Kids are curious…
Whether their questions are for a school project or inspired by something they saw or heard online, kids require thoughtful and accurate information geared to their own age and maturity level. Tough Topics is a web tool developed to assist adults with resources to help them begin tough conversations surrounding social justice and immigration.
This website provides book recommendations for ages 5-13, broken down into 3 groups that could be read at home or in class. Each title has a summary, references to reviews, and an explanation as to why it was chosen. Additionally, each title is rated on a controversy scale to help adults decide if the title is right for their readers.
Tough Topics was developed as a scholarship project by Vanessa Crisostomo, Dominican University, School of Information Studies graduate. The inspiration in her own words:
“I am half Mexican and half Guatemalan daughter of immigrants who came seeking a better life. I grew up in a predominantly Hispanic community and Spanish was my first language. I learned English in school and from watching shows like Winnie the Pooh. By the time I was in first or second grade, immigration was something I understood to be important but was too complex for me to understand. Our political climate today has brought more attention to the issue of immigration, making it even more important to have resources available.
As a child of immigrants who grew up hearing many misconceptions, I sought to create a resource that could help increase empathy and understanding about immigration and why people leave their homes. One of the things that makes America so great is all of the different immigrant populations. The inspiration behind this resource was to make tough topics accessible to kids of all ages while encouraging them to be the change they want to see.”
For assistance or questions with Tough Topics: Immigration and Social Justice, please contact The Butler Children’s Literature Center at butler@dom.edu
About Vanessa Crisostomo
Vanessa Crisostomo earned a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Northeastern Illinois University and spent the past seven years teaching in Chicago Public Schools. She completed a master’s degree in library science at Dominican University and was recognized as a Butler Children’s Literature Center Scholar. Throughout a career deeply committed to supporting students’ growth as readers and individuals, a love for both education and literature ultimately inspired study for a master’s degree in library science, allowing expanded impact to help students access information, develop media literacy skills, and find joy in reading.
Outside of academic and professional goals, she finds balance in spending time outdoors: hiking, kayaking, and exploring nature. She lives in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and two dogs, Cookie-Ann and Henry. Experiences as an educator, graduate student, and lifelong learner continue to shape the values she brings to her work and motivate continued growth within the library and information field.
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