Changing the Story

Emi believes that kids who see people like themselves in books feel proud and confident. She also thinks that reading about characters who are different can help kids to understand each other better. Unfortunately, some people have made rude and unkind comments about Emi’s Asian heritage.

“We are afraid of what we don’t know,” Emi says. “That’s part of the reason we treat people differently based on how they look.”

Alaina Lavoie works at an organization called We Need Diverse Books. She says that a lack of diverse books is a challenge nationwide.  

“Although there are more diverse books being published than in years past, we still need more,” she says. 

To raise money to buy diverse books, Emi sold lemonade and baked goods. She brought in more than $700. Then Emi got permission from Westridge’s principal to donate books to the school library.

Next, Emi carefully read and selected the books. Whenever possible, she chose authors and illustrators who are part of the culture or race presented in the books.

“They would know the experiences of that group,” Emi explains.

Emi bought books for her own school and four others in the district. School officials were so impressed that they bought more books from Emi’s list for 13 elementary schools in Provo.

Emi held another bake sale and raised an additional $3,000. This time, she expanded her mission to include books about kids who have limb differences and other disabilities.

Emi often hears from classmates how much they love—and learn from—the books.

“These books are really changing schools, and I’m glad about that,” she says. 

1. Why does Emi Kim believe it’s important for kids to see people who look like themselves and people who are different from them in books?
2. What steps did Emi take to bring diverse books into her school’s library?
3. Why did Emi try to choose authors and illustrators who are part of the culture or race represented in the book?