Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell

Written by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, Illustrated by Rafael Lopez, Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. (Realistic fiction, ages 4-7)

I am so thankful for the many talents of artists that are a saving light to dark days. If you ever want to brighten your Instagram and other media feed, follow artists, illustrators, and makers. I promise you it brings many unexpected smiles especially with what’s going on right now. That was the thought I had when I came across this title in my shelf. Based on a true story, it shows the power of art and how it can transform a community.

BACKGROUND

A young Hispanic/Latinx girl named Mira loves art and spreads her work throughout her grey neighborhood. Things take a turn for the brighter when she meets a muralist one day in the street.

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that can highlight the power of the individual to enact change, art, community and spreading joy.

PAIR WITH

Thank You Omu! By Oge Mora

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

From The Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

Written by Janae Marks, Published by Katherine Tegen Books, 2020. (Realistc fiction, ages 8-11)

I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for books about cooking/baking. While that played a part in me picking up this title, the story kept me engaged. Surprisingly I hear multiple requests for stories where a family member is incarcerated. It is even harder to find a middle grade novel that deals with this loaded subject with authenticity. Marks does it all tactfully and is still able to maintain a balance in tone in the overall story, an admirable feat!

BACKGROUND

Zoe is Black and is currently working towards a chance to audition for the TV show: Kid’s Bake Challenge. Everything comes to a halt when she gets a letter from her father who’s in jail. Now she must go back into the past to figure out the truth. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

An uplifting middle grade novel that deals with complicated family dynamics, incarceration of a family member, baking, and going for your dreams.

PAIR WITH

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

Written by Kevin Noble Maillard, Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, Published by Roaring Brooke Press, 2019. (fiction, 4-6)

November is Native American Heritage Month. I am grateful that my children have the age appropriate resources and books to learn the truth of the Thanksgiving story and gain a greater knowledge and respect for Native Americans, their history, culture, and contributions. If you have access through your school or local library, Brainpop has a great video discussing the Thanksgiving myth vs actual events.

BACKGROUND

Food, history, culture, and hope intersect as Native American family and friends gather together to make fry bread and share their stories. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a five minute read aloud that would be a great pick for Native American Heritage Month and Day. Also a great way to promote self-acceptance, family, respect for one’s roots, culture, and of course food!

PAIR WITH

Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Mae Among The Stars by Rodha Ahmed

Written by Rodha Ahmed, Illustrated by Stasia Burrington, Published by HarperCollins, 2018. (4-6)

I have been reading news about Victor Glover who is going to be the first Black NASA astronaut to live on the International Space Station. Amidst all the excitement it reminded me of this particular title. This is just a perfect read for those looking to inspire curiosity and wonder.

BACKGROUND

Ever since she was a girl Mae Jemison loved the night sky. Her parents always told her if she could dream it and work hard for it she could be an astronaut, which is exactly what she did. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a seven minute read aloud that would be great for a biography or career unit. Also a great way to inspire curiosity, STEM, and grit.

PAIR WITH

You Should Meet Mae Jemison by Laurie Calkhoven

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Shubh Diwali! by Chitra Soundar

Written by Chitra Soundar, Illustrated by Charlene Chua, Published by Albert Whitman & Company, 2019. (holiday, 3-6)

IMG_2151

Last year, my family was lucky enough to celebrate Diwali with friends by eating at a Thali restaurant. My sons naturally got curious about the holiday so we did some reading. I just wished that I knew about this title a couple of months before. It is a perfectly engaging read that is both informative and fun.

BACKGROUND

A family of South Asian descent prepares their home for Diwali, going through common customs such as making rangoli, exchanging gifts, and celebrating with friends and families. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a five minute read a loud that would be great in showcasing specific traditions that go along with Diwali. A great title to include for holidays, family, and charity.

PAIR WITH

Let’s Celebrate Diwali by Anjali Joshi

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

The Girl And The Ghost by Hanna Alkaf

Written by Hanna Alkaf, Published by HarperCollins , 2020. (Dark Fantasy, 9-11)

I read across genres but I tend to avoid horror (I have a very active imagination so I scare very easily). A friend recommended this title and by the time I realized it was plenty creepy, I was already too caught up in the writing to stop. Trust me, you will be thoroughly creeped out and guessing until the very end!

BACKGROUND

Suraya, a young Malaysian girl gets an unexpected gift from her grandmother, a pelesit. This shape shifting ghost protects her, but also has a dark side which brings much trouble and revelations to Suraya’s life. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

A dark and thrilling middle grade novel that touches on Malaysian myths and folktales.

PAIR WITH

Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Beautiful Eyes by Gale Romasanta

Written by Gayle Romasanta, Tagalog Translation by Carmen and Pat Romasanta, Illustrated by Ramon Abad, Published by Bridge + Delta, 2018. (Board Book, 2-5)

October is Filipino American History Month. I usually do not feature board books, but I made an exception since books highlighting the Filipinx experience are still challenging to find. This particular title is about an exercise Filipino families will do with babies and toddlers.

BACKGROUND

Filipino families will do this particular exercise with a baby or toddler. The child is taught to blink their eyes when a grownup cues them by saying, “Beautiful eyes! Beautiful eyes!” The exercise is expanded in the title as a baby learns about other body parts. Both the narrative and the captions are in English and Tagalog. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a two minute read aloud that would be a great interactive concept book with babies and young emerging readers.

PAIR WITH

Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina Gilmore

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

My Footprints by Bao Phi

Written by Bao Phi, Illustrated by Basia Tran, Published by Capstone Press, 2019. (Picture Book, 5-9)

Some things never change, and one of those things is wanting to be just like everyone else. No matter how advanced our technologies get and socially savvy young kids appear to be, the struggle of feeling different and not fitting in seems like a necessary rite of passage. If there was one piece of wisdom I could have every kid understand is that the very things that make you unique is what makes the world so much more beautiful, embrace yourself for it. I love how that is the main theme of this title.

BACKGROUND

A young Vietnamese American girl is tired of being bullied for being a girl, looking different, and having two moms. Instead she thinks up the most powerful and wonderful creature that can leave a mark in this world. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud that touches on Vietnamese myths, bullying, tolerance, strength, self-acceptance, asking for help, and family relationships. A guide to figures from Asian mythology is included.

PAIR WITH

When I Found Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramaniam

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

Written by Carole Lindstrom, Illustrated by Michaela Goade, Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2020. (Picture book, 5-12)

In honor of Indigenous People’s Day I had to feature this powerful and beautiful title. Reflecting on my formal education I didn’t learn much about the native tribes in my area and if I did, it was restricted to limited snippets in history or a folktale. I am grateful that there are so much more resources and titles available for younger readers. Don’t be mistaken, we still have a long way to go, but I always get excited to see more titles that show not only the painful ancient past, but also the accomplishments, joys, resilience, activism and vast array of experiences within the indigenous identity.

BACKGROUND

A young Native American girl (Ojibwe, Tlingit, Haida) is taught that water is the lifeline of all living creatures. It is up to her to fight for it’s protection from an evil black snake, foretold in the Elder’s stories. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

This seven minute read aloud is a great choice to open up discussions about the environment, activism, respect, courage, and also showcase indigenous culture.

PAIR WITH

Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes by Wab Kinew

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee

Recently I’ve been struggling with a limited attention span, making reading very challenging. However, as soon as I picked up this book, I was sucked right into the story and could not put it down! What an emotional and gut-wrenching tale that is ultimately filled with love and hope. In the author’s note, Julie Lee mentioned that the story is based on the experiences of her mother who escaped from North Korea during the Korean War.

BACKGROUND

Sora and her family always talked about fleeing from North to South Korea, but the risks were too high. However, when war breaks out the family takes their chances. When Sora and her younger brother Youngsoo get separated from the rest of the family, they will have to find a way to South Korea no matter what. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

A rich, enthralling middle grade novel that teaches about an important event of history and the human toll it took.

PAIR WITH

House Without Walls by Ching Yeung Russell

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore