Government > Housing and Community Development > Planning and Community Development Division > We Belong Here: The Takoma Park Equity Walk > Equity Walk Books: Taking Steps

Equity Walk Books: Taking Steps

Taking Steps

What makes you feel successful? What makes you feel proud? What are your goals? Think about baby steps versus giant leaps. How does it feel to challenge yourself?

Resources for Students K-2

Big Papa and the Time Machine by Daniel Bernstrom
Written by a visually impaired African American author, this is an intergenerational story of bravery and the hardship suffered by African Americans.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
A girl who tries and fails to make something and gets frustrated and tries again.
After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) by Dan Santat
A growth mindset picture book that encourages readers to persevere past fear and anxiety.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon James.
In this spirited and award-winning picture book, a young African American boy revels in his new haircut.
What Is Given From the Heart, written by Patricia McKissack and illustrated by April Harrison.
A young boy named James struggles to come up with the right gift for his friend Sarah, whose family has been devastated by a fire.

Resources for Students 3-5

The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Funny historical fiction narrated by a 10-year old that teaches that giving up is not an option.
Finding Langston, written by Lesa Cline-Ransome.
Set during the Great Migration, this spare, award-winning novel details how 11-year-old Langston finds solace, hope and friendship at the local public library after his mother dies and he and his father move to a new city.

Resources for Students 6-8

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ally learns from her teacher that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of.
Booked by Kwame Alexander
Written in verse, this is about a soccer player navigating his family, friendship, school, and sports.
As Brave As You, written by Jason Reynolds.
Two city boys, 11-year-old Genie and his older brother Ernie have to spend a month in the country with their grandparents while their parents work on their marriage. At first dismayed by the work they have to do and the lack of Internet access, the two boys end up learning some important lessons about loss and love.
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and Americans, written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
An elderly African-American woman narrates this tour through American history that emphasizes the way that African-Americans have contributed to building the United States – much of it overlooked or even erased by white historians.