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the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those having physical or mental disabilities or belonging to other minority groups

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1) To develop my project I wanted to focus on ways to integrate inclusion in the classroom and reasons why creating an inclusive environment is important. I thought of ways we can make our students feel welcomed and ways we can educate them on being inclusive in their day-to-day lives. By using an integrative lens, students will be able to work more towards inquiry based learning and become more reflective about what is happening within the classroom.
2) This is relative for middle school students because they are maturing mentally and are learning more about their surrounding world. It is extremely important that they realize they need to be inclusive and accepting of all. By implementing these resources I have included they will learn more about how to be inclusive and show compassion to others.
3) The resources I have selected all revolve around the topic of inclusivity. They are all meant to deep students understanding of what it means to be inclusive and will create an inclusive environment in the classroom.

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This is a statement that teachers can use to reflect on while they are thinking about the reasoning behind what they are teaching. It is important to remember the reasoning behind what we are teaching and making sure we as teachers are being inclusive.

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This video provides more information on how we can design our classrooms to be inclusive.

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The Inclusion Classroom: An Inclusive Education Movement

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This Spotify playlist is a collection of songs celebrating Latinx music and the rich diversity in each of the artists voices. I think it is a good idea to bring it different resources like this one to the classroom so that students can learn more about different cultures or embrace their own.

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365 Days of Wonder- Using a quote for every day of the year about courage, friendship, love, and kindness

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365 Days of Wonder- Using a quote for every day of the year about courage, friendship, love, and kindness

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This podcast talks about how to build an inclusive culture in the community and your work place. As future educators it is important for us to be interested to create a drive for change and find ways to be more inclusive each day.

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The Inclusion Works podcast explores the secrets of building inclusive culture at work and in the community.

If you're interested in driving change, accelerating diversity or simply finding ways to be more inclusive every day, then join us for Inclusion Works. Because diversity is just half of the battle.

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Listen to Inclusion Works on Spotify. The Inclusion Works podcast explores the secrets of building inclusive culture at work and in the community. If you're interested in driving change, accelerating diversity or simply finding ways to be more inclusive every day, then join us for Inclusion Works.

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I think it is important for students to remember we accept them as they are and care about them.

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Living heritage is an organization that talks about incorporating heritage in formal education and different ways to engage in talking about heritage in the classroom.

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Under the joint UNESCO-EU pilot project Engaging Youth for an Inclusive and Sustainable Europe, teachers and students from 10 UNESCO ASPnet schools across the European Union have developed and implemented innovative school projects integrating living heritage in school-based education. Through adapted lesson plans or extracurricular activities, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) was included in different school subjects.

Although this approach was new for many of the educators and their students (12 to 17 years old), it sparked curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm as it proposed learning subjects, such as mathematics, physics, computer-aided design (CAD), languages, geography, music, physical education or visual arts in different, more engaging ways.

Exploring the students' living heritage through thematic exhibitions or field trips permitted them to reflect on ICH and gain respect and appreciation for cultural diversity.
Teaching and learning with ICH created a space for everyone to participate, including students with diverse cultural backgrounds, students with special learning needs or with physical disabilities.

Making living heritage part of the educational content and pedagogy contributes to achieving quality education (SDG 4), while raising awareness about the importance of ICH and its safeguarding. During this exercise, teachers have noticed an improvement of learning outcomes as living heritage helped connect theoretical knowledge with students' everyday life, while motivating them to be more active.

It also stimulated multidisciplinary approaches and cooperation among teachers, which resulted in the use of more active and diversified teaching methods and tools. Learning with living heritage strengthened the connections between schools, families and communities and encouraged dialogue between generations.
It contributed to the learners' wellbeing, helping them to explore their identities and build self-respect, socio-emotional skills and positive worldviews.

For their school projects, the 10 teachers and their pupils have selected living heritage elements that are relevant for them and their communities. Three of these projects have been documented in short films (five to seven minutes) that show how living heritage was integrated in lesson plans and extracurricular activities. ICH bearers and practitioners were involved at different stages through online surveys, interviews, visits to their workshops or presentations where they shared their craft, knowledge and passion with the young.

Three ICH elements, three projects, three films

1.Teaching with living heritage in a culturally diverse classroom: Hanga printing in art and math classes

Campus Comenius in Brussels, Belgium, is a young school striving for innovation in education, where traditional teaching methods are combined with self-regulated learning. Cultural diversity is a daily reality for the school. Therefore Rembert, the project's leading teacher, proposed to first conduct an online survey with his students to get a better understanding of their cultural backgrounds. The result was surprising: the school's 140 students have identified having their roots in 37 countries around the globe and speak 35 different languages at home.
The next step was to organize a school exhibition for which students were asked to bring objects reflecting, in their view, the living heritage of their families - objects related to practices, customs and know-how passed down from generation to generation, close to their hearts. From this exhibition, the Japanese Hanga printing presented by Maori (12) was selected to be part of the school project.

Children with a migration background often feel that there is no space for them to express themselves, to share where they come from. By integrating living heritage into our teaching, students were so happy that the school provided a space for their culture.
Rembert Jonckheere (Belgium), pilot project teacher

Arts and math teachers worked closely with a UNESCO-trained facilitator and Maori's grandfather - a practitioner of Hanga printing, living in Japan - to find the best ways to integrate this practice in their lessons. As a result, students learnt this traditional printing technique in art classes, where they created prints integrating their own cultural references. In mathematics, they used the prints to learn about geometric transformation, reflection, translation and rotation.

2. Using new technologies to teach with living heritage: "Glöcklerlauf" in physics and computer-aided design classes

Welterbe Mittelschule in Bad Goisern, Austria. is a small school where students come from different villages in the Hallstättersee region in Salzkammergut. The school project on teaching and learning with living heritage was inspired by the Glöcklerlauf celebration, which takes place every year on the eve of the Epiphany, on 5 January.

I never thought I would be interested in living heritage or that I could integrate it in my teaching. After this experience, as teachers, we understood that living heritage can be combined with any school subject.
Florian Englbretch (Austria), pilot project teacher
Designing the traditional Glöcklerlauf caps during the CAD lesson was much more complex and challenging than drawing the simple geometric patterns we usually do, but students found it more interesting and meaningful, as it was related to a practice they all knew.
Martin, student

Martin (14), a young Glöckler, worked with his teacher, Florian, to develop the project. Martin and other more experienced Glöcklerlauf practitioners helped teachers and students to better understand the tradition, its meaning, and the craft that goes into its costumes. Visiting the workshop of an experienced practitioner showed everyone how the paper and lights decorating the caps are prepared, how the wood structures are built or the way in which the cow bells are used. The Glöcklerlauf practice was integrated in different subjects and school grades: Handicraft (7th grade), computer-aided design (CAD; 8th grade), German language (5th grade), physics (6th grade) and an extra-curricular talent course (5th - 8th grade).

3. Teaching about environment and economy with living heritage: O Merdeiro in geography, music and art classes

Colexio Eduardo Pondal in Cangas, Spain, is a school on the Galician coast, a region with strong agricultural and fishing traditions and a language of its own. The Carnival in Galicia is celebrated every February across the region. People dress up and get together to celebrate the end of winter. Although the main characteristics of the celebration are common, there are particularities in customs and costumes that each community takes pride in. "O Merdeiro" is one of them, as the most expressive character in Vigo, a city on the Galician seashore.

By having to first understand living heritage, everyone spoke to their grandparents, teachers, associations and then shared with the group. These activities provided us with a point of view from different perspectives and we liked it.
Sara, student
With living heritage, learning becomes more interesting, meaningful and motivating for students. And, as teachers, we know that when students are motivated, they achieve better results.
María Isabel Bión Caíño (Spain), pilot project teacher

Sabela together with her student Sara (15) decided to integrate the carnival figure O Merdeiro and connected traditions in different subjects. O Merdeiro was thus integrated in art classes (masks), Galician language and literature (traditional sayings and oral poetry "regueifas"), music (songs), but also geography for its connection to the environment and the local traditional economy based on fishing and farming.
To learn more about the history of the carnival, O Merdeiro and the fishing- and farming-led economy, students interviewed parents and grandparents, attended a lecture given by the Ethnographic association "A Merdeira", visited an association of women fish net-makers and took part in a music workshop held by the local association "Peisd´hos".

The safeguarding of living heritage through school-based education

The videos are part of a set of resource materials for teachers about the integration of ICH in school-based education. The materials will be made available online in the first part of 2021 and will include a handbook with a step-by-step approach to incorporating ICH in lesson plans and extracurricular activities,10 case-studies and additional practical tools for educators.

The UNESCO - EU project "Engaging Youth for an Inclusive and Sustainable Europe" is a joint effort of UNESCO and the European Commission to address shared priorities in the fields of cultural heritage and education. Developed under the European Year of Cultural Heritage, the project was launched in 2019 with the objective to encourage and support young people's engagement in the protection and safeguarding of their cultural heritage.

Education plays an important role in guiding young people to take interest in the safeguarding of their living heritage. The 2003 Convention recognizes the "transmission of intangible cultural heritage through formal and non-formal education" as one of the safeguarding measures (Article 2.3) and it also mentions the important role of promoting awareness and respect for intangible cultural heritage (Article 14). Since 2017, UNESCO has been working to implement initiatives contributing to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage through formal and non-formal education and activities are currently being implemented in more than 30 countries around the world.

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UNESCO - Living heritage in formal education: students and teachers share experiences in three short videos

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Under the joint UNESCO-EU pilot project Engaging Youth for an Inclusive and Sustainable Europe, teachers and students from 10 UNESCO ASPnet schools across the European Union have developed and implemented innovative school projects integrating living heritage in school-based education. Through adapted lesson plans or extracurricular activities, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) was included in di...

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Resource that provides teachers with effective, research-based classroom strategies to help build and strengthen literacy skills in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.

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Our library provides effective, research-based classroom strategies to help strengthen your students' skills in phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.

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These are good examples of Multicultural middle grade books to incorporate in any classroom. Regardless of content area I think that these would be useful.

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Following our lists of The 50 Best Multicultural Picture Books Of 2020 and The 30 Best Multicultural Chapter Books of 2020, now some diverse books for Middle Graders! From novels to book series, anthologies and non-fiction books, there is something for every reader on this list!

The 50 Best Multicultural Middle Grade Books Of 2020

Farah and her best friend, Allie Liu, are hoping to attend sixth grade at the Magnet Academy. But when new girl Dana Denver starts bullying Farah's little brother, Samir, Farah begins to second-guess her choice to leave him behind at Harbortown School. She comes up with a plan- but that plan involves lying to those closest to her. The first book in the new series, Farah Rocks Fifth Grade is a heartwarming story about family, friendship and bullying. ~ Asian - Middle School

Related: 20 Multicultural Children's Books about Bullying

Omar is not excited about starting at a new school. What if the work is too hard or the kids are mean or the teacher is a zombie alien?! When Omar makes a new best friend, things start looking up - until a Big Mean Bully named Daniel makes every day a nightmare. Luckily, Omar's enormous imagination and goofy family help him get through life's ups and downs. Accidental Trouble Magnet is the first book in the hilarious Planet Omar series. ~ Asian - Middle School

Related: 10 Laugh-Out-Loud Funny Multicultural Picture Books

What does a girl write to the father she's never met, hadn't heard from until his letter arrived on her twelfth birthday, and who's been in prison for a terrible crime? A crime he says he never committed. Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. Even if it means hiding her dad's letters and her investigation from the rest of her family. From The Desk Of Zoe Washington is a powerful debut novel about a courageous girl questioning assumptions, searching for the truth, and doing what she believes is right-even in the face of great opposition. ~ African - Middle School

Related: 60+ Multicultural Children's Books about Fathers

How to Go on an Unplanned Road Trip with Your Grandma: Grab a Suitcase (prepacked from the cancelled spring break trip). Fasten Your Seatbelt (G'ma's never conventional, so this trip won't be either). Use the Green Book (G'ma's most treasured possession). Set against the backdrop of the segregation history of the American South, Clean Getaway takes readers on a trip with an eleven-year-old boy who is about to discover that the world hasn't always been a welcoming place for kids like him, and things aren't always what they seem (including G'ma). ~ African - Middle School

Related: African American Historical Fiction for Middle School

It's summer break, and Mango is content to spend her time babysitting her brother, hanging with her friend Izzy, and binge-watching movies late into the night. Then she runs into her drama teacher, who has some big news: their middle school play Yo, Romeo! is headed to the stage in New York City . . . and he wants Mango for the lead role! So Mango goes off to Brooklyn to stay with her Aunt Zendaya but soon she must confront homesickness, insecurity, and the all-important question of what it means to be a good friend. Sequel to Mango Delight, Summer In The City follows the delightful heroine's adventures-and misadventures-as she prepares to make her off-Broadway debut. ~ African - Middle School

Related: 18 Multicultural Children's Books about Friendship

A Black Woman Did That! spotlights inspiring black women whose accomplishments have changed the world for the better. Readers learn how Barbara Harris became the first female bishop of the Episcopal Church, how Misty Copeland became the first black principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater, how Shirley Chisolm changed the face of politics in America, how Cathy Hughes founded Radio One (now Urban One) and became the first African-American woman to head a publicly traded company, and much more. ~ Diverse - Middle School

Related: 80 Picture Book Biographies About Bold Black Women & Girls

Determined to get away from his abusive grandmother, Santiago joins the kind María Dolores and her young daughter, Alegría, on their journey to the U.S. None of the three travelers realizes that the journey through Mexico to the border is just the beginning of their story. Santiago's Road Home is a timely and harrowing novel about a young boy who gets detained by ICE while crossing the border from Mexico. ~ Hispanic - Middle School

Related: 30 Multicultural Picture Books about Immigration

Beach-loving surfer Alberta lives with her two dads and is the only Black girl in town. When the B&B across the street is sold to a Black family, Alberta is positive she and the daughter, Edie, will be fast friends. But while Alberta loves being a California girl, Edie misses her native Brooklyn and finds it hard to adapt to small-town living. When the girls discover a box of old journals in Edie's attic, they team up to figure out exactly who's behind them and why they got left behind. The Only Black Girls In Town is a heartfelt middle-grade novel about friendship, belonging and secrets of the past. ~ African - Middle School

Related: 250 Children's Books Celebrating Black Girls

Bruce Lee was born on November 27, 1940 - in both the hour and the year of the dragon. He grew up as a child in Hong Kong when it was occupied by the Japanese, was the object of discrimination and bullying, and grappling against the influence of gangs as a teenager. Told in spectacular graphic form, The Boy Who Became A Dragon tells the story of how Bruce Lee found his salvation through kung fu and became a global star. ~ Asian - Middle School

Related: 30 Asian & Asian American Children's Books for Ages 0 to 18

Lymon's father is at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, and his mother has moved North. Fortunately, Lymon is being raised by his loving grandparents. Lymon and his grandpops share a love of music, spending late summer nights playing the guitar. But then Lymon is sent on a journey to two Northern cities far from the country life he loves-and the version of himself he knows. The second book in the Finding Langston trilogy, Leaving Lymon is a powerful story of an angry boy whose raw talent, resilience, and devotion to music help point him in a new direction. ~ African - Middle School

Related: 60+ Children's Books About Legendary Black Musicians

With dazzling portraits, The Fierce 44 is a dynamic biography collection that presents forty-four of America's greatest Black movers and shakers. From well-known figures such as Harriet Tubman and Serena Williams, to lesser-known ones such as Robert Abbott and Dr. Charles Drew, this collection is a celebration of all that African Americans have achieved, despite everything they have had to overcome. ~ Diverse - Middle School

Related: 30 Diverse Children's Anthologies About Trailblazing Women
Bedtime Inspirational Stories - 50 Black Leaders who Made History
Bedtime Inspirational Stories: 50 Black Leaders Who Made History highlights the achievements and stories of notable black leaders who made history from the eighteenth century to today. The stories in the book include those of political activists, scientists, artists, musicians, inventors, and athletes. They are written in a fun, anecdotal way, incorporating the information that interests children the most. ~ Diverse - Middle School

Also available: Bedtime Inspirational Stories: 50 Amazing Black People Who Changed the World

Related: Pioneers in Black History Flashcards and Game

Who are you? What is racism? Where does it come from? Why does it exist? What can you do to disrupt it? In 20 chapters, #1 New York Times bestseller This Book Is Anti-Racist teaches young readers about social identities, the history of racism and resistance against it, and how you can use your anti-racist lens and voice to move the world toward equity and liberation. ~ Diverse - Middle School

Also available: This Book Is Anti-Racist Journal

Related: 37 Children's Books to help talk about Racism & Discrimination

12-year-old Donte is one of the few Black boys at Middlefield Prep. His teachers and classmates make it clear they wish he were more like his lighter-skinned brother, Trey. When Donte is bullied and framed by the captain of the fencing team, he is suspended from school and arrested. Searching for a place where he belongs, Donte joins a local youth center and meets former Olympic fencer Arden Jones. With Arden's help, he begins training as a competitive fencer, setting his sights on confronting his bullies, racism, and the corrupt systems of power that led to his arrest. Black Brother, Black Brother is a powerful novel about a Black boy's journey to finding his voice. ~ African - Middle School

Efrén Nava's Amá is his Superwoman-or Soperwoman, named after the delicious Mexican sopes his mother often prepares. Both Amá and Apá work hard all day to provide for the family, making sure Efrén and his younger siblings Max and Mía feel safe and loved. But Efrén worries about his parents; although he's American-born, his parents are undocumented. His worst nightmare comes true one day when Amá doesn't return from work and is deported across the border to Tijuana, México. Now more than ever, Efrén must channel his inner Soperboy to help take care of and try to reunite his family. Efrén Divided is a heartfelt book about family, hardship and deportation. ~ Hispanic - Middle School

Related: Pura Belpré Award Winners 1996 - 2020
March Forward, Girl: From Young Warrior to Little Rock Nine by Melba Pattillo Beals
Long before she was one of the Little Rock Nine, Melba Pattillo Beals was a warrior. She had many questions about segregation and inequality and she wouldn't follow the adults' advice to hold her tongue and know her place. With emotive photos, March Forward, Girl tells the powerful story of Beals's early journey to becoming a champion for equal rights, an acclaimed journalist, a best-selling author, and the recipient of this country's highest recognition, the Congressional Gold Medal. Includes a Q&A with Melba and bonus audio clip. ~ Diverse - Middle School

All twelve-year-old Shayla wants is to make it through seventh grade with her best friendships intact, learn to run track, and have a cute boy see past her giant forehead. But in junior high, she's suddenly questioning who her best friends are and some people at school are saying she's not black enough. Through her sister, she starts getting involved in the Black Lives Matter movement and soon has to decide to do what's right. A Good Kind Of Trouble is a funny and big-hearted debut novel about family, friendship and standing up for what is right. ~ African - Middle School

Mimi is not thrilled to be spending her summer in Karachi, Pakistan, with grandparents she's never met. Secretly, she wishes to find her long-absent father, and plans to write to him in her beautiful new journal. The cook's daughter, Sakina, still hasn't told her parents that she'll be accepted to school only if she can improve her English test score. Although the girls seem totally incompatible at first, as the summer goes on, Sakina and Mimi realize that they have plenty in common-and that they each need the other to get what they want most. A Thousand Questions is a tender story about two friends from very different backgrounds coming to understand each other. ~ Asian - Middle School

This gorgeous new release is a must-have! Published in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Brave.Black.First spotlights over fifty remarkable African American women whose unique skills and contributions paved the way for the next generation of young people. ~ African - Middle School
Brave. Black. First.: 100 Postcards Celebrating More Than 50 African American Women Who Changed the World
Beyoncé Knowles started off as the lead singer of the popular group Destiny's Child but became even more famous on her own. From movies to Grammy Awards to performing at the Super Bowl halftime show, Beyoncé is one of the world's most amazing superstars. Part of the Trailblazers series, Beyoncé: Queen Of The Spotlight tells the fascinating story of a girl who entered local singing competitions and went on to become a superstar. ~ African - Middle School

Related: 40 Multicultural Children's Books About Fabulous Female Artists

Sarah Journeys West follows Sarah and her family as they venture west on the Oregon trail as free Black people. Like many others, they are hoping to find fortune in the Californian Gold Rush. On the trail, Sarah and her family face all kinds of hardship, including racism, extreme weather, difficult terrain, and disease. Includes info on the Oregon Trail, a glossary, discussion questions, and writing prompts. ~ African - Middle School

"What have I to fear? / My master broke every promise to me. / I lost my beloved wife and our dear children. / All, sold South. / Neither my time nor my body is mine. / The breath of life is all I have to lose. / And bondage is suffocating me." In stanzas of six lines each, strikingly illustrated Box tells the powerful story of how Henry Brown shipped himself from slavery to freedom. Includes timeline, historical records and an excerpt from Henry's own writing. ~ African - Middle School

Related: African American Historical Fiction for Middle School

"Who is an environmental defender? What does she or he look like? Maybe like you. Maybe like me." In twenty short biographies, One Earth introduces diverse activists from all around the world. From saving ancient trees on the West Coast of Canada, to protecting the Irrawaddy dolphins of India, to uncovering racial inequalities in the food system in the United States, this thought-provoking book is full of environmental role models for young readers. ~ Diverse - Middle School

Related: 22 Multicultural Children's Books for Earth Day

Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, grow up in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya where there is never enough food, and no access to the medical care Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs. So when Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future . . . but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only family member he has left, every day. When Stars Are Scattered is a heartbreaking yet hopeful graphic novel about a childhood spent waiting. ~ African - Middle School

Following on from the shocking ending of The Midnight Blade that saw Jack, June, Quint, and Dirk battle an endless horde of animated skeletons, the kids are now planning their next move. But an unexpected threat emerges and June Del Toro gets dragged away from her friends to a town overgrown with monstrous vines and never-before-seen creatures. Drawing on her post-apocalyptic survival skills-and with the help of some odd new companions-she attempts to make her way back home. Told from June's point of view, June's Wild Flight is the latest in the New York Times bestselling adventure series, full of high-stakes action and stunning revelations. ~ Hispanic - Middle School

Shortly before Halloween, Lucely Luna and her best friend, Syd, cast a spell that accidentally awakens malicious spirits, wreaking havoc throughout St. Augustine. Together, they must join forces with Syd's witch grandmother, Babette, and her tubby tabby, Chunk, to fight the haunting head-on and reverse the curse to save the town. Debut novel Ghost Squad is an action-packed supernatural fantasy that young readers won't be able to put down. ~ Hispanic - Middle School

The prettiest: It's the last thing Eve Hoffmann expected to be, the only thing Sophie Kane wants to be, and something Nessa Flores-Brady knows she'll never be . . . until a list appears online, ranking the top fifty prettiest girls in the eighth grade. Eve is disgusted by the way her body is suddenly being objectified by everyone around her. Sophie is sick of the bullying she's endured after being relegated to number two. And Nessa is tired of everyone else trying to tell her who she is. The Prettiest is an empowering novel about three girls who decide to stand up against sexism and bullying. ~ Diverse - Middle School

Related: 20 Multicultural Children's Books about Bullying

Ryan Hart has a lot on her mind-school, self-image, and especially family. Her dad finally has a new job, but money is tight and the family has to sell their second car and moving into a new (old) house. But even if her life isn't everything she would wish for, Ryan always finds a way forward, with grace and wit. Ways To Make Sunshine is the first book in a charming new middle grade series about a girl who is pure spirit, kindness, and sunshine. ~ African - Middle School

Related: 40+ Multicultural Book Series for Girls & Boys

Where can you find strength when someone disrespects you? And what does having strength really mean? His parents taught 11-year-old Siha Tooskin to maintain a strong mind, heart, and spirit, but starting at a new school is hard, especially when the kids there have never experienced Nakota people. With vivid narratives and dazzling illustrations, Siha Tooskin Knows the Strength of His Hair is an engaging story about values, culture and strength of character. ~ Diverse - Middle School

Related: 32 Native American Children's Books

Once Upon an Eid is a joyous collection of short stories by the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it's waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it's the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it's the gift giving and holiday parties to come that day. ~ Asian - Middle School

Related: 21 Children's Books about Ramadan and Eid

Keiko feels ready to tackle Seventh grade together with her besties, Audrey and Jenna. But when Audrey decides they need boyfriends before Fall Ball, Jenna is sick of caving in to Audrey's demands, and soon Keiko's besties are barely talking, leaving her caught in the middle. Keiko feels pulled in two directions. Should she try to help her friends - even if it means losing one of them - or follow her heart? Keep It Together, Keiko Carter is a charming tween drama about first flirts, friendships, and fallouts. ~ Asian - Middle School

Related: 50+ Multicultural Middle Grade Novels for Summer Reading

An original, upper-middle-grade series starring the break-out character from the Black Panther comics and films: T'Challa's younger sister, Shuri! Shuri is a skilled martial artist, a genius, and a master of science and technology. But, she's also a teenager. And a princess. This story follows Shuri as she sets out on a quest to save her homeland of Wakanda. ~ African - Middle School

With short, engaging bios and dynamic artwork, Rainbow Revolutionaries brings to life the vibrant histories of fifty pioneering LGBTQ+ people from around the world. Readers can delve into the lives of Wen of Han, a Chinese emperor who loved his boyfriend as much as his people, Martine Rothblatt, a trans woman who's helping engineer the robots of tomorrow, and many more. Includes an introduction, map, timeline, and glossary. ~ Diverse - Middle School

Related: 18 Multicultural Children's Books featuring LGBTQIA Characters

Being the only Indian American kid in her small town, Lekha Divekar feels like she has two versions of herself: Home Lekha, who loves watching Bollywood movies and eating Indian food, and School Lekha, who pins her hair over her bindi birthmark and avoids confrontation about her culture at all costs. When another Desi girl moves across the street, Lekha is excited to finally have a friend who gets it. But Avantika does not feel the same way as Lekha. She proudly displays her culture and doesn't take the bullying quietly. When a racist incident rocks the community, Lekha must make a choice: continue to remain silent or find her voice before it's too late. Full of humour and heart, American As Paneer Pie is a brilliant middle grade novel about prejudice and the power of your own voice. ~ Asian - Elementary School

Related: 30 Asian & Asian American Children's Books for Ages 0 to 18

Nine-year-old Julieta is off to Paris to help her art-handler dad collect pieces for a new exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Sadly, they must leave Julieta's very pregnant mother behind. Julieta sees the best of Paris: the Eiffel Tower, the Sacré-Coeur, and plenty of great art. But things go awry when she and Dad walk in on a thief stealing the Louvre's most prized piece-a priceless cursed diamond with a shady history. Julieta And The Diamond Enigma is smart younger middle-grade mystery with a spunk main character who cracks the case. ~ Hispanic - Middle School

Award-winning author Kathleen Krull takes an in-depth historical look at immigration in America-with remarkable stories of some of the immigrants who helped build this country. From writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, to scientists like Albert Einstein, to innovators like Elon Musk, American Immigration honors the immigrants who have changed the way we think, eat, and live. With its rich historical text, fascinating sidebars and photos, as well as an extensive source list and timeline, American Immigration is a fantastic resource for children, teachers, and librarians. ~ Diverse - Middle School

Related: 30 Multicultural Picture Books about Immigration

Eleven-year-old Danny Monteverde believes in magic. Most of all, he believes that his older sister, Pili, is waiting for him somewhere in Rio Luna, the enchanted land in their favorite book of fairy tales. When the siblings were placed in separate foster homes, she promised that she'd come back for him, and they'd build a new life together in Rio Luna. Yet as the years pass, Danny's faith begins to dim. But then he finds a mysterious book in the library - a collection of stories with a map to Rio Luna . . . and to Pili. The Way To Rio Luna follows Danny on his adventure from New York to Ecuador to Brazil. ~ Hispanic - Middle School

Related: 50+ Multicultural Middle Grade Novels for Summer Reading

From start-up companies to selling motorcycles, Zoey's dad is constantly chasing jobs that never seem to work out. As for Zoey, she's willing to go along with whatever grand plans her dad dreams up-even if it means never staying in one place long enough to make real friends. Zoey's world is turned upside down when Dad announces that he's heading to a new job in New York City without her. Instead, Zoey and her older brother, José, will stay with their Poppy at the Jersey Shore. At first, Zoey feels as lost and alone as she did after her mami died. But soon she's distracted by an even bigger problem: the bowling alley that Poppy has owned for decades is in danger of closing! The Dream Weaver is a heartwarming, coming-of-age novel about family and friendship. ~ Hispanic - Middle School

Best friends Lauren and Tara both try out for the upcoming school play. Lauren lands in the ensemble, while Tara scores the lead role, and their teacher explains: Lauren just doesn't look the part of the all-American girl. What audience would believe that she, half-Jewish, half-Chinese Lauren, was the every girl star from Pleasant Valley, USA? When Lauren just can't bring herself to sing anymore, her spot in the play and her friendship are in jeopardy. With the help of a button-making business, the music of Patsy Cline, and her two bickering grandmothers, can Lauren find her voice again? Not Your All-American Girl is a middle-grade novel full of heart and hilarity. ~ Asian - Middle School

Eleven-year-old Jenae is so good at being invisible in school, it's almost like she has a superpower, like her idol, Astrid Dane. When she is paired up with a new student for a class debate about the proposed name change for their school, the two start to develop a friendship. But Jenae would do almost anything to avoid speaking up in front of an audience-including risking the first real friendship she's ever had. From the author of acclaimed A Good Kind of Trouble, Something To Say is another unforgettable story about finding your voice and your people. ~ African - Middle School

Related: 50+ Multicultural Middle Grade Novels for Summer Reading

Twelve-year-old Sora and her family live under an iron set of rules in 1950's North Korea: No travel without a permit, no criticism of the government, no absences from Communist meetings, and many more. The family decides to use the chaos of the war to escape on foot from their tiny mountain village to the South Korean city of Busan. But an incendiary bombing changes everything, and Sora and her little brother Young will have to get to Busan on their own. Can the two siblings survive three hundred miles of warzone in winter? Brother's Keeper is a harrowing debut novel that young readers won't be able to put down. ~ Asian - Middle School

Related: 30 Asian & Asian American Children's Books for Ages 0 to 18

From the rulers of ancient Egypt to modern scientists, world-class athletes, and legendary performers, uncover the diverse lives of black leaders and role models throughout history. Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids is packed with tons of awesome biographies from Africa, the United States, and around the world. ~ African - Middle School

Related: 80 Picture Book Biographies About Bold Black Women & Girls

Zane Obispo has been looking forward to his training at the Shaman Institute for Higher Order Magic, and not only because it means he'll be reunited with his best friend, Brooks. Anything would be better than how he has spent the last three months: searching for the remaining godborns with a nasty demon who can sniff them out (literally). But when Zane tracks down the last kid on his list, he's in for a surprise: the "one" is actually a pair of twins, and they're trying to prevent a mysterious object from falling into the wrong hands. The Shadow Crosser is the epic finale to the Storm Runner trilogy, a tale of mystery, magic, and mayhem featuring gods from both Maya and Aztec mythology. ~ Hispanic - Middle School

Mia Tang thinks she's going to have the best year ever. She gets to run the front desk of Calivista Motel with her best friend, Lupe, and she's finally getting somewhere with her writing. But Mia's new teacher doesn't think her writing is all that great. And her entire class finds out she lives and works in a motel! On top of that, the motel is struggling and a new immigration law is looming that will threaten everything - and everyone - in Mia's life if it passes. It's a roller coaster of challenges, and Mia needs all of her determination to hang on tight. Three Keys is the powerful and hilarious sequel to the award-winning novel Front Desk. ~ Asian - Middle School

Related: 50+ Multicultural Middle Grade Novels for Summer Reading

ZJ's dad is a famous pro football star and everyone's hero. But lately he is having trouble remembering things and seems to be angry all the time. ZJ's mom explains it's because of all the head injuries his dad sustained during his career. ZJ can understand that-but it doesn't make the sting any less real when his own father forgets his name. As ZJ contemplates his new reality, he has to figure out how to hold on tight to family traditions and recollections of the glory days, all the while wondering what their past amounts to if his father can't remember it. And most importantly, can those happy feelings ever be reclaimed when they are all so busy aching for the past? Before The Ever After is a stirring novel-in-verse that explores how a family moves forward when their glory days have passed. ~ African - Middle School

Henry Khoo's family treats him like a baby. He's not allowed to go anywhere without his sister/chaperone/bodyguard. And he definitely CAN'T take a journey halfway around the world all by himself! But that's exactly his plan. After his family's annual trip to visit his father in Singapore is cancelled, Henry decides he doesn't want to be cooped up at home with his overprotective family.. Plus, he's hiding a your-life-is-over-if-you're-caught secret: he's the creator of an anonymous gossip cartoon, and he's on the verge of getting caught. Determined to prove his independence and avoid punishment for his crimes, Henry embarks on the greatest adventure ever. . . hoping it won't turn into the greatest disaster ever. Written in diary style, Fly on the Wall takes readers on a hilarious adventure with an endearing protagonist. ~ Asian - Middle School

Tristan Strong, just back from a victorious but exhausting adventure in Alke, the land of African American folk heroes and African gods, is suffering from PTSD. But there's no rest for the weary when his grandmother is abducted by a mysterious villain out for revenge. Tristan must return to Alke-and reunite with his loud-mouthed sidekick, Gum Baby-in order to rescue Nana and stop the culprit from creating further devastation. The second book in the New York Times best-selling and award-winning Tristan Strong trilogy, Tristan Strong Destroys The World is a well-paced action adventure that has enough depth to be enjoyed by older readers, too. ~ African - Middle School

Acclaimed authors Kwame Alexander and James Patterson join forces to vividly depict Cassius Clay's life up to age seventeen in both prose and verse, including his family, neighbours and childhood friends in Louisville, Kentucky, his struggles in school, the racism he faced, and his discovery of boxing. After a thief stole his bike, Cassius began training as an amateur boxer at age twelve. Before long, he won his first Golden Gloves bout and began his transformation into the unrivaled Muhammad Ali. With dynamic artwork, Becoming Muhammad Ali captures the budding charisma of one of the greatest sports heroes of all time. ~ African - Middle School

Twins Maureen and Francine Carter are best friends. They participate in the same clubs, enjoy the same foods, and are partners on all their school projects. But in 6th Grade Francine becomes Fran - a girl who wants to join the chorus, run for class president, and dress in fashionable outfits that set her apart from Maureen. The twins are growing apart and there's nothing Maureen can do to stop it. Are sisters really forever? Or will middle school change things for good? Twins is a delightful graphic novel about about family, friendship and change. ~ African - Middle School

8th grader Drew's grandmother constantly reminds him that he has to "work twice as hard to be just as good." But what if he still isn't afforded the same opportunities that his privileged classmates at the Riverdale Academy Day School take for granted? Drew begins to feel that his good friend Liam might be one of those privileged kids and starts to withdraw. Even their mutual friend Jordan doesn't know how to keep the group together. Companion books to , the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal, Class Act tells another powerful, funny and important story about being one of the few kids of colour in a prestigious private school. ~ African - Middle School

Missus Nedraw of the Rorrim Mirror Emporium still remembers the time freeze from The Last Last-Day-of-Summer, and how Otto and Sheed took her mirrors without permission in order to fix their mess. Usually that's an unforgivable offense, punishable by a million-year sentence. However, she's willing to overlook the cousins' misdeeds if they help her catch an escaped prisoner. The Last Mirror On The Left is another funny and off-the-wall adventure featuring the Legendary Alston Boys of Logan County. ~ African - Middle School

*You can buy any of the books on this site from Amazon USA by clicking on the book titles or covers*

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The 50 Best Multicultural Middle Grade Books Of 2020 | Colours of Us

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Following our lists of The 50 Best Multicultural Picture Books Of 2020 and The 30 Best Multicultural Chapter Books of 2020 , now some diverse books for Middle Graders! From novels to book series, anthologies and non-fiction books, there is something for every reader on this list!

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This is a great Ted Talk for teachers to watch to realize their importance in Childrens lives and how they can impact them in positive ways.

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Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion

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Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like.'" A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.

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I found this poem on the website linked above in the caption and thought it would go well with this project. I think it could be hung up in a classroom to remind students that what they do and say effects more than what they might see on a surface level. The poem's theme is about inclusion and would be helpful to create an inclusive environment.

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This is a poem from Akeelah and the Bee and I feel that it has a good overarching message.

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Akeelah and the Bee is a good resource to have in the classroom. It talks about the poverty system and how schools are impacted by funding based on test scores. While this is one resource that I feel could be used in a middle school classroom there are many other books and movies that would be helpful for making sure classrooms focus on inclusion. It is important that as teachers we think about what we are using as content in our classrooms and make sure that we are being as inclusive as possible.

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Akeelah and the Bee (2006) Official Trailer #1 - Laurence Fishburne Movie HD

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Minimal Father's Day Poem Instagram Post