|
It all started with a stack of pancakes.
Marley Dias and her mother were having breakfast one
afternoon, when Marley’s Mom asked what one thing
Marley would change in the coming new year.
It happened after Marley just had finished “a ridiculously
amazing book” that “opened a whole new world…” That, and a
required-reading list that was badly lacking in diversity
led her to say that she would change how “classic” books are
viewed in schools. To be exact, schools needed more Black
Girl books on their shelves.
“How can educators expect kids to love, instead of dread,
reading,” she asks, “when they never see themselves in the
stories they’re forced to read?”
And so, with the help of her parents, Marley created a
hashtag (#1000blackgirlbooks) to match the idea she’d
envisioned: to collect and donate to schools and libraries a
thousand books featuring Black girls in the stories. Her
parents started using the hashtag on their social media
accounts and it spread. And spread, and soon, Marley’s
campaign really took off. By now, she’s collected well
beyond her original goal of 1000 books, and she’s donated
them all.
But there’s more to this book, as you’ll see by “the
very last word: You!” Yes, you can make change, and the
first step is “get woke.” Look around: what are the biggest
issues facing your community and how can you be the activist
that’s needed?
Then, learn to listen and respect others’ thoughts. “Start
small,” says Marley, and “Pace yourself.” Tell people about
what you hope to accomplish and find your tribe. Ask your
parents, teachers, and other trusted adults for help and
counsel, please.
And finally, educate yourself by reading. If you don’t know
what to read, ask. Librarians, says Marley, are
“super-helpful partners.”
Although the claim is that it’s really, really not a memoir,
“Marley Dias Gets It Done and So Can You!” is a memoir. But
that’s okay – its life-story theme doesn’t detract one bit
from the bubbly can-do attitude that oozes from its pages.
As we’ve seen lately, kids can make change and author Marley
Dias is a great activist ambassador for that. Readers will
not only get advice on getting involved, they’ll also get
chipper, gossipy information that make Dias approachable,
like any normal teen. Parents should also note that Dias
tackles the bad parts of life online, including trolls and
haters, and she stresses to young readers that parental
involvement is absolutely key.
For the 11-to-14-year-old who frets about being too young to
create change, this book may spark some action. For sure,
it’ll open young eyes to old issues and for that, Marley
Dias Gets it Done is a book you’ll both like. |
