Alpha Library Learning Commons
a place to learn, discover, and connect
Below are books that are about racism in Canada. There are titles which focus on Indigenous People and others which are more specific to the Black Lives Matter Movement. The last title White Fragility is not a Canadian book, but discusses racism in general and how to combat your own internalized biases without getting defensive.
Are you looking at what’s going on around the world right now and thinking, what can I do? A great place to start is by reading books on the topics of systemic racism and the Black Lives Matter Movement. Educating yourself is key to combating internalized racism and prejudice in the world.
A good place to start: Ideal Bookshelf has created artwork and a book list of Antiracist YA. According to the website these “are very specific books on being an antiracist and being Black in America, but also some about being discriminated against for other qualities (including magical powers! see: Children of Blood and Bone), and how to love everything about yourself ❤️”. All books on this list are for age 13+.
The Bookshop Diverse Spines, a shop that highlights female authors of colour, has also created a book list called the #diversespinesreadingchallenge. The idea is to diversify what you read to include more books written by people of colour in order to encounter more view points and experiences which differ from your own. See how many you have you read from the list and try to read some more.
They have also curated a list called An Anti-Racist Reading List to Help You Do The Work
* please note that the last two lists are general and not specifically focused on teens
I will leave you with this quote from Leslie Dwight:
What is 2020 isn’t cancelled? What if 2020 is the year we’ve been waiting for? A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw- that is finally forces us to grow. A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us from our ignorant slumber. A year we finally accept the need for change. Declare change. Work for change. Become the change. A year we finally band together, instead of pushing each other further apart.
2020 isn’t cancelled, but rather the most important year of them all.
If you are in serious need of a new book to read, Burnaby Public Library has some exciting news! They are opening for “Brown Bag Pickup”. Though their physical locations remain closed, you can order library items and safely pick them up at your preferred BPL branch. They will check out your items to you and bag them ahead of your arrival. Paper Bag Pickup is available at their four branches, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more details and to learn how to order books for pickup click here.
Though the school is open in a limited capacity, we will continue on with this project until we run out of participants.As many students are still choosing to stay home, its a nice way to keep connected.
In Friday’s edition of Alpha Bits check out what the head of the English department Ms. Norris has been up to during social distancing.
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Though the school is open in a limited capacity, we will continue on with this project until we run out of participants.As many students are still choosing to stay home, its a nice way to keep connected.
Today’s Alpha Bits brings you Ms. Adrangi one of Alpha’s hardworking Science teachers. Check out all the books she’s been reading below!
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Though the school is open in a limited capacity, we will continue on with this project until we run out of participants.As many students are still choosing to stay home, its a nice way to keep connected.
This Wednesday we bring you Ms. McChesney one of the incredible members of our English department at Alpha. Check below to see what she’s been reading AND writing during the pandemic.
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Alpha students, if you’re done reading your library books and they are at home with you, now is the time to return them. (If they are in your lockers, don’t worry about them right now)
You can use the return slot in the hallway outside the library, or the one inside the library.
If you are feeling uneasy about entering the school right now, contact Ms. Haigh to arrange a drop off spot at the front of the school.
Returning your items ensures that future Alpha students have books to read and resources to use.
Thank you!
Though the school is open in a limited capacity, we will continue on with this project until we run out of participants.As many students are still choosing to stay home, its a nice way to keep connected.
Today’s Alpha Bits features the creative Ms. Clark, one of the school’s art teachers. See below for what she’s been up to during social distancing.
Welcome to the first edition of Alpha Bits in June. Though the school is open in a limited capacity, we will continue on with this project until we run out of participants.As many students are still choosing to stay home, its a nice way to keep connected.
Today we are featuring our Science department’s fearless leader: Mr. Rockwell. See below for what he and Gus have been up to during social distancing.
Hello everyone! Welcome to our Friday edition of Alpha Bits featuring the always cool Mr. SD. Read below to see what he’s been doing to keep busy while social distancing.
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