In May 2021, all the secondary schools in South Ayrshire launched the Read Woke Scotland challenge in our libraries. This initiative is designed to improve the representation and inclusivity of our library collections, while also educating and engaging our students on social justice issues. The project branches from the Read Woke movement started by librarian Cicely Lewis, in Georgia, USA and aims to empower readers to find their own voice and stand up for the rights of themselves and others.
We also know that books have power! They provide a gateway to see the world through different eyes.
Read. Review. Reward.
The premise is very simple for the students: Read. Review. Reward. They choose books from our curated Read Woke booklist and complete a short review stating what they thought and what it opened their eyes to. Once students have read four and then eight books, they receive a Read Woke pin badge to recognise their achievement and commitment. For library staff, the goal is broader. We aim to embed this project throughout our schools and use it to assist teaching staff in the integration of inclusiveness and anti-racism through the curriculum. Each school has the freedom to run the programme in their own way, and it has already been incorporated into a variety of curricular and extra-curricular activities, through literary circles, book clubs and focus lessons.
Selecting the books
The project has been supported by the Scottish Government Library Improvement Fund, which has allowed our school and the public libraries to purchase a significant number of copies of each of our chosen titles. The books that we have chosen highlight a wide range of issues from racial equality and refugee journeys to ableism and the under-representation of the Scots language. Each book meets the criteria set out by Cicely Lewis:
- Challenge a social norm
- Give a voice to the voiceless
- Provide information about a group that has been disenfranchised
- Seek to challenge the status quo
- Have a protagonist from an underrepresented group
It has become commonplace in the library to hear the magic words – I loved this one – have you got anything else like it?
Impact
The response in our schools has been outstanding from both students and staff. The Read Woke books have proved incredibly popular, and we are fast approaching 1,000 reviews submitted across the authority. There has also been a significant increase in the issuing of other books by minority authors, as well as verse novels and graphic novels (which also feature on our booklist). Possibly the most pleasing aspect so far has been the response from students who were previously reluctant readers. Our booklist includes books tailored to a range of abilities and has a range of formats, and it has re-engaged students that have fallen out of love with reading. Many students are genuinely interested in books that focus on real-world issues and want to learn. It has become commonplace in the library to hear the magic words “I loved this one – have you got anything else like it?”
“I love this project! It’s such a great way of encouraging students to explore books they might not ordinarily pick up or have access to. I hope all schools across the country follow in South Ayrshire’s footsteps. This initiative is much needed to help build empathy and understanding.”A.M. Dassu, author of Boy, Everywhere
Take part
We are committed to freely sharing all resources that we produce during this project and assisting other Scottish schools in starting the Read Woke challenge. We are also developing a version of the challenge with a primary school focus. Check out www.ReadWokeSouthAyrshire.co.uk for more details, including all the new titles added to our booklist in November 2021.
“Read Woke is a movement. It is a feeling. It is a style. It is a form of education. It is a call to action; it is our right as lifelong learners. It means arming yourself with knowledge in order to better protect your rights.” Cicely Lewis, Founder of Read Woke
