Reading/Race

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What is Reading/Race?

Reading/Race is a ten-month virtual reading series from Boogie Down Books for individual educators and groups to explore contemporary young adult literature that centers the voices, hi(stories), and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). These eleven books speak to young people's lives and to what is happening in the world around them right now while also celebrating their resilience, their ingenuity, and their potential. Featured genres include history, memoir, comics, short stories, realistic fiction, science fiction, and romance. Participants will:

• Build their personal and professional bibliography of contemporary young adult literature and nonfiction
• Design joyful experiences for adolescent and adult reading communities
• Promote justice by amplifying the voices of BIPOC writers and communities
• Ensure that BIPOC and LGBTQ+ backgrounds, identities, and experiences are reflected in the books that adolescents read
• Get lost in page-turning, un-put-downable books as both readers and educators
• Collaboratively develop plans for incorporating new texts in their curriculum
• Adapt classroom strategies and practices for a variety of contexts
• Grow their professional network by cultivating relationships with other antiracist educators
• Learn from facilitators who are veteran educators with extensive expertise in leading text-based discussions with adolescents and supporting adult learning

Read more about Reading/Race’s inspiration, name, reading list selection process, and facilitators.

Who is Reading/Race for?

Educators of all age groups and disciplines are welcome, including those who are not classroom teachers. We define "educator" broadly: if you support the growth and development of young people, you're an educator. Parents who are homeschooling, leading learning pods, or facilitating virtual learning for their children are welcome too. Reading/Race’s ten featured titles are intended for young adult (~ages 12+) readers, but they have wide appeal and will engage, delight, and challenge adult readers as well. Boogie Down Books is an approved New York State provider of CTLE hours, and qualifying teachers will receive a certificate of completion for 1.5 hours after each session.  (New York State-certified teachers must earn 100 CTLE hours per 5-year-period.)

How is Reading/Race structured?

Discussions are held on the third Thursday of the month from 7:00 to 8:30pm EDT on Zoom. Participants are encouraged to have their videos on during discussions if at all possible. Each meeting includes an opening check-in, a discussion of that week's reading, time for reflection, planning, and feedback, and routines for synthesis and closure. Participants are welcome to attend the entire series or select sessions. Registration closes 24 hours before the session begins, at which point the Zoom link is sent out.

Where are Reading/Race books available?

Please purchase your books from an independent bookstore. Books are currently available from the Boogie Down Books online store in print, ebook, and audiobook editions. Orders can be shipped or picked up from our Boogie Down Pop-Up at Mottley Kitchen in the South Bronx. Delivery is also available in select South Bronx zip codes. All 11 titles are also available in a Reading/Race Bundle that includes Boogie Down Books swag and free shipping.

Pricing & Perks:

• $10 for each individual session
• $85 for the entire series paid in full by October 15 (15% discount)
• 1 free copy of the featured title for any school or organization that registers 4 or more staff members for an individual session
• All registrants receive 15% off class sets of 30+ copies of any Reading/Race title
• Boogie Down Books is a NYC vendor. To pay by purchase order, complete the registration process and select "Pay by invoice" at checkout. Please email purchase orders and any questions to info@boogiedownbooks.com.

Code of Conduct:

Our events provide a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. Anyone violating these rules will be expelled from the event at the discretion of the organizers.