Black History Month

From the Abolitionist Movement, to Civil Rights, to Black Lives Matter- resistance to racial oppression has always existed in American History. As the Southwick Regional School celebrates Black History Month, check out some of these great books to recognize how things have changed, and how much more progress needs to be made.

Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass by Fredrick Douglass

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X with Alex Haley

March, Book 1 by John Lewis and Nate Powell

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehsi Coates

Pick of the Week- Parrotfish

is Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger. This ground breaking novel about Grady, a transgender teenage boy from a small Massachusetts town is a heart warming story of acceptance of oneself and of others. Grady's family is weary at first about his decision to come out as transgender, but they admire his courage in facing a viscous bully at school. With the support of a few friends and teachers, the entire community comes to accept Grady.  Anyone who has been a victim of bullying will appreciate this book.

Pick of the Week- The Astonishing Adventures...

is The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga.  Fanboy is a high school sophomore who is bullied relentlessly by his peers.  His only friend is Cal, one of the few African-American students at the school, who loves comics as much as he does.  But Cal is a jock and is in with the cool kids, so at school Fanboy is on his own. When he is punched continuously by a jock in gym class, it is witnessed by Goth Girl, and they gradually become friends. Fanboy battles with very dark thoughts, and finds a kindred spirit in Goth Girl, who has had a suicide attempt since the death of her mother.  The one thing that keeps Fanboy's hopes for the future alive is a comic book that he is writing and hopes to show his favorite author at an up coming Comic Con.  People who feel alienated by high school will find kindred spirits in Fanboy and Goth Girl; and find hope that it gets better.