Square Books, Jr. Events

Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn in conversation with Kristi Livingston for Exclusion and the Chinese American Story

Until now, you've only heard one side of the story, but Chinese American history extends far beyond the railroads. Here's the true story of America, from the Chinese American perspective.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Join us in welcoming educator, speaker, coach and author Dr. Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn for her debut children's story Exclusion and the Chinese American Story (Race to the Truth)Tuesday, March 26th at 5:00PM at Square Books Jr. Blackburn will be in conversation with Educational Consultant and UM Department of Education instructor Kristi Livingston.

Reserve a signed copy here. Personalization available.

About the Book

If you've learned about the history of Chinese people in America, it was probably about their work on the railroads in the 1800s. But more likely, you may not have learned about it at all. This may make it feel like Chinese immigration is a newer part of this country, but some scholars believe the first immigrant arrived from China 499 CE--one thousand years before Columbus did! 

When immigration picked up in the mid-1800s, efforts to ban immigrants from China began swiftly. But hope, strength, and community allowed the Chinese population in America to flourish. From the gold rush and railroads to entrepreneurs, animators, and movie stars, this is the true story of the Chinese American experience.

About the Author

Dr. Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn is an educator, speaker and professional learning facilitator. She was born in Bangkok, Thailand into a mixed-race Malaysian Chinese and white American family. A classic “third culture kid,” she grew up moving between various East and Southeast Asian countries and the Washington DC area. Sarah moved to the Deep South in 2009, and she has now lived there longer than anywhere else. Her experiences first as a classroom teacher and then as a teacher educator inform her beliefs about the role that education can and must play in the realization of social justice.

She owes very much to her ancestors.

Sarah spent most of her years in the classroom teaching third and fourth grade. As a professional trainer, Sarah’s areas of focus have included workplace cultures, leadership skills, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Sarah has an M.A. in Social Justice and Education from University College London’s Institute of Education. Her doctoral research at Johns Hopkins University explored strategies for retaining rural educators, and her Ed.D. specialization was Instructional Design in Online Teaching and Learning. She is based out of Oxford, Mississippi.

About the Conversation Partner

 

Kristina Livingston is an Educational Services Consultant with CORE. She has extensive experience working with students in grades K-6 as well as training and coaching both preservice and in-service educators in the field of literacy. Kristina currently serves as an adjunct instructor for the University of Mississippi where she works closely with preservice educators as they learn about implementing key practices to support literacy achievement in all students. Prior to her work as an instructor, Kristina spent several years leading professional development and serving as a literacy coach for the Mississippi Department of Education. Before that, she spent several years as an intervention specialist supporting struggling readers in a high-needs K-6 school. Kristina earned her Ed.D. from the University of Mississippi and holds a National Board Certification in the area of literacy. She not only has deep knowledge of pedagogy, but is well-studied in the art of andragogy, or adult education, and has provided hundreds of hours of engaging professional development over the last several years focusing on modeling and application of new concepts.

At Kristi’s core, she believes that every child deserves the best educational experience possible and that every teacher deserves the materials and support to help make that happen.

Praise for Exclusion and the Chinese American Story

"Deftly written and informative; a call for vigilance and equality." —Kirkus Reviews

Books: 
Pre-Order Now Badge
Exclusion and the Chinese American Story (Race to the Truth) By Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn Cover Image
$8.99
ISBN: 9780593567630
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Crown Books for Young Readers - March 26th, 2024

Until now, you've only heard one side of the story, but Chinese American history extends far beyond the railroads. Here's the true story of America, from the Chinese American perspective.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection


Event date: 
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 - 5:00pm
Square Books Jr.
111 Courthouse Square
Oxford, MS 38655

Karina Yan Glaser signs The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

Join Square Books as author Karina Yan Glaser signs her book The Vanderbeekers of 141st StreetWednesday, March 27th from 4:30PM to 6PM at Square Books Jr.

There will be no presentation.

Can't make it? Purchase a signed copy here. Personalization available.

About the Book

The first book in the bestselling series that the New York Times Book Review hails as “delightful and heartwarming.”

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It's practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are.

And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home.

The New York Times bestselling Vanderbeekers series is perfect for fans of the Penderwicks. As Booklist commented in a starred review: “Few families in children’s literature are as engaging or amusing as the Vanderbeekers, even in times of turmoil.”

The series includes:

  • The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
  • The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden
  • The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue
  • The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found
  • The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish
  • The Vanderbeekers on the Road
About the Author

Karina Glaser is the New York Times bestselling author of the Vanderbeekers series and A Duet for Home. A former teacher as well as employee of New York City’s largest provider of transitional housing for the homeless, Karina is now a contributing editor at Book Riot. Karina lives in Harlem, New York City, with her husband, two children, and assortment of rescue animals. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can’t go anywhere without a book. Visit her at karinaglaser.com. 

Praise for The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

"Glaser’s love for the Vanderbeekers shines through in her prose and stick drawings. Readers will look forward to future adventures. A highly recommended purchase for all middle grade collections." — School Library Journal (starred review)

"Few [families] in children’s literature are as engaging or amusing as the Vanderbeekers." — Booklist (starred review)

"[Karina Yan Glaser’s] contemporary family narrative preserves the winsome tone and innocence of the aforementioned classics while updating them with a rich, modern diversity of characters, settings and problems. Glaser’s warmhearted story highlights a cold truth: What is often missing in the busy lives of today’s plugged-in, checked-out families is a sense of community. In the vast village of New York City, she suggests, what it takes to raise a child can still be found on one square block." — New York Times Book Review

"A heartwarming story about family and community that will appeal to readers who also enjoy an old-fashioned feel." — Kirkus Reviews

"With rich dialogue and detailed descriptions of the neighborhood, the text provides a humorous and heartwarming story about siblings uniting to save their home. Through the Vanderbeekers, Glaser provides a portrait of the splendors of Harlem and the sense of community that can be built among neighbors of all backgrounds. This will draw fans of rollicking family stories, and while it’s centered on Christmas, it would be enjoyable any time of the year." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Uplifting. Readers who enjoy a cheery story that’s simultaneously old-fashioned and of the moment in its sensibility will enjoy this introduction to the Vanderbeekers and look forward to their future adventures." — Publishers Weekly

"Glaser’s third-person narration weaves individual characters’ plot threads and a palpable sense of place through the larger family story in the tradition of Jeanne Birdsall, Sydney Taylor, Elizabeth Enright, and Hilary McKay." — The Horn Book

“The Vanderbeekers join the Melendys, the Cassons, and the ‘All of a Kind’ Family on my list of favorite book-families. I’m in love with every single Vanderbeeker! Their story is utterly enchanting: I did not want it to end. More, please?” — Linda Sue Park, Newbery medalist

Books: 
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street By Karina Yan Glaser Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9781328499219
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Clarion Books - September 4th, 2018

The first book in the bestselling series that the New York Times Book Review hails as “delightful and heartwarming.”


Event date: 
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 - 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Square Books Jr.
111 Courthouse Square
Oxford, MS 38655