Collection Development
Area of Diversity: Diverse Representation (BIPOC, Asian, LatinX)
I chose this because… it's important that we include books where teens of diverse backgrounds can
see themselves and their experiences represented. If the current collection in a school library
portrays only the typical white, heterosexual, main character, then the collection does not allow for
understanding and learning of other races, cultures, and abilities. Nor does it allow for students of
minority groups to see themselves represented in books.
Title Author Positive review? Where? Notes
The Hate U Give Angie Thomas Yes, NoveList (Booklist Content risk- On
review) racism, police brutality,
and the Black Lives
Matter movement.
Gotham High Melissa de la Cruz Mixed Reviews, - Culturally diverse
(Author), Thomas NoveList and Sympathetic
Pitilli (Illustrator)
All American Boys Jason Reynolds Yes, NoveList A must-have for all
collections.
Area of Diversity: LGBTQIA+
I chose this because… it's crucial that we make teens feel supported and safe in their quest for
information of LGBTQ materials. From the article Going Beyond Book Displays: Providing Safe
Spaces for LGBTQ Youth, I think this quote, “Maintaining a quility LGBTQ collection may literally
save lives by supporting an environment of tolerance and acceptance” is another valid reason I chose
this topic.
Title Author Positive review? Where? Notes
Heartstopper Alice Oseman Yes, NoveList - Coming of age
story
- Graphic Novel
Here’s to Us Becky Albertalli Yes, NoveList - Realistic fiction
- Romantic comedy
The Scapegracers Hannah Abigail Clarke Yes, NoveList - Witches and
witchcraft
- A fresh spin on the
mean girls theme
Area of Diversity: Neurological challenges (autism, ADHD)
I chose this because… it essential that we include books about neurological challenges so teens
gain accurate information of people with disabilities and to also avoid stereotyping. By having these
kinds of books in the library to help promote empathy and acceptance of people with disabilities too.
Title Author Positive review? Where? Notes
Siena Castellon Yes, The Art of Autism - She turned her
The Spectrum Girl's experiences with
Survival Guide: How to autism, ADHD,
Grow Up Awesome dyslexia, and
and Autistic dysgraphia into a
powerful role as a
neurodiversity
campaigner.
Thriving with ADHD Allison Tyler Only a few reviews - Build focus,
Workbook for Teens: found and they organization skills,
Improve Focus, Get positive, Goodread and self-confidence
Organized, and
Succeed
The Awesome Autistic Yenn Purkis (Author), Yes, Booktopia - Explores what it
Go-To Guide: A Tanya Masterman feels like to be a
Practical Handbook for (Author) young person on the
Autistic Teens and autism spectrum and
Tweens looks at all the
brilliant things
people on the
autism spectrum can
do.
Area of Diversity: Mental health/Illness
I chose this because… having books with characters that have mental health issues can help
students understand mental health/illness. And, it can help them recognize the signs and symptoms
of mental health disorders. As well as teaching students to have compassion for the people
suffering from them.
Title Author Positive review? Where? Notes
Verona Comics Jennifer Dugan Yes, NoveList - LGBTQIA diverse
Icebreaker A.L. Graziadei Yes, The Nerd Daily - Rivals to lovers
romance
- Authentic bisexuality
representation
Me: Moth Amber McBride Yes, NoveList - Culturally diverse
- Coping with death
Area of Diversity: Family structures
I chose this because… it helps them to develop a sense of awareness of not only their personal
environment, but also the world around them. It is essential to provide them access to books that
allow them to learn about different types of families they might not have been exposed to.
Title Author Positive review? Where? Notes
Would You Like To Be Koyama Yes, Goodread - Families come in
A Family? many shapes and
sizes, and these
three are no
different!
- Three different
stories in one book
all about love
The Sky Is Everywhere Jandy Nelson ?, Kirkus
All Our Pretty Songs Sarah McCarry Yes, The Book
Smugglers
Works Cited
Jorgenson, Sarah, and Rene Burress. “Analyzing the Diversity of a High School Library Collection.”
Knowledge Quest, vol. 48, no. 5, May 2020, pp. 48–53. EBSCOhost,
https://search-ebscohost-com.proxy.cvtc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=142783049&site=e
ds-live&scope=site.
Gay-Milliken, Lisa, and Jeffrey DiScala. “Going beyond Book Displays: Providing Safe Spaces for
LGBTQ Youth.” Knowledge Quest, vol. 48, no. 3, Jan. 2020, pp. 10–12. EBSCOhost,
https://search-ebscohost-com.proxy.cvtc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1238793&site=e
ds-live&scope=site.
Waters, Katie J. (2017) "Children's Books Featuring Diverse Family Structures and Living
Arrangements: Recommendations for Elementary Teachers," Papers & Publications: Interdisciplinary
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 6 , Article 21. Available at:
https://digitalcommons.northgeorgia.edu/papersandpubs/vol6/iss1/21
