LIBRARY

The library consists of books¹ that have informed my writing, left imprints on my heart, and expanded my view of life. Check out Emily’s Nightstand for my latest reads and my community tab for resources on disability justice.

Please note: I’m an affiliate of Bookshop.org. I earn a commission for works purchased using the links below and by shopping at “Em’s Library.” To learn more, check out Bookshop’s mission and affiliate program page.

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Emily’s Nightstand

From left to right (most recent to least recent): Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle, This Poison Heart by Kaylynn Bayron, Sincerely Your Autistic Child: What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew about Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity edited by Emily Paige Ballou et al., The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love With Me by Keah Brown, The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

From left to right (most recent to least recent): Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar, Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender, Notes From a Sickbed by Tessa Bruton, Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner, Love From Mecca to Medina by S.K. Ali

From left to right (most recent to least recent): You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience and the Black Experience edited by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown, Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi, From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead by Brené Brown, Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali

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Nonfiction Reads of 2022

From left to right (most recent to least recent): Mean Baby by Selma Blair, Disability Visibility: 17 First-Person Stories For Today (Adapted for Young Readers) edited by Alice Wong, Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown, All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir Manifesto by George M. Johnson

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Fiction Reads of 2022

From left to right (most recent to least recent): Braced by Alyson Gerber, This is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby, Red, White and Whole by Rajani Larocca, Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez, Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

From left to right (most recent to least recent): Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix by Ibi Zoboi, Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes, The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty

From left to right (most recent to least recent): Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly, Star Fish by Lisa Fipps, Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga.

From left to right (most recent to least recent): Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights by Malala Yousafzai, Blended by Sharon M. Draper, Melissa by Alex Gino

A huge thank you to those who’ve sparked my joy for learning, growing and teaching. I wouldn’t be here without you.

1. Forever grateful for Cierra (@onedetailedteacher) Mrs. Chavez (@mschavezreads), Britt Hawthorne (@britthawthorne), Zai Sylla (@zairambles), Sam Slupski (@theyaresam), Megan Reid (@ihaveabook4that), Abby Gross (@writeonwithmissg), Brené Brown (@brenebrown), Charnaie Gordon (@hereweeread), Layla Helwa (@teach_for_justice), Ace Schwarz (@teachingoutsidethebinary), Tamara (@ifpencilscouldtalk), Ryse T. (@teachingwithmxt), Skye Tooley (@growingwithmxt), Vera (@diversereads), Corrie (@thetinyactivists), The Conscious Kid (@theconsciouskid), Tiffany Jewell (@tiffanymjewell), Liz Sohyeon Kleinrock (@teachandtransform), Jen (@jenrivverabell), Lisa Olivera (@_lisaolivera), Emily (@booksfightback) AND my mentor teachers for their countless recommendations, uses & reflections of kids lit, middle grade and adult reads.