McLean County
Diversity Project

What they are reading




 

All content is © Copyright 2007 McLean County Diversity Project

Recommended
Resources

Our scholars and supporters recommend the following fiction books:

A Time to Kill by John Grisham is the story of a lawyer defending a black man who killed the white men who raped his child. It is recommended by Dee and Don Leonard.

Be good to Eddie Lee by Virginia Fleming is about
a young girl who befriends a neighbor who has
Downs Syndrome. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery,
 Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.


Beloved by Lori Morrison Beloved byLori Morrison i s recommended by Dr. Laurie Bergner, who calls it "one of the most moving anti-slavery books I've ever read."

Casey's Wall by Linda Rich is recommended by Connie Oltman, National President of Ambucs.  Connie says, "It is the story of a special education teacher and her relationship throughout the years with an autistic student, Casey.  I especially like the book because it is readable and it educates you without you even realizing it. It teaches that those "cute children with disabilities" still need support as they mature into adulthood.  It makes a powerful statement, I think." 


Digging to America by Anne Tyler is " a story about what it is to be an American, and about Iranian-born Maryam Yazdan, who, after 35 years in this country, must finally come to terms with her outsiderness." It is recommended by Sandy Dixon.

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys is about a boy with a low IQ who receives an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.

Freedom School , Yes! by Amy Littlesugar is the story of volunteers who came to the South during the civil rights struggle struggle and set up freedom schools. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.

Holy Enchilada! , by Henry Winkler and Lee Oliver, is a story of a boy who makes enchiladas for a multicultural lunch and encounters some problems. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.
How Smudge Came, by Nan Gregory, is the story of a girl with Downs Syndrome who finds a stray dog and is told from her point of view. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.
In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar is a story of Khadafy’s rise to power in Libya, as told thru the eyes of a nine-year old boy. It is recommended by Myra Gordon, Executive Director, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is recommended by Myra Gordon, Executive Director, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, who says it is a "wonderful novel about growing up in Afghanistan."

The Known World by Edward Jones is recommended by Dr. Laurie Bergner, who says, "It is a fascinating story about the many kinds of people who inhabited the South during slavery. It includes blacks who owned slaves, white people who had secret second families with blacks, poor whites without mercy who hunted runaway slaves, relationships among the community of slaves, light-skinned blacks who "passed" for white and others who could have but wouldn't leave their people, and a "decent" white sheriff who just did his duty in hunting runaway slaves. It has the whole gamut of black and white, good and evil, and just plain human." 
Lisa Bright and Dark by John Neufeld is about a young girl’s struggle with mental illness. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.
The Man Who Loved Clowns by June Rae Wood, is about a young girl and her relationship with her uncle who has Downs Syndrome. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.


ME and Morton by Sylvia Cassedy is about a young girl and how her relationship with her disabled brother, and how it changes,thanks to a new friend. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.


Moses Sees a Play, Moses Goes to School, Moses Goes to the Circus, and Moses Goes to a Concert, by Isaac Millman, are about a deaf boy and his adventures. They are recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.


Niagra Falls, or Does It?, by Henry Winkler, is a book about a boy with "learning differences" and how he tackles a class assignment. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.
The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay, is recommended by Beth Whisman. Beth says, "It really opened my eyes to the effects of race relations in South Africa when I was young. There’s some violence, but it’s a great read.

The Saffron Kitchen , by Yasmin Crowther, is a novel about an Iranian woman who returns to her country after the revolution. It is recommended by Myra Gordon, Executive Director, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.
The Secret Lives of Bees by Sue Monk, is a story of a girl growing up in the South during racial violence and unrest. It is recommended by Dee Leonard.

Secrets Aren’t (Always) for Keeps by Barbara Aiello, is about a girl with a learning disability who meets her pen pal. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See is a novel set in remote 19 th century China and recommended by Myra Gordon, Executive Director, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.
Stay away from Simon by Carol Carrick is an adventure story about children who are afraid of a man with a developmental disability. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.
The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars, is about the longest day of a 14 year old’s life. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.
Summer School: What Genius Thought that Up?, by Henry Winkler, is about a boy who has to spend his summer in school, but learns some good lessons. It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.
Thank you , Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco, is about a young girl who overcomes dyslexia. . It is recommended by Kathy Kniery, Tri-Valley District Library/Media Coordinator.

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is about a lawyer who defends a black man on trial for raping a white girl. It is recommended by Steve Mahrt, Vinod Thaker, and Kathy Kniery.

What Is the What, by Dave Eggers, is about the Lost Boys of Sudan. It is recommended by Cameron Gale, who produced the Laramie Project in Des Moines.