Book bans and challenges across the state and country have inspired an Ames woman to create a new nonprofit to help young readers develop allyship skills and disrupt injustice they witness.
Good Books Young Troublemakers (GBYT) is the brainchild of Tanvi Rastogi, who has been coaching middle school students in allyship skills for three years at Dog-Eared Books, an independent bookstore in downtown Ames.
The Young Troublemakers group is inspired by the late-Congressman John Lewis’ call to make “good trouble.” Founded by Rastogi in 2021, the book club is a small group of young readers who talk about books, their own experiences and possible ways to address situations they see happening.
The idea for the GBYT book club started at the Ames Public Library, where Rastogi was the teen librarian for many years. Teenagers often came into the library and told her about things that happened at school, such as one student using a slur against another.
“I would say something like, ‘OK, what did you do?’ and oftentimes they didn’t do anything because they didn’t know what to say or they were afraid,” Rastogi told the Ames Tribune.
It occurred to her that responding to these situations was something that could be practiced.
“We practice so many other things, like how to give speeches. Really, any skill we want to have, we practice it. But we never practice how to be allies and how to speak up confidently to disrupt harm,” she said. “But I think we can.”
Combining nearly two decades of library work with her own experiences as a first-generation Indian-American, Rastogi uses middle-grade fiction to engage young readers in a series of allyship practice scenarios.
Good Books Young Troublemakers helps create ‘more caring, healthier communities’
“As states like Iowa and others across the country restrict sharing of representative stories and histories in public schools, it’s more important than ever that new avenues are created for kids to access and discuss these stories,” Rastogi said. “Good Books Young Troublemakers plugs the empathy gap created by restrictive policies. The return on this investment is more caring, healthier communities.”
Here are some examples of what book club members discuss:
- What would you say to someone who has misgendered another person?
- What would you do if you heard a classmate taunting a girl for wearing a hijab?
- How can you stand up for what’s right even when people with power dismiss you?
Through guided conversation, participants brainstorm and practice safe, effective intervention techniques. Over time, they sharpen the skills and vocabulary they need to put those techniques into practice in the moments that matter.
Good Books Young Troublemakers’ book club materials will be available across the country
In February, Good Books Young Troublemakers established its nonprofit status and saw four beta sites at bookstores and libraries launch chapters in three states, Iowa, Colorado and Maryland.
In July, GBYT will open its program to anyone interested in starting a book club chapter of their own. Along with sites like those currently active, the model can be adapted by teachers, caregivers, youth mentors and other organizations.
Registration will be available on the nonprofit’s website, goodbooksyoungtroublemakers.org. Or reach out to Rastogi directly at hellogbyt@gmail.com.
Rastogi said that, for a small fee, book club leaders receive:
- A curated list of titles selected for quality of writing, richness of topics explored and opportunities for allyship practice.
- An exhaustively researched discussion guide that includes both questions to deepen participants’ understanding of power and privilege and allyship practice scenarios that include sample scripts.
- Tips for successful book club facilitation.
- Optional personalized coaching.
Beta site in northern Iowa is seeing good response from kids
“Starting a Good Books Young Troublemakers book club chapter at my tiny, rural library has resulted in some amazing and insightful discussions with my young patrons,” Chelsea Price, the library director for the northern Iowa community of Meservey, said in a news release regarding the use of GBYT materials at her library.
Price said the book selection is inclusive, diverse and a big hit with the kids.
“The discussion guides have been indispensable when it comes to facilitating conversations that emphasize kindness and empathy,” she said.
As Iowa awaits the outcome of lawsuits levied against SF 496, an education law that’s prompted schools across the state to pull thousands of books from libraries and classrooms, Good Books Young Troublemakers offers communities the opportunity to counter efforts to restrict diverse and representation literature in public schools.
“Diverse stories offer readers a glimpse or, when we’re lucky, a much deeper look into how different people live and experience the world, challenging our biases and the stereotypes we’ve absorbed,” Rastogi said. “They provide a blueprint for how to engage with and care for others. They also foster empathy and awareness and connect us to our peers and local, national and global communities.”
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com.
