November Reading Series on “When They Call You a Terrorist” Begins

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Patrisse CullorsOn Thursday, November 5, the American Booksellers Association’s ABC Children’s Group will hold the first installment of the fall consumer-facing reading series that focuses on anti-racism and young readers with Black Lives Matter founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors, author of When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir (St. Martin’s Press).

Bookstores that are interested in bringing the free virtual book club to local educators, students, and readers of all ages can sign up to receive a set of five bookplates signed by Cullors. Bookstores can request up to 10 sets of bookplates, while supplies last; bookplates will ship at the end of November.

The two-part series will take place on Thursday, November 5, and Thursday, November 19, at 2:00 p.m. ET on Zoom, and will focus on the young readers edition, When They Call You A Terrorist: A Story of Black Lives Matter and the Power to Change the World (Wednesday Books). This week, Buzzfeed highlighted the event as part of a roundup of virtual book events taking place from November 2 to 8.

The series will be moderated by Hannah Oliver Depp, owner of Loyalty Bookstores in Washington, D.C., and Silver Spring, Maryland. Guests include Asha Grant, owner of the emerging Black-woman owned Salt Eaters Bookshop in Los Angeles, and Tianna Arata, a Black Lives Matter activist arrested during a July 21 protest. 

When They Call You A Terrorist by Patrisse Cullors

Topics to be covered during the book club include:

  • A discussion of Black Lives Matter as an organization and movement, featuring Arata
  • A book talk on the young readers edition with Grant

While the reading series will focus on the young readers edition of Cullors’ memoir, the event is intended for all who want to listen to an important dialogue about Black Lives Matter. Bookstores are encouraged to share the event details with their customers, schools, and libraries.

Social media marketing materials are available on BookWeb.org. The reading series will be recorded posted on BookWeb at the conclusion of the event. A limited number of signed bookplates will also be made available to ABA member stores at the end of November.

The event is free to all who would like to attend. Donations are being taken in support of Black Lives Matter Global Foundation.