nation has much older Spanish roots--ones that have long been unacknowledged or marginalized. The Hispanic past of the United States predates the arrival of the Pilgrims by a century, and has been every bit as important in shaping the nation as it exists today. El Norte chronicles the sweeping and dramatic history of Hispanic North America from the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century to the present--from Ponce de Leon's initial landing in Florida in 1513 to Spanish control of the vast Louisiana territory in 1762 to the Mexican-American War in 1846 and up to the more recent tragedy of post-hurricane Puerto Rico and the ongoing border acrimony with Mexico. Interwoven in this stirring narrative of events and people are cultural issues that have been there from the start but which are unresolved to this day: language, belonging, community, race, and nationality. Seeing them play out over centuries provides vital perspective at a time when it is urgently needed. In1883, Walt Whitman meditated on his country's Spanish past: 'We Americans have yet to really learn our own antecedents, and sort them, to unify them,' predicting that 'to that composite American identity of the future, Spanish character will supply some of the most needed parts.' That future is here, and El Norte, a stirring and eventful history in its own right, will make a powerful impact on our national understanding.
|
|
|
|
Sí, Se Puede: The Latino Heroes who Changed the United States
by Julio Anta
Young Adult Non-fiction: From community activism to the halls of government, pop-culture, arts, and beyond, Latinos have shaped every aspect of American life. Nevertheless, these significant figures and their contributions are often left out of our textbooks. SÍ, Se Puede, named after the "Yes, We Can" motto of the United Farm Workers, brings Latino history in the U.S. to the forefront. The book follows a group of Hispanic-Americans as they embark on an interactive museum tour to meet Latino heroes they may not have learned about in school. The high tech, immersive exhibit allows the tour group to virtually travel through time, visiting the Hispanic Union soldiers of the Civil War; marching with Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta in the farmworkers struggle; going to space with Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina to leave Earth's atmosphere; meeting the youngest woman to ever serve in Congress, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; and more. This ensemble of unlikely friends discover the rich history of Latinos in the United States, and gain new insights into their own American experiences
|
|
|
|
Through Fences
by Frederick Luis Aldama
Young Adult Graphic Novel: Collection of short comics about life near the US-Mexico border. Touches on issues of immigration, detainment, policing, sexuality, racism, and violence.
|
|
|
|
Nuestra America: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States
by Sabrina Vourvoulias
Juvenile Non-fiction: Published in association with the Smithsonian Institution and the Molina Family Latino Gallery, a celebration of 30 of history’s most influential Latinas and Latinos shares the uplifting stories of subjects ranging from Pura Belpré and César Chávez to Jennifer Lopez and Sonia Sotomayor.
|
|
|
|
Borderlands and the Mexican American Story
by David Dorado Romo
Juvenile Non-fiction: This true story of the Mexican American experience reveals how Mexicans were on this land before any borders existed and explains how their culture and practices shaped the southwestern part of this country in spite of the attempts by white colonizers and settlers to erase them.
|
|
|
|
Sweet Dreams, Mis Hijos: Inspiring Stories About Latino Leaders
by Cristina Tzintzâun Ramirez
World Language Easy Non-fiction: Stories about amazing trailblazers include contemporary figures in many fields, from science and business to journalism and visual arts. Five-minute biographies provide an interesting window into each person's origins and accomplishments, as well as describing the way their heritage factored into their lives.
|
|
|
|
Call me Roberto!: Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos
by Nathalie Alonso
Easy Biography: This inspirational true story of the Major League Baseball player traces the emotional highs and lows of his career as he fought racism to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time as well as his contributions to Black, Latino and American history.
|
|
September 15 - World Afro Day Celebrates Afro hair and the cultural significance behind it. |
|
|
|
Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture
by Emma Dabiri
Non-fiction: Despite increasingly liberal world views, black hair continues to be erased, appropriated, and stigmatized to the point of taboo. Through her personal and historical journey, Dabiri gleans insights into the way racism is coded in society's perception of black hair--and how it is often used as an avenue for discrimination. Dabiri takes us from pre-colonial Africa, through the Harlem Renaissance, and into today's Natural Hair Movement, exploring everything from women's solidarity and friendship, to the criminalization of dreadlocks, to the dubious provenance of Kim Kardashian's braids. Through the lens of hair texture, Dabiri leads us on a historical and cultural investigation of the global history of racism--and her own personal journey of self-love and finally, acceptance. Deeply researched and powerfully resonant, Twisted proves that far from being only hair, black hairstyling culture can be understood as an allegory for black oppression and, ultimately, liberation.
|
|
|
|
Wash Day Diaries
by Jamila Rowser
Graphic Novel: In expanding the story of Kim and her friends, the authors pay tribute to Black sisterhood through portraits of shared, yet deeply personal experiences of Black hair care. From self-care to spilling the tea at an hours-long salon appointment to healing family rifts, the stories are brought to life through beautifully drawn characters and different color palettes reflecting the mood in each story.
|
|
|
|
Inheritance: A Visual Poem
by Elizabeth Acevedo
Young Adult Non-fiction: In her most famous spoken-word poem, author of the Pura Belpré-winning novel-in-verse The Poet X Elizabeth Acevedo embraces all the complexities of Black hair and Afro-Latinidad--the history, pain, pride, and powerful love of that inheritance. Paired with full-color illustrations by artist Andrea Pippins in a format that will appeal to fans of Mahogany L. Browne's Black Girl Magic or Jason Reynolds's For Everyone, this poem can now be read in a vibrant package, making it the ideal gift, treasure, or inspiration for readers of any age.
|
|
|
|
Rapunzella, or, Don't Touch My Hair: A Love Letter to Black Women
by Ella McLeod
Young Adult Fiction: You're fifteen. You spend your time at school and at Val's hair salon with Baker, Val's son, who has eyes that are like falling off a cliff into space. The salon is a space of safety, but also of possibility and dreams. When you dream, you visit an enchanted forest full of friends and wonder. You dream of witches and magic, of hair so rich and alive that it grow upwards and outwards into a wild landscape, becomes trees and leaves, and houses birds and butterflies and all the secret creatures that belong in such a forest. But when you wake, your memories vanish, and you are just you, trying to navigate relationships and learning who you will grow up to be. Is there a future where your dreams are more than just dreams?
|
|
|
|
The Creepening of Dogwood House
by Eden Royce
Juvenile Fiction: The Walter Award Honor winning author of Root Magic returns with a terrifying story in the Southern Gothic tradition, inspired by the hoodoo practice of hair burning. At night, Roddie still dreams of sitting at his mother's feet while she braids his Afro down. But that's a memory from before. Before his mom died in a tragic accident. Before he was taken in by an aunt he barely knows. Before his aunt brought him to Dogwood House, the creepiest place Roddie has ever seen. It was his family's home for over a hundred years. Now the house abandoned and rotting, draped in Spanish moss that reminds him too much of hair is his home too. Aunt Angie has returned to South Carolina to take care of Roddie and reconnect with their family's hoodoo roots. Roddie, however, can't help but feel lost. His mom had never told him anything about hoodoo, Dogwood House, or their family. And as they set about fixing the house up, Roddie discovers that there is even more his mother never said. Like why she left home when she was seventeen, never to return. Or why she insisted Aunt Angie always wear her hair in locs. Or what she knew of the strange secrets hidden deep within Dogwood House secrets that have awoken again, and are reaching out to Roddie...
|
|
|
|
Cocoa Girl Awesome Hair: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Styling Textured Hair
by Serlina Boyd
Juvenile Non-fiction: Cocoa Girl Awesome Hair written by Serlina Boyd is a celebration of beautiful textured hair, with step by step tutorials to amazing styles. A celebration of natural hair, this book is filled with tips and features real life girls who love their hair. Spreads include care tips for keeping your hair in tip top condition, photographic step-by-step tutorials, ranging from easy to difficult styles and positive affirmations packed with reasons to love your amazing hair. Discover the perfect cornrows, hair puffs, bubble braids and fro-hawks. Accessorize with beads, hairbands, ribbons and colorful hair extensions. Create amazing hairstyles for any occasion!
|
|
|
|
Crowning Glory: A Celebration of Black Hair
by Carole Boston Weatherford
Easy Non-fiction: Cornrows forming complex patterns. Shells and beads on boxy braids. A flowery 'fro that's wash and go. A regal pouf that scrapes the sky. Black hair styles embody beauty and loving ritual, culture and community, expression and strength, patience and boundless creativity. Carole Boston Weatherford and Ekua Holmes bring this array of gorgeous hair designs--and the individuals who wear them--to bold and powerful life. Readers curious to know more can find an author's note about the five Black women who made history in 2019 as title holders of five major beauty pageants, as well as a glossary describing some twenty hair styles (from Afro to updo) and other terms related to the glory of Black hair.
|
|
|
|
My Afro is a Rising Sun
by Yaram Yahu
Picture Book: Celebrates Black hair and heritage through the lens of a young boy and his afro.
|
|
|
September 20 - heforshe
The United Nations is mobilizing men and boys as allies for Gender Equality
|
|
|
|
Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home
by Kate Mangino
Non-fiction: From gender expert and professional facilitator Kate Mangino comes Equal Partners, an informed guide about how we can all collectively work to undo harmful gender norms and create greater household equity. As American society shut down due to Covid, millions of women had to leave their jobs to take on full-time childcare. As the country opens back up, women continue to struggle to balance the demands of work and home life. Kate Mangino, a professional facilitator for twenty years, has written a comprehensive, practical guide for readers and their partners about gender norms and household balance. Yes, part of our gender problem is structural, and that requires policy change. But much of our gender problem is social, and that requires us to change. Quickly moving from diagnosis to solution, Equal Partners focuses on what we can do, everyday people living busy lives, to rewrite gender norms to support a balanced homelife so both partners have equal time for work, family, and self. Mangino adopts an interactive model, posing questions, and asking readers to assess their situations through guided lists and talking points. Equal Partners is broad in its definition of gender and gender roles. This is a book for all: straight, gay, trans, and non-binary, parents and grandparents, and friends, with the goal to help foster gender equality in readers' homes, with their partners, family and wider community
|
|
|
|
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World
by Melinda Gates
Non-fiction: A timely call to action for women's empowerment by the influential co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation identifies the link between women's equality and societal health, sharing uplifting insights by international advocates in the fight against gender bias. (social science).
|
|
|
|
Gender Equality
by Mark R. Whittington
Young Adult Non-fiction: The feminist and political activity Gloria Steinem once declared "a gender-equal society would be one where the word 'gender' does not exist; where everyone can be themselves." This book explores major issues related to gender equality in the United States today, including legislation that would guarantee equal pay, changing attitudes towards sexual harassment, the challenging debate over abortion and reproductive rights, and the efficacy of strategies that would close the gap between male and female students in STEM education.
|
|
|
|
Whose Right is it?: The Fourteenth Amendment and the Fight for Equality
by Hana Bajramovic
Young Adult Non-fiction: The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, known as the "equality amendment, " was passed in 1868 during the time after the Civil War to help protect the rights and freedoms of Black Americans. In the centuries that followed, the amendment grew to protect the rights of women, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ people as well. But in recent years, the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment has shifted dramatically. A series of landmark Supreme Court cases-- ranging from abortion to affirmative action-- have rolled back the amendment's guarantees and called into question its usefulness as a tool in the fight for equality. What does the future hold for the Fourteenth? It explores how one amendment to the Constitution shaped civil rights and liberties in America and became the focus for many of today's most important political debates. Featuring historical photos and informative graphics, this book shows a new generation of activists what the fight for equality across race, sexuality, gender, and citizenship might look like in the years to come.
|
|
|
|
Emma Watson: UN Gender Equality Speech
by Rebecca Sjonger
Juvenile Biography: As a famous actor and person of privilege, Emma Watson's 2014 speech as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador was a call for equality and justice. In her speech, she implores men and boys to join the fight for gender equality - for their own sake and that of the other half of the world's population. Watson shares her own experience discovering feminism at an early age and wanting other young women and men to not shrink from the word or the work required to make a more inclusive world.
|
|
|
|
Activists Assemble: We Are All Equal!
by Shannon Weber
Juvenile Non-fiction: What is equality? A big question to answer and an even bigger topic to implement. Activists Assemble - We Are All Equal explains what it is to be a citizen, how important it is to treat, and be treated, as equal within the society, and how you can use your voice to champion equality. Discover the history of equality--both the successes and the tragedies, meet past and present faces who overcame discrimination to be a voice for us all, and explore ways you can make a difference and challenge inequality. Important topics such as disabilities, gender, religion, and race are discussed, giving readers all the information and practical advice needed to get their voices heard.
|
|
|
|
Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality
by Susan Hughes
Easy Non-fiction: Victor is a pretty typical eight-year-old: he races to get his chores done, finds math challenging and likes to play with his friends. One day, the new school teacher introduces Vic and the other students to the idea of equality between boys and girls. Vic has never really thought about it before, but he soon begins to notice the disparities around him. Like all the older girls and women in their Malawi village, his twin sister, Linesi, now walks the long walk to the river to collect water for the family. Now she can't go to school anymore. It's just the way things have always been. But does it have to be? And is there a way for Vic to change it? When Vic has an idea about how to help, he discovers that even small changes can have an impact.
|
|
|
|
Love is Powerful
by Heather Dean Brewer
Picture Book: Mari is getting ready to make a sign with crayon as the streets below her fill up with people. "What are we making, Mama?" she asks. "A message for the world, " Mama says. "How will the whole world hear?" Mari wonders. "They'll hear, " says Mama, "because love is powerful." Inspired by a girl who participated in the January 2017 Women's March in New York City, Heather Dean Brewer's simple and uplifting story, delightfully illustrated by LeUyen Pham, is a reminder of what young people can do to promote change and equality at a time when our country is divided by politics, race, gender, and religion.
|
|
Library Programs of InterestFor a full listing of our programs this month see our Events Page.
|
|
|
Mercer County Library System
2751 Brunswick Pike Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648 609-882-9246
https://mcl.org
|
|
|
|