Real Book

Too many parents, and subsequently too many schools, are up in arms over teaching their children about anything that isn't white-driven and focused. Their outrage is incredibly misinformed, given the fact that the majority of the public school curriculum are white-driven. Schools where I live are under siege by angry parents during school board meetings, angry about the prospect of critical race theory being taught. Once again, most schools are merely dipping their toes in discussing the deep impact of white supremacy and racism in this nation, but one would think that teachers are committing terrorism based on these parents' behavior.

A school in Pennsylvania recently banned 300 books that discussed race, including children's books by Brad Meltzer about Dr. King and Rosa Parks. The school's diversity committee had attempted to use the list of books to widen the school's representation but the school board went in the opposite direction, banning the books instead. Public outcry, including words from Meltzer himself, helped to rescind the ban, but these materials, along with a bunch of popular anti-racist curriculum, have all been banned since last fall by the all-white school board. Exactly how are we supposed to build a society on anti-racist principles when they aren't even allowed in schools in the first place?

Is your local school district having any issues like this? Share what's happening and what's being done to combat it in the chat.

September is here, and with it comes a whole new list of books to get excited about! What are you most anticipating? Here are some of the top fantasy novels coming this month, along with some of the top horror novels. For those looking for general fiction, here are more September reads. 

I'm still making my way through my August list myself. Some of the books I have on hold are still on hold, and I'm still reading a bunch of graphic novels. This week I read Swamp Thing: Two Branches, and I love Maggie Stiefvater so much but it wasn't my favorite. I think she needs more space for her lyrical writing. It was definitely there--the parts where the main character spoke to himself about plants were the best--but there just wasn't enough room for more.

I also grabbed a bunch of others from the library to read. I'll let you know how they are next week! What are you reading this week? What are you most looking forward to this month? Share it in the chat.

This week I'm continuing my Graphic Novel Season of just-for-fun books with Ever After and Seance Tea Party. Both were enjoyable but not my favorites. Last week's Beetle & the Hollowbones and Snapdragon were better, but I sure am loving this whole spooky, fun vibe. It's really getting me into the Halloween mood and it's not even September yet! 

This week I have Thirsty Mermaids reserved at the library, among others, and I'm really looking forward to reading it. It's so much fun to just plow through these books in half an hour or an hour, enjoying all of the pretty art and fun stories. Teen me, who had much more time on their hands, would have definitely paused longer to re-read (which I may have to do with Pumpkinheads, one of my favorites from last year) and even draw some of the art.

Are you embracing this Graphic Novel Season with me? What are you reading? Share your favorite graphic novels in the chat.

We just discussed some of the YA books we're most looking forward to here at Real Book, and now Goodreads is hosting an entire YA Week! This is such an exciting event with all kinds of guides to help readers connect with new-to-them books, celebrate old favorites and find out what everyone is reading.

There's a list of the 36 Most Anticipated YA Novels coming up as well as 48 New YA Books That Are On Trend. There's a list of books that are going to be adapted to a TV series or film, which we're especially excited about. Children of Smoke and Bone's adaptation is especially exciting to hear about! There are lists of the top reads for this year, the top speculative books and so many more. It's going to take days for us to pore over these babies and compare them with our TBRs!

What YA reads are you most excited about? Which ones are new to you from these lists? Share them in the chat!