Grayslake Library Blog

Sunday, June 19th is Juneteenth, a newly-recognized federal holiday, and a day set aside to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. We are pleased to offer a wide selection of titles to read in honor of this day, from children’s books about the holiday itself, to hard-hitting adult titles exploring the African American experience. Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free is a children’s book that tells the true story of a Texan woman who fought for recognition of this day in her home state. Juneteenth for Mazie is a title written and illustrated by award-winning author and artist Floyd Cooper. All Different Now tells the story of people who began their day as slaves, and ended it as free people. For adults, Four Hundred Souls is a collection of writings delving into the 400-year history of African Americans. The Warmth of Other Suns is about the exodus of millions of people from the southern states to the north. How to Be an Antiracist asks ...

  It’s June, and that means it’s time to celebrate Pride Month, held every year in honor of the Stonewall riots of 1969. These early protests by the LGBTQ+ community were instrumental in shaping the history of Pride in the US, and across the world. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the movement, or you just want to enjoy books and other media that are created by queer voices, we are happy to supplement your Pride Month with these titles and more. For younger readers, there are several titles that can introduce them to the movement. Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution by Rob Sanders is a good telling of the story that introduces readers to the people instrumental in the riots. Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag , also by Rob Sanders, goes into the history of the now iconic rainbow flag. For adults, there is a wide array of fiction titles that you can read to celebrate LGBTQ+ people. Might we suggest the book Detransition, Baby by Torrey Pete...