LSS Read Woke Challenge
It has been a fun month in the LSS library learning commons! We have hosted several Read Woke book tastings and one of our Grade 8 classes was featured in a video by the district, highlighting a book tasting. Read Woke was originally created by Cicely Lewis, a teacher, writer, librarian and Person of Colour. In Lewis’ words:
“Read Woke is a movement. It is a feeling. It is a style. It is a form of education. It is a call to action; it is our right as lifelong learners. It means arming yourself with knowledge in order to better protect your rights. Knowledge is power and no one can take it away. It means learning about others so that you can treat people with the respect and dignity that they deserve no matter their religion, race, creed or colour.”
Read Woke book tastings provide students with the opportunity to sample several books of diverse voices and to discuss what they are reading with classmates. We have now opened the challenge up to the entire school and will be drawing for PRIZES!!! For every Woke book that you read you will be entered into a draw for some fantastic prizes. First draw is March. 12th.
A Read Woke book must:
Challenge Social Norms
Give a voice to the voiceless
Share or provide information about a group that has been discriminated against
Seek to challenge the status quo
Have a protagonist from an underrepresented or oppressed group
Diverse Books to consider (not exhaustive)
Indigenous voices
Black voices
Diverse abilities
Asian & South Asian voices
Women’s voices
LGBTQ2S+ voices
Latinx voices
Newcomer voices
Muslim voices
Mental health
The learning commons will highlight books of a variety of genres that educate about the experience of marginalized groups. If you need help finding the perfect book, reach out to us at the LSS library learning commons.