Photo: Matt Maxx Books
Former college roommates Alison Buehler and Jo Winn were discussing books their kids were enjoying when they recognized a big problem: the lack of Black characters, and the low reading proficiency of Black fourth graders. Buehler and Winn, being writers, decided to write a funny book featuring relatable Black characters -- Merlin Montgomery, known as "Big Monty," a middle-schooler who loves science, and his sister Josephine. They were told there was no market, but still they created a "Where Are the Books That Look Like Me?" Kickstarter campaign to self-publish 1,000 copies of "Big Monty and the Lunatic Lunch Lady" and start on "Big Monty and the Cyborg Substitute". The latter won a Mom's Choice Award. Soon "Big Monty and the Pumped Up Principal" and "Big Monty and the Malicious Music Teacher" followed, and the series has distributed more than 15,000 copies. More than 900 books are sold per month, and school libraries have even reported waiting lists.
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