Check out the Pride display all month long at the CECH Library!
Explore childrens’ and YA titles that span the spectrum of sexuality and gender identity and celebrate LGBTQIA+ figures and history. To find more LGBTQIA+ titles, check out our reading list available on the CECH Library website.
CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.
The Words We Keep / written by Erin Stewart / 2022
CW: Self-harm, suicide, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, OCD
The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart is a contemporary young adult novel that follows Lily Larkin, the younger sister of Alice, who ended up in a treatment center after a suicide attempt. Since The Night, her family has barely been holding it together, and Lily’s worried she might be “crazy” like her sister. When Micah, a boy that went to the program with Alice, joins her class, Lily begins to look into herself and the world around her.
This novel looks into the reality of mental illness and its impact on the self and the family, while also talking about what it means to be loved for who you are.
This book is available from the CECH Library, as well as the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks.
Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026
CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.
Ellen Outside the Lines / written by AJ Sass / 2022
CW: Queer character being outed
Ellen Outside the Lines by A.J. Sass is a contemporary juvenile novel that follows Ellen Katz, a queer, autistic, Jewish girl as she navigates life and friendship. Ellen’s Spanish class is going to Barcelona for two weeks, and she expects it to be a time for her to reconnect with her best friend Laurel. But during this trip, her carefully planned routines and expectations are thrown for a loop when she gets paired with a different group, allowing her to learn not just about herself but those around her.
This novel explores gender identity, queerness, religion, neurodivergence, and what it means to be a friend. It is a heartwarming story of growth and acceptance that makes it a read that you won’t want to put down until you’re done.
This book is available from the CECH Library, as well as the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks.
Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026
Societal changes in recent years have been unsettling to people who seek accurate and authentic materials for their libraries and classrooms. What should be added to the shelves? And, what should be set aside?
Join the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) Library for an evening with Dr. Debbie Reese, noted children’s literature scholar, former classroom teacher, and founder/co-editor of the American Indians in Children’s Literature blog. Dr. Reese will offer suggestions on how to move forward — with confidence. This dynamic lecture will be centered on children’s and young adult books and materials about Native peoples.
Tribally enrolled at Nambé Pueblo, Dr. Debbie Reese has studied representations of Native peoples in children’s and young adult books for over 30 years. Her book chapters, journal articles, and professional writings are taught in education, library science, and English courses across the United States and Canada. Her blog is widely recognized as a go-to resource for writers, reviewers, editors, teachers, librarians, and parents.
Date/time: Thursday, October 20th @ 6:30pm via Zoom
Use our RSVP form to register today!
This lecture is sponsored by the Kretschmer Fund for Native American Children’s Literature.
CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.
Black Fairy Tales / written by Terry Berger / 1969
The People Could Fly / told by Virginia Hamilton / 1985
The Six Fools / collected by Zora Neale Hurston / 2006
The stories we tell our children are possibly the most important in our entire fictional memory, and foremost among these stories are fairy tales and folktales. Harkening back to the legends and myths of old, fairy and folk tales expand children’s imaginations, teach lessons, and reveal the reality in which they live. This is not more apparent than in Black Fairy Tales by Terry Berger, The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton, and The Six Fools by Zora Neale Hurston.
Coming from a wide variety of sources, origins, and peoples, these three books represent different oral traditions collected and written by a variety of authors. While storytelling traditions are much more expansive than what is contained within these books, they serve as an amazing introduction to fairy tales and folktales from African and African American cultures. Not only do they stand alone as great examples of children’s literature, but they serve as greater tools for change in the diversity they provide, as well as the history they present. “This book was done especially for the Black children who have never read Black fairy tales,” Terry Berger wrote in the dedication of his book.
These books present culture and stories which have long been ignored, and each provide unique perspectives to life, virtue, and our potential. Be it trying to catch sunshine in a wheelbarrow, marrying a great serpent king, or the fables of Bruh Rabbit, these books expand our imagination and deepen our appreciation. .
All three titles are available from the CECH Library, as well as the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks.
Review by Linus Sinnard, CECH Library Student Assistant | Secondary Education, CECH 2025
CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.
The Legend of Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching / written by Demi / 2007
According to legend, more than 2000 years ago, a man known as the Old Master, or Lao Tzu in Chinese, would compile 81 verses into one of the prolific books of all time, and in turn create a philosophy which has endured for generations. This philosophy, known as Taoism, or “Way”, places emphasis on accepting reality for what it is, as well as peaceful inaction and a life of virtue.
In her book, Demi details the legend of Lao Tzu and the creation of his book, the Tao Te Ching, in great detail. She also includes many excerpts from the Tao Te Ching, accompanied by beautiful illustrations of Chinese mountains, animals, and architecture which fits perfectly with the themes discuss within their lines. Her book serves as a way to engage both kids and adults alike about the beliefs of Taoism. It also provides a unique outlook on life which few other books can, with advice and concepts that can be endlessly debated and ruminated on. The Legend of Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching is a must read for anyone intrigued by Taoist philosophy, or for anyone who simply wants a new outlook on life.
The Legend of Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching is available from CECH Library, as well as the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks.
Review by Linus Sinnard, CECH Library Student Assistant | Secondary Education, CECH 2025
CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.
The Eternal Ones: What If Love Refused To Die / written by Kristen Miller / 2010
Haven has always had strange visions. However, she constantly has an uncanny feeling that she is reliving the memories of another’s romantic relationship from long ago. Yet, it almost feels as if it was her in those dreams. Living in a conservative town, she has no one to confide in especially when everyone seems to think that the devil is to blame for her strange dreams.
It all seemed to be just strange and coincidental visions until she saw a celebrity on television that reminded her exactly of the man in her dreams. Although her entire town is against her, a group called the Ouroboros Society in New York City that seems to know a lot about what Haven has been experiencing, not only that but the celebrity that triggered a connection to her dreams happens to be there as well.
The Eternal Ones is available from the CECH Library, as well as the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks.
Review by Alexis Parker, CECH Library Student Assistant | Public Relations and International Affairs, A&S 2024
CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity / written by Theresa Thorn, illustrated by Noah Grigni / 2019
It Feels Good to Be Yourself is an important and amazing book to use when it comes to approaching the topic of gender identity and expression. It is open and direct and explains gender in a very succinct way, making this ideal for young children. It discusses what cis-gender, transgender, non-binary and gender fluidity mean in a positive and easily understandable way. The illustrations feature diversity and are bright and full of life. At the end, there are resources readily available and information about pronouns. This text is straightforward and puts an emphasis on self-expression, acceptance, and inclusiveness.
It Feels Good to Be Yourself is available from CECH Library, as well as the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks. Keep an eye out for the sequel that debuts in October!
Review by Sadie Matthews, CECH Library Student Assistant | Elementary Education, CECH 2023
CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.
Love Is Love / written by Michael Genhart; illustrated by Ken Min / 2018
A young boy with gay parents is constantly teased and bullied at school. They tell him that his “family wasn’t a real family”. Through a conversation between friends, learn how they discover what makes a family real.
Love is Love is a simple, yet beautiful, story that teaches children that it’s love that makes a family real. Told through the conversation between two young friends confiding in one another, this is the perfect picture book to teach young children about love, uniqueness, and inclusion. Inside, there are resources, discussion questions, and more to help begin a gentle conversation about bullying, discrimination, and empowerment.
Love Is Love is available from CECH Library, as well as the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks.
Review by Sadie Matthews, CECH Library Student Assistant | Elementary Education, CECH 2023
The New Book Spotlight highlights new-to-us titles in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.
The Blackbird Girls / by Anne Blankman / 2020
Content Advisory/Trigger Warning: physical and mental abuse, anti-Semitism
Anne Blankman’s The Blackbird Girls is a historical fiction that jumps between Oksana and Valentina in the aftermath of the Chernobyl power plant explosion in 1986, and Rifka who is on the run from the Nazis in 1941.
Rifka grew up practicing Judaism while Valentina identifies only ethnically with Judism. Separated by over forty years, the two girls experienced anti-Semitism in ways that were similar yet so different. Oksana was the perfect Ukrainian, and all her life she was told to hate Valentina and people “of her kind”.
When the Chernobyl power plant exploded, Valentina and Oksana’s lives were forced together much to their dismay. But when they have to live together in Leningrad with Valentina’s grandmother, they learn how similar they are and how important they are to each other.
Blankman explores the impact World War II and the Holocaust had on Jewish people while showing personal growth in a prejudice time in world history. Blankman has created a story full of hope and resilience in a time of fear and uncertainty.
The Blackbird Girls is available from CECH Library, as well as the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks. It also won the 2020 National Jewish Book Award for Middle Grades Literature.
Review by Alice Somers (she/her), CECH Library Student Assistant | Secondary English Education, CECH 2025