Repost: When Tragedy Happens, I Turn to Books

*I wrote this post a year ago after the tragic mass murder in Orlando. I’m reposting it today, one year after the senseless killings, in the hope that it will help us all think about ways to grow more empathy in our classrooms and our world.

Design by Ashley Heafy.

When tragedy happens, I turn to books. When huge nationwide news story tragedies happen, I turn to books. When local tragedies happen in my town, I turn to books. When personal tragedies happen in the lives of my students, I turn to books. When I don’t know what to say, but can only cry inside and out for what has happened that has hurt people, I turn to books because they can speak for me. When students are hurting, I instinctively turn to books and search high and low for just the right book for that moment in their lives that might help them through. Books have the power to heal, to inspire, to provide escape, to gain understanding, to show kids they’re not alone in the world, to change people’s opinions, to create community, to develop empathy.

We have the opportunity in our classrooms to create safe spaces for kids, and communities where all are accepted. One of the best ways I know to do that is by sharing stories, all kinds of stories, so students better understand the world around them, and the people in it. This is why I turn to books, and am ever so grateful for the authors who write those stories that help kids see the world in a different way.

Books I have read that I recommend to kids to help build empathy for, and understanding of, those around us.

Young Adult

The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

The Inside of Out by Jenn Marie Thorne

All-American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely

Winger by Andrew Smith

The Secret Sky by Atia Abawi

How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

Shine by Lauren Myracle

October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard by Lesléa Newman (poetry)