October Reading Adventures: Engaging Activities and Resources Inspired by our Books We Love Picks

Our Books We Love program highlights four books every month that ignite a love for reading and affirm and reflect the diversity of young readers.​​ We prioritize books that showcase the work of people of color and those from marginalized communities.

This month, we continue to celebrate Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month as well as Banned Books Week and the return of the Reading Rainbow! This months book selections highlight all of these themes.

The books we read in our homes and classrooms really matter. Book banning isn't new, yet we're seeing record surges in the number of books being challenged. Most of the attempts target books written by or about people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. These challenges happen nationwide; though they are often unsuccessful, they're incredibly damaging. Book bans send harmful messages to kids about the world and their place in it.

The Madison Reading Project wholeheartedly believes that all books should be accessible to all children. We want every child to find the book that helps them feel seen, the one that makes them feel a little less alone in the world, and the one that opens their eyes to a new way of being and seeing.

We will always support reading banned books and making all books accessible.

Visit out blog post about book bans here to find more recommendations and information on how to stand up and fight back.

You can also shop for and donate books from our Banned Books list at our Bookshop page.

Take A Closer Look at October's Books We Love:

Federico and All His Families by  Mili Hernandez (Author), Gomez (Illustrator), NubeOcho (Publisher)

Roof to roof, Federico the cat visits all his families everyday: Tadeo and his grandparents, Anna and her two Moms; Virginia, with her Mom and Dad, Paula and her two Dads… All of them different, all of them loved by Federico. Unconditionally.

This little jewel is perfect to show the smallest of the house that love can be found in any family. By author and compromised activist for diversity Mili Hernández and illustrator Gómez.

También disponible en español. (Also available in Spanish.)

Don't miss our favorite collection of inclusive board books for babies! See the whole list here.

Mistaco: A Tale of Tragedy and Tortillas by Eliza Kinz (Author/Illustrator), Kokila (Publisher)

After an awful day at school (including a tragic but plausibly deniable mishap with a pudding cup), Izzy wants to be left alone. But it's Friday, and that means making tortillas with Lito.

As the mistakes pile up, they come tumbling out of Izzy—and Lito surprises her by saying everyone makes mistakes, and if she makes a tortilla out of her mistakes, he will EAT it.

"Mmmm. . .spicy! And boogery! With a hint of courage. My favorite taco EVER!"

Suddenly, the whole family is confessing and getting mistakes off their chests with a feast of mistacos! A delightfully silly picture book for fans of Dragons Love Tacos and The Book of Mistakes. Includes instructions on how to make and enjoy your own mistacos!

Mistaco! was also chosen as a book to celebrate Building Resilience by Read Across America. Visit their website to find free activity ideas and discussion questions.

Enjoy this read aloud with the author (9 minutes). We also love this resource about fruitful mistakes and growth from Responsive Classroom.

For more books to incorporate Hispanic and Latine culture, visit our blog celebrating new picture book releases!

 Ink Girls: A Graphic Novel by Marieke Nijkamp (Author), Sylvia Bi (Illustrator), Greenwillow Books (Publisher)

Every secret is a story waiting to happen. From New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp and illustrator Sylvia Bi, this debut middle grade graphic novel celebrates the power that everyone—even those often overlooked—has to create change. In a vibrant city, two girls from very different walks of life join forces to fight censorship and protect the people they love.

Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights by Ashley Hope Perez (Author), Debbie Fong (Illustrator), Holiday House (Publisher)

A dazzling YA anthology that spotlights the transformative power of books while equipping teens to fight for the freedom to read, featuring the voices of 15 diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators.

Books are disappearing from shelves across the country. What does this mean for authors, illustrators, and—most crucially—for young readers?

This bold collection of fiction, memoir, poetry, graphic narratives, essays, and other genres explores book bans through various lenses, and empowers teens to fight back. From moving personal accounts to clever comebacks aimed at censorship, fifteen legendary YA authors and illustrators confront the high-stakes question of what is lost when books are kept from teens.

Educators, this reading group guide from the publisher includes discussion questions to help facilitate super important conversations with teens. We highly recommend incorporating it into your plans!

We also know that there's plenty young people can do about book bans.