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We Need Diverse Books™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a grassroots organization of children's book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people.

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We Need Diverse Books™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a grassroots organization of children's book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people.

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American Indians in Children's Literature

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American Indians in Children's Literature

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American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL)

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Designed to help readers develop a critical eye about representations of American Indians in children's and young adult books

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American Indian Library Association - Working to improve library and information services for American Indians

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The American Indian Library Association is a membership action group that works to improve library and information services for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

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Lack of Diversity in Today’s Children’s Books

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Lack of Diversity in Today’s Children’s Books

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List: American Indian Library Association's Youth Literature Award Lists

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List: American Indian Library Association's Youth Literature Award Lists

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American Indian Library Association - Working to improve library and information services for American Indians

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The American Indian Library Association is a membership action group that works to improve library and information services for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

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List: Notable Books for a Global Society - 2017 List of winnersChildren’s Literature 

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List: Notable Books for a Global Society - 2017 List of winnersChildren’s Literature 

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List: Social Justice and Children's Literature

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List: Social Justice and Children's Literature

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Beaks rule! Hummingbirds have beaks that act like straws, drilling down into a flower deep enough for their tongues to connect with the nectar. Flamingos have beaks that act like strainers. Sandpipers in effect have a pair of scissors on...

by Robin Jacobs, illustrated by Sophie Williams This book is a terrific resource. While it's aimed at readers in grades 3 and 4, it's equally meaningful for early, new, and experienced readers, and also old ones like me. At 96...

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Beaks rule! Hummingbirds have beaks that act like straws, drilling down into a flower deep enough for their tongues to connect with the nectar. Flamingos have beaks that act like strainers. Sandpipers in effect have a pair of scissors on... by Robin Jacobs, illustrated by Sophie Williams This book is a terrific resource.

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List: Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center 

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List: Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center 

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Welcome to BookDragon, filled with titles for the multi-culti reader. BookDragon is a new media initiative of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC), and serves as a forum for those interested in learning more about the Asian Pacific American experience through literature.

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List: CCBC 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know

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List: CCBC 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know

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At the CCBC, we define "multicultural" literature as books by and about people of color and First/Native Nations individuals: African and African Americans, American Indians, Asian/Pacific and Asian Pacific Americans, and Latinos. This listing introduces 50 essential books and a range of authors and illustrators for children.

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Article & List: We Need Diverse Books . . . But Are We Willing to Discuss Them With Our Kids?

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Article & List: We Need Diverse Books . . . But Are We Willing to Discuss Them With Our Kids?

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(SLJ 2014)

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For my birthday my husband picked me up a copy of the bestselling book NurtureShock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. To be frank, I hadn't heard of it. Though it's been called "The Freakonomics of child rearing" and lauded by reviewer after reviewer it's from the world of adult books. I traipse there but rarely. Still, I'm great with child (ten days away from the due date, in fact) and this promised to be a fascinating read. Covering everything from the detrimental effects that come with telling a kid that they're smart to aggression in the home I settled down and devoured it with pleasure. In doing so, one chapter in particular caught my eye. Chapter Three: "Why White Parents Don't Talk About Race: Does teaching children about race and skin color make them better of or worse?"

Culling several studies together, the book makes the point that while, "Nonwhite parents are about three times more likely to discuss race than white parents; 75% of the latter never, or almost never, talk about race." Studies that required that parents do so with their young children saw white parent after white parent balk at the idea. There's this notion out there that children are little innocents and that pointing out race will somehow taint their race blind worldview. Turns out, nothing could be further from the truth. Anyone who has ever had a kid will know that they like to categorize themselves and their friends into groups. Race is the easiest way to do so, so from a very early age the children will be prone to "in-group favoritism".

I thought this through. My kiddo attends a daycare here in Harlem. In her Preschool A class she is only one of two children who are not African-American or of mixed race. It's a great place and certainly it assuages my white guilt, having my kid in such a diverse environment. But according to NurtureShock it isn't enough to just plop your child in what you assume will be a color-blind environment. As the book says, "We might imagine we're creating color-blind environments for children, but differences in skin color or hair or weight are like differences in gender - they're plainly visible."

And as I read this I realized that I myself have done the exact same balking at race references as mentioned in the book. I've an amazing personal of library of diverse children's books accumulated through my job and the donations of friends and family members alike from over the years. My job in giving my child a sense of diversity and multiculturalism is therefore done, right? Not so much. Take the case of Busing Brewster by Rich Michelson. This is a book that years ago appeared on the New York Times Best Illustrated list (whose committee, full disclosure, I served on). It's an older picture book, and one that I'd probably recommend for the 4-7-year-old crowd. Still, it's a picture book so one day the small Bird picked it up and asked to be read it. She is, I should point out, two-years-old. And as I read it to her, I found myself softening the harsh elements. If you're unfamiliar with it, in this book two boys are integrated into a new school in the 1960s. In doing so they face outright racism varying from yelling protestors to bricks thrown through their school bus windows. Was my two-year-old ready for this? I figured probably not, but watching myself edit the book for her level turned out to be a strange pastime. I wasn't just editing out the hatred but was also failing to explain why the kids were moving to a new school at all. It was as if I was afraid that mentioning race to her would cause her to say embarrassing things at daycare the next day, something I wanted desperately to avoid. An understandable reaction, but the right one? I'm not sure about that at all.

Going back to the book, the more I read the more I realized that if we want parents to have serious discussions about race with their four and five and six-year-olds then we need to have books that help to do this. So as I read I kept a particular eye out for moments when the authors would mention using literature with kids to drill home various points. Though they never come out and say that children's books can be useful in this regard, there are several incidents recounted that name check various books. One such title is Twas the Night B'Fore Christmas: An African-American Version by Melodye Benson Rosales. Originally published in 1996 the title was criticized for its use of colloquial language. As the Horn Book Guide said at the time, "Painful dialect ('The stockin's was laid / by the chimney wit' care, / For the chil'ren hoped Santy Claus / soon would be there') and garish illustrations make this 'African-American version' seem more like an unintentional parody of Clement Moore's 1822 poem. So why isn't anybody laughing?" In NurtureShock the book was used to combat children's stereotypes of whether or not Santa was black or white. For the same thing, one would probably turn these days to the Rachel Isadora version instead. Disappointingly the only other time literature is mentioned is when a study is recounted where kids read historical biographies of Jackie Robinson. Still, one gathers that these were not from books but rather textbooks or printed bios made specifically for the study.

What we can take away from this are the ages at which kids need to learn about race. At one moment a study was conducted between first graders and third graders. At the end we read, "The researchers found this worked wonders on the first-grade children. Having been in the cross-race study groups led to significantly more cross-race play. But it made no difference on the third-grade children. It's possible that by third grade, when parents usually recognize it's safe to start talking a little about race, the developmental window has already closed."

With that in mind, I decided I needed to find a booklist that would best help parents frame a discussion of race or other cultural factors with their younger children. Which was about the time I realized that finding such a list was incredibly difficult. I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I'm sure there must be some out there. I just couldn't figure out where they were hiding. Even lists like SLJ's recent Culturally Diverse Books list and subsequent Expanded Cultural Diversity booklist place the bulk of importance on books for older children. Books for younger kids almost never mention race specifically in any context.

So I decided to do what librarians do when they can't find the resources they need. I made a book list that people could use to discuss difficult subjects with younger kids. And to my amazement, it was incredibly hard to create. Not too long ago I had written a post about Casual Diversity in children's literature. Well, apparently Casual Diversity is a very easy concept to put in a book for kids. In fact, as I've gone through list after list of diverse works of children's literature, what I keep finding is that the tendency is towards just making a character one race or another without discussing what that means (a criticism of "casual diversity" that cropped up at the time of the post itself).

In constructing this list I also tried like the devil to include books that could be used to discuss their individual issues without lapsing into painful didacticism. No mean feat. For the most part, books about race or religion or alternative lifestyles will either make the situation seem completely normal (which is good, and which we also need) or they'll slap some sappy "message" all over the puppy making it essentially useless as a piece of literature.

The final result is below. If I were to say the ages this was for I'd go with 4-8 or so. I figured it didn't make sense to necessarily limit it to race, since discussions of race and alternative lifestyles would also apply. NurtureShock includes the fascinating fact that a lot of white parents feel perfectly comfortable drilling home the fact that boys and girls are equal, while ignoring the issues of race entirely. So I've eschewed gender equality books (which are fairly prevalent anyway) and limited this to other "differences" a kiddo might pick up on. If you have titles you'd add to this, do let me know what they are.

A Picture Book Reading List for Discussing Race, Religion, and Diverse Lifestyles with the Young

She Sang Promise: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper, Seminole Tribal Leader by Jan Godown Annino, illustrated by Lisa Desimini - Finding picture books about Native Americans is hard to begin with. Now try finding some that actually discuss the prejudices and lives they've lead. I looked through Debbie Reese's recent list of Resources and Kid Lit About American Indians but was unable to find much of anything for young ages that could discuss the prejudice faced by Native American children (or their trials historically) for the picture book set. Insofar as I can tell, you have to turn to real world history to get anywhere near that subject. With that in mind, I decided to go with Annino's amazing bio of the too little known Betty Mae Jumper, the first female Seminole Tribal Leader. In the course of this story kids learn about the prejudices not just facing the Seminoles historically but also within their own tribe and towards women nationally. There are just loads of jumping off discussion points to be plumbed here.

The Soccer Fence: A Story of Friendship, Hope, and Apartheid in South Africa by Phil Bildner, ill. Jesse Joshua Watson - Picture books that deal with historical racism tend to be preferred by teachers, and there are reasons for that. In NurtureShock the study where kids were given different texts on Jackie Robinson ends with this rather fascinating selection: "She notes the bios were explicit, but about historical discrimination. 'If we'd had them read stories of contemporary discrimination from today's newspapers, it's quite possible it would have made the whites defensive, and only made the blacks angry at the whites'." Hm. Well, certainly finding contemporary picture books about racism towards African-Americans is remarkably difficult. Sometimes authors find that even setting the books in America can be hard. Sure you have books like A Taste of Colored Water from time to time (which I have included on this list), but anything recent is eschewed. So for authors that want to include more recent kids, South Africa has proven ripe for books like Bildner's here. Initially this book reminded me of the well meaning but ultimately flawed Desmond and the Very Mean Word: A Story of Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu. Tutu's book, however, simplified the issue of race to a watered down non-point. As NurtureShock says, lots of parents use vague terms like "Everybody's equal" or "God made all of us" or "Under the skin, we're all the same" to talk about race. That's what Tutu's book did, even when telling the story of white and black characters. Bildner's book isn't perfect and it verges on the idealistic in terms of different races coming together, but after a couple rereads I came to the decision that ultimately it's a mighty useful tool.

A Taste of Colored Water by Matt Faulkner - I remember when this book first came out. It got starred reviews from places like Kirkus but I wasn't particularly interested in it. The premise, as you might be able to tell from the cover, involved two kids who heard the term "colored water" and misinterpreted it literally. Faulkner (who currently has the graphic novel Gaijin: American Prisoner of War about a mixed-race kid in an internment camp out on shelves) isn't the kind of author afraid of shying away from a difficult subject. In many ways this remains his best known work.

Be Good to Eddie Lee by Virginia M. Fleming - I dare you to find me a book more recent than this 1997 title that discusses Down Syndrome in such a straightforward context. Books that discuss kids and disabilities are few and far between. It got great reviews when it first came out (and Floyd Cooper did the art!). It also has the guts to have a character who says things like, "God didn't make mistakes, and Eddie Lee was a mistake if there ever was one." Recently publishers have been doing better when it comes to books about autism, but it's almost as if they think we can only handle one disability at a time. Publish books on more than one issue? Insanity! Only Albert Whitman Books really tries to do quality issues but even they haven't touched on Down Syndrome. It's almost as if it was a big issue in the 80s and 90s and then disappeared from the public conversation. Now it's all peanut allergies and ADD.

Layla's Head Scarf by Miriam Cohen, illustrated by Ronald Himler - We get close to didactic here without ever quite tipping over. Finding good books about contemporary Muslim kids isn't impossible, but it certainly isn't easy to do. And books that actually talk about what people wear in school? Rarities. This one was very young and did a good job (though, alas, it referred to the head scarf as simply a head scarf and not by the proper term "hijab").

10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert, illustrated by Rex Ray - As it turns out, finding a book about gay parents that actually discusses the issue does not exist. Or maybe it does and I just missed it entirely. Instead, what I was able to find were a couple books about boys that wear girls' clothing. Long before that atrocious My Princess Boy hit the shelves, Ewert wrote a book where a boy honest-to-goodness identified as a girl. This is, to the best of my knowledge, the only book I've encountered to go the distance in that respect AND it had a story above and beyond its message.

Jacob's New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case - And this is the most recent boys-in-dresses book (though the art of Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress is quite lovely as well, so check out the Seven Impossible Things posting on Gender-Nonconforming Picture Books if you get a chance). What I really like about this book, though, is how instructional it is to parents. When Jacob specifies his preferences for dresses his mother and father definitely have to pause and think about how to handle the information but their responses are really quite grand. Jacob doesn't identify as a girl, but his desire to wear dresses makes him stand out. No doubt.

Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall - As I mentioned before, Muslim kids in picture books are few and far between. And for the most part this book is just an example of Casual Diversity rather than any overt lessons. But skillful parents and teachers could certainly place the book's story in context. Talking about immigrants to America and how there are different rules and mores in one country vs. another. Plus it's one of my very favorite books of all time and any excuse to post it is good enough for me.

Goin' Someplace Special by Patricia McKissack, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney - To be honest, there are a fair number of historical picture books like this one that discuss historical racism. I figured I'd put a couple on this list, but one the best may well be McKissack's here. Here we have a kid who actually faces racism firsthand. There's a reason schools assign this one every single summer for summer reading. As the Kirkus review put it, "Every plot element contributes to the theme, leaving McKissack's autobiographical work open to charges of didacticism. But no one can argue with its main themes: segregation is bad, learning and libraries are good."

Busing Brewster by Rich Michelson, illustrated by R.G. Roth - Part of what I like so much about this book is that it's not just a case of discussing racial differences. The book's concentration on busing and integration is an essential part of American history that simply cannot be ignored. Add in the fact that the white bully in the book is seen getting essentially indoctrinated into his particular brand of racism by his father, and you've a darn good book on a difficult subject. As I mentioned before, reading it to my two-year-old proved difficult, but at the very least I should have given it some historical context. Next time.

First Day in Grapes by L. King Perez, illustrated by Robert Casilla - I ran into the same problem with Latino characters that I found with Native Americans. Unless we're talking about specific historical people who faced challenges, books with Latinos often eschew controversial aspects. This was one of the very few I could find that talks about contemporary migrant kids. There are a couple others ( Armando and the Blue Tarp School by Edith Hope Fine and Judith Pinkerton Josephson comes to mind) but I think I liked this one best. The didacticism is low-key and the storyline doesn't exist solely to support the message. That Pura Belpre Honor on the cover ain't there for nothing.

The Favorite Daughter by Allen Say - I'm listing these books alphabetically by author but if I were to list them in terms of importance then I might have considered making this one of the first on the list. I did think about adding My Name Is Yoon by Helen Recorvits and/or The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi to this list but Say's book is just so much gutsier in so many ways. Yuriko gets teased in school about her name and hair (she's blond with Asian features) and faces other examples of prejudice. Her response is to change her name to "Michelle", a move that gives her father reason to guide her back to her roots, so to speak. It's a book done almost entirely in dialogue (rare in and of itself) and so smart. You could also add Cleversticks by Bernard Ashley or Yoko by Rosemary Wells to this list of titles too, by the way.

The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss - Well, why not? Seuss was the lesson man back before it was cool. And when I mentioned this post to my husband he pointed out that when we were in school, The Sneetches was the gold standard for talking about prejudice and race. Sure it's a great big green starred metaphor, but if we feel like it no longer has a place in our schools then we're just not paying attention.

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family's Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh - I first heard Sylvia's story last year when I reviewed When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders by J. Patrick Lewis. As I mentioned before, Latino fictional stories are tricky. Historical notes are rare, though, and this story is absolutely beautifully done. The discussion isn't just of race but shows how skin color really affected people's prejudices during this time.

I Will Come Back for You by Marisabina Russo - Well, if we're talking about race then are we also talking about the Holocaust? It's a legitimate question. Marjorie Ingall recently wrote a very smart piece for Tablet Magazine about whether or not young children need to learn about the Holocaust where she name checked this book. Her post ties in beautifully with the NurtureShock chapter, in that she points out that if you do not provide the lesson for your kids they're just going to pick it up somewhere else in a form you probably don't approve of. This book puts you in the kids' shoes (and NOT in a concentration camp). Just good for opening discussions.

Definitely there are books that could fit on this list. So list 'em!

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We Need Diverse Books . . . But Are We Willing to Discuss Them With Our Kids?

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For my birthday my husband picked me up a copy of the bestselling book NurtureShock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. To be frank, I hadn't heard of it. Though it's been called "The Freakonomics of child rearing" and lauded by reviewer after reviewer it's from the world of adult books.

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Children of War: Tales of Child Refugees and Safe Havens

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Children of War: Tales of Child Refugees and Safe Havens

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(SLJ 2013)

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In our culture, with warlike activities often glorified on screens, it is interesting to see that books for young readers are expressing a different point of view. Whether reflecting the experience of

young people in war-torn countries, of children fleeing war, or of families and friends of soldiers, titles published in recent years range from the sympathetic and serious to the downright upsetting. Many of the books feature a sense of patriotic duty. Members of the military want to serve their country, especially in books for very young children, but there's also a clear recognition that even on the home front worries and fears exist. Writers of stories for readers in the middle grades and up don't hesitate to include searing details-hunger and dread, lost limbs, lost families, and lost lives.

These selections are about child refugee experiences and children who've found safe havens, but have haunting memories. Some of the titles are about child soldiers. Others are about military families. Several are designed for parents and caregivers to share with children; most are just solid good reads. But they have classroom connections as well. These are emotionally rich narratives, often with a political subtext. Common Core English Language Arts standards have even first graders identifying feelings in a narrative; by senior high, readers are expected to be able to read between the lines for meaning and tone. Teachers can encourage older students to identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's purpose or compare points of view. For any age, these are stories that encourage reflection, demand discussion, and stay in readers' minds.

Preschool to Grade 4

K-Gr 3-Natalie and her little brother, Hunter, spend the year of their father's deployment in Iraq missing him in a variety of ways. Pencil-and-watercolor illustrations support the gentle, wistful mood of this story based on the vice-presidential family's experience. The back matter offers solid, practical suggestions for supporting military families.

COLLINS, Suzanne. Year of the Jungle: Memories from the Home Front. illus. by James Proimos. Scholastic. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-42516-2.

K-Gr-2-The year her father is deployed in Vietnam, the first-grade narrator's dreams about the jungle he fights in gradually turn into nightmares while daily life continues. Memorably recalled by the writer and vividly imagined by the illustrator with digitally colored cartoons.

K-Gr 2-Jerome describes what he and his dog, Duffy, learned about bravery while his mother was away on a naval ship and his dad was in charge. Realistic watercolors add to the positive tone of this simple, reassuring story for children whose parents are serving their country.

PreS-Gr 2-A rhyming text, presented as a letter ("Is Mama reading you my letter?/I hope my words will help you know me better.") and realistic paintings showing a diverse group of military parents reveal the variety of ways they might be thinking of and connecting to their children over the course of a day.

K-Gr 2-An Afghan girl imagines flying a kite of peace over her war-torn country. Soft-toned spreads contrast her bleak world with hopeful peace symbols, including a flower growing from the barrel of a tank. The text provides no background but the imagery in this Spanish import makes a powerful plea.

Gr 1-3-On his daily trek to get water, a Ugandan boy sees a treasure in an aid truck-bright new sneakers-and finds just the right thing to exchange. Colorful illustrations full of details of daily life in a war-torn country will show well when the spare text is read aloud.

Nonfiction

PreS-Gr 3-PTSD results from scary events in the past and can make parents difficult to deal with. It's not a child's fault and children can't fix it, but they can share their feelings. For parents and caregivers, this interactive picture book is designed to use in conjunction with a series of conversations.

Gr 2-4-In 1999, after Turkish soldiers beat her father and he fled, Meltem and her mother, Turkish Kurds, also left their pistachio farm and their country, seeking asylum in Germany and later, successfully, in England. Like other entries in the publisher's moving series, this book is illustrated with watercolors and photographs.

PreS-Gr 3-Children and their families have worries and questions when a military parent goes away or comes home. This British import, designed for adult/child discussions, includes solid suggestions in the text and back matter and diverse families in the cheerful cartoon-style illustrations.

K-Gr 2-Using experiences from the childhood of artist Malichansouk Kouanchao, first at her home in Laos and then crossing the Mekong to escape encroaching war, Landowne personalizes the fighting in the 1960s and 1970s with simple text incorporating Laotian words and watercolor paintings in which Laotian script and numbers appear.

Middle Grade

Gr 3-6-Pencil drawings on a tan background show a boy reexperiencing the war that took his mother and his leg, imagining himself facing a similarly one-legged soldier in his bedroom. Though originally published in Iran, this story could be about any child living where modern wars rage. Best used where adults can continue the discussion.

Gr 7-9-In alternating narratives full of searing detail, siblings Lucky and Nopi describe being kidnapped at ages 8 and 10 and forced to become warriors (and deafened Nopi a child wife) before the Liberian Civil Wars wind down and they can make their separate ways home. An informational appendix adds context.

Gr 6-10-Captured and imprisoned by American soldiers in Afghanistan, 15-year-old Parvana keeps silent but recalls the events of the last few years, the school for girls her mother ran, and its eventual destruction. Children don't need to have read the earlier titles in Ellis's "Breadwinner" series to get caught up in this story.

Gr 7-10-In 1982, 12-year-old Vonlai and his family cross the Mekong to escape the Pathet Lao, and then wait four long, hungry years in a Thai refugee camp where his older sister eludes a guard's unwanted attentions until they can come to the United States. This powerful novel reflects the author's husband's experiences.

Gr 4-7-The war in Iraq separates preteen cousins Nouri and Talib because of Talib's half-Sunni, half-Shiite heritage. The escalating violence culminates in a real event, a rare and calming snowfall. Told from alternating points of view, the story points up the boys' similarities in spite of their sectarian differences.

Gr 7-10-Attempting to escape to Pakistan through Taliban-controlled mountains, English-educated Yasmine and her friend Tamanna survive in spite of the poverty and restrictive customs, land mines, and suicide bombers of war-torn Afghanistan. Alternating viewpoints add richness to their gripping survival story. Audio version available from Listening Library.

Gr 4-7-When Matt's friend Aman is threatened with deportation, Matt's grandfather visits Aman in prison, hears how an army sniffer dog helped the boy and his mother escape from Afghanistan, and brings the family's plight to the attention of people who can assure their asylum. Movingly told from multiple perspectives.

Gr 5-8-When 11-year-old Salva ran from fighting in southern Sudan in 1985, he couldn't have imagined that 20 years later he would return to his country and build a well, ending the long walks to water of 11-year-old Nya, a girl from an opposing tribe. Park alternates their stories in each chapter in this much-lauded novel of one "lost boy." Audio version available from Full Cast Audio.

Gr 6-8-In the summer after sixth grade, Tracy and her friend Stargazer find a dogtag among her father's things, which opens unpleasant memories for both the adopted Vietnamese American child and her father, whose PTSD has hampered his post-Vietnam war adjustment.

Gr 5-8-In rural Afghanistan, Zulaikha, a 13-year-old girl with a cleft lip and a love of poetry, meets a teacher and, even more importantly, American soldiers who can get her to a doctor able to mend her face and fulfill her dreams of a normal life. Extensive notes by the author, a former soldier, add background. Audio version available from Scholastic Audiobooks.

Gr 5-8-Cassie's world started falling apart even before her brother left for Iraq, her family fragile and a friendship broken, but the seventh grader finds some healing in correspondence with a young female Iraqi blogger whose world has been destroyed in much more devastating ways.

Nonfiction

Gr 7-10-Sudanese immigrants, now married and with children, look back on their similar, yet different childhoods from pre-civil war peace through escape to a refugee camp in Ethiopia, expulsion, another long walk to a camp in Kenya, and finally emigration to the United States. Four pages of color photos add a visual context.

Gr 7-10-Twenty-seven teens and preteens, interviewed in 2011, describe growing up in Afghanistan's endless war, explain their current situations, and share their hopes for the future. Parallel titles include Children of War: Voices of Iraqi Refugees (2009) and Off to War: Voices of Soldiers' Children (2008) in which the children of U.S. and Canadian soldiers speak of their experiences.

Gr 4-6-A seven-year-old Vietnamese refugee, newly arrived in Canada and unable to understand the language, faces a painful operation to straighten an ankle bent by polio. Tuyet's poignant story was begun in Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan's Rescue from War (2012) but readers don't have to have read that to enjoy this story of healing.

High School

Gr 6 Up-The author recalls an early childhood experience, sheltering with neighbors in the foyer of her family's apartment, waiting for her parents while war rages around them in Beirut in 1984. Extensive repetition and minute changes in the bold, stylized illustrations heighten the suspense in this playful and painful memoir told in a graphic-novel format.

Gr 8 Up-With Gloria, the only mother he's ever known, Blaise Fortune travels across the Caucasus through the civil wars of the 1990s, seeking his French birth mother. Braided into this compelling tale are the experiences of other refugees from the aftermath of the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Gr 8 Up-Seven-year-old Jacob escapes Sudan's civil war, joining a band of boys who walk for months to refugee camps in Ethiopia and then Kenya before the talented and determined boy is accepted at school in Nairobi, at 14. Dinka folktales are woven into this heartwarming survival tale, based on a true story.

Gr 9 Up-Home for a month after a year and a half on the ground with the Marines in Afghanistan, Travis is still fighting-with his family, with his ex-girlfriend, and with the phantoms in his mind. A moving first-person narrative balances his struggles with PTSD with a sweet love story.

Gr 9 Up-Still angry and hurting from his brother's death in Iraq, Matt Foster goes through TJ's personal effects, reads love letters from someone in Madison, WI, and drives there, only to discover that the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy extended to his family as well. Compelling and vividly told. Audio version available from Brilliance Audio.

Gr 8 Up-A graphic version of the 2008 novel in which Jacob describes how he and Ugandan schoolmates were captured by Kony's Lord's Resistance Army, forced to serve as slaves and child soldiers, and finally escaped. The black-bordered illustrations of the boys' captivity, featuring numerous anguished faces, add to this powerful story's emotional force.

Gr 9 Up-In the summer before her senior year, while her boyfriend serves in Iraq, Penna tries to stay supportive as she copes with a new job and gets to know her estranged grandmother, a World War II widow. The first-person present-tense narrative, set in small-town Oklahoma, has a surprising and satisfying conclusion.

Gr 9 Up-Unhappy in a new country and a new boarding school in recently independent Zimbabwe in the late 1980s, Robert Jacklin joins class leaders whose bullying games become increasingly violent and anti-black as they fight to regain their lost country, culminating, in his senior year, in a plan to assassinate Mugabe.

Gr 8 Up-Paired as pen pals, two 14-year-old girls gradually discover personal strengths as they learn about each other's wildly different lives. Nawra's letters, full of traditional sayings, gradually reveal the female circumcision, rape, and pregnancy that preceded her arrival at the Darfur refugee camp while K.C.'s school troubles in Virginia are finally diagnosed.

Nonfiction

Gr 8 Up-Essays from a wide variety of sources introduce the global problem of child soldiers, causes and effects of children in combat, efforts to end the practice, and young people's lives after combat. Questions introduce and follow each article. This broad-spectrum look is dated but still helpful for research.

Gr 7 Up-In an Atlanta suburb, a young Jordanian woman, Luma Mufleh, began and sustains a youth soccer program where children from war-torn countries all over the world play together. This adaptation of a heartwarming adult title, Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference (Spiegel & Grau, 2009), provides plenty of details about refugee experiences and exciting soccer games.
Kathleen T. Isaacs is a Children's Literature Specialist and author of Picturing the World: Informational Picture Books for Children (ALA, 2013).

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Children of War: Tales of Child Refugees and Safe Havens | Focus On

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In our culture, with warlike activities often glorified on screens, it is interesting to see that books for young readers are expressing a different point of view. Whether reflecting the experience of young people in war-torn countries, of children fleeing war, or of families and friends of soldiers, titles published in recent years range from the sympathetic and serious to the downright upsetting.

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2016 JANUARY Vanessa's Fashion Face-Off (Confidentially Yours) by Jo Whittemore; HarperCollins. Ages 8-12 Perfect for fans of The Cupcake Diaries and The Babysitters Club, this new series is about four best friends who are confidentially yours when writing their middle school newspaper's advice column. Vanessa Jackson has style to spare and an amazing ability to rock...

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Culturally Diverse Books Selected by SLJ’s (2014)

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Culturally Diverse Books Selected by SLJ’s (2014)

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In her groundbreaking Shadow and Substance: Afro-American Experience in Contemporary Children's Literature (NCTE, 1982), Rudine Sims Bishop first articulated a concept of multicultural literature that would become the framework by which generations of librarians and educators would think about books for children. She emphasized the critical importance of multicultural literature for children and used the metaphor of "windows and mirrors" to explain the ways in which children experience other cultures and see their own culture reflected and validated through the books they read. She later went on to develop several categories of multicultural literature: "culturally specific," "generically American," and "culturally neutral."

Recent conversations on blogs, listservs, and other social media-as well as alarming new statistics on the state of multicultural literature for children-have underscored the continuing need for books that reflect the growing diversity of an increasingly global society. The debate over which kinds of multicultural literature are best or most needed has also been reignited.

To celebrate and shed much-needed light on books that feature cultural diversity, the SLJ Reviews editors selected recent titles that beautifully illustrate Bishop's concept of "windows and mirrors." The list is divided into two major sections, culturally specific and culturally generic or neutral (please see the margin notes for a definition of terms). Neither list is meant to be exhaustive or comprehensive; they comprise but a small selection of recently published titles that the SLJ reviews editors have particularly enjoyed and feel deserve a place on most library shelves. The month in which the full review appeared follows each annotation; previously starred titles are noted. We encourage our readers to contribute additional title recommendations in the comments section below.

Preschool to Grade 4
Defining "culturally specific"
Expanding upon Bishop's original definition as books that "illuminate the experience of growing up a member of a particular, non-white cultural group," we have selected fiction published since 2013 that features authentic and positive portrayals of people from diverse ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds, as well as characters who identify as LGBTQ or are from underrepresented socioeconomic groups.

Gr 2-4- Poetic text and evocative illustrations detail the story of a young Mauritanian girl who longs to wear a malafa -the head-to-toe covering worn by some Muslim women-like her mother and sisters. A positive and empowering portrayal of Muslim culture. (Nov. 2013)

Gr 2 Up- Johnson's stirring prose and Lewis's stunning paintings tell the story of a Juneteenth celebration through the eyes of a young girl on a plantation in the South. Both joyous and somber, this picture book offers children a glimpse into what life was like for slaves before and after emancipation. (May 2014.)

PreS-Gr 2- Malik, a Pakistani boy who also happens to be in a wheelchair, is looking forward to Basant, the springtime festival and annual kite-flying contest. Vibrant and detailed collage and mixed-media illustrations show off the beauty of Malik's city and his exuberant joy as he wins the contest. Back matter offers readers additional information on the annual celebration of Basant. (Nov. 2013)

Gr K-2- When Pancho Rabbit's papa goes to El Norte to work in the lettuce and carrot fields and does not return, the young hare goes in search of him, running into a villainous coyote who promises him safe passage for a bit of his food. This award-winning picture book offers an allegory for the struggles faced by many migrants. (Apr. 2013)

Agosin, Marjorie. I Lived on Butterfly Hill. tr. from Spanish by E. M. O'Connor. illus. by Lee White. S. & S./Atheneum. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781416953449. ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9781442494763.

Gr 6 Up- Inspired by events surrounding Pinochet's takeover of Chile in the late 1960s, this is the story of 11-year-old Celeste, whose parents send her to live in Maine while her country is in turmoil. Strong supporting characters and rich details bring to life Celeste's Chilean culture. (May 2014.)

Gr 8 Up- Poni, a Didinga girl caught in the midst of the brutal Sudanese civil war, must journey through many dangers to a refugee camp. Though much attention has been paid to the Lost Boys of the Sudan, Bassoff and DeLuca offer readers a heartbreaking look at what life was like for many women and girls who survived the conflict. (Apr. 2014)

Gr 4-6- In this poignant novel in verse, Serafina, a girl living in poverty-stricken Haiti, wishes to become a doctor. Caught in the middle of the devastating 2010 earthquake, Serafina must overcome both physical and metaphorical obstacles in the pursuit of her dream. (Nov. 2013)

Gr 4-8- The events surrounding the Amistad slave ship and the famous trial are brought to life through the eyes of nine-year-old Magulu, abducted from her home in Sierra Leona. Meticulously researched, with folk-art-style illustrations that reflect her fears and hopes, Magulu's story illustrates this wrenching and pivotal moment in the history of the slave trade. (Aug. 2013)

Gr 4-7- This humorous middle-grade novel introduces readers to 12-year-old Tara Feinstein, who is learning to navigate her religious beliefs and her own sense of self as a half-Indian, half-Jewish girl. Tara struggles realistically with the biased perceptions of others but ultimately finds strength and pride in her diverse heritage. (Dec. 2013)

Gr 5-7- In 1918, a 13-year-old girl from the Makah tribe of the Pacific Northwest struggles with the sudden death of her father and tries to preserve the stories and ways of her people in the face of cultural and environmental upheaval by white whalers. (Jun. 2013)

Gr 5 Up- This title follows the intersecting stories of a black boy and a white girl living in Mississippi during the tumultuous Freedom Summer. Through song lyrics, biblical verses, photographs, speeches, essays, and other ephemera, this documentary novel places readers in the middle of one of the most important-and dangerous-moments during the Civil Rights Movement. (May 2014.)

Gr 4-6- Eleven-year-old Violet, who has grown up in a mostly white environment, longs to reconnect with the African American side of her family. Violet's struggles with not fitting wholly into either world reflect the reality of many biracial kids. (Mar. 2014)

Gr 7 Up- Rediscovering an obscure comic book hero from the 1940s, the Green Turtle, who may have been the first Asian American superhero, Yang and Liew have breathed new life into this hero, giving him a backstory. The son of Chinese immigrants, Hank's an unlikely comic book protagonist: after all, his mother is the one who's decided he's destined to become a hero. Yang and Liew play expertly with the concept of clichés and racial stereotypes, creating both a fast-paced and action-packed tale of sequential art and a rich story laced with an intuitive understanding of cultural nuances. (Forthcoming Jun. 2014)

Culturally Generic/Neutral

Preschool to Grade 4
Defining "culturally generic/culturally neutral"
Combining and modifying Bishop's categories of "generically American" and "culturally neutral" books, we selected fiction titles published since 2013 that feature positive portrayals of diverse characters. These books are those in which the main character(s) "just happen" to be a member of a non-white, non-mainstream cultural group. These stories, rather than informing readers about individual cultures, emphasize cultural common ground.

PreS-Gr 1- Lin has created another engaging beginning chapter book about a pair of Chinese American twins. Ling and Ting are real kids with individual strengths and weakness and their own brand of problem solving, here applied to familiar birthday topics as gifts, shopping, baking, wishing, and writing a story to capture the highlights of a special day. The gouache artwork extends the clever and amusing story line, which celebrates the fun and friendship aspects of twindom, while subtly reinforcing the cultural representation. (Aug. 2013)

PreS-Gr 1- A birthday party gets a bit out of hand when the host instructs guests to bring as many people and favorite foods as they like. The colorful fiesta explodes across the pages as diverse characters join in on the chaotic but exuberantly joyful celebration.

Gr 2-4- A freak accident turns Gabby Gomez, bubble gum aficionado, into the sticky, super-powered Gum Girl. Readers will laugh along with and root for the daring Latina heroine in this graphic novel/chapter book hybrid. (Jul. 2013)

Baby/Toddler- With few words and charming illustrations, the latest addition to this board book series features an adorably diverse group of tots crawling around, exploring, and chewing on their gorgeously textured fabric and tissue-paper collage environment. For use one-on-one or in a baby storytime, this title begs for repeated readings.

Gr 6 Up- This lyrical novel in verse stars twin African American middle-school athletes, Josh and Jordan, who have both benefitted from their dynamic dad's coaching and their mom's firm but loving support. Conflicts arise as one boy is more successful socially and feelings of jealousy and abandonment affect their relationship on and off the court. Alexander's poems can be powerful and propulsive, humorous and raucous, and introspective and moving. Ultimately, this family story hums with energy and touches readers where they live. (Mar. 2014)

Gr 5-9- Though this fun read is an adventure-packed, thrill-a-minute zombie ride, it's more than that; it's also a hilarious and well-written story that addresses some serious themes: immigration, food safety and the meat industry, and more. While the characters touch on race and culture in meaningful but age-appropriate ways-first-person narrator Rabi is Indian American, and his friend Miguel is Hispanic-the underlying issues will appeal to a wide range of readers. (Aug. 2013)

Gr 9 Up- Recipient of a 2014 Pura Belpré honor, this edge-of-your seat disaster thriller stars a biracial boy named Shy, whose job on a cruise ship lands him in the middle of "The Big One," a massive earthquake that wreaks havoc on the California coast. Underneath the rollicking survival tale is a thoughtful exploration of race and class in modern America. (Oct. 2013)

Gr 5-8- In this follow-up to the multiple award-winning Better Nate Than Ever (S. & S., 2013), Nate juggles being an understudy in a Broadway production of E.T.: The Musical, having a secret admirer, and trying to find a boyfriend for his aunt. Federle's gentle and positive exploration of the preteen's sexuality, combined with charming supporting characters and laugh-out-loud high jinks makes this one of the best new middle-grade series. (Feb. 2014)

Gr 9 Up- Set in a futuristic Brazil in which sexuality is fluid and unrestrained, this gender-bending novel features budding graffiti artist June, who falls in star-crossed love (along with her best friend, Gil) with the daring and charismatic Enki. The pair create revolutionary masterpieces to rebel against the government's strict laws banning new technology, all the while counting the days until Enki-the newly crowned Summer King-must die ceremoniously according to their matriarchal society's customs. (Apr. 2013)

Gr 5-8- Jackson Greene, a middle-school troublemaker with a heart of gold, concocts an elaborate con in order to help the girl he likes. Johnson's characters are charming and funny and represent a refreshing diversity of ethnic backgrounds. (Mar. 2014)

Gr 5-8- Summer Miyamoto, daughter of wheat harvesters, has had a long year of bad luck. She's hoping that a summer on the road, traveling from farm to farm with her grandparents and younger brother, will turn things around. Summer's unique relationship with her Japanese immigrant grandparents-the quarrelsome Obaachan and gentle Jiichan-brings a tenderhearted depth to this multigenerational story. (Jun. 2013)

Gr 9 Up- Emi is a mixed-race teen working her way up in the LA film industry and getting over her first love when she falls for a beautiful, mysterious girl who's at the center of a Hollywood secret. The novel briefly touches upon the hardship some teens face upon coming out as LGBT but primarily focuses on the wonders of a burgeoning attraction and relationship, rather than the girls' sexual identity. With likable characters, an interesting plot, and themes of love and loss, this one will have widespread appeal. (May 2014.)

Gr 8 Up- Piddy Sanchez just wants to make it through high school, but Yaqui Delgado tries to make life miserable for Piddy. This realistic portrayal of teen bullying features two Latinas against the backdrop of an ethnically diverse Queens neighborhood. (Apr. 2013)
What did we miss? Add your title recommendations in the comments section below.
SLJ 's reviews editors are: Kiera Parrott, Luann Toth, Shelley Diaz, and Mahnaz Dar.

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Culturally Diverse Books Selected by SLJ's Review Editors

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In her groundbreaking Shadow and Substance: Afro-American Experience in Contemporary Children's Literature (NCTE, 1982), Rudine Sims Bishop first articulated a concept of multicultural literature that would become the framework by which generations of librarians and educators would think about books for children.

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Expanded Cultural Diversity Booklist: SLJ (2014)

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Expanded Cultural Diversity Booklist: SLJ (2014)

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AlliE Bruce, Bank Street College of Education:

THONG, Roseanne Greenfield. Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes. illus. by John Parra. 40p. glossary. Chronicle. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781452106168.
PreS-Gr 2-This picture book in rhyme focuses on everyday things-a square for a park, a round pot of stew, a rectangle for the scoreboard at the baseball game. All of the shapes and activities reflect Hispanic culture-stars are for parties and the celebration depicted is a fiesta. Round is a sombrero; squares are ventanas, or windows; and triangles are for chips and guacamole. - Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

HILL, Laban Carrick. When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop. illus. by
Theodore Taylor III. 32p. bibliog. chron. websites. Roaring Brook. A2013. RTE $17.99. ISBN 9781596435407.
Gr 3-5-As a child in Jamaica, Clive Campbell aspired to be a DJ. At 13, he moved to the Bronx, where he gained the nickname Hercules because he grew to be more than six feet tall. He shortened the name to Herc, added Kool, and is credited as a pioneer of hip hop. He created a new art form for his parties when he plugged in two turntables to create longer breaks for dancing and began chanting the names of his friends during the breaks. Hill's descriptive writing is paired with Taylor's vibrant artwork, which features large crowds dancing, close-up shots of breakdancing, or Herc's hands masterfully spinning the dual turntables. -Glynis Jean Wray, Ocean County Library, Toms River, NJ

TINGLE , Tim. How I Became a Ghost. RoadRunner Press. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781937054533.

LEWIS, John, and Andrew Aydin. March. illus. by Nate Powell. Top Shelf. 2013. Tr $14.95. ISBN
9781603093002.
Gr 6 up-Congressman John Lewis tells the true story of his rise from poverty and his part in the Civil Rights struggle. Lewis was the son of a sharecropper who grew up in rural Alabama during the time of Jim Crow; this book, the first volume of a trilogy, focuses on the crusade to integrate the lunch counters of Nashville via sit-ins and other nonviolent protests.- Good Comics for Kids

ERDRICH, Louise. "The Birchbark House" series. HarperCollins.
Gr 5-8-In Chickadee (HarperCollins/Harper, 2012), the fourth and most recent book in this series about an Ojibwa family, Omakayas is now grown and the mother of eight-year-old twin boys, one of whom is kidnapped. As Chickadee and his family try to find one another, Erdrich eloquently imparts Ojibwe stories, history, and knowledge, and, as in the previous books, her own illustrations add charm to the stories. -Focus On column, November 2013

GANSWORTH, Eric. If I Ever Get Out of Here. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780545417303.
Gr 6-9-Through an exquisite use of Beatles music, Gansworth connects with readers on multiple levels in this story of Lewis, an Onondaga teen, as he develops a friendship with George, a white teen from a nearby Air Force base. The family and community of both characters figure prominently throughout. -Focus On column, November 2013

SMITH, Cynthia Leitich. Jingle Dancer. illus. by Cornelius Van Wright & Ying-Hwa Hu. HarperCollins.
2000. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-688-16241-2; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-688-16242-9.
Gr K-3-Jenna is Muscogee and Ojibway. With the help of her family, she is able to get enough tin jingles to make her dress sing and is able to participate for the first time in the jingle dance at an upcoming powwow. With gorgeous watercolor illustrations of Jenna's home and suburban neighborhood, this story is an exquisite presentation of present-day Native life. -Focus On column, November 2008

TINGLE, Tim. How I Became a Ghost. RoadRunner Press. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-937054-53-3.
Gr 7 Up -The ghost is Isaac, a Choctaw boy who dies on the Trail of Tears, yet continues to interact with Joseph, another Choctaw boy who is a shape-shifter. Tingle's historical novel normalizes Choctaw spirituality, presenting it as part of the fabric of life of those who lived, died, and were killed on the Trail of Tears of the 1830s. -Focus On column, November 2013

LAYMON, Kiese. Long Division. Agate. pap. $15. ISBN 9781932841725.
High School/Adult-How about a book set in 2013 Mississippi that includes another book set in 1985 with time travel to 1964? It sure baffles 14-year-old City Coldson, an outspoken, slightly chubby, African American boy featured in each of the three stories, and he'll be happy to tell you all about it.-Best Adult Books 4 Teens 2013

ZAMBRANO, Mario Alberto. Lotería. HarperCollins. Tr $21.99. ISBN 9780062268549.
High School/Adult-After an unnamed incident leaves Luz's father in jail, her sister in the hospital, and Luz herself in a care home, the young girl refuses to speak. But she agrees to write out her life story, which she does by cuing each chapter to a card from the Latin American game lotería. A thought-provoking coming-of-age tale.-Best Adult Books 4 Teens 2013

TARTTELIN, Abigail. Golden Boy. S & S/Atria. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781476705804.
High School/Adult-Attractive, charismatic Max is intersex, born with both male and female organs. He's able to keep it a non-issue until he hits puberty. But after suffering a violent rape, the young man realizes that he must be the one to claim his own sexuality. Teens will love kindhearted Max, whose journey through adolescence is a nightmare few will experience.-Best Adult Books 4 Teens 2013

EXTENCE, Gavin. The Universe Versus Alex Woods. Orbit Bks./ Redhook. Tr $26. ISBN 9780316246576.
High School/Adult-Being struck by a meteorite when he was 10 has made Alex a celebrity as well as a target for bullies. When he befriends the curmudgeonly Mr. Peterson, who introduces him to the work of Kurt Vonnegut, Alex finds that life's meaning is less about survival than how you live and love.-
-Best Adult Books 4 Teens 2013

SOTOMAYOR, Sonia. My Beloved World. Knopf. Tr $27.95. ISBN 9780307594884.
High School/Adult-Sotomayor relates her rise from her beginnings in the South Bronx to become the first Hispanic Justice of the Supreme Court, emphasizing pride in her Puerto Rican heritage, prioritization of education, and belief in the law as a force for protecting community. -Best Adult Books 4 Teens 2013

Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal:

HUGHES, Langston. I, Too, Am America. illus. by Bryan Collier. S. & S. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781442420083. LC 2011002879.K-Gr 5-Hughes's poem of burgeoning pride in one's African American identity, written at the height of the Harlem Renaissance in 1925, is interpreted anew in this striking picture book. Collier has visualized the message of the sparely written poem through the lens of a Pullman porter. As the porter cleans up the club car and examines the detritus-newspapers, magazines, blues, and jazz albums left by the train's well-heeled passengers-flings it all from the caboose. Wafting through time and space, these items fall into the hands of a young female field worker in the long-ago South as well as residents in a contemporary northern urban landscape. The poem's powerful conclusion-"I, too, am America"-depicts a young boy on the subway with his mother, peering out the window through a readily visible flag toward his unknown but hopeful future. Collier's signature mixed-media collages create bold, textured images that give tangible expression to the poet's potent words. -Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

ERDRICH, Louise. "The Birchbark House" series. Hyperion.

FEDERLE, Tim. Five, Six Seven, Nate! 304p. S. & S. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781442446939; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781442446960. LC 2012051239.
Gr 5-8- In this follow-up to the multiple award-winning Better Nate Than Ever (S. & S., 2013), Nate juggles being an understudy in a Broadway production of E.T.: The Musical, having a secret admirer, and trying to find a boyfriend for his aunt. Federle's gentle and positive exploration of the preteen's sexuality, combined with charming supporting characters and laugh-out-loud high jinks, makes this one of the best new middle-grade series. -Culturally Diverse Books, May 2014

Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal:

Andreu, Maria E. The Secret Side of Empty. 336p. ebook available. Running Pr./Teens. 2014. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9780762451920. LC 2013950819.
Gr 9 Up-Monserrat Thalia, known as M. T., describes herself as pale white with blondish hair. It's easy for her to hide the fact that she's an undocumented immigrant whose family came from Argentina to New Jersey. Told over the course of her senior year, the story reveals a captivating look at the life of one young immigrant and the challenges so many like her face. Andreu deftly captures the protagonist's desires, despair, and determination in this peek at a side of American life not often seen in YA literature. -Amanda MacGregor, formerly at Apollo High School Library, St. Cloud, MN

MCCALL, Guadalupe Garcia. Summer of the Mariposas. Lee & Low/Tu. RTE $17.95. ISBN
9781600609008.
Gr 7-9-A Mexican-American retelling of Homer's Odyssey, this novel focuses on the bonds among five sisters who resolve to return a man's corpse to his hometown. Odilia, the eldest, is guided by Malintzin-the mythical mother of Mexico-across the Texas border where the girls encounter legendary creatures, witches, and the stark truth of their father's abandonment. Sprinkled with Spanish words and Aztec traditions, this lyrical tale of magical realism and adventure will resonate with readers. -Best Books 2012

SMITH-READY, Jeri. This Side of Salvation. 368p. S. & S./Simon Pulse. 2014. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781442439481; ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9781442439504.
Gr 9 Up-An honest portrayal of a family dashed apart by grief and in much need of salvation. David's family is still reeling from his military brother's death three years ago, and all but older sister Mara have embraced God as a way to cope. A former alcoholic, David's dad has abandoned his addiction to the bottle for an all-consuming and unhealthy relationship with religion, talking only through Bible verses and aligning himself with a fundamentalist preacher that promises the Rapture (or Rush) will occur in just a few months. The narrative frankly depicts a teen struggling with finding a balance between religion and his own desires. Smith-Ready respectfully gives voice to those who question their beliefs, while providing teens a fascinating look into Doomsday cults. The protagonist is multi-dimensional and finds fault with his church's rejection of his gay best friend, but continuously prays to God for guidance. The ending will ring true for those rooting for this family's redemption. -Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal

The Editors of The Horn Book:

MESHON, Aaron. Take Me Out to the Yakyu. illus. by author. 40p. glossary. S & S/Atheneum. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781442441774; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4178-1. LC 2011050907.PreS-Gr 3-A lucky boy gets to attend ball games in both the U.S. and in Japan ( yakyu is Japanese for baseball). Spreads showcase differences between the two locales, setting up a quiet rhythm that's thrillingly interrupted when both teams' hitters get a home run. -Horn Book Summer Reading Recommendations 2013

MORALES, Yuyi. Niño Wrestles the World. illus. by author. 40p. glossary. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-604-6. LC 2012012989.

BUITRAGO, Jairo. Jimmy the Greatest! illus. by Rafael Yockteng. Groundwood. 2012. Tr $18.95. ISBN
9781554981786; ebook $18.95. ISBN 9781554982066.
Gr 1-3-In an isolated seaside village, a youngster finds direction and inspiration from a caring adult who shares his love of boxing and a carton of books and clippings about Muhammad Ali, which the boy devours and takes to heart. The energetic digital cartoon art packs a punch of its own, balancing humor, grace, and naïve charm. -Best Books 2012

FLETT, Julie. Wild Berries. trans. by Earl N. Cook. illus. by author. 32p. Simply Read Bks. 2014. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781897476895.
PreS-Gr 1-When Clarence was little, his grandma / carried him on her back through / the woods to the clearing to pick / wild berries / pikaci-mīnisa." Now Clarence, around age five, follows Grandma on his own two feet. In Julie Flett's Wild Berries / Pikaci-Mīnisa, each double-page spread introduces a single line of text describing the sights and sounds-dropping berries in a bucket ( tup, tup), observing a fox ( rustle, rustle). Each page also uses one word in a dialect of Cree (the "n" dialect, known as Swampy Cree), highlighted in red typeface (a glossary and pronunciation guide are appended). The muted earth tones of Flett's watercolor and collage illustrations in browns, grays, and reds perfectly complement the quiet tone of the story. -Horn Book post, "All the world's children," January 2014

DOMINGUEZ, Angela. Santiago Stays. illus. by author. 32p. Abrams/Appleseed. 2013. RTE $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0821-3. LC 2012041376.
PreS-A boy tries every trick in the book to get his adorable, big-eared, supremely stubborn pooch to move. Toys, a game of fetch, a walk, even a treat are offered to Santiago, who turns up his nose at every one. When the frustrated child screams, "Santiago!" readers finally learn why the pup stays put. A wail issues from the crib in the corner, and the dog and his boy run to comfort baby sister. The large, mixed-media illustrations set against white backgrounds pack much nuance and personality into the canine and human characters. -- Martha Link Yesowitch, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NC

DOMINGUEZ, Angela. Maria Had a Little Llama/María tenía una llamita. Holt. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-805-09333-9.
PreS-Maria and her llama smile out at us from the cover of this bilingual picture book, a riff on "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Maria's tale, told in English and Spanish, is set in the Peruvian Alps. The bold ink and gouache illustrations include plentiful cultural clues: the market, the village, the traditional headwear, and the musical instruments all help to place readers in the setting. The text mirrors the traditional tale ("He followed her to school one day. / Un dia le siguio a la escuela"), and the limited amount of text allows both languages to appear on the same page or spread. Maria and her llama, though, are the stars of this book. Their personalities and their affection for each other shine through. As if to confirm it, the last spread opens to a scene of children, llamas, and local Peruvian musicians playing and waving as they encircle our two stars dancing in the center. This is a scene young children will return to again and again. -excerpted from the Horn Book review by Jim St. Clair

ISADORA, Rachel. Jake at Gymnastics. illus. by author. 32p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. June 2014. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780399160486.
PreS-Gr 1-A diverse and adorable group of tots tumble, stretch, and perform impressive gymnastic moves in this is short and appealing companion to Isadora's Bea at Ballet (Penguin/Nancy Paulsen, 2012). The only color in the pen-and-ink and pencil drawings is reserved for the chubby youngsters' gym clothes and accessories. With an economy of strokes and without being busy, the artwork evokes movement appropriate to toddlers in motion. -Maralita L. Freeny, District of Columbia Public Library

WILLIAMS-GARCIA, Rita. P.S. Be Eleven. HarperCollins/Amistad. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780061938627; lib. ed. $17.89. ISBN 9780061938634; ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9780062208507.

MCKAY, Hilary. "Lulu" series. illus. by Patricia Lamont. Albert Whitman.
Gr 1-3-Lulu isn't allowed to bring pets to school or have pets at home. Yet, in each installment in this charming chapter book series, the big-hearted young girl winds up taking care of all sorts of interesting creatures in need, such as a duck, a dog, a hamster, a cat, and a hedgehog. -Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal

LIN, Grace. "Ling & Ting" series. illus. by author. Little, Brown. 2013.
PreS-Gr 1-Lin has created an engaging beginning chapter book about a pair of Chinese American twins. Ling and Ting are real kids with individual strengths and weakness and their own brand of problem solving. The gouache artwork extends the clever and amusing story line, which celebrates the fun and friendship aspects of twindom, while subtly reinforcing the cultural representation. -Culturally Diverse Books, May 2014

ATINUKE. "Anna Hibiscus" series. illus. by Lauren Tobia. Kane Miller.
Gr 1-3-How refreshing to encounter Atinuke's Anna Hibiscus, a biracial child who lives in an urban "Africa. Amazing Africa." In chapter books and picture books, the Nigerian-born Atinuke gently and lyrically presents life for a solidly middle-class family, highlighting experiences that help Anna (and the reader) to subtly appreciate differences. -excerpted from the Horn Book post, Books About Africa, January 2014

KADOHATA, Cynthia. The Thing About Luck. illus. by Julia Kuo. S. & S./Atheneum. 2013. Tr $16.99.
ISBN 9781416918820; ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9781442474673. LC 2012021287.
Gr 5-8-After a year of bad luck, Summer Miyamoto, her "intense" younger brother, Jaz, their strong-minded grandparents, and the family dog join a crew of itinerant wheat harvesters. Quarrelsome Obaachan does the cooking while gentle Jiichan drives a combine. Readers will root for plucky Summer as she comes into her own in this tenderhearted, multigenerational story. -Best Books 2013

TINGLE, Tim. How I Became a Ghost. RoadRunner Press. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781937054533.

GANSWORTH, Eric. If I Ever Get Out of Here. 368p. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780545417303. LC 201202030553.

MEDINA, Meg. Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. Candlewick. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780763658595; ebk. $16.99. ISBN 9780763663544. LC 2012943645.
Gr 8 Up- Piddy Sanchez just wants to make it through high school, but Yaqui Delgado tries to make life miserable for Piddy. This realistic portrayal of teen bullying features two Latinas against the backdrop of an ethnically diverse Queens neighborhood. -Best Books 2013

REYNOLDS, Jason. When I Was the Greatest. 240p. S. & S./Atheneum. 2014. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781442459472; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781442459496. LC 2012045734.
Gr 7-10 -Ali lives with his mother, Doris, and kid sister, Jazz, in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn and spends all of his free time with best friends Noodles and Needles, brothers who live in a run-down brownstone next door. Needles was born with Tourette's syndrome, and after a particularly bad episode of tics, Doris gave him some knitting needles to focus his attention. The three teens hang out on the stoop and streets, living life and getting into just a touch of mischief. When their friend Tasha gets them into a party-and not just any party, an exclusive, adults-only party-trouble escalates. -Emily Moore, Camden County Library System, NJ

PERKINS, Mitali, ed. Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices. 144p. Candlewick. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5866-3. ebook available. LC 2012955218.
Gr 6-10-This collection of short tales explores the experiences of young people bridging cultures. Perkins's contribution is a memoir about the Guy Game she and her two older sisters played. Other highlights include Gene Luen Yang's comic about boycotting a Hollywood film that appropriates Asian culture. Francisco X. Stork relates unexpected acceptance and support for a gay Latino teen, while in other selections, characters proudly wave a Black Geek flag or grieve the loss of an Arab father who overcame prejudices. -Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA

POWELL, Patricia Hruby. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker. illus. by Christian Robinson. 104p. bibliog. further reading. Chronicle. 2014. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781452103143. LC 2012030440.

PINKNEY, Andrea Davis. Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America. illus. by Brian
Pinkney. 244p. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. CIP. Disney/Jump at the Sun. 2012. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-4257-7. LC 2011051348.
Gr 4 Up-Presenting ten biographical vignettes in chronological order - Benjamin Banneker, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, A. Philip Randolph, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barack H. Obama II-the Pinkneys create a testament to African American males that, taken together, tells one big story of triumph (a story that, incidentally, spans American history). -excerpted from the Horn Book review by Jonathan Hunt

SHEINKIN, Steve. The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights. 208p. bibliog. index. notes. photos. reprods. Roaring Brook. 2014. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781596437968.
Gr 7 Up -In the summer of 1944, 50 sailors, all of them African American, were tried and convicted of mutiny by the U.S. Navy. They had refused to follow a direct order of loading dangerous rockets and munitions on ships bound for battle in the Pacific after an enormous explosion had killed more than 300 of their fellow sailors and other civilians working on the dock. At the heart of this story is the rampant racism that permeated the military at all levels, leaving minority sailors and soldiers to do the drudge work almost exclusively while their white counterparts served on the front lines. Through extensive research, Sheinkin effectively re-creates both the tense atmosphere at Port Chicago before and after the disaster as well as the events that led to the men's refusal of this one particular order that they felt put them directly in harm's way. -Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

LEWIS, John & Andrew Aydin. March. Bk. 1. illus. by Nate Powell. 128p. (March Series). Top Shelf. 2013. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-60309-300-2.

SLJ READERS:

CHAN, Crystal. Bird. 304p. S. & S./Atheneum. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781442450899; ebk. $10.99.
ISBN 9781442450905.
Gr 4-6-Jewel never met her brother; on the day she was born, he tried to fly off a cliff and died. Her parents believe that Grandpa's nickname for his grandson, Bird, caused a bad spirit, a duppy, to trick the boy into believing he could fly. Twelve years later, Grandpa has still not spoken a word and Jewel is fed up with her moody parents and unloving household. She meets a boy who calls himself John, her brother's real name. They share their hopes and dreams and Jewel opens up about visiting the cliff to bury her worries as small stones. -Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

HIGHWAY, Tomson. Caribou Song. illus. by John Rombough. 32p. Fifth House. 2012. Tr $19.95. ISBN 9781897252611.
Gr 1-3-Bilingual in English and Cree, this story of the far north follows a family of four that has a spiritual connection to the caribou of the land. One brother, Joe, plays the accordion (a kitoochigan) and sings while the other, Cody, dances. On a magical day, all of nature aligns and ten thousand caribou come when the boys call. Though the stampede is ocean-storm strong, Cody and Joe emerge from the experience unharmed. -from publisher

KRISHNASWAMI, Uma. The Problem With Being Slightly Heroic. 288p. S. & S./Atheneum. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781442423282.
Gr 4-6-Dini and Maddie, 11-year-old BFFs, are together again in this sequel to The Grand Plan to Fix Everything (S. & S., 2011). The girls are just as starstruck with dazzling Bollywood actress Dolly Singh and eagerly await her arrival in Washington, DC, where she will have her first U.S. fillum (film) premiere. When the celebrity arrives at the airport dripping and dropping her jewelry in typical Dolly-fashion, she discovers that her passport is missing. Dini comes to the rescue, and the plot springs into a comedic romp to retrieve the passport, find a rose-petal milkshake (the only thing that can soothe Dolly's nerves), and locate an elephant for the big event. With the help of her friends, the intrepid girl takes care of the unfortunate mishaps that continue to pop up in the days before the premiere, leaving her feeling "slightly heroic." -D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH

KUKLIN, Susan. Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out. photos by Susan Kuklin. 192p. further reading. glossary. websites. Candlewick. 2014. RTE $22.99. ISBN 9780763656119; ebk. $22.99. ISBN 9780763670351. LC 2013943071.
Gr 9 Up-Extended interviews with six very different transgender, genderqueer, and intersex young adults allow these youth to tell their stories in their own words. Author-interviewer-photographer Kuklin interjects only briefly with questions or explanations, so that the voices of these youth-alternately proud and fearful, defiant and subdued, thoughtful and exuberant-shine through. -Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library

MOORE, Katrina. So Long Gnop-Jiye. illus. by author. 28p. Tate Publishing. 2014. pap. $9.99 ISBN 9781630630645.
A seven-year-old Chinese American girl is forced to leave behind all of her dolls, friends, and her pet duck when her family moves to America. As a nation of immigrants, Americans have often heard the story as each new child attempts to find a place in our culture. But each child has a unique set of circumstances and brings something new to that culture. And so it is with the author's mother -forced out of Hong Kong at a young age and plopped into a school where the language barrier is a big problem. As soon as seven-year-old Kuen Mun, renamed Mary, begins to understand, she is much happier. But she still dreams of the dolls, house, and pet duck, Gnop-Jiye, she left behind. -from publisher

VENKATRAMAN, Padma. A Time to Dance. 320p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen. 2014. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780399257100. LC 2013024244.
Gr 6 Up -Despite the pressure from her parents to become an engineer, Veda dreams of being a dancer. She studies the classical Indian dance, Bharatanatyam, and has reached the competition finals. Impressed with her graceful lines and skill, the judges award her first place, and Veda is ecstatic. After posing for pictures, she is injured in an accident on the way home and her leg has to be amputated below the right knee. Devastated, she lies in her hospital bed devoid of hope until one day her doctor introduces her to a specialist from America. He sparks optimism in her because he understands that she needs to dance. Eventually Veda receives a prosthetic limb that allows her to walk and dance once again. -Laura Fields Eason, Henry F. Moss Middle School, Bowling Green, KY

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An Expanded Cultural Diversity Booklist: SLJ Readers Respond

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AlliE Bruce, Bank Street College of Education: THONG, Roseanne Greenfield. Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes. illus. by John Parra. 40p. glossary. Chronicle. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781452106168. PreS-Gr 2-This picture book in rhyme focuses on everyday things-a square for a park, a round pot of stew, a rectangle for the scoreboard at the baseball game.

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List: children’s literature featuring “new arrival” cultures and groups to engage the entire community in a discussion of commonalities and differences. 

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List: children’s literature featuring “new arrival” cultures and groups to engage the entire community in a discussion of commonalities and differences. 

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I'm Your Neighbor, Welcome New Arrivals / New Americans with Books

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I'm Your Neighbor Books builds welcoming communities for New Arrivals and New Americans-using children's literature.

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From the organization's press release:

The 24th International Latino Book Awards Ceremony showcased the flourishing talent of the fastest-growing group in the U.S., with four ceremonies held on August 19th and 20th at Los Angeles City College. These Awards are by far the largest Latino cultural distinction in the country, honoring 249 winners in 105 categories this year. The grand total of authors and publishers honored over the last two decades now stands at 3,719, proof that books by and about Latinos are in high demand in both English and Spanish. Gold, Silver, and Bronze-place winners in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children's books, translation, and many more were announced over the two-day event.

Here are the winners-gold, silver, and bronze medals-in the children's books categories. Click on the book covers for more information:

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The Alma Flor Ada Best Latino Focused Children's Picture Book Award - English
GOLD MEDAL Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua, Gloria Amescua, Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh SILVER MEDAL Tía Fortuna's New Home, Ruth Behar, Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth BRONZE MEDAL Bisa's Carnaval, Joana Pastro, Illustrated by Carolina Coroa
The Alma Flor Ada Best Latino Focused Children's Picture Book Award - Spanish
GOLD MEDAL ¡Corre, pequeño Chaski! Una aventura en el camino Inka, Mariana Llanos, Illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson SILVER MEDAL Pura's Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Libraries Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, Annete Bay Pimentel, Illustrated by Magaly Morales
Best Children's Fiction Picture Book - Bilingual
GOLD MEDAL Let's Be Friends / Seamos Amigos, René Colato Laínez; Illustrated by Nomar Perez SILVER MEDAL Isabel and Her Colores Go to School, Alexandra Alessandri, Illustrated by Courtney Dawson
Best Children's Fiction Picture Book - English
GOLD MEDAL Abuelita and Me, Leonarda Carranza, illustrated by Rafael Mayani SILVER MEDAL Tía Fortuna's New Home, Ruth Behar, Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth BRONZE MEDAL May Your Life Be Deliciosa, Michael Genhart, Illustrated by Loris Lora
Mejor libro ilustrado de ficción para niños
GOLD MEDAL Pitu le Baila al Mar, Gama Valle; Illustrated by Yamel Figueroa SILVER MEDAL La Jirafa que no Cabía en su Cuento, Haydée Zayas Ramos BRONZE MEDAL El monstruo más feo del mundo, Luis Amavisca, Illustrated by Erica Salcedo
Best Children's Nonfiction Picture Book - English
GOLD MEDAL One Whole Me, Dia Mixon, Illustrated by Natalia Jiménez Osorio

SILVER MEDAL In the Spirit of a Dream: 13 Stories of American Immigrants of Color, Aida Salazar, Illustrated by Alina Chau BRONZE MEDAL Alphabet & Affirmations with The Black Unicorn, Sandra Elaine Scott
Best Children's Nonfiction Picture Book - Spanish or Bilingual
GOLD MEDAL Pura's Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Libraries Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, Annete Bay Pimentel, Illustrated by Magaly Morales
Best Educational Children's Picture Book - Bilingual
GOLD MEDAL Pura's Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Libraries Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, Annete Bay Pimentel, Illustrated by Magaly Morales SILVER MEDAL Popol Vuh Stories for Children, Denis O'Leary BRONZE MEDAL Lala and the Pond by the Rock / Lala y el Charco de la Piedra, Susana Illera Martínez
Best Educational Children's Picture Book - English
GOLD MEDAL Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua, Gloria Amescua, Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh SILVER MEDAL We Move Together, Kelly Fritsch, Anne McGuire, Illustrated by Eduardo Trejos
Best Educational Children's Picture Book - Spanish
GOLD MEDAL Morderse las uñas, Paula Merlán, Illustrated by Brenda Figueroa
Most Inspirational Children's Picture Book - Bilingual
GOLD MEDAL Pura's Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Libraries Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, Annete Bay Pimentel, Illustrated by Magaly Morales SILVER MEDAL The Last Butter!y / La última mariposa, Regina Moya & Carmen Tafolla
Most Inspirational Children's Picture Book - English
GOLD MEDAL Courageous Camila: A story about finding your inner warrior, Naibe Reynoso & Giselle Carrillo; Illustrated by María Tuti SILVER MEDAL The Voices of the Trees, Elisa Guerra y Fernando Reimers; Illustrated by Ana RoGu

BRONZE MEDAL Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua, Gloria Amescua, Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

Most Inspirational Children's Picture Book - Spanish
GOLD MEDAL Tienes un color especial, Lorena Sierco Espino; Mr. Momo, Lantia Publishing Group

SILVER MEDAL Memoria de un abedul, Daniel Cañas, Illustrated by Blanca Millán BRONZE MEDAL Peque y yo, Alicia Acosta, Illustrated by Mercé Galí
Best Learn to Read Book
GOLD MEDAL The Awesome Reading Adventures of Super Sammy and Marvelous Megan, Vanessa Caraveo
Best Youth Latino Focused Chapter Book
GOLD MEDAL Falling Short, Ernesto Cisneros SILVER MEDAL Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene, Emma Otheguy
Best Youth Chapter Fiction Book
GOLD MEDAL Falling Short, Ernesto Cisneros SILVER MEDAL Catalina Incognito, Jennifer Torres BRONZE MEDAL Julia y el mar, Olvido Guzman Pons

Most Inspirational Youth Chapter Book
GOLD MEDAL Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna, Alda P. Dobbs SILVER MEDAL Efren Divided, Ernesto Cisneros SILVER MEDAL Raulito: The First Latino Governor of Arizona, Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford
Best Young Adult Latino Focused Book
GOLD MEDAL On the Hook, Francisco X. Stork SILVER MEDAL Lifetime Passes, Terry Blas, Illustrated by Claudia Aguirre
Best Young Adult Fiction Book
GOLD MEDAL The Immortal Boy / El Inmortal, Francisco Montaña Ibáñez SILVER MEDAL Encarnación Castro's Journey in the Anza Expedition
1775-1776, Linda Castro Martinez SILVER MEDAL Three, Brenda Nicole Peña BRONZE MEDAL Fat Angie: Homecoming, e.E. Charlton Trujillo
Best Young Adult Fantasy & Adventure - English
GOLD MEDAL The Grimrose Girls, Laura Pohl SILVER MEDAL The Ghost Tracks, Celso Hurtado
Best Young Adult Fantasy & Adventure - Spanish
GOLD MEDAL El Último Dragón: Las espadas del legado, José del Real Antiquera SILVER MEDAL Catarina Freytas y el anillo perdido, Raymond Vollmond BRONZE MEDAL El Mundo del Olvido, Cristian Otárola Jiménez
Best Young Adult Romance Book
GOLD MEDAL Monstrua, NLa Contreras SILVER MEDAL La descendiente, Marie D.
Best Educational Young Adult Book
GOLD MEDAL No te creas todo lo que leas, Didi Whitefalcon, Illustrated by Verónica Rodríguez
SILVER MEDAL Voices of Diversity, Vanessa Caraveo
Most Inspirational Young Adult Book
GOLD MEDAL Harvesting Dreams, Erica Alfaro; Barker & Jules SILVER MEDAL Your Heart, My Sky, Margarita Engle; Simon & Schuster

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Exploring the world of Latinx YA, MG, & children's literature

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List: The 2016 picks for children and adolescents by and about Latinxs represent a range of genres, formats, age levels, and countries/regions of origin. 

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List: The 2016 picks for children and adolescents by and about Latinxs represent a range of genres, formats, age levels, and countries/regions of origin. 

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(SLJ 2016)

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By Lucia Acosta, Ruth Quiroa, and Tim Wadham on

The 2016 picks for children and adolescents by and about Latinxs represent a range of genres, formats, age levels, and countries/regions of origin. Whether seamlessly weaving Spanish into an English narrative or providing complete text in Spanish and English, these books present compelling stories of humorous escapades, traditional songs, life struggles, and the importance of art and music. It was difficult to narrow the list to just 10, so a few additional titles include Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe, The Princess and the Warrior by Duncan Tonatiuh, and Rudas: Niño's Horrendous Hermanitas by Yuyi Morales.

Los Pollitos/Little Chickies by Susie Jaramillo. illus. by author. Encantos. Toddler-PreS.
The traditional Spanish nursery song is presented in an accordion-style board book format. One side has the lyrics in Spanish; the English translation is on the flip side. The clean-lined illustrations are playful and striking against a white background. Preschoolers can double the pleasure by lifting flaps or spinning a wheel, sending Mother Hen off in search of food for her pollitos.

Lowriders to the Center of the Earth by Cathy Camper. illus. by Raúl the Third. Chronicle. Gr 4-8.
Camper and Raúl the Third have crafted a suavecito graphic novel blending Chicano folkore, Aztec mythology, and a superpowered lowrider. Protagonist Lupe Impala and her companions search for their beloved cat, Genie, and encounter La Llorona, the Chupacabra, lots of calaveras, and Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of the Underworld. Raúl the Third's culturally evocative art and the chulo text, which effortlessly combines Spanish and English, distinguish this outstanding book.

Marta! Big and Small by Jen Arena. illus. by Angela Dominguez. Roaring Brook. PreS-Gr 1.
With repetitive text and child-friendly illustrations, this wonderful read-aloud invites the younger set to experience the tension, relief, and satisfaction of a great plot. Marta meets animals large and small, and to each, she is considered loud, very loud; slow, very slow; and so on. But when she meets the snake, she definitely demonstrates how bright she is: "Clever, very clever, like una niña."

¡Olinguito, de la A a la Z!: Descubriendo el bosque nublado/Olinguito, from A to Z!: Unveiling the Cloud Forest by Lulu Delacre. illus. by author. Children's Book Pr. Gr 1-4.
Using the alphabet as a device, this title introduces readers to the habitat of the olinguito, a newly discovered mammal of the cloud forest in the Ecuadorean Andes. The information is presented via poetic text in English and Spanish, highlighting each language's natural rhythms. The beautiful mixed-media illustrations include rich details that invite readers in for close looks.

Lucia Acosta is a children's literature specialist and reviewer; Ruth Quiroa is an associate professor of reading and language at National Louis University, IL; and Tim Wadham is SLJ 's Libro por libro columnist.

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By Lucia Acosta, Ruth Quiroa, and Tim Wadham on The 2016 picks for children and adolescents by and about Latinxs represent a range of genres, formats, age levels, and countries/regions of origin. Whether seamlessly weaving Spanish into an English narrative or providing complete text in Spanish and English, these books present compelling stories of humorous escapades, traditional songs, life struggles, and the importance of art and music.

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Blog & List: The Vamos a Leer blog supports K-12 teaching about Latin America by providing resources to educators, including lesson plans, author + book suggestions, and related materials.

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Blog & List: The Vamos a Leer blog supports K-12 teaching about Latin America by providing resources to educators, including lesson plans, author + book suggestions, and related materials.

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(SLJ 2013)

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Being able to easily locate LGBTQ-friendly materials for children is an important task for school and public librarians seeking to support their diverse reading communities. Kids must be given opportunities to explore literature from multiple points of view, yet it's sometimes challenging to meet this need, especially for students in grades 3 to 5. We've identified dozens of recommended titles in the hopes of spreading the word about what books are available for this age group.

In some areas, school libraries have not been at the forefront of purchasing books with LGBTQ characters because of concerns about potential challenges, but their inclusion in these collections is extremely important. Analysis of the 2010 Census demographics shows nearly 2 million children live in same-sex parent homes; they are no longer an exception in the diversity of family constructs.

Additionally, many educators advocate that all children should see themselves and their families in books they read, so excluding LGBTQ-friendly books from the literature available in school classrooms and libraries would be a disservice to all learners.

While books with LGBTQ characters for very young children and for older kids seem readily available, there are few books containing LGBTQ characters for students in grades 3-5. In fact, we found only 57 titles published between 1993 and 2012. They fall into a few different categories: stories with LGBTQ secondary characters; stories about non-gender normative people; books about LGBTQ people that don't mention that they are LGBTQ; and nonfiction books mentioning LGBTQ identity.

Although we have actually found no books with LGBTQ main characters for readers in grades 3-5, here are the very best books we have discovered for this age group. All have been positively reviewed by the major library review sources we usually consult, and we recommend them highly.

I, Emma Freke. By Elizabeth J. Atkinson. Carolrhoda Books. 2010. $9.95. ISBN 978-0761385004. Gr 4-7.

Growing up near Boston with her free-spirited mother and old-world grandfather, 12-year-old Emma has always felt out of place. She is too tall, too shy, and her hair is too red. When she attends her father's family reunion far away in Wisconsin, she is in for some surprises-including a better understanding of who she is. Emma's friend's parents are lesbians.

We Are One: The Story Of Bayard Rustin. By Larry Dane Brimner. Calkins Creek. 2007. $18.95. ISBN 978-1590784983. Gr 5-9.

This biography tells its story using Bayard's own words, archival photographs, and the spirituals and protest songs that Bayard often sang. A member of the Civil Rights Movement who was instrumental in its early organization, Rustin was a non-violent gay activist whose contributions should not be overlooked. This inspiring biography is an easy read. The author's note mentions that Rustin was gay.

This fourth title in the "Magic Book Shop" series introduces Charlie, a sixth-grader with a compulsion to lie, as he is removing a mysterious skull (Shakespeare's Yorick) from a bookstore without permission. The skull forces its owner to tell only the truth, causing some awkward moments for Charlie before he understands its power. Among the revelations that come out during Charlie's truth-telling spree is the fact that his uncle's roommate is really his boyfriend.

My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer. By Jennifer Gennari.Houghton Mifflin. 2012. $15.99. ISBN 978-0547577395. Gr 4-7.

Twelve-year-old June Farrell spends the summer at her Vermont home getting used to the woman her mother is planning to marry and practicing her pie-baking skills, as she hopes to win the blue ribbon at the fair. An anti-gay element in the community makes life difficult for the family, while June just wants to be "normal" and spend time with her friends.

The clever questioning format of this title leads children to explore the concepts of family, friendship, and bullying via colorful two-page spreads with quality photos. Each spread introduces a topic with a primary question and two additional thought-provoking ideas. This book has just enough depth to generate good discussion and may best be used with an adult rather than for independent reading. It also offers a glossary and an index, while accompanying materials (such as a writing exercise and an anti-bulling poster) are available for download online.

Outspoken 13-year-old Addie Carle learns about love, loss, and staying true to herself as she navigates seventh grade, enjoys a visit from her grandmother, fights with her boyfriend, endures gossip and meanness from her former best friend, and is friendly with a gay student. This unique voice of book, written in verse, is Addie's internal dialog.

Four seventh-grade students who do not fit in at their small-town middle school decide to create a third party for the student council elections to represent all students who have ever been called names. This movement doesn't sit well with the student council advisors, leading the group of five-including a gay student-to prove their worth and maturity.

First in a series, this book features two fifth-grade friends who want to learn how to be popular before entering middle school. It documents their misadventures as well as their families and day-to-day life through a journal format written and drawn by the two main characters, with each of the two main protagonists having a different writing and drawing style.
This is more than just a funny book: the plot and incidents reflect the realities of fifth-grade girls trying to figure out how to begin the transition to young adulthood. The character of Julie has two dads.

Newsgirl. By Liza Ketchum. Viking. 2009. $9.99.
ISBN 978-0670011193. Gr 4-7.

In the spring of 1851, San Francisco is booming, and 12-year-old Amelia Forrester has just arrived with her family, eager to make a new life in Phoenix City. The mostly male town is not that hospitable to females and Amelia decides she will earn more money as a boy. Cutting her hair and donning a cap, she joins a gang of newsboys, selling Eastern newspapers for a fortune. This intriguing tale features a gender nonconformity and a lesbian couple.

The Death-Defying Pepper Roux. By Geraldine McCaughrean.Harper. 2010. $16.99. ISBN 9780061836657. Gr 5-8.

Pepper Roux takes the reader on a series of outrageous adventures, all in the guise of eluding his own death at age 14 as predicted by his Aunt. A dark comedy-or rip-roaring adventure, depending on your point of view-this well-written book has excellent vocabulary and word play. The episodic adventures, featuring a cross-dressing ship's first mate, will keep avid readers guessing what comes next.

This first title in the "Flower Power" series is a fun story about four girls, each with their own family issues, who become friends in elementary school.The story is told in a variety of text formats, with each girl getting some face time. It addresses more than just the usual fifth-grade angst; rather, it confronts issues of religion, race, mental health, bad-girl behavior, and homophobia. There is also what some might find as objectionable topics such as the definition of "dingleberry" and a student report on Greek satyrs. Notably, previous challenges to this title have centered on the homophobia rather than any of the other possible targets.

Riding Freedom. By Pam Muñoz Ryan, illus. by Selznick, Brian. Scholastic. 1998. $5.99. ISBN 978-0439087964. Gr 3-6.

Charley (Charlotte) Parkhurst, a gender nonconformist, lived life as a man for many years, working as a stable hand and stage coach driver. His female birth gender was discovered only upon his death. This historical fiction novel is set in the mid-1800s, telling about how Charley left an orphanage in New England and made his way to California to become a highly celebrated stage coach driver. Brian Selznick's drawings bring a special life to this already rich story.

The almost-10-year-old Penny keeps wishing for some excitement in her privileged life. When her father suddenly quits his job, the family soon runs out of money and her family leave life in the city for a ramshackle property in the eccentric town of Thrush Junction, Tennessee. Is it necessary to say the newly inherited home in Tennessee isn't what anyone in her expected it to be? Penny's friend is parented by a lesbian couple.

This story filled with circular shapes shows the reader how events cause ripples: its main character, 12-year-old Ruby, sees donut shapes everywhere, in a town obsessed with donuts. This is a short book, plot-driven, with a strong voice. The story emerges through flashbacks, with all the action taking place in one day. The resolution is satisfying, and Ruby and her two best friends, Lucy and Nero, act and sound like tweens. Their estrangement, part of the book's plot, is typical of the age group. The LGBTQ characters are Lucy's fathers. One of them is the owner of the town's martial arts school. This is a story about putting things right. This book was a fun read and should be well-liked by girls in the target grade levels. It may also be a candidate for best book lists at the end of the year.

We also can highly recommend these two additional titles, although they have not received star reviews from the major library review sources that we usually consult:

Respecting the Contributions of LGBT Americans. By Anna Kingston. PowerKids Press. 2013. $8.95.
ISBN 978-1448875191. Gr 3-7.

This compendium examines the struggles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, including Maurice Sendak, Harvey Milk, Chaz Bono, and Ellen DeGeneres.

Boy Talk: A Survival Guide to Growing Up. By Caroline Plaisted.QEB Pub. 2011. $14.99.
ISBN 978-1609920852. Gr 4-7.

Intended for kids just hitting preadolescence, this frank-but-brief answer book covers almost everything that an upper-elementary or early middle-school boy (and perhaps curious girls) could want to know about male puberty. Illustrated with cartoonish pictures, colorful block text, and an informal layout, this book is perfect for browsing. The narrative voice is supportive, reinforcing that everything is normal; it's a nearly perfect book for its intended audience. A section about dealing with crushes discusses feelings toward both girls and boys.

And if you'd like additional guidance in building and developing your LGBTQ-friendly collection for elementary and middle-school children, we highly recommend Rainbow Family Collections by Jamie Campbell Naidoo. Libraries Unlimited, 2012. $50.00. ISBN 978-1598849608.

This very readable and outstanding reference book discusses why LGBTQ book collections are important for children to have access to, and examines some of the challenges that librarians face in developing them. It includes an extensive annotated bibliography of books, periodicals, media, and sites.
Barbara Fiehn is an assistant professor of library media education at Western Kentucky University. She was a media specialist for nearly 30 years in three states before becoming a full time university professor. She has been involved in intellectual freedom issues her whole career. Tadayuki Suzuki is an associate professor of literacy education at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. His academic interests include literacy, multicultural education, and the use of multicultural literature in K-12 classrooms.
Do you have any titles to recommend specifically for grades 3 to 5? Please tell us in the comments!

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LGBTQ Diversity: Building a Collection for Independent Readers

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Being able to easily locate LGBTQ-friendly materials for children is an important task for school and public librarians seeking to support their diverse reading communities. Kids must be given opportunities to explore literature from multiple points of view, yet it's sometimes challenging to meet this need, especially for students in grades 3 to 5.

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List: ALA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) and Social Responsibilities Round Table (SSRT), proudly announces the 2014 Rainbow Book List.

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List: ALA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) and Social Responsibilities Round Table (SSRT), proudly announces the 2014 Rainbow Book List.

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RAINBOW BOOK LIST 2014

The Rainbow Project, a product of the ALA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) and Social Responsibilities Round Table (SSRT), proudly announces the 2014 Rainbow Book List. The Rainbow Book List is a bibliography of books with significant gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender content, and which are aimed at youth, birth through age 18. The list is intended to aid youth in selecting high-quality books which were published between July 2012 and December 2013. The list also is intended to aid as a collection development or reader's advisory tool for librarians serving children and young adults.

The committee members evaluated over 150 books from small, independent, and large publishers, and selected thirty books from 25 publishers for the 2014 Rainbow List. Among the 150 books evaluated by the committee, committee members noted an increase in the number of graphic novels. The number of teen fiction titles has also increased, and teen fiction comprises 70% of the 2014 list. However, there has been a significant decline in juvenile fiction (only one title appropriate for the list) and no picture books. As in previous years, non-fiction for any age, including memoirs and history so vital to tying a culture together, remains sparse.
Titles noted with an asterisk (*) are a Top Ten Title. Juvenile Fiction
*Federle, Tim. Better Nate than Ever. 2013. 275p. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.99 (9781442446892). Grades 4 and up.
Thirteen-year-old Nate runs away from his small town in Pennsylvania to New York City to audition for E.T. the Musical. With the help of his best friend, can he come back home before anyone notices he's gone?
Teen Non Fiction
*Bornstein, Kate. My New Gender Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving World Peace Through Gender Anarchy and Sex Positivity. 2013. 312p. Routledge, $39.95. (9780415538657). Grades 7 and up.
This updated edition of Bornstein's original gender workbook shows the reader how to deconstruct not only gender, but other societal values and morals with candidness, compassion and humor.

Hartzler, Aaron. Rapture Practice: My One-Way Ticket to Salvation: A True Story. 2013. 400p. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $17.99 (031609465X). Grades 9 and up.
In this memoir, Aaron Hartzler recounts his Christian evangelical upbringing; that means no TV, no movies, no drinking and no dating. As Aaron begins to discover who he is, he must also navigate the expectations of his very conservative family, and the larger community.

*Setterington, Ken. Branded by the Pink Triangle. 2013. 158p. Second Story Press, $15.95. (9781926920962). Grades 9 and up.
Jews were not the only ones persecuted and executed by the Nazis in World War II. Instead of a Star of David, homosexual men were marked with a pink triangle, which now stands as an international symbol for gay rights.
Teen Fiction
*Block, Francesca Lia. Love in the Time of Global Warming. 2013. 240p. Henry Holt and Co., $16.99 (0805096272). Grades 9-12.
In post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, Penelope (Pen) has lost everything, and everyone, she's ever cared about. In this Odyssey-esque journey, Pen embarks on a search for her family, finding unexpected adventures and survivors along the way.

Charlton-Trujillo, E.E. Fat Angie. 2013. 272p. Candlewick Press, $16.99 (0763661198). Grades 9 and up.
Angie hits rock bottom the day she tries to commit suicide in the middle of a high school pep rally. Enter KC Romance, a new girl in town who is stunningly different.

*Clark, Kristin Elizabeth. Freakboy. 2013. 448p. Farrar Straus Giroux $18.99 (9780374324728). Grades 7 and up.
Three lives intertwine: Angel, a transwoman who works at an LGBTQ center for teens; Vanessa, a high school girl who's on the wrestling team; and Brendan, Vanessa's boyfriend who has just started having dreams that he is actually a she. Brendan feels at home in his female-bodied dreams, but what does that mean for his relationship with Vanessa, and how can Angel help him?

*Dos Santos, Steven. The Culling. 2013. 420p. Flux, $9.99 (9780738735375). Grades 9-12.
In a post-apocalyptic America, the government has absolute control of its people, complete with a barbaric and gruesome tradition known as Recruitment Day. Lucian "Lucky" Sparks thinks his boyfriend, Cassius, will save him from being selected as a Recruit, but when Cassius proves untrustworthy Lucky must fight for his life.

*Egloff, Z. Leap. 2013. 223p. Bywater Books, $14.95. (978-1612940236). Grades 9 and up.
In the summer of 1979, Rowan Marks is just waiting to leave for college. In the meantime, she deals with her disconnected family, her best friend Danny who is in love with her, and stuck up, closed-off Catherine.

*Farizan, Sara. If You Could Be Mine. 2013. 256p. Algonquin Young Readers, $16.99 (9781616202514). Grades 9 and up.
Sahar and Nasrin are two women in love with each other whose lives are complicated by the fact that they live in Iran, where homosexuality is forbidden. When Nasrin's parents arrange for her to be married to a handsome doctor, Sahar comes up with a risky plan to save their relationship.

Fishback, Jere M. Tyler Buckspan. 2013. 198p. Prizm/Torquere Press, Inc., $13.95. (9781610405188). Grades 9 and up.
When his nineteen-year-old half-brother moves in after his release from prison, Tyler can no longer ignore his attraction to other boys. Thus begins a coming-of-age storyÂ about love and loss, set in the 1960s.

Harris, Michael. Homo. 2013. 144p. Lorimer, $16.95. (9781459401921). Grades 9 and up.
When Will gets outed on Facebook and everything in his life starts spinning out of control, can he discover who he truly is, or will his life be defined by what everyone else thinks?

Hoblin, Paul. Archenemy. 2013. 112p. Darby Creek Publishing, $7.95. (9781467707213). Grades 7 and up.
Addie and Eva are the closest of friends, but Eva wants to be more than "just friends." When Addie doesn't feel the same way, Eva harasses and tries to sabotage her, and their tight friendship quickly unravels.

Jackson, Corrine. If I Lie. 2012. 288p. Simon Pulse, $16.99. (9781442454132). Grades 9 and up.
Everyone in town is calling Quinn a whore and a slut because she's been caught cheating on her boyfriend Casey, who is serving in the Marines overseas. What they don't know is that Quinn is keeping Caseyâ€™s secret, a secret that would prove her innocence.

*Johnson, Alaya Dawn. The Summer Prince. 2013. 304p. Arthur A. Levine Books, $17.99 (9780545520775). Grades 9 and up.
Set in futuristic Brazil, the people of the city of Palmares Tres have elected a new Summer King, Enki. Everyone is in love with him, including June who knows better then to get tangled up with a man who she knows is destined to die.

Konigsberg, Bill. Openly Straight. 2013. 320p. Arthur A. Levine Books, $17.99 (9780545509893). Grades 7 and up.
High school junior Rafe leaves his accepting parents, his accepting school, and his accepting Colorado hometown to start life over at an all-boys boarding school where he decides not to come out as gay. As he navigates his new identity as a jock and a â€œboy's boy,â€ the strain of keeping his secret begins to take its toll.

*Lam, Laura. Pantomime. 2013. 400p. Strange Chemistry, $9.99 (9781908844378). Grades 9 and up.
Fleeing from her life of nobility, marriage and forced gender, Iphigenia joins the Circus of Magic, facing issues of identity that stretch beyond anyone's imagination.

Levithan, David. Two Boys Kissing. 2013. 208p. Random House $16.99 (9780307931900). Grades 8 and up.
Based on true events, this is the story of Harry and Craig's record-breaking 32-hour kiss, narrated by a Greek Chorus of older gay men lost to AIDS, and interwoven with the stories of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, and navigating gender identity.

London, Alex. Proxy. 2013. 384p. Philomel, $17.99 (9780399257766). Grades 8 and up.
Knox was born into one of the City's wealthiest families. As a Patron, he has everything a boy could possibly want â€" the latest tech, the coolest clothes, and a Proxy named Syd to take all his punishments.

Malone, Jill. Giraffe People. 2013. 262p. Bywater Books, $14.95. (9781612940397). Grades 9 and up.
Cole is content to do well in school, play sports, and date her well-behaved boyfriend, even though she has more than enough reason to rebel as the middle child of an Army chaplain. When her friendship with Meghan suddenly becomes complicated, it seems that everything else in her life becomes complicated, too.

Moynihan, Lindsay. The Waiting Tree. 2013. 218p. Amazon Children's Publishing, $17.99 (9781477816424). Grades 9 and up.
Simon and Stephen get caught "in the act" by Stephen's dad, but that's just one of Simon's many problems. Simon has been ostracized by his church community, he has a going-nowhere job at the local Stop 'n Save, and he is the sole caretaker of his brother, Jude.

Ness, Patrick. More Than This. 2013. 480p. Candlewick Press, $19.99. (9780763662585). Grades 9 and up.
Seth clearly remembers drowning and dying, but now he is awake in a run-down, abandoned version of his childhood home. Whenever he closes his eyes, his dreams feel more lifelike than his new reality.

Ryan, Tom. Tag Along. 2013. 208p. Orca, $12.95. (9781459802971). Grades 8 and up.
On the evening of the high school prom, a series of disappointing events bring four very different teens together for an evening more memorable than anyone could have planned.

Smith, Andrew. Winger. Simon & Schuster, 2013. 438p. $16.99. (9781442444928). Grades 9 and up.
Learning the ways of love and life are never easy, especially when you are a 14-year-old high school junior like Ryan Dean. Ryan Dean knows that with his best friend Joey at his side, life is always better â€" until the unthinkable happens.

Sutherland, Suzanne. When We Were Good. 2013. 227p. Sumach Press, $14.95 (97871927513118). Grades 9 and up.
Coping with her grandmotherâ€™s death and ditched by her best friend, Katherine finds herself seeking relief in Torontoâ€™s music scene where she meets the self-confident and self-aware Marie.
Graphic Novels
Georges, Nicole. Calling Dr. Laura: A Graphic Memoir. 2013. 288p. Mariner Books, $17.99 (9780547615592). Grades 10 and up.
When a psychic reveals that her father, long believed dead, is still alive, Nicole struggles with her identity and personal relationships with family, friends and lovers.

Maroh, Julie. Blue is the Warmest Color. 2012. 160p. Arsenal Pulp Press, $19.95. (9781551525143). Grades 10 and up.
In this graphic novel, Clementine dies at a young age and leaves her diary to her beloved Emma. There, Emma reads about how Clementine came to terms with her sexuality.

Parent, Dan. Kevin Keller 2: Drive Me Crazy. 2013. 104p. Archie Comics. $11.99. (9781936975587). Grades 6 and up.
Kevin juggles school, Boyfriend troubles, and a visit by George Takei in this new Archie Comic.

Takako, Shimura, Wandering Son, v. 4. Fantagraphic Books, 2013. 200p. $19.99. (9781606996058). Grades 6 and up.
Love is in the air for Nitori-kun, Takatsukisan, and Chiba-san. Hurt feelings abound and friendships may dissolve as elementary school fades into junior high.

Williams III, J. H. and W. Haden Blackman. Batwoman, Volume 3: World's Finest. DC Comics, 2013. 168p. (9781401242466). $22.99. Grades 9 and up.
When searching for Medusa and the missing children of Gotham, Batwoman teams up with Wonder Woman for a fight they might not survive.

The 2014 Rainbow Project Committee consisted of Christie Gibrich, chair; Naomi Gonzales; Ingrid Abrams; Erin Iannacchione; Christine Jenkins; Melanie Koss; Jesse Nachem; Victor Schill; Anna White; and Jane Cothron, project assistant.

GLBTRT is committed to encouraging and supporting the free and necessary access to all information, as reflected by the missions of the American Library Association and democratic institutions.Â The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table of the American Library Association is committed to serving the information needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender professional library community, and the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender information and access needs of individuals at large. Â http://www.ala.org/glbtrt/

Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT), a unit within the American Library Association, works to make ALA more democratic and to establish progressive priorities not only for the Association, but also for the entire profession.Â Concern for human and economic rights was an important element in the founding of SRRT and remains an urgent concern today. Â SRRT believes that libraries and librarians must recognize and help solve social problems and inequities in order to carry out their mandate to work for the common good and bolster democracy.Â SRRTâ€™s main Web site is hosted atÂ http://libr.org/SRRT.

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RAINBOW BOOK LIST 2014 The Rainbow Project, a product of the ALA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) and Social Responsibilities Round Table (SSRT), proudly announces the 2014 Rainbow Book List. The Rainbow Book List is a bibliography of books with significant gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender content, and which are aimed at youth, birth through age 18.

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(SLJ 2013)

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This article originally appeared in School Library Journal's October 2010 issue.

Islam proved a tough subject for Coco Huguet when she went looking for resources to use with a fifth-grade global history class at the Hewitt School five years ago. "I looked all over the Internet for teaching material on [Islam] and couldn't find anything," says the English and history teacher at the all-girls school on New York's Upper East Side. "Up until a few years ago, there was very little, especially for younger kids."

But this fall, Huguet's students will read the novels The Breadwinner (Groundwood, 2001) by Deborah Ellis and Andrew Clements's Extra Credit (Atheneum, 2009), along with a National Geographic history reference, The Islamic World (2005)-as part of an attempt to enhance student understanding of the religion from an academic viewpoint and also provide a deeper context to the concerns permeating today's headlines. "This year they're going to be more aware," says Huguet. "Some of these issues, especially Afghanistan and the division you see about the Mosque are coming to a head."

Between recent threats by a Florida pastor to burn the Quran, our nation's ongoing presence in Afghanistan, and protests at the planned site for Park 51, an Islamic community center and mosque set to be built two blocks from the World Trade Center site, the topic of Islam is a tricky one, especially in K-12 schools, say many educators.

For starters, it can be difficult to find appropriate materials to bring into media centers and classrooms. And then, parents can object to Islam being taught to their children, as protest groups across the Internet can attest. Of all major religious groups in the United States, Muslims trigger the most feelings of prejudice among Americans, according to a poll released in January by the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies. More than four in 10 Americans, or 43 percent, admitted to feeling at least "a little" prejudice against Muslims-as compared to 18 percent feeling similarly toward Christians, and 14 and 13 percent toward Jews and Buddhists respectively. And just 37 percent of Americans say they even know a Muslim American personally, according to a recent Time-Abt SRBI poll, with 46 percent believing that Islam actually supports the idea of its followers bringing harm to nonbelievers (http://bit.ly/dlchZy).

This prejudice can play out when organizations hear of Islamic culture being taught in schools, as Linda Tubach discovered when she launched a weekend professional development course for Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) teachers four years ago. "The Anti-Defamation League sent observers for a couple of years, and one person objected because [the class] was on the Jewish Sabbath," says the retired high school social studies teacher, who runs the program through the interfaith group Fellowship of Reconciliation, which offers teachers salary point credit for the two-day course. "But that's subsided, and our last class had no observers. People just seem to accept it at this point, and we feel very good about that."

Participating teachers travel to the Helen Bernstein Professional Development Center in downtown Los Angeles to create lesson plans and review Internet sites for use in K-12 classes. They're also treated to Middle Eastern luncheons and dancing. But the goal of the class is for educators to learn how to encourage questions and dialogue among K-12 students, specifically on the subject of Islam.

In a recent session, Tubach had two teachers role play-one assuming the role of an Israeli and the other a Palestinian-acting out a historic event from different viewpoints. The hope is that by addressing real history and potential stereotyping together, teachers will treat the subject matter with more confidence in a classroom setting. "People worry about backlash when they take on these issues," says Tubach. "But we found you can handle that successfully if you design a class that meets high standards."

But few students have an opportunity to take a class on world religions-let alone Islam. With budget cuts fairly standard across U.S. school districts, electives beyond the standard English, science, history, and mathematics courses are pretty limited. "Our school can't afford to have more exotic classes because we're already cutting back on others," says Mithi Hossain, a senior at Stuyvesant High School in lower Manhattan. "We did have a college-level course on Arabic after school. But that's a language. And it was cut."

Hossain, who serves as vice president of Stuy's Muslim Student Association (MSA), is very passionate about her Muslim identity. She's worn a hijab since the fifth grade and wishes more students at her school-beyond MSA's 25 members-understood details about Islam. While elementary school is a little early to introduce the topic, she says, she believes that certainly high school students should be educated in the nuances of world religions. "When you're going out into the world, you can't rely on stereotypes to make decisions," she says. "I believe school is the right place to learn about these subjects like Islam, as long as it's not biased. I know that's a very difficult thing to do. But if it's coming from a teacher who is well educated and not from a Muslim background, then sometimes it's more acceptable. Sometimes people are more willing to hear from a person with a different background than what they're teaching."

Knowing how to craft such a lesson is key. For teachers who don't have access to professional development programs like Tubach's, guidance on how to structure lesson plans is available online. New York's Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility has a "Teachable Moment" section on its site, which covers subjects from " Engaging the Muslim World" to a fairly topical one called " NYC Muslim Community Center: Why There? Why Not? ", which includes tips on how to guide a student discussion on U.S. and Muslim relations.

Schools across the country have accessed these lessons and have also been helped directly by Tala Manassah, deputy executive director of the Morningside Center, who believes that a properly constructed course can be effective in combating stereotypes. "You want to approach this from a historical side so they have some context," says Manassah. "Because some of this squawking that goes on with controversial issues comes from ignorance."

Nancy Gallin might concur. The history department chair at the Hewitt School for the past 15 years occasionally encounters queries from students that give her pause. "You'll get the odd questions like, 'Are Catholics Christians?'" she says.

But her students are taught about Islam through multiple disciplines and over many years to help stem that lack of knowledge. In the eighth grade, students learn how the Quran figures as a document of religious law, while ninth graders study the Crusades and the extension of Islam into Europe. By 10th grade, they're prepared to examine the religion within a more current context. "My general approach is to note similarities between today and history," says Gallin. "Because of the Muslim Community Center, I'll talk this year about the fact that xenophobia goes back to the Alien and Sedition Acts [of 1798]. And I'll connect that to the point that even though we live in a country with such an eclectic culture, some people think they're more real of an American than others."

Yet even a well-prepared teacher can watch a spirited conversation among students about burqas and the Five Pillars of Islam dissolve into a heated argument or even cross into proselytizing. Knowing not just how to present material, but how students may even respond, can make the difference.

Diane Moore helped pilot an online program, launched this fall through Harvard Divinity School, to turn public school teachers into peer scholars who can then teach the topic of Islam to fellow educators.

"One of the main things we'll be working with is not just content, but how do you teach about [Islam] and what you should be attentive to," says Moore, a professor of the Practice in Religious Studies and Education, and director of the Program in Religious Studies and Education at Harvard. "Content knowledge is not insignificant, but it is the how of teaching religion that is really critical. How do you introduce the subject to your students when they have their own misperceptions? So part of it is anticipating what your students already think about this."

That kind of teaching may be imperative in helping teachers overcome concerns that prevent them from even broaching the topic of Islam or Muslims in class-even if they believe these are subjects that could be helpful for their students. "There's a real consensus that public schools need to teach more about religious diversity and aren't doing a better job because so many teachers are afraid of touching the topic with a 10-foot pole," says Henry Goldschmidt, program associate with the Interfaith Center of New York, which runs professional development courses for teachers every summer.

For the two dozen or so educators who come for the weeklong program in New York, the Interfaith Center offers visits with community religious leaders including those from the Jewish, Santería, and Christian faiths, lectures from academic experts, and even field trips to different houses of worship-outings K-12 teachers can arrange for their own classes. The hope is that teachers will see religion as more a base of lived traditions and not just historical doctrines-and in that way make the subject more accessible and alive to K-12 students.

"That's one of the reasons K-12 curriculum is reduced to historical facts and dates," says Goldschmidt. "It's simpler for students and teachers to get their hands around that. But while they may be able to recite the Ten Commandments, they may not have any understanding of the lives of Muslims, Buddhists, or Jews living in America today."

But that's not going to be the issue with Gallin's students at Hewitt this fall. Every Thursday morning, the school holds a town meeting-usually filled with reminders for children to bring in permission slips, or about parent conferences. However, Gallin says she's going to use the time to keep the school community more aware of the current issues surrounding Islam.

"I'm going to call people's attention to what's going on in downtown New York, in particular, with Islam," she says. "I think if we're assuming these young women are going to be citizens of the world, they should know what's happening around them."

Resources foR teaching about islam

Luckily, you can find a lot more material online today than in recent years. Many organizations offer K-12 curricular guides, and while it's still a challenge to find content for younger grades, these resources are a good place to start:

Elementary School

Access Islam
Thirteen.org

Ten multimedia lessons for grades 4-8 about Islamic holidays, traditions, and cultures, from Ramadan to the Quran.

Children's Book Study Guides: The Librarian of Basra and Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq
Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility

A way to introduce the Iraq war to younger children by discussing the Library of Basra that burned.

Information on Islam
Woodland Junior School, Kent, England

Offers simple history questions for younger students complete with photographs and a multi-faith calendar.

Middle School

Extra Credit study guide
Andrew Clements

Guidance for teachers to help students discuss the story of two sixth graders, a young girl in Illinois and a boy in Afghanistan, who become pen pals.

Geometry and Islam
Asia Society

A student activity that incorporates Islamic textiles and architecture.

Teaching on Controversial Issues: Guidelines for Teachers
Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility

A teacher guide to presenting complicated and potentially controversial subjects.

High School

NYC Muslim Community Center: Why there? Why not?
Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility

Background regarding the proposed mosque and community center, with guidelines for conducting a discussion with students.

Islam, Empire of Faith
PBS Educational Resources

The first of five lessons aimed at students in grades 6-12.
The World of Islam
National Geographic

National Geographic story on Islam, with links to online forums, bibliographies, Muslim organizations, and a digital Quran.

's Recommended Titles
Picture Books
-During a visit to her grandmother in the Middle East, Yasmin learns about her religion and finds a way to pray at home, even though there are no mosques where she lives. A warm intergenerational story, told in English and Arabic, withillustrations that feature Islamic geometric designs and Arab architecture and culture.

-When Noor, who lives in Kuwait, sees the almost-full moon rise, she knows it's time to prepare for Girgian, a Muslim celebration observed mostly in the Arabian Gulf states during the middle of the month of Ramadan. The story underlines the importance of sharing, self improvement, and community welfare. Highlighted with moonlit hues, the attractive illustrations are done in a style that reflects one of many Muslim cultures.

Reza. Moon Watchers: Shirin's Ramadan Miracle. illus. by Anne Sibley O'Brien. Tilbury House. 2010. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-88448-321-2. LC 2009046324.

-Shirin is disappointed because she is too young to fast, but her father encourages her to do good deeds. As Ramadan ends, the family prepares for Eid-ul-Fitr, and a big surprise awaits Shirin, a "miracle." O'Brien's watercolor illustrations depict a Persian-American family.

-A seven-year-old Pakistani-American girl learns about the Islamic calendar and enjoys a special dinner with her family. Typical events follow, such as a celebration of the "Night of the Moon" at the community center. Then Ramadan is over, and the next day is Eid. Paschkis's stunning paintings incorporate Islamic tile art, adding to an authentic sense of the culture.

-Leena faces a difficult decision when she wants to fast during Ramadan, but also wants to attend her friend's pony party. She decides to do both, but finds that resisting the tempting treats isn't easy. When it is time to end the fast, her friends come with cake, and her mother invites them to share the iftar dinner. This well-told story is a great resource for discussing choices and religious differences

-A girl explains what happens throughout the month as people pray in mosques, listen to imams read verses from the Qur'an, and perform good deeds. The language is poetic, and the art shows the moon's waxing and waning phases as the family worships and rejoices.

-In a lyrical text, Whitman describes how a modern family observes Ramadan. Soft pastels captures the events and family interactions, and show women in hijaab giving hugs and talking on cell phones.
For Older Readers Fiction
-Amal, a devout Muslim, decides to wear the hijab full time. She faces typical teen concerns and deals withmisconceptions non-Muslims have about her religion and culture. The novel deals with some heavy issues, but it's also very funny. See also Randa Abdel-Fattah's Ten Things I Hate About Me.

CLEMENTS, Andrew. Extra Credit. illus. by Mark Elliott. S & S/Atheneum. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-4929-9.

Gr 4-7-Illinois sixth-grader Abby Carson and Sadeed Bayat, the best English-language student in his Afghan village, become pen pals, but because it isn't proper for a boy and girl to correspond with one another, he must pretend he is his sister.He can't keep the secret though, and the two become friends and learn about one another's culture and connect through their shared love of Frog and Toad Are Friends.

ELLIS, Deborah. Parvana's Journey. Groundwood. 2002. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-88899-514-8; pap. $5.95. ISBN 0-88899-519-9.

-This heart-wrenching sequel to The Breadwinner (Groundwood, 2001) follows 13-year-old Parvana as she searches through war-torn Afghanistan looking for her mother and siblings who had disappeared in the tumult of the Taliban takeover. An unforgettable read about the will to survive.

-Sami is bullied at school because he is a Muslim, and the administration doesn't do anything to stop it. Then the FBI breaks into his house and takes his dad away, unjustly assuming that he is a terrorist. A fast-paced thriller with strong characterizations.
Nonfiction
ea vol: 64p. (World of Islam Series). Mason Crest. 2009. Tr $22.95.

Gr 6 Up -These titles clarify issues facing the Muslim world and show the diversity of opinions within the religion. They also show the diversity of thought and opinion within Islam, In order to get a broad picture of the Islamic faith, the books work best as a set.

ELLIS, Deborah. Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak. Groundwood. 2004. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-88899-554-7.

-Alternating accounts from young people between the ages of 8 and 18 show the devastating effect of war on their lives and how any sense of childhood has been stolen from them.

-A fine introduction to the basics of Islam. Quotes from teens tell what it's like to be a Muslim in America, and the authors address dating, dancing, drinking, and drugs. The conversational style will appeal to teen readers, whether practicing the religion or wanting to know more about it.

School Library Journal contributing editor Lauren Barack writes about the connection between media and education, business, and technology. A recipient of the Loeb Award for online journalism, she can be found at www.laurenbarack.com.

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This article originally appeared in School Library Journal's October 2010 issue. Islam proved a tough subject for Coco Huguet when she went looking for resources to use with a fifth-grade global history class at the Hewitt School five years ago.

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List: Disability in Kidlit is dedicated to discussing the portrayal of disability in middle grade and young adult literature. 

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List: Disability in Kidlit is dedicated to discussing the portrayal of disability in middle grade and young adult literature. 

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Disability in Kidlit - Reviews, articles, and more about the portrayal of disabilities in children's fiction

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Despite some reservations, our reviewer would recommend this contemporary novel about young Bat - and the reviewer's ten-year-old goddaughter agrees.

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List: Resources and Kid Lit About American Indians 

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List: Resources and Kid Lit About American Indians 

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(SLJ 2013)

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At a conference held at the University of Wisconsin's Cooperative Children's Book Center in the early 1990s, James Ransome was asked why he had not illustrated any books with American Indian characters. His response, in short, was something to the effect of, "I haven't held their babies." He captured what it means to really engage with a people whose history and culture are not one's own. In SLJ' s November 2008 "Native Voices" column, I featured only books by Native writers. In this column, I've made an effort to include non-Native authors who have succeeded in forging the meaningful bonds to which Ransome alluded.

In writing about a culture that is not one's own, it is imperative to be able to make those connections. Good intentions are not enough to provide the history or perspective of Native peoples. Book research is not enough. Visits to reservations aren't enough, either. Real relationships with American Indians are vital in order to avoid romanticizing or denigrating various groups through stereotypical ideas and characters.

Eric Gansworth's young adult novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here, exquisitely exemplifies what I'm talking about here. His main character, Lewis, is Native. Lewis knows about tribal sovereignty and he knows his tribe's history. Through Lewis and his relationships with others, readers can expand what they know, too, and develop a broader perspective. Such perspective opens the door to cross-cultural understanding and empowers young people to select literature that accurately reflects the lives of American Indians.

Though the Common Core and the idea of multiple viewpoints are put forth as new, teachers and librarians have been searching for multiple viewpoints for a long time. Some have been able to separate the good from the stereotypical, but growing a critical mass of individuals who will select books like the ones described here takes work. Order them. Read them. Study them. Librarians are a powerful group. With your help, we can all be better informed and allow readers make truly meaningful connections.

Board Books

PreS-K -Who will be the first to make baby laugh? The bilingual text (English and Navajo) and quiet, yet stunning, illustrations are centered on Navajo culture and feature a Dine (Navajo) family. Other titles in this series of story/concept board books (numbers, colors, animals, seasons and more) include Baby Learns to Count and Baby Learns About Colors.

PreS-K -In this winning combination of words and images, each page features contemporary photos of children at the Fond du Lac Head Start. The photos are paired with "boozhoo," which is a common Ojibwe greeting, and a short sentence related to the picture, for example, "Agindaaso means red."

PreS-K -Each page features a Native baby in a cradleboard specific to her tribal nation. Some smile, others sleep peacefully. Beneath each photograph is a line for writing in the word for the expression or activity shown on the page (e.g. sleeping, yawning, frowning) in another language. A brief explanatory note about cradleboards is included.

PreS-K -A contemporary Metis child and his family are shown as the child grows from infancy to toddlerhood. Joy in life and the world about them are lovingly depicted in spare, but evocative text that is paired with Flett's exquisite mixed-media illustrations.

PreS-Gr 1 -Readers are invited to call out an exuberant "Good Morning!" to the creatures around us, e.g., "Good Morning busy beaver building your dam." The artistic style and creatures reflect the author/illustrator's Haisla Nation in the North Coast region of Canada. Adults can invite listeners to explore differences between locale and artistic style.

Elementary

K-Gr 2 -Through the teachings of his grandma, family, and community, a young Inupiaq boy develops his understanding of traditional ways of life and how deeply the culture is shaped by his community's coexistence with whaling and the environment. The watercolor palette effectively captures the cold of the northern landscape and the warmth of the people. An Inupiaq edition is available on the author's website, www.debbydahledwardson.com.

Gr 4-8 -In this, the fourth book in the "Birchbark House" series, Omakayas is now grown and the mother of eight-year-old twin boys, one of whom is kidnapped. As Chickadee and his family try to find one another, Erdrich eloquently imparts Ojibwe stories, history, and knowledge, and, as in the previous books, her own illustrations add charm to the stories.

K-Gr 2 -With the help of his caring and patient grandfather, Kunu, a contemporary Penobscot boy, overcomes his struggles to learn how to make the baskets Penobscot men have crafted for generations. In the process, he learns a bit about Penobscot history, too. Illustrations are gentle in tone, reflecting the relationship between Kunu and his grandfather.

Gr 2-4 -Why do skunks smell bad? The answer, from the Chickasaw perspective, is conveyed in one of five traditional stories presented with text in English and Chickasaw. Whimsical illustrations rendered in vivid colors invite a chuckle as the stories unfold. Notes from the author, illustrator, and people who provided the Chickasaw text provide insights into the publication of the series, which includes Chikasha Stories, Volume Two: Shared Voices (Chickasaw, 2012). A third volume was published in October 2013.

Gr 4-8 -Olemaun, an eight-year-old Inuit girl, begs to go to boarding school to learn to read. Once there, she realizes the education provided is meant to strip Native peoples of their cultures. Margaret's autobiography and its sequel, A Stranger at Home (Annick, 2011), include photographs of Inuit and school life along with dark-toned acrylics that reflect the somber realities of the boarding schools.

K-Gr 5 -Nelson takes readers through a day in the life of Lakota children. Like any kids, they wear jeans and sneakers as they ride a yellow bus to school, but their traditional Lakota ways are part of that day, too. Nelson's distinctive style of illustration blends the realistic here-and-now with representations of the spiritual dimensions of Lakota life.

Gr 3-6 -With a mix of photographs and interpretive artwork, Nelson's biography of Buffalo Bird Woman (1839-1932) is a comprehensive and unflinching look at how the Hidatsa people and their nation were impacted by Native and non-Native nations, while still being mindful of the book's audience. Notes provide teachers with information to supplement the content.

Gr 1-4 -Sneve offers a look into how her childhood was infused with traditional Lakota ways, but enriched, too, by the Episcopal church on her reservation. From the toys in Santa's bag to the setting for the autobiographical story, Beier's research is evident in the detail of her outstanding illustrations.

K-Gr 5 -Tingle shares his family history and their experience with racism. Clarkson's illustrations quietly capture the sadness and joy of Tingle's words as he recounts how his grandmother lost and eventually regained her sight. The story and the author's intimate and heartfelt notes provide multiple opportunities for readers to move from darkness into light.

Gr 1-4 -How to train a puppy, or what not to do when training a puppy, is the theme of this delightful picture book. From his grandfather's stories, Jake learns what his pup must be taught as it takes its place as a sled dog in an Inuit community. Leng's exquisite and lively illustrations capture the exuberance of puppyhood.

Middle School

Gr 5 Up -Twenty-one traditional stories by Native storytellers are included in this far-ranging collection whose contributors include acclaimed storytellers Tim Tingle and Joseph Bruchac. Biographies for contributors are included and can be used to identify the tribe from which each story originates. A breadth of style in the illustrations adds to the volume's unique qualities.

Gr 7 Up -Perseverance is at the center of this novel that highlights commitment to place and family and reveals a government program through which Alaska Natives were injected with radioactive iodine. Based on the experiences of the author's husband, this is the story of an Inupiaq man who attended Catholic boarding school as a youth.

Gr 6-9 -Through an exquisite use of Beatles music, Gansworth connects with readers on multiple levels in this story of Lewis, an Onondaga teen, as he develops a friendship with George, a white teen from a nearby Air Force base. The family and community of both characters figure prominently throughout.

Gr 6-8 -A Native boy, his white stepsister, and his friend who is paralyzed from the waist down and plays basketball from his wheelchair comprise the "triple threat" on a team in a summertime league. Competition and perseverance are the themes in this fast-paced novel.

Gr 6 Up -Lupita's Aztec heritage is very much a part of her life in this contemporary novel about a Mexican American family in Texas. Spanning the teen's high school years, the story is beautifully told in free verse as Lupita and her family persevere in the face of economic adversity, cultural differences, and the cancer that strikes Lupita's mother.

Gr 5 Up -"Silence is the loudest noise I ever heard," is one line from this outstanding collection of poems and stories written by Lakota middle school students. From the foreword by Lakota writer Joseph M. Marshall III, to the student's work, and Lakota artist S.D. Nelson's brilliantly evocative illustrations, each page provides insight into the tribe's history and culture.

Gr 7 Up -Teachers assigning author studies of Native writers will find much value in the 10 unflinching biographies in this volume. Selected works for each author demonstrate the breadth and range of their writing. Sidebars and photographs enhance the volume, which is similar to others in the "Native Trailblazers" series.

Gr 7 Up -In this funny graphic novel set on a fictional reservation, Starr hits all the right notes in three stories introducing Hubert Logan/Super Indian and a cast of characters who poke fun at stereotypes and personalities (like the ever-present anthropologist). Two "Real Super Indian" pages about Osage ballerina Maria Tallchief and Sac and Fox Olympic medalist Jim Thorpe are a bonus.

Gr 7 Up -The ghost is Isaac, a Choctaw boy who dies on the Trail of Tears, yet continues to interact with Joseph, another Choctaw boy who is a shape-shifter. Tingle's historical novel normalizes Choctaw spirituality, presenting it as part of the fabric of life of those who lived, died, and were killed on the Trail of Tears of the 1830s.

High School

Gr 9 Up -An update of the 1991 edition, this volume provides opportunities to revisit the ways in which Christopher Columbus is taught and presented in school and society. Includes poems, essays, and songs by several Native people, including writer N. Scott Momaday, political leader Suzan Shown Harjo, Native studies professor Cornel Pewewardy, and songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie.

Gr 9 Up -In this fascinating postapocalyptic page-turner, the 17-year-old Apache heroine has gifts similar to those of her namesake, Lozen, a Chiricahua Apache woman who fought alongside Geronimo. Generations later, Lozen and her family maintain the Apache ways that guide her as she fights to protect her family.

Adult/High School -Sovereign nation status, racism, and perseverance are the prominent themes in this exceptional novel told from the vantage point of Joe, an Ojibwe boy whose mother has been raped. Set in 1988 in North Dakota, this is an especially timely story as society considers legislation on violence against women.

Gr 9 Up -Rose, a young Choctaw woman of the late 1800s, looks back on a dark episode from her childhood when the racism and fear that paralyzed a town are faced down by the steadfast confidence her grandfather has in the goodness of people to overcome hate. Told with superb storytelling and unforgettable characters.

Gr 9 Up -Using their native language, the Code Talkers helped win World War II. Inspired by her father, who was a Code Talker, Tohe presents biographies and interviews with 20 Navajo Code Talkers and their descendants. Culturally specific details, such as the clans to which they belong, Navajo language, and photographs of the Code Talkers add depth to their stories.

Gr 9 Up -"Show Me Yours..." is a heartwarming story about members of a community adding depth to their relationships by sharing pictures of themselves as babies, and "The Moon of Letting Go" is a chilling page-turner. Infused with contemporary people of the First Nations, this is a riveting and deeply satisfying collection of short stories set in the Northwest Territories.

Gr 9 Up -A sci-fi thriller set in the near future pits humans against robots that have turned against humanity. A familiar plot with a smart analysis of technology and its limits, but with an added twist: the Osage Nation figures throughout the story and their sovereign nation status gives them an edge.
Debbie Reese is the editor of American Indians in Children's Literature.
Digital picks

Anompa: Chickasaw Language Basic. Chickasaw Nation. Thornton Media. 2011. Version: 1.1. iOS, requires 3.2 or later. Free.

Gr 3 Up -Common words (snow) and Chickasaw-specific words and phrases ("The Chickasaw people will dance, until the world ends.") are shown in English, with the Chickasaw word or phrase presented in print and audio. Content is arranged in over 20 different categories, two of which are hymns and videos.

Bramble Berry Tales-The Story of Kalkalilh: Book One. Rival Schools Media Design. Loud Crow Interactive. 2013. Version: 1.2. iOS, requires 5.0 or later. $2.99. Android, requires 2.3.3 and up. Version 1.0. $2.99.

PreS Up -Lily and Thomas visit their grandparents in this captivating storybook. While there, their grandfather tells them a traditional Coast Salish story about Kalkalilh. The text and audio can be read and played in English, French, Spanish, or Squamish, and interactive features provide background for the Squamish information in the story.

Navajo Toddler. Isreal Shortman. tinkR'labs 2011. Version 1.5. iOS, requires 4.1 or later. Free.

PreS Up -Uses cartoon graphics and audio to teach Navajo words for items specific to Navajo people (Navajo rug) and commonplace items (television) in the following categories: Numbers, Food, Body, Animals, Colors, Hogan, Clothes, and Phrases. Provides option to play a game that tests learning of the words and phrases.

Ojibway. Ogoki Learning Systems. Darrick Glen Baxter and Arlene Mousseau. 2012. Version 1.4. iOS, requires 5.0 or later. Free. Android, requires 2.0.1 and up. Version 1.0. Free.

Gr 3 Up -Provides information about Ojibway people in four categories: Language, Syllabics, People, and Maps. The Language category has 13 sections that show buttons with English words or phrases. The Ojibway translation is provided in audio. In the Maps category, users can view a map of North America, changing it to view International Borders, Ojibway Territory, and Ojibway Indian Bands/Nations.

Chickasaw Kids. Chickasaw Nation. (Accessed 9/23/13).

K Up -An interactive tour of the Chickasaw White House, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, provides information about Chickasaw history, culture, and language through games, activities, and videos. Some (coloring sheets) are geared for young children while others (biographies) are better suited for older children.

Infinity of Nations Culture Quest.National Museum of the American Indian. (Accessed 9/23/13).

Gr 5 Up -"Explore the Object Gallery" focuses on headdresses of 10 different tribal nations with a zoom feature for viewing intricate detail. "See Contemporary Native Art" features five pieces of art with pop-ups that provide detail about specific aspects of each. "Play Infinity of Nations Culture Quest" invites users to travel to 10 locations and earn a badge for visiting.

We Shall Remain. PBS. (Accessed 9/23/13).

Gr 7 Up -Broadcast in 2009, the five episodes of We Shall Remain begin with the Mayflower and conclude with the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee. Entire episodes are viewable online along with additional videos and materials. Especially important to the series is the feature on "Sovereignty" in the Native Now tab.

Media picks

By Phyllis Levy Mandell

For Librarians and Teachers

Great Native American Warrior Chiefs. DVD. 25 min. Worldwide Academic Media. 2011. $29.95.

Gr 6 Up -This information-packed film presents brief biographies of familiar Native American chiefs, such as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Geronimo, as well as lesser-known leaders such as Red Cloud and Mangas Colorades. The narrative is sympathetic to the Native American plight, documenting treaties broken and mistreatment at the hands of white men, incluing the massacre at Wounded Knee and the Trail of Tears.

Great Native American Leaders. 4 DVDs. 15 min. ea. New Dimension Media. $49 ea.

Gr 3-8 -Four programs-C hief Joseph and the Nez Pierce Indians, Crazy Horse and the Lakota Sioux, Geronimo and the Apache Indians, and Quanah Parker and the Comanche Indians -portray Native American leaders via dramatic reenactments, and in their own words.

A History of American Indian Achievement. 4 DVDs. 4 hrs. Prod. by Centre Communications. Dist. By Ambrose Video. 2008. $129.99 ser.

Gr 7 Up -Provides a chronological look at the tribes, their cultural complexities, leaders, and achievements. Historical and contemporary footage, photos, tribal artwork, and graphic representations are utilized to present the history of Native Americans from the years before European contact through contemporary military heroes, athletes, artists, and statesmen. The biographies of American Indian leaders such as Tecumseh, Black Hawk, Chochise, and Sitting Bull are excellent.

Trail of Tears: The Cherokee Legacy. DVD. approx. 2 hrs. Prod. by Rich-Heape Films. Dist. By Library Video. 2006. $34.95.

Gr 7 Up -Narrated by James Earl Jones, the documentary explores President Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation from the southeastern U.S. to Oklahoma in 1838.

We Shall Remain: America Through Native Eyes (American Experience Series). 3 DVDs. 7:45 hrs. Prod. by Native American Public Telecommunication for WGBH Boston. Dist. by PBS. 2009. $49.99 ser. Includes: After the Mayflower; Tecumseh's Vision/Trail of Tears; Geronimo/Wounded Knee.

Gr 7 Up -The series offers a multifaceted look at Native ingenuity and perseverance over the course of more than three centuries beginning with the Pilgrims and highlighting events and leaders through the Wounded Knee debacle. Superb cinematography features footage of tribal regions, reenactments, and still photography.

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Resources and Kid Lit About American Indians | Focus On

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At a conference held at the University of Wisconsin's Cooperative Children's Book Center in the early 1990s, James Ransome was asked why he had not illustrated any books with American Indian characters. His response, in short, was something to the effect of, "I haven't held their babies."

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List: A CRITICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY ON NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS, FOR K-12

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List: A CRITICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY ON NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS, FOR K-12

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The only arena where some progress has been made in combating this onslaught has been in children's literature. The past ten years or so have seen an increase in both the volume and quality of books about American Indians for children.

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List: bookswritten by African American authors or contain a majority of African American characters.

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List: bookswritten by African American authors or contain a majority of African American characters.

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We're committed to keeping you aware of books that are written by African American authors or contain a majority of African American characters.

Celebrating Diversity at ALA 2016:
BBS: Our Favorite Books of 2015 Summer Reading: 28 Days Later Celebrations: Father's Day/Celebrating Dads List (2012) Publishers/Imprints Dedicated to Multi-Cultural Children's Literature
*in alphabetical order

Amistad
Award-winning literary fiction and non-fiction. Primarily picture books to middle grade.

Children's Book Press (Lee & Low)
Multi-cultural books with a special emphasis on picture books and early readers. Focus includes African American, Latino, Asian American, Latino and Native American.

KTeen Dafina
Multi-cultural popular fiction with books centering primarily on African American, Latino and Caucasian characters.

Jump At The Sun
Award-winning literary fiction and non-fiction ranging from picture books to young adult.

Just Us Books
Wide range of Afro-centric picture books, chapter books and some young adult.

Kimani Tru YA
Multi-cultural popular fiction, many of them series books, focused primarily on African American characters.

Lee & Low
Children's books ranging from PB to Young Adult with a special focus on multi-cultural including African American, Latino, Asian, Native American, and Middle Eastern.

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We're committed to keeping you aware of books that are written by African American authors or contain a majority of African American characters. Celebrating Diversity at ALA 2016: BBS Nonfiction Spotlights BBS Fiction Spotlights BBS Member Favorites BBS: Our Favorite Books of 2015 Summer Reading: Celebrating Summer Whatcha Reading?

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List: A Mighty Girl's book section features over 2,000 girl-empowering books (Elementary)

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List: A Mighty Girl's book section features over 2,000 girl-empowering books (Elementary)

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Books for Smart, Confident, and Courageous Girls

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A Mighty Girl's book section features over 2,000 girl-empowering books starring stellar Mighty Girl characters. With over 200 book categories to explore, the best way to discover what this section has to offer is by browsing our detailed book menu -- just mouse over the 'Books' button on the menu bar above.

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List: #Kidlit4Justice Booklist, January 2016

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List: #Kidlit4Justice Booklist, January 2016

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What role does children's literature play in the fight for social justice? Is there room for advocacy and activism in the imaginative worlds that stories provide -- or does that mean that the author and/or illustrator is being "too preachy?" Can children's literature help the next generation learn to dream of a better world?

During the aftermath of the extrajudicial murder of young Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, several of us chatted on Twitter about resources that we might provide for our youngest readers, including Kids Like Us Books, Sarah Hamburg, Angie Manfredi, and others. As Dr. Marcia Chatelain's #FergusonSyllabus was being created, #Kidlit4Justice was born.

Our SuperFriends team and I chose social justice as our January theme, in honor of the King holiday celebrating a legendary champion for justice, and because we think it's a great way to begin 2016. Thus, below the cut, please find our full list of selections.

For a better, peaceful & more just world,

Ebony & the SuperFriends

(Note: January 1-3 was our @HealingFictions account's launch-a-palooza! We began our book recommendations on Monday, January 4, 2016.)

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Full #Kidlit4Justice Booklist, January 2016

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What role does children's literature play in the fight for social justice? Is there room for advocacy and activism in the imaginative worlds that stories provide -- or does that mean that the author and/or illustrator is being "too preachy?" Can children's literature help the next generation learn to dream of a better world?

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List: #AARI16 Booklist: Making the African American Read-In Last All Year Long

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List: #AARI16 Booklist: Making the African American Read-In Last All Year Long

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The SuperFriends and I have had an amazingly busy February! We greatly enjoyed participating in the National African American Read-In with ninth and tenth graders at Philly's U School on Friday, February 19, and at the Penn Bookstore on Saturday, February 20... as well as on our @HealingFictions Twitter account! We had a great time discussing our #AARI16 book selections, and can't wait to share our picks for Women's History Month under my #StoryGirls hashtag tomorrow.

Later this week, we'll bring you an interview with two leading figures from African American children's and young adult literature. Julius Lester is a multiple award winning author, historian, and former professor at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. He received the 1969 Newbery Honor Award for his groundbreaking book To Be a Slave, illustrated by the legendary artist Tom Feelings. Arnold Adoff is a notable poet, famous for his 1968 anthology I Am The Darker Brother, which was one of the first modern collections of Black poetry for children. He is the widower of the eminent children's writer Virginia Hamilton, as well as the father of children's author Jaime Adoff. For a second time, my wonderful doctoral students Sherea Mosley and Josh Coleman came up with the questions. I am so excited, honored, and privileged to be able share Mr. Lester and Mr. Adoff's profound insights about children's publishing and life.

In the meantime, on this Leap Day, I am reflecting upon our reasons for commemorating both Black History Month and the National African American Read-In. The NCTE website recounts the history of this major event celebrating Black children's and young adult literature:

"At its November 1989 meeting, the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English accepted the Issues Committee's recommendation that the Black Caucus sponsor a nationwide Read-In on the first Sunday of February. At the request of educators, Monday was designated for educational institutions. Dr. Jerrie Cobb Scott, an active member of NCTE and the Black Caucus, brought the idea to the Committee. It was envisioned that following a decade of rigorous campaigning for participants, the African American Read-Ins would become a traditional part of Black History Month celebrations. The commitment for nationwide promotion extends from 1990 to the present. In 1990, the National Council of Teachers of English joined in the sponsorship of the African American Read-In Chain."

We are proud to have been part of the 26th Annual National African American Read-In, both in the virtual world and in "RL" (real life), alongside thousands of kids, teens, teachers, parents, and community members around the United States. However, just because it's February 29th, and Black History Month is over, it doesn't mean the celebration is over! Please enjoy our picks so that you can make your African American Read-In last all year long.

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An #AARI16 Booklist: Making the African American Read-In Last All Year Long

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The SuperFriends and I have had an amazingly busy February! We greatly enjoyed participating in the National African American Read-In with ninth and tenth graders at Philly's U School on Friday, February 19, and at the Penn Bookstore on Saturday, February 20... as well as on our @HealingFictions Twitter account!

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Africa Access Review provides annotations and scholarly reviews of children's and young adult books that focus on Africa. More than 100 African Studies scholars are members of our review team.

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Expanding Perspectives on Africa Book by Book

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Click on the covers below or enter the title of the book into the SEARCH FUNCTION. You are invited to: Add your comments and ratings for a book.

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This resource guide was created in direct response to the multiple requests made by educators, parents and students. Like Marley Dias, so many of you have asked for books with black girls as the main characters. And because of you, we have received thousands of books. Here we are sharing with you the first 700 book titles. We have not yet catalogued all the books. As a small organization with only two full-time staff, our resources are limited. Beginning in April, each month we will provide you with updates of new book titles.

This resource includes words of welcome from Marley Dias, Creator of the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign. It also includes comments from Dr. Lauren Wells, Chief Education Officer, City of Newark who offers us tips on how we can foster and promote reading and literacy among our children.

As the President and Co-Founder of GrassROOTS Community Foundation, I have added a few words and call to action to the guide. My charge to parents and caregivers is a simple one: listen to your children, encourage them as well as promote their reading and literacy skills. Reading is a pathway to freedom and liberty. As caregivers it is our responsibility to develop the imagination of children so that they can dream, create and structure opportunities for freedom and equity.

We have reviewed the titles and descriptions of books to ensure that they fit the criterion of having a black girl as the main characters. We have also catalogued the books by reading level. This time-consuming task would not be possible without your financial donation to hire some interim part-time staff. We could not do it without all of you who donated, our volunteers and the librarians from West Orange Public Library.

Each month we will update the list and continue to serve as an information repository for Black Girl Books.

If you know of a black girl book, not listed here, please send us a copy so we can add it to our collection. We would like to see this list grow. Our address is:

GrassROOTS Community Foundation
59 Main Street
Suite 323
West Orange, NJ 07052

Financial donations are always welcomed. All donations are tax-deductible.

Thank you.

Welcome to the #1000blackgirlbooks Resource Guide. I started this campaign because I wanted to read more books where black girls are the main characters. With your help we have collected over 11,000 books; many of them are have the same title, but we do have lots of unique ones as well. This guide includes 1000 of those books and more is coming.

Love,

Marley Dias
Founder
#1000BlackGirlBooks

Sadly, in today's society we often lack the imagination to deal with some of the most deeply rooted social issues. Family and work obligations as well as our biases can stunt our imaginations; however, as adults it is our charge to foster the imagination of our youth. Marley Dias has an active sociological imagination. She imagined a world where black girls are the main, not minor, characters in children's books. She thought she was dealing with a personal matter, but she quickly learned from the outpouring response from the public that her personal problem is in fact an engrained social issue. Children's literature in the United States and abroad is homogeneous and exclusionary. Black girls are underrepresented and in many cases missing. Girls of color are almost completely absent relative to the majority culture.

As caregivers of children we must nurture our children's imaginations and equip them with the resources so they can be emboldened to act. The GrassROOTS Community Foundation through Super Camp enhances girls' sociological imagination and teaches them confidence grounded in the knowledge of history and self-hood so that they feel confident enough to feel like they can create change in their communities. Each year GrassROOTS encourages girls to develop a social action project. We choose the words social and action carefully. We want our children to understand themselves as social actors, connected to the world. In addition, we teach our girls that to achieve justice they must ACT. The #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign is Marley's 2015 social action project. As Marley's mom and the President of GrassROOTS Community Foundation, I have learned first hand what can happen when we foster and promote children's love of reading, educate them about their community, and their desire to create social change as well as fan the flames of their sociological imaginations.

Dr. Janice Johnson Dias
President & Co-Founder
GrassROOTS Community Foundation
#investingirls

A love of reading is the most important legacy we can offer to our children and our students. Reading opens windows to new ideas, peoples, places, and experiences. Reading also provides mirrors for students to see themselves and their lives reflected in the characters they meet in books. Reading builds vocabulary and background knowledge, empowering children with the tools needed to express themselves and think about the world around them. Nurturing joyful reading in children primes their brains for lifelong learning and develops important social emotional skills like stamina, reflection, and empathy. As we build readers, we must make reading pleasurable and help children understand that reading is a skill that builds over time.

Here are a few tips for parents and educators to create environments that invite children to confidently embrace and fall in love with stories and books.

Tips for parents:

Model reading. Read, read, read to your child, with your child, or in front your child every day.

Immerse your child in books. Transform your entire home into a reading zone by placing books in every room.

Affirm your child's culture, language, and race by choosing books and stories with characters, places, and experiences that reflect their background.

Awaken your child to new ideas, places, people, or experiences in books and stories by asking them questions and always answering the question they have.

Empower your child by allowing them to choose books to read, whether based on what interests them or on book covers and titles.

Arm your child by always leaving home with books. When your child gets older ask them if they have a book before leaving for school, the doctor, or a long ride.

Cultivate your child's use of language and words. Talk with your child about what is happening in their lives and the world around them.

Build your child's ability to make connections. When you watch television or movies, make connections to characters or ideas in books you have read together.

Expand your child's reading beyond fiction. Children have great curiosity about events taking place in the world, plants, animals, and people. It's never too early to expose them to historical fiction or non-fiction books.

Advocate for curricula, partnerships, books, and resources for classrooms and schools that are culturally relevant and responsive.

Tips for educators:

Model reading. Read, read, read to your students, with your students, or in front your students every day.

Immerse school culture in talk about books. Book talks over the intercom, book clubs, social media chats, and school-wide read alouds are a few ways to do this.

Affirm your students' culture, language, and race by integrating books and stories with characters, places, and experiences that reflect their backgrounds into the curriculum.

Awaken students as participants in their own learning by having them create reading goals for themselves, for example, minutes of reading, chapters read, and reading new genres.

Empower students by allowing them to choose books based on what interests them or on book covers and titles.

Arm your students with the power of their own language and stories by providing them with multiple ways to make personal connections to the texts they read.

Cultivate independent reading by creating comfortable reading spaces throughout schools. Classrooms, cafeterias, libraries, and cozy nooks in hallways are all fair game.

Build classroom libraries of interesting, appropriate, and relevant fiction and non-fiction texts.

Expand your reading beyond fiction. Students have great curiosity about events taking place in the world, plants, animals, and people. Use historical fiction or non-fiction books as tools to capture this interest.

Advocate for curricula, partnerships, books, and resources for classrooms and schools that are culturally relevant and responsive.

Dr. Lauren Wells
Chief Education Officer
City of Newark

Donations are the heart of the campaign. Because we value reciprocity, we donate the books we receive to schools and community members who need them. Children deserve to have windows and mirrors to the world. Please complete the form below.

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This resource guide was created in direct response to the multiple requests made by educators, parents and students. Like Marley Dias, so many of you have asked for books with black girls as the main characters. And because of you, we have received thousands of books.

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List: We Need Diverse Books End of Year Booklists

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List: We Need Diverse Books End of Year Booklists

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List: American Indians in Children's Literature Best Books

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List: American Indians in Children's Literature Best Books

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Are you looking for best books by or about American Indians? First Nations? Native Americans? Indigenous People?

Update on Nov 26, 2018: Some of the books in these lists may have religious or spiritual content that is problematic to the people whose ways are being used by writers. For context, see my post on November 15, 2018 "Open Letter: Trail of Lightning is an Appropriation of Diné Cultural Beliefs. Does the Letter from the Diné Writers Collective Mark a Turning Point?"

Below are links to posts on American Indians in Children's Literature and elsewhere that'll help you find ones selected by Native people (me, and other Native people, including members of the American Indian Library Association)! This page will be updated, so come back and visit again!

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Best Books by Native or Indigenous Writers

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Review: Good Night Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo              

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Review: Good Night Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo              

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"Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is a children's book packed with 100bedtime stories about the life of 100extraordinary women from the past and the present, illustrated by 60 female artists from all over the world."

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Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is a children's book packed with 100 bedtime stories about the life of 100 extraordinary women from the past and the present, illustrated by 60 female artists from all over the world.

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List: Verse Novels for Reluctant Readers

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List: Verse Novels for Reluctant Readers

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"We need more diverse books, and many novels in verse published for children contain multicultural elements."

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Novels in verse have earned their place in the mainstream of children's and young adult literature - Exhibit A: Kwame Alexander's The Crossover winning the Newbery Medal - and this is good news for reluctant readers, especially reluctant middle-grade and middle-school readers. Compared to a conventional novel, a novel in verse has perhaps half the number of words per page - and isn't that half the battle with reluctant readers? These readers often look at a page filled with words and think, This is too much! And quit before they begin. I recently told a young man, an eighth grader who loves baseball, that he should try Hard Hit by Ann Warren Turner. I opened the book and showed him the pages: words only on the left-hand pages, written in verse; blank right-hand pages. I told him he could probably read the book in about an hour. He came back the very next morning, excited, with a huge smile on his face, surprised - and proud - that he had finished it. (He also said, "You didn't tell me it was sad! ") But what really matters is that a reluctant reader felt successful. He read an entire novel in one night.

Novels in verse can be especially appealing to reluctant readers because they use so much vivid imagery, and I have found that many reluctant readers are visual learners. Poetry expresses meaning through the graphic placement of words on the page. Can't you see the papaya seed when you read these lines from Thanhhà Lại's Inside Out & Back Again?

Look at the placement of the words in another verse novel, Jen Bryant's Kaleidoscope Eyes, and see how it corresponds with the meaning:

Another week of digging.
More blisters.
Shoulders ache.

Still
a big,
empty hole.

Readers see the hole; they don't just read the words. The picture instantly makes reading, normally an abstract activity, suddenly concrete. (By the way, concrete poetry is a great way to introduce poetry to the reluctant reader, but that's another story.)

And what about kinesthetic learners? And auditory learners? By the time Sharon Creech writes in Heartbeat that main character Annie loves to run, the reader already knows it, feels it, hears it, because the very first words in this novel are " Thump-thump, thump-thump." This repetition continues throughout the short book. The reader learns so much about Annie by feeling what Annie feels, physically and emotionally.

In the middle grades, emotions often run high. Students are changing physically, intellectually, and emotionally, and all of these changes happen quickly. Middle graders' high-octane emotions sometimes manifest in tears, fights, moodiness, fits of laughter and giggles, defiance in their search for independence...and frequently do so at the most inopportune times. Because they are poetry, novels in verse often tap more directly into the emotions of their characters. One middle-grade boy cried at the end of Creech's Love That Dog. He, too, had lost his beloved dog and understood the protagonist's pain.

We need more diverse books, and many novels in verse published for children contain multicultural elements. Some of the reluctant readers in our library are our English language learner students. Maddie, part Cuban, gobbled up various novels in verse by Margarita Engle and Carmen T. Bernier-Grand: César: Sí, se puede! / Yes, We Can!; The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba; The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom, and others. But diverse verse novels are a wonderful way to introduce all readers to other worlds and ways of living.

Books about immigrants, too, allow readers to see aspects of various cultures. Becoming Joe DiMaggio, a historical novel in verse by Maria Testa about an Italian family who admires Joe DiMaggio, may be especially enjoyed by a baseball lover or a student with Italian family roots; either way, a reluctant reader will have made a connection and broadened his or her horizons by learning about a sport or what it feels like to be an immigrant.

We have read and heard much about the reluctant male reader, but little about the reluctant female reader. Why? In my experience, there are more uninterested, unmotivated, and/or insecure reluctant male readers, but that doesn't mean that all reluctant readers are males (or even, for that matter, sports-loving males). Fortunately, many verse novels feature female protagonists. May in May B. by Caroline Starr Rose must fight to survive alone during a prairie winter (and the subplot concerning her dyslexia may resonate with some reluctant readers). Looking for Me by Betsy R. Rosenthal features a female protagonist, Edith, who must solve the mystery of who she is as a middle child in a very large family.

The reluctant reader cannot be stereotyped if we expect to reach him or her with a good read. Reluctant readers are as varied in interests as those who love to read, and luckily novels in verse come in many genres, both fiction and nonfiction. Consider The Year of Goodbyes: A True Story of Friendship, Family, and Farewells by Debbie Levy. This powerful nonfiction title, based on the author's mother's childhood in Nazi Germany, describes the systematic degradation of the Jewish population as seen through eleven-year-old Jutta's eyes. Or give the verse biography Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali by Charles R. Smith to the student who wants to know more about the famous boxer but who normally wouldn't pick up a biography because they are "too wordy."

I enjoy mysteries, and so do many of my middle-grade students, especially the reluctant readers. At this age, students' own lives hold so much unknown that the idea of solving a mystery is appealing, even if subconsciously. Also, mysteries tend to present situations middle-grade readers might secretly (or not-so-secretly) wish for: adventure, the thrill of the chase. Many mysteries provide more thoughtful and reflective elements as well. Kaleidoscope Eyes takes the reader on a treasure hunt - and not just any treasure, but the treasure that belonged to Captain William Kidd - while it explores the strong friendship between three characters, two white and one black, during the 1960s. Although the mystery is great fun, the beauty of this novel is the exposure that middle-grade readers get to what it may have been like to live in the 1960s. They learn about racial prejudice, the Vietnam War, the feminist movement, and in the process they learn a little more about what it means to be a young person in our own era.

I encourage librarians and teachers to take the next opportunity to talk up books in verse. How about a book discussion about Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, perhaps pairing it with a documentary about the 1930s Great Dust Bowl? Connect it to the curriculum if you can. Have a good time together. Soon you may have fewer reluctant readers in your library - or at least a few more students asking you about novels in verse.

Books in Verse for Middle-Grade Readers

Becoming Joe DiMaggio (Candlewick, 2002) by Maria Testa; illus. by Scott Hunt

César!: Sí, se puede! / Yes, We Can! (Cavendish, 2006) by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand; illus. by David Diaz

The Crossover (Houghton, 2014) by Kwame Alexander

The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba (Holt, 2010) by Margarita Engle

Hard Hit (Scholastic, 2006) by Ann Warren Turner

Heartbeat (Cotler/HarperCollins, 2004) by Sharon Creech

Inside Out & Back Again (Harper/HarperCollins, 2011) by Thanhhà Lại

Kaleidoscope Eyes (Knopf, 2009) by Jen Bryant

Looking for Me (Houghton, 2012) by Betsy R. Rosenthal

Love That Dog (Harper/HarperCollins, 2001) by Sharon Creech

May B. (Schwartz & Wade/Random, 2012) by Caroline Starr Rose

Out of the Dust (Scholastic, 1997) by Karen Hesse

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom (Holt, 2008) by Margarita Engle

Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali (Candlewick, 2007) by Charles R. Smith; illus. by Bryan Collier

The Year of Goodbyes: A True Story of Friendship, Family, and Farewells (Disney-Hyperion, 2010) by Debbie Levy

From the March/April 2015 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.

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Field Notes: "This Is Too Much!" Why Verse Novels Work for Reluctant Readers

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Novels in verse have earned their place in the mainstream of children's and young adult literature - Exhibit A: Kwame Alexander's The Crossover winning the Newbery Medal - and this is good news for reluctant readers, especially reluctant middle-grade and middle-school readers.