Our theme for #DiverseKidLit in February is Love. Please consider sharing diverse books and resources that support love and families. (As always, the theme is only a suggestion. Diverse posts on alternate topics are always welcome.)
For February’s #DiverseKidLit theme of love, I chose this wonderful documentary novel of Loving vs. Virginia. A few things to note:
- Their last name is Loving.
- Their crime was loving each other.
- This happened in the state of Virginia, whose state slogan is “Virginis is for Lovers.
- Had Richard Loving been African American and Mildren white, this case would never had been tried. He would have been lynched.
Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case by
2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark case that made mixed race marriages legal. That Richard and Mildred’s very last name is “LOVING” and that their crime is loving each other says something about fate perhaps. In 1955, in Virginia — state slogan: Virginia is for Lovers (formerly Virginia is for history lovers)– two teenagers fell in love amidst segregation, racism and cruelty.
Their marriage broke a Virginia 1924 law to preserve racial integrity and keep children of partial white ancestry out of all white schools. The fact that this law implied that one race was superior to another — this legislation allowed Negroes to marry those of other races, thus subjecting them to losing their racial purity — was an inconsistency that won their case.
It took nine long years during which they lived in exile in Washington DC for them to win their case. Told in mesmerizing free verse that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, this chapter book is as important as their landmark case. Novel in verse, ages 8 and up.
What Is #DiverseKidLit?
Diverse Children’s Books is a book-sharing meme designed to promote the reading and writing of children’s books that feature diverse characters. This community embraces all kinds of diversity including (and certainly not limited to) diverse, inclusive, multicultural, and global books for children of all backgrounds.
We encourage everyone who shares to support this blogging community by visiting and leaving comments for at least three others. Please also consider following the hosts on at least one of their social media outlets. Spread the word using #diversekidlit and/or adding our button to your site and your diverse posts.
We hope this community will grow into a great resource for parents, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors! Our next linkup will be Saturday, February 18th and on the first and third Saturdays of every month.
Upcoming Theme
Our theme for the current month is Love. Themes are a suggestion only; all diverse book posts are welcome. If you’re interested, you can start planning now for our upcoming themes …
- February 18th linkups: Love. Let’s continue to spread our love of diverse books by sharing diverse books about love, families, and relationships.
- March 4th and 18th: Changing Seasons. As we eagerly await the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and Autumn in the Southern, let’s share favorite books and resources on the seasons.
Most Clicked Post from Last Time
Our most-clicked post from last time was Marjorie’s review of IBBY Review: Roses Are Blue by Sally Murphy and Gabriel Evans on Mirrors Windows Doors. This novel in verse shares the struggles of a young girl trying to process her new life after her mother is severely injured in a car accident.
My DiverseKidLit Shout-Out
Now more than ever, we need to share and promote books by and about Muslims, and a great place to start is Kitaab World‘s new series on Countering Islamophobia through Stories. The first entry is a book list featuring Muslim Kids as Heroes. I am also delighted to welcome Gauri, CEO and co-founder of Kitaab World, as a co-host!
#DiverseKidLit is Hosted by:
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Marjorie @ Mirrors Windows Doors
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Mia @ Pragmatic Mom
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Myra @ Gathering Books
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Gauri @ Kitaab World
an online bookstore for South Asian children’s books, toys and games
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Shoumi Sen, Author of Toddler Diaries
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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
Love your pick of Loving vs Virginia. I just received a copy in the mail and started reading it last night.
It’s such a great book, isn’t it?! I didn’t realize how much they suffered because it took so long and kept them separate from their families. I also thought it would be a long read because the book is thick but it really is quite a page turner!
I really like the way Loving vs. Virginia is written and illustrated. Roses Are Blue sounds good, too.
Hi MaryAnne,
I really loved that book too! It’s such an engaging look at history. I was drawn by the love story that sustained them and the fact that they suffered but didn’t really realize how they were changing history with their law case. Now, I think about all the mixed race children that I now and I am struck how the law they struck down would have prevented these kind of marriages.
WOW, Mia. Loving Vs. Virginia is awesome! I am ordering the book now. Thanks so much for the awesome suggestions!
Hi Lisa,
It is such a moving book about two people in love and the extraordinary things they accomplished as ordinary citizens. I have to say that, as a mixed race Asian American family, that they really changed the course of history. Imagine if mixed race marriage were outlawed these days? I know so many mixed race families and before their case, it was illegal. Our U.S. history is full of terrible things.
I’ve been seeing this book around the blogosphere. I really need to find it!
Hi Erik,
It’s a great book! I think you’d like it. And your sister too!