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Six-year-old Bilal is excited to help his dad make his favorite food of all-time: daal! The slow-cooked lentil dish from South Asia requires lots of ingredients and a whole lot of waiting. Bilal wants to introduce his friends to daal. They’ve never tried it! As the day goes on, the daal continues to simmer, and more kids join Bilal and his family, waiting to try the tasty dish. And as time passes, Bilal begins to wonder: Will his friends like it as much as he does?

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5.0 out of 5 stars Give your 3-9 year olds a cultural excursion!
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2019

Perfect book for introducing your 3-9 year olds to cultural experiences. Daal is a dietary staple we have enjoyed in travels to India. I am thrilled to have a book and recipe to introduce our grandchildren to this simple pleasure. This book has no religious references which makes it cross-culturally acceptable.

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Top reviews from the United States

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Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2019

Thank you for writing such a wonderful book! My two year old (who looks exactly like a younger version of the protagonist) loves pourripoo (our name for dal) sooo much. He loves the ingredients, he loves watching me make it, and most of all he loves eating it. I bought this on a whim, but it's even better than I expected on so many levels. The story teaches patience (something my little boy is still working on especially when I'm cooking things he likes!), team works, family traditions, trying out new things, diversity, culture, food, cooking. I love that the aspects of diversity/culture are just normalized, no big deal was made out of it. I don't think a child has to be South Asian to get a lot from this book or even relate to it. The illustration are beautiful!!! Even the inside cover is gorgeous.. We read the book for the first time this morning, as soon as we were finished he put it in his book shelf and announced that it was his book. And then he brought out all his cooking supplies to "cook" some pourripoo. And then with lunch, while he was getting antsy while I was cooking and about to start the tantrum :), I discussed how we need to be patient like Bilal (and it seemed to help!). And it's only the afternoon and I've read it 6 times on his request. Also the part about the dad and his ammi brings tears to my eyes as one of my favorite parts about food how it's a way to keep that family connection and love. I was always afraid of being different growing up so I love how the book subtle address that too, and I love how his friends in the end (of course) love the end product and worked together to make it happen.

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2019

Wonderfully relatable story, with both fun and simple enough for kids to enjoy. Pictures show diverse children playing together, and Bilal’s dad cooks (mom is not mentioned). Has a recipe for daal in the back. A great book for any child!

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2019

Cool book about south Asian culture!

Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2020

My son loves this book. We have read it several times already, each time he is as excited as the first time.

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 year old loves book!
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2020

My son loves this book. We have read it several times already, each time he is as excited as the first time.

Images in this review

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2019

Who knows what daal is? I'm sure you will after reading this book. (It's like a lentil soup). We need more of these books in our routines. It's a new story, new characters and names and foods! My son loves to read this book with me. It is a little wordy so I skip a few of the words like "Abu says" and "Bilal says" because it's just too repetitive.
There's even a recipe for daal at the back. I feel good knowing that there are more diverse books being written.

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2019

My dal rice loving 3.5 year old nephew loved the book, asked for it to be read four times in a row, and then asked for his dad to make him dal rice. The story is engaging and works well as both a celebration of a favorite food for kids who've grown up eating it and an introduction for kids who are unfamiliar, without feeling like it's giving an educational lecture.
Another positive element is that it shows Bilal cooking with his father. It's unfortunately still too rare in children's media to see fathers depicted as doing the cooking, so it's nice to see that represented.

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2019

Perfect book for introducing your 3-9 year olds to cultural experiences. Daal is a dietary staple we have enjoyed in travels to India. I am thrilled to have a book and recipe to introduce our grandchildren to this simple pleasure. This book has no religious references which makes it cross-culturally acceptable.

5.0 out of 5 stars Give your 3-9 year olds a cultural excursion!
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2019

Perfect book for introducing your 3-9 year olds to cultural experiences. Daal is a dietary staple we have enjoyed in travels to India. I am thrilled to have a book and recipe to introduce our grandchildren to this simple pleasure. This book has no religious references which makes it cross-culturally acceptable.

Images in this review

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2019

A well rounded picture book. Perfect for reading aloud. Any teacher or family could easily expand the lessons of friendship, patience, trying new things and incorporate measuring ingredients too. Great real world example of how diverse books can benefit all readers.

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice book

Reviewed in Germany on October 6, 2019

It's a very nice book to teach differences in cultures

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT!

Reviewed in Germany on January 8, 2021

Beautiful book with lovely illustrations!!

5.0 out of 5 stars great book

Reviewed in Canada on February 9, 2021

my kids love this book. It is a cute read

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Bilal Cooks Daal [Saeed, Aisha, Syed, Anoosha] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Bilal Cooks Daal

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Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.

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Review

Cornwall captures the exquisite tingle of Jabari’s fear and excitement, which gives the book its drama. The visual details — the way the little sister’s tiny hand grips her father’s back while her father holds her brother’s hand — give the book its heart.
—The New York Times Book Review
There are plenty of picture books reassuring kids who don’t quite achieve their own goals when they want to (see, for example, Ashley Spires’s The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do, BCCB 4/17), but here Cornwall celebrates success earned through overcoming fears and through reliance on the supportive presence of a loving parent...Pool season is right around the corner, and this funny and joyful outing will put everyone in the mood for a dip.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

Mixed-media images in serene muted colors, high-rise buildings above the tree line, and the intriguing addition of faded newsprint accents strengthen the urban feel of the illustrations. Jabari’s story will help assuage the fears kids experience when faced with a new and daunting adventure. A terrific seasonal storytime read-aloud that’s perfect for one-on-one sharing.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

In her debut, Cornwall places her loving black family at the center, coloring the swimming pool and park beyond in minty hues and adding whimsy with digitally collaged newspaper for skyscrapers...This simple and sincere tale of working up courage to face fears makes quite a splash.
—Kirkus Reviews

The dialogue and text are straightforward and make a nice pairing with the creatively chosen angles for the illustrations...a welcome piece for any summertime collection.
—Booklist

A daunting gaze downward, past Jabari’s toes that curl around the edge of the board, makes the water look incredibly far away, and when seen from behind, he seems as high up as the skyscrapers in the distance. It’s a lovely, knowing account of a big “first” in a child’s life.
—Publishers Weekly

Against a backdrop of warm brown skin tones and cool aqua water, debut author-illustrator Cornwell presents an empowering and celebratory story. Young readers will root for Jabari as he prepares to take a leap of faith.
—The Horn Book

Anyone who has hesitated on the brink of something daunting—a brave act or a big decision—will feel a rush of kinship with the small protagonist of Gaia Cornwall’s picture book “Jabari Jumps”.
—The Wall Street Journal

Beautifully done.
—People

It’s a summertime rite of passage: jumping off the diving board for the first time. In Jabari Jumps (Candlewick, ages 4-8) Gaia Cornwall brings to vivid life this moment for one little boy…For young listeners, this lovely book is a reminder that the best summers have both challenging surprises and fun.
—The Washington Post

A little boy has finished his swimming lessons and is trying to get up the courage to jump off the diving board in this utterly charming debut picture book with a valuable lesson about conquering your fears from a gifted author-illustrator
—Buffalo News

For a little lightheartedness “Jabari Jumps” (Candlewick, 2017; 15.99) is just the ticket. Gaia Cornwall wrote and illustrated this charming story of Jabari who goes to the swimming pool with his father and younger sister and promises that this is the day he will jump off the diving board...Young readers will want to hear or Jabari’s challenge again and again.
—The Gazette

About the Author

Gaia Cornwall is an illustrator who loves making patterns for surface design. Her work can be seen in magazines, in logos, on various products, and even in movies. Jabari Jumps is her first picture book. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

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Jabari Jumps [Cornwall, Gaia, Cornwall, Gaia] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Jabari Jumps

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Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela’s best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today—not after Evelyn moves away. Until then, the girls play amid the moving boxes until it’s time to say goodbye, making promises to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special.

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Review

Newbery Medalist Medina’s versatility is in evidence here, showing she’s as much in tune with the picture-book audience as she is with older readers. With lines that go at angles and splashes of bold colors and patterns, Sánchez’s artwork is as lively and full of movement as the two girls. Layered applications of color create texture, and the interiors of their apartments are cozily beckoning. A tender story of friendship and change.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Digital artwork by Sánchez (
Raisins and Almonds) radiates warmth and specificity as the girls interact with neighbors (“We sneak past grouchy Mr. Miller’s door and wave to Mr. Soo”) and revel in their last moments in homes whose windows face one another...Landing on the moment of their parting grief adds poignancy to their vibrant connection, and a final page turn offers further joy to this portrait of two girls of color and their strong, resilient friendship.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Daniela’s first-person, present-tense narration balances action and introspection, while in the illustrations the small, expressive figures of the two girls seem barely able to contain the deeply felt emotions, familiar to many children, that accompany loss and change. Sánchez’s illustrations layer colorful patterns and textures with filigreed lines and corrugated cardboard collage; bright yellow beech leaves litter the girls’ urban neighborhood, suggesting a season of transition. The final image of an older Daniela, seated on the floor of her room surrounded by letters from Evelyn, assures readers that, no matter what, you never forget your first “mejor amiga.”
—The Horn Book (starred review)

Newbery Medalist Meg Medina writes in the earnest and playful voice of a child, using uncomplicated words and a tone that’s equal parts solemn and hopeful.
Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away affirms feelings of sadness but provides assurance that true friendship—the kind built on sharing glittery stickers—endures.
—BookPage (starred review)
Sanchez’ digital art has a colored pencil and mixed media flair, and she’s particularly gifted in conveying human dynamics through poses as the brown-skinned girls sprawl on the floor or dart through the building together hand in hand. While a final scene shows a grown Daniela smiling over a box of Evelyn memorabilia, that’s by no means papering over the sadness of the parting, with both girls obviously and understandably griefstricken. It’s that honesty that makes this book truly useful: while life goes on when friends separate, adults as well as kids benefit from recognition that friends are essential and that it’s valid to mourn the departure of your “numero uno best friend.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

This story of the girls' last day together is a heartbreaker, but seeing the two girls squeeze every last moment of joy from that day of grief is a reminder that the simple and powerful bond of friendship is worth the heartache of separation.
—NPR

Medina approaches the difficulty of best friends separated by a move from the perspective of the child left behind...Vivid colors keep the overall tone upbeat, and a final illustration depicts an older Daniela enjoying letters from her friend. Realistic and quietly satisfying.
—Booklist

Sánchez’s illustrations give life to the world these two best friends live in, while also revealing details about the move. The raw emotions that Daniela and Evelyn experience come through in the drawings. Medina and Sánchez have created a winning emotional story about two best friends who will always be best friends, regardless of all kinds of upheaval.
—School Library Journal

In Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, Newbery medalist Meg Medina and award-winning illustrator Sonia Sánchez poignantly capture the beauty of those precious first friendships.
—Entertainment Weekly

About the Author

Meg Medina is the author of the Newbery Medal–winning book Merci Suárez Changes Gears, which was a 2018 Kirkus Prize finalist. She is also the author of award-winning YA novels and the picture books Mango, Abuela, and Me, illustrated by Angela Dominguez, which was a Pura Belpré Author and Illustrator Award Honor Book, and Tía Isa Wants a Car,illustrated by Claudio Muñoz, which won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she grew up in Queens, New York, and now lives in Richmond, Virginia. Sonia Sánchez is the illustrator of Here I Am, for which she was nominated for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for interior art. She has been selected twice to participate in the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. She lives with her husband, son, and a sleepyhead cat in Barcelona, Spain.

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Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away [Medina, Meg, Sanchez, Sonia] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away

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Rescue thought he’d grow up to be a Seeing Eye dog — it’s the family business, after all. When he gets the news that he’s better suited to being a service dog, he’s worried that he’s not up to the task. Then he meets Jessica, a girl whose life is turning out differently than the way she'd imagined it, too. Now Jessica needs Rescue by her side to help her accomplish everyday tasks. And it turns out that Rescue can help Jessica see after all: a way forward, together, one step at a time. An endnote from the authors tells more about the training and extraordinary abilities of service dogs, particularly their real-life best friend and black lab, Rescue.

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Based on a real-life partnership, the heartening story of the love and teamwork between a girl and her service dog will illuminate and inspire.

Rescue thought he'd grow up to be a Seeing Eye dog - it's the family business, after all. When he gets the news that he's better suited to being a service dog, he's worried that he's not up to the task. Then he meets Jessica, a girl whose life is turning out differently than the way she'd imagined it, too. Now Jessica needs Rescue by her side to help her accomplish everyday tasks. And it turns out that Rescue can help Jessica see after all: a way forward, together, one step at a time. An endnote from the authors tells more about the training and extraordinary abilities of service dogs, particularly their real-life best friend and black lab, Rescue.

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Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship

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Amazon.com: Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship eBook : Kensky, Jessica, Downes, Patrick, Magoon, Scott: Kindle Store

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Every day, Momofuku Ando would retire to his lab--a little shed in his backyard. For years, he'd dreamed about making a new kind of ramen noodle soup that was quick, convenient, and tasty for the hungry people he'd seen in line for a bowl on the black market following World War II. Peace follows from a full stomach, he believed. Day after day, Ando experimented. Night after night, he failed. But Ando kept experimenting.
With persistence, creativity, and a little inspiration, Ando succeeded. This is the true story behind one of the world's most popular foods.

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Inspiration struck when Momofuku Ando spotted the long lines for a simple bowl of ramen following World War II. Magic Ramen tells the true story behind the creation of one of the world's most popular foods.Peace follows from a full stomach, he believed.

Every day, Momofuku Ando would retire to his lab--a little shed in his backyard. For years, he'd dreamed about making a new kind of ramen noodle soup that was quick, convenient, and tasty for the hungry people he'd seen in line for a bowl on the black market following World War II.

Day after day, Ando experimented. Night after night, he failed. But Ando kept experimenting.

With persistence, creativity, and a little inspiration, Ando succeeded. This is the true story behind one of the world's most popular foods.

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Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando [Wang, Andrea, Urbanowicz, Kana] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando

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The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah.

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Review

* According to storyteller Sorell, the Cherokee people always express gratitude for the little things they are given by saying the phrase, "Otsaliheliga," or "we are grateful." Raised in the Cherokee Nation, Sorell intentionally crafts a narrative that simultaneously embraces modernity and a traditional presentation of Cherokee community and way of life. Throughout, the measured text reminds readers that in all things "we say otsaliheliga." Colorful, folk art-style illustrations show Cherokee people during ceremonies, in family gatherings large and small, and outdoors enjoying each of the four seasons, always expressing gratitude. The scenes are contemporary; one shows a father taking care of his children, engaging in a positive parenting role, while another depicts a family seeing off a relative who is leaving for deployment in the military, underscoring that Cherokee people serve their country. Children participate in rites and in family outings with adults, and they also play traditional games such as stickball and plant strawberries, a practice that reminds their people to embrace peace with one another. The variety of skin tones represented in the illustrations likewise depicts a present-day reflection of the diversity that exists within the Cherokee people. Occasional Cherokee words are written in Romanized form, phonetically, in Cherokee characters, and in English—a lovely grace note. A gracious, warm, and loving celebration of community and gratitude.
—Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW
* Cherokee people say otsaliheliga to express gratitude. It is a reminder to celebrate our blessings and reflect on struggles — daily, throughout the year, and across the seasons.” An extended family engages with activities and traditions that express gratitude and carry on Cherokee history and culture, such as stomp dancing at the Great New Moon Ceremony, basket weaving, making corn-husk dolls, and playing stickball. The book underscores the importance of traditions and carrying on a Cherokee way of life while simultaneously incorporating modernity and challenging dated media images of Indigenous people. Here, a father sporting an earring and a topknot minds the children; a family bids goodbye to a clan relative who deploys with the U.S. military. Skin colors range from light to dark, visually underscoring the book’s message of diversity and inclusion. Staying firmly upbeat and idyllic, the cheerful, richly detailed gouache illustrations in bright, saturated colors cycle through the seasons, beginning with the Cherokee New Year in autumn. The text includes several Cherokee words; a line of text in a smaller font along the bottom of the page provides each word as written in the English alphabet, its phonetic pronunciation, the word as written in the Cherokee alphabet, and its definition. A glossary, an author’s note on Cherokee culture, and a complete Cherokee syllabary conclude this attractive and informative book.
—
Horn Book STARRED REVIEW
* Sorell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, offers readers a look at contemporary Cherokee life as she follows a family through the seasons of the year as they take part in ceremonies and festivals. The book opens, “Cherokee people say otsaliheliga to express gratitude. It is a reminder to celebrate our blessings and reflect on struggles—daily, throughout the year….” Beginning in the fall (uligohvsdi) with the Cherokee New Year, a variety of rituals and cultural symbols are introduced, all in spare, lyrical, accessible language. Traditional foods, crafts, and songs are part of the engaging narrative, as is the refrain, “we say otsaliheliga.” Once through the calendar, Sorell circles back to the Cherokee National Holiday (Labor Day weekend), “when we recall the ancestors’ sacrifices to preserve our way of life…. to celebrate nulistanidolv, history, and listen to our tribal leaders speak.” Cherokee words are presented both phonetically and written in the Cherokee syllabary. Lessac’s lovely gouache folk-art style paintings bring the scenes to life. Back matter includes a description of the various ceremonies, notes, and a page devoted to the Cherokee syllabary.
VERDICT This informative and authentic introduction to a thriving ancestral and ceremonial way of life is perfect for holiday and family sharing.
—School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW
* Cherokee poet Traci Sorell makes her picture book debut with We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, illustrated by theprolific Frané Lessac."Cherokee people say otsaliheliga to express gratitude. It is a reminder to celebrate our blessings and reflect onstruggles--daily, throughout the year, and across the seasons." With seasonal chapter headings in both English andTsalagi, Cherokee, Sorell takes the reader through a year in the life of contemporary citizens of the CherokeeNation. Using the refrain "we say otsaliheliga" (pronounced oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah), each season is given specialjoys, sorrows and celebrations both specific and generic, personal and communal. In autumn (uligohvsdi), gratitude is voiced as shell shakers dance around the fire during the Great New Moon Ceremony; it is expressed ascitizens of the Cherokee Nation clean their homes, don new clothes and feast to welcome the Cherokee New Year; it is communicated throughacts of remembrance for "ancestors who suffered hardship and loss on the Trail of Tears." In winter (gola), "[a]s bears sleep deep and snowblankets the ground," the large, tightly knit community is thankful for the stories of elders and for traditional lullabies.Lessac's folk art-style gouache illustrations depict the diversity of contemporary life experiences described in Sorell's text. On one spread, thefamily hugs a "clan relative" dressed in fatigues as he heads off "to serve our country"; on another, children play in a cornfield as "the cropsmature and the sun scorches." In Sorell's author note, she says "Cherokee culture places a strong emphasis on expressing gratitude tounelanvhi... literally 'the one who provides all,' " as well as for "one another." An elegant representation of this concept, We Are Grateful has the ability to resonate with any reader: "Otsaliheliga for all who came before us, those here now, and those yet to come."
—
Shelf Awareness STARRED REVIEW
In Cherokee culture, Sorell shares, the expression of gratitude is part of daily life and extends from elaborate celebrations to struggles to ordinary life moments. She organizes her debut picture book by seasons, beginning with the fall, which is a time for collecting foliage for basket making and remembering those who suffered on the Trail of Tears. It also contains the Cherokee New Year and the Great New Moon Ceremony, a celebration of renewal and coming together. Each season section starts with the name of the season in Cherokee, an expression of gratitude for the change in nature, and subsequent pages describing community activities pertinent to that season. Lessac's folkloric illustration in bright gouache colors stands in pleasing contrast to the book’s contemporary feel and setting. The text reads like poetry but has a gentle instructional dimension to it. On many pages, Cherokee words are accompanied by English translations, pronunciation guides, and Cherokee syllabary. Back matter contains relevant explanations and provides good context, and the author's note sets past misrepresentations right.
—
Booklist Cheerful, richly detailed folk art-style illustrations in bright, saturated colors show contemporary Cherokee life as one family participates in cermonies and festivals through each season of the year.
—
Book Links, included in Middle Grade Mania roundup
The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. This is an amazing story that describes a journey through the seasons with a modern-day Cherokee family. Readers learn about Cherokee culture, celebrations, and language. Cherokee history and traditions are also seamlessly woven into the story in a very kid-friendly way. I love that this is an #OwnVoices picture book that helps expose children to Native American perspectives and culture. The back matter includes pronunciations for Cherokee words, a glossary, a Cherokee syllabary, and a personal author's note.
—
Brightly

About the Author

Traci Sorell writes fiction and nonfiction for children featuring contemporary characters and compelling biographies. She is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation and lives in northeastern Oklahoma, where her tribe is located.
Frané Lessac is the illustrator of more than forty books for children. She has lived on the small Caribbean island of Montserrat, in London, and in Australia, and her work has taken her on many adventures in numerous countries. www.franelessac.com

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Amazon.com: We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga: 9781580897723: Sorell, Traci, Lessac, Frane: Books

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When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens—with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words.

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Review

“A beautifully told and illustrated story about a grandson and grandfather struggling to communicate across divides of language, age, and culture.”―Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize winner for
* "The power of art takes center stage."―
, starred review
* "Phantasmagoric."―
, starred review
* "[P]erfectly paced to express universal emotions that connect generations separated by time, experience, and even language."―
, starred review
* "
Drawn Together is a testament to the strength of a shared love to overcome barriers of age, language and culture, and will leave readers, like Grandpa and his grandson, 'happily . . . SPEECHLESS.'"―, starred review
* "Focus on an underrepresented culture; highly accessible emotions; concise, strong storytelling; and artistic magnificence make this a must have."―
, starred review
* "[A] visual language that speaks profoundly to readers."―
, starred review PRAISE FOR LET ME FINISH!
NPR Best Books of 2016

APALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner

"Dynamic."
PRAISE FOR THE COOKIE FIASCO
"[B]e prepared for this one to fly off the shelves."
PRAISE FOR LET ME FINISH!
"[S]ure to generate reader anticipation."
PRAISE FOR LET ME FINISH!
"A fun storytime selection for audiences with a good sense of humor."
PRAISE FOR BECAUSE I'M YOUR DAD
"Warm moments abound. . . . [I]t overflows with genuine fatherly affection."
PRAISE FOR BECAUSE I'M YOUR DAD
"[E]xuberant illustrations."
PRAISE FOR BECAUSE I'M YOUR DAD
"[A]n entertaining balance between sweet and goofy, protective and raucous."

About the Author

Minh Lê is a writer but, like his grandfather, is a man of few words. He is a national early childhood policy expert, author of Let Me Finish! (illustrated by Isabel Roxas), and has written for the New York Times, the Horn Book, and the Huffington Post. A first-generation Vietnamese-American, he went to Dartmouth College and has a master’s in education from Harvard University. Outside of spending time with his beautiful wife and sons in their home near Washington, DC, Minh’s favorite place to be is in the middle of a good book. Visit Minh online at minhlebooks.com or on Twitter @bottomshelfbks. Dan Santat is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Award-winning The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, as well as The Cookie Fiasco, After the Fall, and others. He is also the creator of Disney's animated hit, The Replacements. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and a menagerie of pets. Visit him at dantat.com.

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Amazon.com: Drawn Together: 9781484767603: Lê, Minh, Santat, Dan, Santat, Dan: Books

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Poignant and powerful ode to the resilience and strength of black life and history in America. Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated in 2016, the poem adopts a picture book format with a new title, accompanied by stunning oil paintings in Nelson's trademark photorealistic style. On some spreads, the focus is on a single expressive portrait; others feature collages of African American icons from various disciplines, or refer to significant historical moments. The art functions in perfect harmony with the poet's spare, striking verse to electrify the Black American experience, and to celebrate black athletes, writers, musicians, activists, and heroes. From the unspeakable trauma of American slavery and the transatlantic slave trade to the brave service of black troops during the Civil War, from the fierce and unwavering fight for civil rights to the Black Lives Matter movement, from Selma to Birmingham to Harlem, this book is both a soaring tribute to the enduring perseverance and achievements of the past and a stirring call to action to "the dreamers and the doers" of the present and the future.

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Winner of the 2020 Caldecott Medal
A 2020 Newbery Honor Book
Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.

Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award

The Newbery Award-winning author of THE CROSSOVER pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree.

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The Undefeated (Caldecott Medal Book) [Alexander, Kwame, Nelson, Kadir] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Undefeated (Caldecott Medal Book)

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Shorty and his family, along with thousands of other Japanese Americans, have been forced to relocate from their homes to a camp after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Fighting the heat, dust, and freezing cold nights of the desert, Shorty and the others at the camp need something to look forward to, even if only for nine innings. So they build a playing field, and in this unlikely place, a baseball league is formed. Surrounded by barbed-wire fences and guards in towers, Shorty soon finds that he is playing not only to win, but to gain dignity and self-respect as well.

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Best Multicultural Title - Cuffies Award, Publisher's Weekly
Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Editor's Choice, San Francisco Chronicle
Not Just for Children Anymore Selection, Children's Book Council

Twenty-five years ago, Baseball Saved Us changed the picture-book landscape with its honest story of a Japanese American boy in an internment camp during World War II. This anniversary edition will introduce new readers to this modern-day classic.

One day my dad looked out at the endless desert and decided then and there to build a baseball field.

Shorty and his family, along with thousands of other Japanese Americans, have been forced to relocate from their homes to a camp after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Fighting the heat, dust, and freezing cold nights of the desert, Shorty and the others at the camp need something to look forward to, even if only for nine innings. So they build a playing field, and in this unlikely place, a baseball league is formed. Surrounded by barbed-wire fences and guards in towers, Shorty soon finds that he is playing not only to win, but to gain dignity and self-respect as well.

Inspired by actual events, this moving story of hope and courage in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II reveals a long-hidden and ugly part of the American past. This 25th Anniversary Edition features a revised cover and a new introduction from the author and illustrator.

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Baseball Saved Us [Mochizuki, Ken, Lee, Dom] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Baseball Saved Us

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A young girl, who is visually impaired, finds much to celebrate as she explores the city she loves. A young girl and her father spend a day in the city, her city, traveling to the places they go together: the playground, the community garden, the market, an outdoor concert. As they do, the girl describes what she senses in delightfully precise, poetic detail. Her city, she says, “rushes and stops, and waits and goes.” It “pitters and patters, and drips and drains.” It “echoes” and “trills,” and is both “smelly” and “sweet.” Her city also speaks, as it “dings and dongs, and rattles and roars.” And sometimes, maybe even some of the best times, it just listens.
https://www.amazon.com/My-City-Speaks-Darren-Lebeuf/dp/1525304143/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=my+city+speaks&qid=1657644635&s=books&sprefix=my+city+%2Cstripbooks%2C80&sr=1-1

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Ashley Barron is a multimedia artist who is best known for her paper collage work. She is the illustrator of over a dozen children's books, including the Math in Nature Series (Owlkids), Birthdays Around the World and My Forest is Green (Kids Can Press). Ashley's debut book as author/illustrator, Love You Head to Toe (Owlkids), has been charming parents and babies alike since its release in 2019.

Ashley grew up in the Oshawa/Whitby region of southern Ontario with her parents, younger sister and their many pet dogs and rabbits. Ashley's love for books was ignited at an early age thanks to her mother, a preschool teacher, who kept an extensive collection of children's literature in their spare bedroom. Although Ashley was very much an outdoorsy kid, she savored rainy indoor days, which allowed her the freedom to daydream, read and draw pictures to her heart's content.

Ashley's love for art and literature followed her into adulthood. She graduated from the illustration program at Ontario Collage of Art & Design in 2007 and has been working as a freelance illustrator ever since.

Ashley lives in Toronto with her cinematographer partner, Kevin C. W. Wong. Together they share a bright, plant-filled studio with their three cats.

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Amazon.com: My City Speaks: 9781525304149: Lebeuf, Darren, Barron, Ashley: Books

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Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever.

The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost?

Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations, and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths.

https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Warrior-Volcanoes-Childrens-Literature/dp/1419721305/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22ZL6BVDVWB6H&keywords=the+princess+and+the+warrior&qid=1657644741&s=books&sprefix=the+princess+and+the+warrior%2Cstripbooks%2C81&sr=1-1

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From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—Princess Izta is the most beautiful and eligible maiden in the land. One day, a humble warrior named Popoca approaches the princess, offering her the promise of true love and fidelity instead of lavish gifts or material wealth. Izta falls in love with him, even though her father, the emperor, feels Popoca is unsuitable for his royal daughter. He agrees to allow Popoca and Izta to marry, under one condition: Popoca must defeat Jaguar Claw, the infamous ruler of a neighboring land. Popoca fights many battles and defeats Jaguar Claw. But with the help of a bribed messenger, a bitter Jaguar Claw manages to take one last stab at Popoca by tricking Izta into poisoning herself into a deep sleep. Just as he promised, Popoca stays by her side, lying next to her until, as legend has it, two volcanoes are formed: Popocatépetl, meaning smoky mountain, and Iztaccíhuatl (sleeping woman). Award-winning author/illustrator Tonatiuh successfully retells this ancient tale using his distinctive and artistic illustrations with spare but effective text. The action battle scenes will excite and captivate, while the images of Popoca kneeling beside Izta in determined wait will stir the hearts of readers. The integration of Nahuatl words (defined with a pronunciation guide in the glossary) into the narrative provides a rich opportunity to introduce and explore another facet of Aztec culture. VERDICT Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony; a first purchase for all folklore collections.—Natalie Braham, Denver Public Library

Review

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Using his trademark digital collage style, the author crafts brutally stunning scenes full of sharp angles using a palette of earthy, evocative colors. The text pops with incisive purpose, making every action feel monumental... Equal parts melancholic and transcendent—a genuine triumph."―Kirkus
**STARRED REVIEW**
"The appealing story, the powerful illustrations, and the celebration of the Aztec culture make this a sure thing for those looking for a story, while an extensive author’s note goes a step beyond, adding to the impact of the tale with a great deal of historical and cultural information."―
Booklist
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Tonatiuh’s storytelling grows more assured with each title; this may be his best yet."―
The Horn Book
**STARRED REVIEW**
"A skillfully crafted recounting of a somber tale of love and devotion."―
Publishers Weekly
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Award-winning author/illustrator Tonatiuh successfully retells this ancient tale using his distinctive and artistic illustrations with spare but effective text... Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony; a first purchase for all folklore collections."―
School Library Journal
"There is a solemn tone to the simple storytelling, which simultaneously evokes the antiquity of the tale and makes it accessible to younger independent readers." ―
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes (Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Commended)

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The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes (Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Commended) [Tonatiuh, Duncan] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes (Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Lit…

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The little girl loves visiting her grandfather in Cuba and singing his special songs to sell all kinds of fruit: mango, limón, naranja, piña, and more! Even when they’re apart, grandfather and granddaughter can share rhymes between their countries like un abrazo—a hug—made of words carried on letters that soar across the distance like songbirds.

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Margarita Engle is the Cuban-American winner of the first Newbery Honor ever awarded to a Latino. Her award winning young adult novels in verse include The Surrender Tree, The Poet Slave of Cuba, and The Lightning Dreamer, winner of the PEN USA Award.

Engle's most recent books are Orangutanka, Drum Dream Girl, The Sky Painter, and Enchanted Air. All of these books are to be released in 2015. For news and updates, visit http://margaritaengle.com/

She lives in central California, where she enjoys helping her husband with his volunteer work for wilderness search and rescue dog training programs.

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Un pregón de frutas (Song of Frutas) (Spanish Edition)

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Un pregón de frutas (Song of Frutas) (Spanish Edition) [Engle, Margarita, Palacios, Sara, Romay, Alexis] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Un pregón de frutas (Song of Frutas) (Spanish Edition)

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Soñadores is a celebration of what migrants bring with them when they leave their homes. It's a story about family. And it's a story to remind us that we are all dreamers, bringing our own gifts wherever we roam. Beautiful and powerful at any time but given particular urgency as the status of our own Dreamers becomes uncertain, this is a story that is both topical and timeless.

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This Spanish language edition of Yuyi Morales's Pura Belpré Award winner and New York Times Bestseller Dreamers is now available in paperback! Soñadores , are about making a home in a new place. Yuyi and her son Kelly's passage was not easy, and Yuyi did not speak any English at the time. But together, they found an unexpected, unbelievable place: the public library. There, book by book, they untangled the language of this strange new land, and learned to make their home within it. is a celebration of what migrants bring with them when they leave their homes. It's a story about family. And it's a story to remind us that we are all dreamers, bringing our own gifts wherever we roam. Beautiful and powerful at any time but given particular urgency as the status of our own Dreamers becomes uncertain, this is a story that is both topical and timeless. was listed on Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2018, School Library Journal's Best Books of 2018, Publisher's Weekly Best Books of 2018 and the Amazon Best Books of 2018. It won a Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Award Honor, 2018, was a Kirkus Prize finalist, 2018, and was included on the Horn Book Fanfare list 2018. has been awarded the 2019 Pura Belpre Award for illustration, The Flora Stieglitz Strauss Award from Bank Street College, and the Tomás Rivera award.

Caldecott Honor artist and six-time Pura Belpré winner Yuyi Morales's gorgeous book Dreamers, and its Spanish language version Soñadores
Dreamers Dreamers
The lyrical text is followed by a brief autobiographical essay about Yuyi's own experience, a list of books that inspired her (and still do), and a description of the beautiful images, textures, and mementos she used to create this book. It has been translated by the acclaimed Teresa Mlawer.

This exquisite book is now available in paperback!

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Soñadores (Spanish Edition) [Morales, Yuyi] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Soñadores (Spanish Edition)

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When Sharice Davids was young, she never thought she’d be in Congress. And she never thought she’d be one of the first Native American women in Congress. During her campaign, she heard from a lot of doubters. They said she couldn’t win because of how she looked, who she loved, and where she came from. But everyone’s path looks different and everyone’s path has obstacles. And this is the remarkable story of Sharice Davids’ path to Congress.

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This acclaimed picture book autobiography tells the triumphant story of Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, and the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas.

When Sharice Davids was young, she never thought she’d be in Congress. And she never thought she’d be one of the first Native American women in Congress. During her campaign, she heard from a lot of doubters. They said she couldn’t win because of how she looked, who she loved, and where she came from.

But everyone’s path looks different and everyone’s path has obstacles. And this is the remarkable story of Sharice Davids’ path to Congress.

Beautifully illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, an Ojibwe Woodland artist, this powerful autobiographical picture book teaches readers to use their big voice and that everyone deserves to be seen—and heard!

The back matter includes information about the Ho-Chunk written by former Ho-Chunk President Jon Greendeer, an artist note, and an inspiring letter to children from Sharice Davids.

"Rich, vivid illustrations by Ojibwe Woodland artist Pawis-Steckley are delivered in a graphic style that honors Indigenous people. The bold artwork adds impact to the compelling text." (Kirkus s tarred review)

"The prose is reminiscent of an inspirational speech (“Everyone’s path looks different”), with a message of service that includes fun biographical facts, such as her love of Bruce Lee. Pawis-Steckley (who is Ojibwe Woodland) contributes boldly lined and colored digital illustrations, inflected with Native symbols and bold colors. A hopeful and accessible picture book profile." (Publishers Weekly)

"A ffecting picture-book autobiography." (The Horn Book)

Acclaim includes:

A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year 2022 - Outstanding Merit in biography and memoir

On Here Wee Read's 2021 Ultimate List of Diverse Children's Books

2022 ALSC Notable Children’s Books in the middle readers category

2022 Booklist from Rise: A Feminist Book Project—Early Readers Nonfiction

Nominee for 2022 Reading the West book award

Selected as CCBC Choices 2022—biography, autobiography and memoir

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Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman

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Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman [Davids, Sharice, Mays, Nancy K., Pawis-Steckley, Joshua Mangeshig] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman

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When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni's Korean folktales arrives, prompting Lily to unravel a secret family history. Long, long ago, Halmoni stole something from the tigers. Now they want it back. And when one of the tigers approaches Lily with a deal--return what her grandmother stole in exchange for Halmoni's health--Lily is tempted to agree. But deals with tigers are never what they seem! With the help of her sister and her new friend Ricky, Lily must find her voice...and the courage to face a tiger.

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Review

Winner of the Boston Globe Horn Book Honor Award for Fiction and Poetry
"Roars to life with just
a touch of magic.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A
heartfelt reminder of the wonder and beauty in our everyday lives.” —Booklist, starred review
“
Deeply moving... vulnerable and mythic storytelling in the vein of Erin Entrada Kelly and Kacen Callender.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“Keller’s (
The Science of Breakable Things) #OwnVoices journey through Korean mythology begins with a fantastical quest and slowly transforms into a tale about letting go and the immortality that story can allow.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“It’s
a complex, satisfying story, one that foregrounds family and healing alongside a love for Korean folklore.” —The Bulletin, starred review
"This
beautiful book reminds us that, even in a world filled with stolen stars, crafty tigers, and family secrets that spring from folklore, the most powerful magic of storytelling is the story we decide to tell about ourselves." —Kat Yeh, author of The Truth About Twinkie Pie

"An intoxicating mix of folktale, fantasy, friendship and love (and tigers!). Through a series of challenges--and also a lot of laughter--Lily (a.k.a. Lily Bean, Eggi, Little Egg) finds out what she is made of. She is a character who'll stay with me--and whom I already miss!" —Marie Myung-Ok Lee, author of Finding My Voice and Somebody's Daughter

"An ambitious and bewitching brew of Korean folklore, magical realism, and classic coming-of-age story, When You Trap a Tiger is a tender tale as unique as it is universal. Keller's writing shimmers with magic, heart, and hope." —Ali Standish, author of Before I Was Ethan
Praise for Tae Keller's
The Science of Breakable Things:Named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, and the Chicago Public Library!
"A
compassionate glimpse of mental illness accessible to a broad audience." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"A winning story full of
heart and action." —Booklist, starred review
"
Holy moly!!! This book made me feel." —Colby Sharp, editor of The Creativity Project
"Natalie is an
engaging narrator whose struggles at home and with her peers ring true." —Deborah Hopkinson, award-winning author
"
Inspiring, emotional, and heartwarming." —Melissa Savage, author of Lemons

About the Author

TAE KELLER was born and raised in Honolulu, where she grew up on purple rice, Spam musubi, and her halmoni’s tiger stories. She is the Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger and The Science of Breakable Things. She lives in Seattle. Visit her at TaeKeller.com, follow her monthly love letters at bit.ly/lovetae, and find her on Twitter and Instagram.

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When You Trap a Tiger: (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal)

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When You Trap a Tiger: (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal) [Keller, Tae] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. When You Trap a Tiger: (Winner of the 2021 Newbery Medal)

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Save the restaurant. Save the town. Get the girl. Make Abuela proud. Can thirteen-year-old Arturo Zamora do it all or is he in for a BIG, EPIC FAIL? For Arturo, summertime in Miami means playing basketball until dark, sipping mango smoothies, and keeping cool under banyan trees. And maybe a few shifts as junior lunchtime dishwasher at Abuela’s restaurant. Maybe. But this summer also includes Carmen, a poetry enthusiast who moves into Arturo’s apartment complex and turns his stomach into a deep fryer. He almost doesn’t notice the smarmy land developer who rolls into town and threatens to change it. Arturo refuses to let his family and community go down without a fight, and as he schemes with Carmen, Arturo discovers the power of poetry and protest through untold family stories and the work of José Martí.

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Review

A 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book
An E.B. White Read-Aloud Middle Reader Award finalist
A 2018 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
Amazon Best Children's Books of 2017
Publishers Weekly Flying Start
Kirkus Reviews Best Fiction of 2017
Chicago Public Library Best Book on 2017
NYPL Best Books for Kids 2017
2017 Nerdy Book Award Winner
2018 Texas Lone Star Reading List Selection
2018-2019 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Nominee
2018-2019 Sunshine State Young Readers Award Nominee
Charlotte Observer Best Books of 2017 for Young Readers
News & Observer Best Books for Young Readers
Praise for
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya:
"Irresistibly exquisite."
—
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"At turns funny, beautiful, and heartbreaking... engrossing."
—
Booklist, starred review
"A vibrant debut novel about family, friendship, and community."
—
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Pablo Cartaya's sensational debut is a love letter to boyhood, poetry, and family. Quite simply, this is the book I've been waiting for."
—Matt de la Peña,
New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal–winning author of The Last Stop on Market Street
"This story of hope will make you laugh, cry, sigh, and cheer for brave Arturo and his whole cool familia. Along the way, you'll end up hungry for Cuban food, ravenous for poetry, and determined to stand up to bullies who try to destroy communities. ¡Bravo!"
—Margarita Engle, Newbery Honor–winning author of
The Surrender Tree“In this story of family and community and the first blush of love, Pablo Cartaya weaves together a tenderness of poetry, food, and home.  Our young hero Arturo reminds us of what counts in this life, and his story is a heart-song.”
—Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor winner, National Book Award finalist, and New York Times bestselling author
“Arturo Zamora proves that words have the power to win some of the biggest fights.
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora is an epic success!”
—Christina Diaz Gonzalez, award-winning author of The Red Umbrella

About the Author

Pablo Cartaya has always been a hopeless romantic. In middle school he secretly loved reading Shakespeare’s sonnets (don’t tell anyone), and he once spent his allowance on roses for a girl he liked. He also wrote her eight poems. Bad ones. He’s been writing ever since. Pablo has worked in Cuban restaurants and the entertainment industry, and he graduated with an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. All of these experiences have helped him write stories that reflect his family, culture, and love of words. Pablo lives in Miami with his wife and two kids, surrounded by tías, tíos, cousins, and people who he calls cousins (but aren’t really his cousins). Learn more about Pablo at pablocartaya.com.

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The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora [Cartaya, Pablo] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora

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Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she’s the only Indian American student, and home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand why she’s conflicted—they only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma. Although their names are linked—Reha means “star” and Punam means “moon”—they are a universe apart. Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick.

Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can’t stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She’ll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma’s life.

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Gr 5 Up-Indian American middle schooler Reha navigates growth and loss in this 1980s coming-of-age novel in verse. Thirteen-year-old Reha deals with ordinary concerns; she tries to stay true to her Indian culture while growing up with in the United States, and she grapples with a crush on a classmate. When her mother suddenly gets sick with leukemia, Reha's ordinary everyday concerns fade away and are replaced with the belief that if she is as virtuous as possible, she will save her mother's life. As the story goes on, Reha deals with her grief and builds a strong support network of friends and family to help her face her mother's illness. References to musicians such as Pat Benatar, the Beach Boys, and Cyndi Lauper firmly set this story in the 1980s, but the story otherwise feels modern. Reha's story is slow to start but quickly ramps up. Readers will be invested in her relationships with her parents and friends and will enjoy the evocative verse and emotional stakes. VERDICT A recommended purchase, perfect for fans of Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga and Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton.-Kelsey Socha, Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield, MAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

"This deeply memorable coming-of-age story weaves Indian mythology with the relatable modern story of Reha, as she grapples with identity, family, and what it means to truly be home." — Joy McCullough, author of Blood Water Paint; A Field Guide to Getting Lost; and We Are the Ashes, We Are the Fire

“I felt this novel in verse in my bones. An important book, it will change how young readers see their world. And that's the best kind of book to read at any age.” — Jane Yolen, author of The Devil's Arithmetic, Briar Rose, and Mapping the Bones

"This is a sweet, gentle story about love and loss, individualism and community, friendship and family, belonging and longing to live up to one's dreams. In Reha, LaRocca has created a relatable protagonist who feels caught between two cultures, but ultimately finds her own way." — Padma Venkatraman, award-winning author of The Bridge Home and A Time To Dance

"Red, White, and Whole is the lyrical and poignant journey of a first generation Indian American girl growing up in the eighties. LaRocca weaves together a beautiful mix of themes-- identity, belonging, love, devastating loss, and eighties pop music rendered in seamless verse. A book I wish I had growing up in the eighties!"   — Veera Hiranandani, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Night Diary

"Infused with science, 80s music, and the struggles and joys of navigating middle school when you live in two different worlds, Red, White, and Whole is delightfully real and achingly beautiful. Reha’s story grabbed my heart from the first pages and never let go."  — Kate Messner, author of Breakout and Chirp

“Truly, one of the most heart-expanding stories ever, filled with kindness, music, mythology, all of those things. But above all, here is a story of love, and the ways in which it transcends nationalities, age, science, and fear. In LaRocca’s gifted hands, her Reha shows us how to live in the world, even when it feels divided, even then.” — Kathi Appelt, National Book Award finalist and Newbery Honor-winning author of The Underneath and Keeper

"This book is a marvel — at once so rich and so spare." — Ali Benjamin, National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author of The Thing About Jellyfish and The Next Great Paulie Fink

"The seamless blend of ancient Indian folklore and modern western storytelling makes this winner a standout. Red, White, and Whole gets my vote." — Nikki Grimes, author of Ordinary Hazards and Garvey's Choice

“LaRocca’s historical novel in verse takes the reader through Reha’s past and present, flowing as seamlessly as many of the songs often referred to within the poems. Readers will be changed by her story.” — Booklist (starred review)

“LaRocca showcases the best of what verse can do, telling a story that is spare, direct and true, every word and idea placed with intentional care. A sensitive coming-of-age story with all the makings of a new middle grade classic.” — BookPage (starred review)

“An intimate novel that beautifully confronts grief and loss.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Brimming with warmth. An approachable account of negotiating identity and of struggling with loss.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Perfect for fans of Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga and Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton.” — School Library Journal

“This verse novel weaves together complex narrative strands with sophistication. Give this emotionally powerful novel to immigrant, third-culture kids or anyone experiencing grief and loss.” — Horn Book Magazine

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Amazon.com: Red, White, and Whole: 9780063047426: LaRocca, Rajani: Books

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Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

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Amazon.com: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe: 8601404293382: Sáenz, Benjamin Alire: Books