In Episode 10 (the second part of our 2-part special on reaching kids in poverty) Saadia Faruqi recommends middle grade and YA books about the reality of poverty, and Ann Braden shares the conclusion of her conversation with 5th grade educator Kristin Crouch. Kristin is uniquely positioned to help us bridge the class divide having broken the cycle of generational poverty to become an educator. In this part of the conversation she shares some book recommendations of her own and talks about what teachers can do to be true allies for kids who are struggling.
Saadia Faruqi’s Book Recommendations
The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Just Under the Clouds by Melissa Sarno
The Tinfoil Sky by Cyndi Sand-Eveland
Paper Things by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Piecing me Together by Renee Watson
Tyrell by Coe Booth
No Place by Todd Strasser
Can’t Get There from Here by Todd Strasser
Sleeping in my Jeans by Connie King Leanord
Book Recommendations from Educator Kristin Crouch
Middle Grade:
The Exact Location of Home by Kate Messner
Just Left of Lucky – by Dianna Dorisi Winget
Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre
Last in a Long Line of Rebels by Lisa Lewis Tyre
The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden
Just Under the Clouds by Melissa Sarno
The Sky At Our Feet by Nadia Hashimi
House Arrest by K. A. Holt
Towers Falling by Jewel Parker Rhodes
The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
24 Hours in Nowhere by Dusti Bowling
Picture Books:
Fly Away, Home by Eve Bunting
Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
Dear Mr. Rosenwald byCarole Boston Weatherford
Getting Through Thursday by Melrose Cooper
Coming Out Soon: Broken Crayons Still Color by Eric Walters