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Multicultural literature is stories, poems, and books that talk about different cultures and people from around the world. They show what life is like for people who might be different from us, like those from other countries, races, or religions. These stories help us learn about and understand others better, making us more accepting and respectful of everyone's differences.

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Discover Diverse Reads: Websites & Blogs You Need to Bookmark!

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Discover Diverse Reads: Websites & Blogs You Need to Bookmark!

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1. The Pirate Tree

1. The Pirate Tree is a collective of children's and young adult writers interested in children's literature and social justice issues.

2. I'm Queer, I'm Here, What the Hell do I Read?

1. LGBTQIA2+ BOOKS, CULTURE, AND MORE FOR KIDS AND TEENS

3. PJ Library

1. PJ Library sends free high-quality Jewish children’s books to families every month. These stories spark conversations that inspire the whole family to explore and celebrate what they love about Jewish life.

4. Muslim Children's Books

1. "We're here to inspire a love for Allah in your child. Everything we create, is to fill children's hearts with a deep love and understanding of Allah and his deen In sha Allah. A quick browse through the site will show you that we do this through vibrant illustrations, quirky and careful child-friendly words, and a sprinkle of humour. Explore some of our Islamic books or posters today."

5. Africa Access - Expanding Perspectives on Africa, Book by Book

1. Africa Access, a 501 c (3) organization was founded in 1989 to help schools, public libraries, and parents improve the quality of their K-12 collections on Africa.

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Representation Matters: Articles Advocating Diversity in Library Books for Kids

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Representation Matters: Articles Advocating Diversity in Library Books for Kids

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The Importance of a Diverse Collection

Madison Dearnaley explores the idea that in the busyness of daily school library life, diverse collection development and promotion can sometimes slip.

Reading Rockets - Diverse Classroom Libraries for K-6 Students

This article focuses on the teaching and use of children’s literature and provides educators with information about a wide range of books across multiple genres that are representative of the diverse world in which we live.

Why we NEED diverse books more than ever now

Recent studies show that books for children continue to feature predominantly white characters although school populations are growing more diverse. Because of this disconnect, librarians are consciously seeking out titles that reflect diverse cultures and perspectives.

Why Diverse Books Matter: Mirrors and Windows

By enabling students to make connections to themselves, mirror books:

provide validation and affirmation

tell students that their stories matter

show students possibilities of who and what they can be

Window books also remind readers that their view is not the only view, which is why Dr. Bishop notes in the video clip above that "diversity needs to go both ways," observing that "children who always find their mirrors in books...get a false sense of what the world is like because it's becoming more and more colorful and diverse as time goes on."

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"Explora y Descubre: Spanish Books Celebrating Hispanic Voices for Our Library!"

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"Explora y Descubre: Spanish Books Celebrating Hispanic Voices for Our Library!"

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Stella Díaz: Stella Díaz tiene algo que decir

Written and illustrated by Angela Dominguez.

Published by Square Fish, 2019

Stella is sometimes shy about how how she speaks, but is determined to find her voice in this humorous and heartwarming story based on the author's own experiences growing up Mexican American.

Book Talk by the Milwaukee Public Library

¡Carmen la estrella!

Written by Anika Denise

Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez
Published by Harry N Abrams, Inc., 2017

This exuberant celebration of theater, family, and imagination, stars Carmen, who loves to be in the spotlight. Can she learn to share it with her little brother?

Book Trailer

Pelé, King of Soccer / Pelé, El rey de fútbol

Written by Monica Brown

Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez

Published by HarperCollins, 2017

Do you know how a poor boy from Brazil who loved futbol more than anything else became the biggest soccer star the world has ever known? Turn the pages of this book to read the true life story of Pele, King of Soccer, the first man in the history of the sport to score a thousand goals and become a living legend. Rudy Gutierrez's dynamic illustrations make award-winning author Monica Brown's story of this remarkable sports hero truly come alive!

Read aloud

Miles Morales Ondas Sismicas

Written by Justin A. Reynolds

Illustrated by Pablo Leon

Published by Scholastic Book Service

Miles Morales is a normal kid who happens to juggle school at Brooklyn Visions Academy while swinging through the streets of Brooklyn as Spider-Man. After a disastrous earthquake strikes his mother's birthplace of Puerto Rico, Miles springs into action to help set up a fundraiser for the devastated island. But when a new student's father goes missing, Miles begins to make connections between the disappearance and a giant corporation sponsoring Miles' fundraiser. Who is behind the disappearance, and how does that relate to Spider-Man?

Book Trailer

Real Bios: Lionel Messi

Written by Marie Morreale

Published by Children's Press, 2016

As the biggest star in the world's most popular sport, Lionel "Leo" Messi is an international celebrity. But in many ways, he's just a regular guy.

Readers (Grades 4-6) will learn about Leo's favorite foods and pastimes and find out how he likes to spend time with his family. They will also learn how he got his start as a soccer player and how he became an international superstar.

Book Review

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Empowering Black Voices: A Rich Collection of Diverse Reads!

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Empowering Black Voices: A Rich Collection of Diverse Reads!

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The Magnificent Mya Tibbs Series

Written by Crystal Allen

Published by Harper Collins, 2017-2020

"Spirit Week Showdown": Nine-year-old cowgirl Mya Tibbs is boot-scootin’ excited for the best week of the whole school year—SPIRIT WEEK! She and her megapopular best friend Naomi Jackson even made a pinky promise to be Spirit Week partners so they can win the big prize: special VIP tickets to the Fall Festival.Nine-year-old cowgirl Mya Tibbs is boot-scootin’ excited for the best week of the whole school year—SPIRIT WEEK! She and her megapopular best friend Naomi Jackson even made a pinky promise to be Spirit Week partners so they can win the big prize: special VIP tickets to the Fall Festival.

"The Wall of Fame Game": Nine-year-old Mya Tibbs is in a triple heap of trouble. As the Tibbs household prepares for the new baby, Mya is extra excited to spend time with her mom watching their favorite Annie Oakley marathon before her new sister arrives. Until she’s cornered into a bet with her number-one enemy, Naomi Jackson, that she can beat her in the famous fourth-grade Wall of Fame Game—which means Mya is stuck studying every night instead of hanging out with Mom. As if that wasn’t enough, Mya just entered Bluebonnet’s annual chili cook-off, even though she doesn’t know how to cook! Holy moly!

Can Mya find a way to beat Naomi, win the chili cook-off, and get some special mom/daughter time before it’s too late?

"Mya in the Middle": Things have changed in the Tibbs house, and Mya isn’t happy about it. She’s stuck in the middle between an exceptionally cute baby sister and an exceptionally smart older brother. And her tired parents seem to only notice the “exceptional” kids in the house.

So when a class project lassoes Mya into starting her own school newspaper, she’s sure this will earn her the star status she wants from her parents. But the same project also gives Mya’s archenemy, Naomi Jackson, a chance to prove she is a better friend to the twins, Skye and Starr, than Mya is . . . and soon Mya feels caught in the middle again, just like at home. Good gravy in the navy!

When Mya makes a monumental mistake in an effort to celebrate the twins, she stands to lose everything, including their friendship. Now she has to figure out how to get back in the saddle, grab those reins, and gallop her way toward fixing everything.

Spirit Week ShowDown Book Trailer

I Got Next

Written and illustrated by Daria Peoples

Published by Harper Collins

A young basketball player practices on the playground, preparing for an upcoming pickup game while his shadow urges him to play hard and leave his heart on the court. As the boy dribbles and weaves, shoots and scores, his shadow gives him the encouragement he needs to overcome pregame jitters and join the competition.

Read aloud

Breakaways

Written and illustrated by Cathy G. Johnson

Published by Macmillan, 2019

Quiet, sensitive Faith starts middle school already worrying about how she will fit in. To her surprise, Amanda, a popular eighth grader, convinces her to join the school soccer team, the Bloodhounds. Having never played soccer in her life, Faith ends up on the C team, a ragtag group that's way better at drama than at teamwork. Although they are awful at soccer, Faith and her teammates soon form a bond both on and off the soccer field that challenges their notions of loyalty, identity, friendship, and unity. The Breakaways from Cathy G. Johnson is a raw, and beautifully honest graphic novel that looks into the lives of a diverse and defiantly independent group of kids learning to make room for themselves in the world.

Making a GRAPHIC NOVEL! THE BREAKAWAYS Process

Cassandra, Animal Psychic

Written by Isabelle Bottier

Illustrated by Helene Canac

Published by Graphic Universe, 2019

Cassandra has a gift. Animals can show her what they're thinking. And she's done keeping her talent a secret. In the first volume of the Cassandra: Animal Psychic series, Cassandra sets out to help pets and their people.
The trouble is, other parts of Cassandra's life are changing too. Her mom has a boyfriend she really likes, but his daughter can't stand Cassandra. And Cassandra's best friend is about to leave town. Not even her trusty dog Miss Dolly can make things feel okay. When Cassandra gets on the trail of a lost cat, will she be able to help its owners? Or will her first case be a flop?

Long Way Down

Written by Jason Reynolds

Illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff

Published by Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2022

Will’s older brother, Shawn, has been shot.
Dead.
Will feels a sadness so great, he can’t explain it. But in his neighborhood, there are THE RULES:

No. 1: Crying.
Don’t.
No matter what.

No. 2: Snitching
Don’t.
No matter what.

No. 3: Revenge
Do.
No matter what.

But bullets miss. You can get the wrong guy. And there’s always someone else who knows to follow the rules…

Jason Reynolds Reads from Long Way Down graphic novel