American Indians in children's literature
​
Bloggers: Dr. Debbie Reese and Dr. Jean Mendoza
This personal blog, active since 2006, is run by acclaimed educators, librarians, and writers Dr. Debbie Reese, member of the Nambé Owingeh tribe, and Dr. Jean Mendoza, wife to a member of the Muscogee (Mvskoke) Creek Nation of Oklahoma. Their blog provides in-depth analyses/critiques of children’s books, along with resources for educators, commentary on recent news/trends, and other items all with the intention of helping their audience understand who Native people are. Book reviews on this blog provide a thorough explanation of the Native characters, themes, and language in the given book and assign a recommended or not recommended status, allowing their audience to see which Native books are written authentically and without stereotyping.
Social media
Social media
naya reads and smiles
Creator: Naia Perkins
This YouTube channel, active since 2014, is run by Naia Perkins, a young and passionate reader and aspiring author of Afro-Hawaiian heritage. Her BookTube channel boasts over 80,000 subscribers and is the most popular BookTube account on YouTube run by a Black creator. Perkins typically posts 2-5 videos every month featuring book reviews and recommendations of mostly new YA books, along with other fun features like book hauls, author interviews, advice on organizing bookshelves, etc. She can also be found on Instagram and Goodreads.
Tomes and textiles
Creator: Carmen Alvarez
This Instagram account, active since 2015, is run by Carmen Alvarez, who is of Cuban heritage. It highlights diverse YA literature with an emphasis on Latinx books, feminism, and fashion. Her Bookstagram account has 14,000 followers and has been featured by various publishers, other well-known Bookstagram accounts, and book-centered websites. Alvarez posts several times each week featuring and reviewing books, sharing her life experiences, or recreating book covers in a fashionable and creative way. She can also be found on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.
Cicely Thee Librarian @cicelythegreat
Creator: Cicely Lewis
This Twitter account, active since 2014, belongs to Cicely Lewis, School Library Journal's 2020 School Librarian of the Year. With over 4,800 followers, her feed highlights diverse reads and supports innovative library programs and practices to encourage students to be active in their communities, especially in social justice matters. Lewis is most well known for her Read Woke initiative where readers have a chance to earn a t-shirt and a free book by reading recommended books that "Challenge a social norm; Give voice to the voiceless, Provide information about a group that has been disenfranchised; Seek to challenge the status quo; or Have a protagonist from an underrepresented or oppressed group." Lewis posts or retweets on her Twitter several times a week, serving as a great channel to learn about other diverse leaders in the library or publishing industry. She can also be found on her website, Instagram, or as a frequent contributor to SLJ.
Rae the Reviewer
Creator: Rachelle Saint Louis
This TikTok account, active since December 2020 and boasting over 12,000 followers, is run by Rachelle Saint Louis. She is a Haitian-American writer, content creator, and college student. Her poetry has received the 2018 Silver Medal in the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. Her TikTok account, although only recently established, is updated several times a week and is focused on BIPOC reads. Her posts are filled with book recommendations and reviews (predominantly YA with some middle grade and graphic novels), thoughts on diversity in literature, and fun posts celebrating reading culture. This account is a very accessible way to stay in tune with what is currently popular with YA readers. Saint Louis can also be found on her blog, Instagram, or Twitter.
Diverse Reads
Creator: Vera Ahiyya
This Instagram account, active since 2016, is run by Vera Ahiyya, Kindergarten teacher and educational presenter and consultant. She has been featured in several magazines and news channels, especially earning a lot of recognition for a YouTube video posted in June 2020, now with over 186,000 views, that explains and discusses racism with kindergarten students. Her Instagram account, having over 68,000 followers, provides posts and short videos with diverse book reviews and recommendations ranging from picture books to YA. She has story highlights on her profile that collect new releases in each of three categories: picture books, middle grade, and YA. Ahiyaa provides new content at least once a week, and she can also be found on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Twitter.
More:
LiteraryLesbian on TikTok
Here Wee Read on IG
Books and Big Hair on YouTube
Follow favorite diverse authors like Angie Thomas or Jason Reynolds