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Representation Matters: 10 Graphic Novels that Center Marginalized Experiences

4/26/2021

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by Saia, Glendale Branch
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Growing up I did not see many characters in books or graphic novels that looked like me or had experiences like me. I never thought anything about why that was because it was normal to read the same narrative. The same narrative that I read was not representative of the world that I was a part of. My world contained many different faces, skin colors, abilities, sexualities, genders, styles, beliefs, religions, perspectives, classes, languages, and traditions. Due to what I was feeling and experiencing in my own life, I craved to see these things in the literature and media that I consumed. Now that I am older I strive to find books, movies, and graphic novels that give an honest representation of human stories and experiences. 

Representation matters because it centers the stories that are not heard or pushed to the wayside. When all voices and all stories do not get a chance to be heard and felt by other people it creates false assumptions and stereotypes. This in turn creates fear and divides us. 
This is why representation is so important. It is an act of re-centering humanity, ultimately leading to compassion and understanding. It is an act of empowerment by validating the experiences of those who are oppressed. For me personally, seeing characters who look like me and have similar experiences as me, helps me to remember that I am not alone in this world-that has made all the difference.

I have created a list of graphic novels that center individuals and stories that represent people of differing abilities, color, queerness, religions, as well as refugee experiences. All titles center those who are Teens or Young Adults. There are only 10 titles that I could fit into this blog post and each of the summaries I have taken from the publisher. If you like the title given on this list, go ahead and click directly on it. This will take you to our catalog and you can check it out using your library card. The list given is in no way a total representation of how people see and identify themselves. I encourage you, the reader, to create your own list. What would you include? Remember, representation is important but take the time to ask yourself, Why does it matter to you? 



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When Stars are Scattered 
By: Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson  

Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard there: never enough food, achingly dull, and without access to the medical care Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs. So when Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future . . . but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only family member he has left, every day.

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American Born Chinese
​By: Gene Luen Yang 

American Born Chinese tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang, who moves to a new neighborhood with his family only to discover that he's the only Chinese-American student at his new school; the powerful Monkey King, subject of one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables; and Chin-Kee, a personification of the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, who is ruining his cousin Danny's life with his yearly visits. Their lives and stories come together with an unexpected twist in this action-packed modern fable. ​
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Hot Comb
By: Ebony Flowers 

This series of short stories it centers Black girls and women. Starting off with a young girl’s first perm—a doomed ploy to look cool and to stop seeming “too white” in the all-black neighborhood her family has just moved to. Hot Comb gives social commentary on how the culture of hair shapes our lives.  

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Flamer
​By: Mike Curato 

​It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes―but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.

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The Scrapyard Detectives 
By: Chad Denton 

A group of children from diverse backgrounds and abilities work together to solve mysteries. In 'The Case of the Missing Roses, ' a new family from India moves into the neighborhood. It's up to the Scrapyard Detectives to find out who vandalized their garden--and why! In 'Patriot Dreams, ' the new multi-cultural community center brings people from other backgrounds to the neighborhood, but someone sets it ablaze--with Jinn and Raymond inside! Will the detectives save themselves and solve the mystery in time?
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 Seen: Edmonia Lewis 
By: Jasmine Walls & Bex Glendining

The first original graphic novel in a new series spotlighting the true stories of the real groundbreakers who changed our world for the better. 
Meet Edmonia Lewis, the woman who changed America during the Civil War by becoming the first sculptor of African-American and Native American heritage to earn international acclaim.
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Pashmina
​By: Nidhi Chanani 

Priyanka Das has so many unanswered questions: Why did her mother abandon her home in India years ago? What was it like there? And most importantly, who is her father, and why did her mom leave him behind? But Pri's mom avoids these questions and the topic of India is permanently closed. For Pri, her mother's homeland can only exist in her imagination. That is, until she finds a mysterious pashmina tucked away in a forgotten suitcase. When she wraps herself in it, she is transported to a place more vivid and colorful than any guidebook or Bollywood film.

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That Can Be Arranged 
​By: Huda Fahmy

​Chaperones, suitors, and arranged  marriages aren't only reserved for the heroines of a Jane Austen novel. They're just another walk in the park for this leading lady, who is on a mission to find her leading lad. Navigating mismatched suitors, gossiping aunties, and societal expectations for Muslim women, That Can Be Arranged deftly and hilariously reveals to readers what it can be like to find a husband as an observant Muslim woman in the twenty-first century.

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As The Crow Flies
By: Melanie Gillman 

​Charlie Lamonte is thirteen years old, queer, black, and questioning what was once a firm belief in God. So naturally, she's spending a week of her summer vacation stuck at an all-white Christian youth backpacking camp. As the journey wears on and the rhetoric wears thin, she can't help but poke holes in the pious obliviousness of this storied sanctuary with little regard for people like herself . . . or her fellow camper, Sydney.

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Class Act
​By: Jerry Craft 

Drew Ellis is no stranger to the saying "You have to work twice as hard to be just as good." His grandmother has reminded him his entire life. But what if he works ten times as hard and still isn't afforded the same opportunities that his privileged classmates at the Riverdale Academy Day School take for granted? To make matters worse, Drew begins to feel as if his good friend Liam might be one of those privileged kids. He wants to pretend like everything is fine, but it's hard not to withdraw, and even their mutual friend Jordan doesn't know how to keep the group together. As the pressures mount, will Drew find a way to bridge the divide so he and his friends can truly accept each other? And most important, will he finally be able to accept himself?

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Sprague Branch Reopening with New Teen Space!

4/26/2021

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by Stephanie H, Sprague Branch
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​In July of 2017, there was a massive rainstorm in Salt Lake City. Through a series of unfortunate events, the Sprague Branch located in Sugar House flooded during this storm. Librarians came to the branch only to discover five and a half feet of water in the downstairs part of the building.

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the Sprague Branch basement with five feet of standing water

​Librarians came to the branch only to discover five and a half feet of water in the downstairs part of the building.

Over the next four years, Sprague has gone through the process of completely remodeling the entire building. I am happy to announce that May 3rd, Sprague will be open to the public again!


This also means that there is a brand spanking new teen space! The space was designed to be a fun hangout spot teens can come to do homework, read, participate in programs or just hang out and relax.

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moveable furniture in Sprague's new teen space
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closeup of table with power outlets

All of the furniture is on wheels and the table in the center has extra outlets and usb ports for all of your electronic needs.

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the teen space also features a bioactive terrarium!

Other exciting features include a variety of board games, a zine making kit, and a bin full of homework tools and school supplies that are available for any teen to use! 

I am looking forward to all of the fun programs and events that will take place in this teen room in the years to come! If you have any suggestions for what you would like me to stock in the teen space, ideas for programs you would like to see, etc. please let me, Stephanie H. (the Teen Librarian at Sprague) know. See you soon!

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Teen Squad Presents: A Special Earth Day Event

4/19/2021

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by Amrita, Anderson-Foothill Branch Teen Squad
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Create Your Own 3D Models to Print

4/12/2021

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by Cody, Main Library
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​The 3D printers are back up and running at the library. We just need your designs!

 
Here I’ll show you how to design your own 3D models using Tinkercad and submit them to be printed at the library.
 
Step 1:
Create your account!
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​Tinkercad is a simple, intuitive, and FREE website available to easily design models for 3D printing. The first thing you will want to do on Tinkercad is create a user account. This will allow you to save your designs within your personal account. You will need to provide some basic information, and be sure to choose a password that you can easily remember.


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Step 2:
Explore your workspace
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This is your main design space. Here is where you will be creating the majority of your work on Tinkercad. The blue gridded area represents the build plate that is used by 3D printers. You will want to create your work on this plate.


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Step 3:
Tools
 
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Tinkercad comes equipped with many tools to assist you in your modeling. On the right side you will find a collection of basic shapes and components, in addition to, free models and generators. 
At the top left of your screen, you should find this set of arrows. The arrows allow you to change your view of the plate. You can view your workspace from a variety of different angles by simply clicking the arrows.
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Step 4:
Create a shape
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First, let's start by picking one of the basic shapes from the geometric drop-down menu. Simply click and drag your chosen shape to the build plate, and Tinkercad will automatically set the shape to sit atop the plate. To increase or decrease the size of your shape, simply click and drag the corner markings (small white squares) on the image.
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Now that we have figured out how to work with one shape, let's try adding another. Like we did earlier, simply click and drag your chosen shape onto the build plate.

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Step 5:
Moving objects off of the build plate
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For my design, I would like to place the green roof on top of my red rectangle. Do this, simply click the arrow button that appears over the green roof. This will lift the shape off of the plate, and will allow you to move the shape on top of another shape.


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Step: 6
Finalize and print


Once your model is complete, click “Export” and select .STL. Once you have that file, email it to techaccess@slcpl.org and we’ll get started on your print! We’ll send you an email once it’s ready and you can even pick up your 3D prints with your other holds! Prints under 20 grams are free! We look forward to seeing what you all design!
 
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If you’re ready for more advanced tutorials, check out https://www.tinkercad.com/learn
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Upcycled Wrapping Paper Envelopes

4/5/2021

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by Becca, Main Library
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Did you know that a lot of wrapping paper isn’t recyclable? Wrapping paper is often layered with plastic to give it that shiny look and feel. If your wrapping paper has glitter, foil, or sequins, it’s even worse!

Next time you receive a gift, save your wrapping paper! We have an awesome, easy craft that you can do at home to save your wrapping paper and also send messages to your loved ones.

Today we’re going to make DIY envelopes out of used wrapping paper! You can make upcycled envelopes out of anything - from newspapers, magazines, damaged books, old school assignments, and more!

The first thing you will need to do is find an envelope that you like. You can make these upcycled envelopes in any shape and size as long as you have a template. I used this envelope pictured here because I love the shape of the fold in the back:

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Next, carefully take the envelope apart. If the glue is really firm, you can soak your envelope in water for a few seconds, take it apart, and then let it dry. Now you have your envelope template!
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Use this template to trace the same shape onto the wrapping paper you are reusing.
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Cut out your envelope shape, make your folds, and use some glue to recreate the envelope.
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It’s that easy! Aren’t these envelopes great?
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We hope you write some letters to your loved ones wrapped in these beautiful upcycled envelopes. 

Happy Earth Month! Keep reducing, reusing, upcycling, and recycling whenever you can!


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