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Henning, Kristin. The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth. September 2021. Pantheon $30.00. Hardback. 512 pages. 9781524748906. Adult. Kristin Henning is a renowned law professor and ex-public defender for the District of Columbia’s juvenile courts. In this publication, author Kristin Henning shares her meticulous observations and research on just how systemically entrenched racism is in this nation’s juvenile justice system. The widespread attitudes held by police, educators, judges, attornies, and politicians is destroying the lives of black youths and their families.
Amnesty International, Angelina Jolie, and Geraldine Van Bueren. Know Your Rights & Claim Them. October 2021. Zest Books. $16.99. Paperback. 288 pages. 9781728449654. Young Adult. The authors of this book use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children documents to make youth aware of the history of children’s rights and to inspire them to advocate for their own rights and needs on a global scale.
Harding, David J. and Heather M. Harris. After Prison: Navigating Adulthood in the Shadow of the Justice System. August 2020. Russell Sage Foundation. $37.50. Paperback. 352 pages. 9780871544490. Adult. David Harding is an academic sociologist and Heather Harris is a researcher in public policy. The results from their comprehensive study on what happens to black and white males between ages 18 and 25 show white males to have a higher success rate than black males when navigating the challenge of reentry. The research reveals how impactful policy intervention, stable housing, and family and community support can be on the final outcome for this population.
Kaba, Mariame and Tamara Nopper We Do This ‘Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice. February 2021. Haymarket Books. $16.99. Paperback. 240 pages. 9781642595253. Adult. Mariame Kaba is a grassroots organizer and educator whose advocacy and research focus on dismantling the prison industrial complex and the abolishment of the current state of policing. Kaba in collaboration with Tamara Nopper adds urgency and critical insight to their demands for bringing an end to the lack of safety and justice for people of color in this nation. Her approach to this is through the process of abolition, which replaces systemic injustices and inequalities with equal parts of intelligence and compassion when approaching solutions to social justice.
Maynard, D.M. The Reflective Workbook for Teachers & Support Staff of Trans & Nonbinary Students. January 2021. Jessica Kingsley. $27.95. Paperback. 240 pages. 9781787752177. Adult. This publication was intended to help educators work through how to create a safe and accepting classroom environment for students who identify as trans and nonbinary. On a broader level, this workbook can also help families and couples who need to work through the myriad of feelings that can be associated with supporting partners, friends, and family members who are trans and/or nonbinary.
In the Margins Book Awards 