Entering Kindergarten
In this illustrated version of Bob Marley’s song, a boy enjoys life and will not let anything get him down.
All Are Welcomeย by Alexandra Penfield
This is a Gift For Youย by Emily Martin
One Loveย by Cedella Marley
Celebrate 12 special days in Latin America from the feast of Saint Anthony in Mexico, an Inca festival in Peru, and a ritual of African origin in Brazil.
Celebrations by Annabel Kindersley
What Do You Celebrate? by Whitney Stewart
Hello Hanukkah! by Susan Novich
Children discover a world of colors all around them. Many of the featured objects are Latino in origin, but all are universal in appeal.ย
Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market! by Raul Gonzalex
Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz
Red is a Dragon: A Book of Colors by Roseanne Thong
On a trip to the park with her mother, a girl hears a rhythm coming from the world around her and begins to move to the beat.
Boogie Boogie Y’all! by C.G. Esperanza
Kick Push by Frank Morrison
Kicks by Van G. Garrett
A fairytale set in rural Africa about the age-old phenomenon of bedtime stalling.ย
Please, Baby, Please! by Spike Lee
Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes
A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin
Count from one to ten with this Caribbean inspired book!
1 2 3 4 Cake! by Caroline Wright
I Know Numbers by Taro Gomi
Stack the Cats by Susie Ghahremani
A young boy encounters aย lionย while trying to find his pet cat–meeting a number of other animals along the way.
I Love Cats! by Sue Stainton
My Wild Cat by Isabelle Simler
Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper
Ming goes to preschool, where she bravely plays all kinds of games with new friends and old, but she is still not quite ready for the big red slide.
Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim
The King of Kindergarten by Derek Barnes
All Are Welcome by Alexander Penfold
Lucha Libre champion Niรฑo has no trouble fending off monstrous opponents, but when his little sisters awaken from their naps, he is in for a match that will truly test his skills.
Lucia the Luchadora and the Million Masks by Cynthia Garza
Pacho Nacho by Silvia Lopez
The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt
A little girl’s dad steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.
Crown by Derrick Garnes
Laxmi’s Mooch by Shelly Anand
An evocative picture book intended to foster reconciliation among children and encourage them to show each other love and support.
At the Mountain’s Base by Traci Sorrell
You Matter by Christian Robinson
Love by Matt De La Pena
1st Grade
Alma Sofia Esperanza Josรฉ Pura Candelaย hears the story ofย her nameย and learns aboutย her grandparents.
Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompskins-Bigelow
Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
My Name is Aviva by Leslea Newman
Shares a story of loving who you are, respecting others and being kind to one another.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrik Barnes
Be You by Peter Reynolds
An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story.
Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour
A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Bright Star by Yuyi Morales
A sweet tale of overcoming your fears, Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient father and a determined little boy.
A man known as the “Trashcan Wizard” sings and dances his way through New Orleans, until Hurricane Katrina’s devastation nearly causes him to lose his spirit.
A girl tells what it is like living with her twin brother who has autism and sometimes finds it hard to communicate with words, but who, in most ways, is just like any other boy.
An inspiring story about a Korean-born girl finding her place in a new country.
A collection of four separately published stories featuring Pedro, Katie Woo’s classmate and friend.
A child-friendly story about the trials and triumphs of starting over in a new place while keeping family and traditions close.
A fairytale set in rural Africa about the age-old phenomenon of bedtime stalling.ย
Please, Baby, Please! by Spike Lee
Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes
A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin
Three siblings enjoy the Indian festival of Raksha Bandhan, a celebration of the special relationship between brothers and sisters.
2nd Grade
ย When Amadi disobeys his mother and runs off to the market, he encounters a much-admired older boy secretly reading at a book stall.
Ruben feels like he is the only kid without a bike. His friend Sergio reminds him that his birthday is coming, but Ruben knows that the gifts he and Sergio receive are not the same.ย
Depicts people around the world collecting, chilling, and drinking water.
A Kenyan boy plays and visits neighbors all through his village, even though he is supposed to be watching his grandfather’s cows.
Whenย Grace finds there has never been a female U.S. president, she decides to run forย schoolย
president.
When a boy visits an art museum and one of the paintings comes to life, the adventure changes how he sees the world ever after.
As Nasreddine and his father take dates, wool, chickens, or watermelon to market, people tease them no matter who is riding their donkey, but his father helps him to understand.
Growing up in a segregated town in the 1960s, Alta’s family can’t afford new sneakers–but she’ll still attend the parade celebrating her hero Wilma Rudolph’s three Olympic gold medals.
In this retelling of a Persian folktale attributed to Jalaledin Rลซmฤซ , a parrot tricks a wealthy merchant into setting him free.
3rd Grade
See a class of young students as they begin a school project inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn to follow his example.
Because Claudette by Tracey Baptiste
When Martin Luther King Jr. Wore Roller Skates by Mark Weakland
A Place to Land by Barry Wittenstein
A half-Chinese, half-Caucasian girl’s ‘memoir’ about a new sibling, being biracial, and her path to literary greatness.
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look
Each famous profile proves that the greatest mistakes and flops can turn into something amazing.
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli
Never Too Young by Aileen Weintraub
The Playbook by Kwame Alexander
Young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way.
How Emily Saved the Bridge by Frieda Wishinsky
From Here to There by Vivian Kirkfield
Mistakes That Worked by Charlotte Jones
Jada’s best friend moved away but a class project on rocks and minerals, could mean new friends. For Jada, rocks are easier to find than friends. Or are they?
Frankie Sparks & the Class Pet by Megan Blazemore
The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane by Nikki Smith
Jo Jo Makoons & the Used-to-Be Best Friend by Dawn Quigley
When a fussy patron sends his order of potatoes back twice, the chef decides to have some fun, based on the true story of the potato chip.
There’s No Ham in Hamburgers by Kim Zachman
Madame Pamplemousse & Her Incredible Edibles by Rupert Kingfisher
Recipe for Adventure: Naples! by Giada DeLaurentis
When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother’s garden, she begins to notice things that make her curious about her grandmother.
We Are Still Here by Traci Sorrell
Where Are You From? by Yamille Saied Mendez
This is How I Know by Brittany Luby
Meet Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician who worked at NASA in the early 1950s until retiring in 1986.ย
A Computer Calledย Katherine by Suzanne Slade
Starstruck by Kathleen Krull
Margaret and the Moon by Dean Robbins
After a long day of 2nd grade, Little Rhino comes home to find out that Grandpa James has signed him up for a baseball league!
Hooray! My Butt Left the Bench by Henry Winkler
MVP by David Kelly
Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan by Frances O’Roark Dowell
4th Grade
William Kamkwamba describes the drought that struck his tiny village in Malawi, his subsequent interest in science, and his idea to build a windmill.
Born Just Right by Jordan Reeves
William Kamkwanba by Kyle Burns
Poisoned Water by Candy Cooper
Juan Garcia Esquivelย was born in Mexico and grew up to the sounds of mariachi bands. He loved music and became a musical explorer.
Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews
Libba by Laura Veirs
Selena by Silvia Lopez
Each famous profile proves that the greatest mistakes and flops can turn into something amazing.
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli
Never Too Young by Aileen Weintraub
The Playbook by Kwame Alexander
The story of DJ Kool Herc and how he invented a new kind of music that would change the world.
Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix by Jacqueline Martin
The Dumbest Idea Ever by Jimmy Gownley
Someone Like Me by Julissa Acre
Chronicles the life and achievements of the NASA engineer and inventor, from his childhood to his accidental invention of the Super Soaker water gun.
The Boo-Boos That Changed the World by Barry Wittenstein
How to Become an Accidental Genius by Elizabeth MacLeod
Who Was Nikola Tesla by Jim Gigliotti
The book is aboutย Ada Lovelaceย and her lifeย in science.
More Girls Who Rocked the World by Michelle McCann
Samuel Morse, That’s Who by Tracy Maurer
Ada’s Ideas by Fiona Robinson
Presents the life of nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks who became the youngest known child to be arrested for picketing against segregation practices in 1963.
Claudette Colvin by Lesa Cline-Ransom
A Place Inside Me by Zetta Elliot
Martin Rising by Andrea Davis Pinkney
5th Grade
A tale of a child who arrives in America on a slave ship. Describing her capture, her witness to a mutiny, and the Supreme Court trial that returns her to Africa.
January’s Sparrow by Patricia Polacco
Born On the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones
The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Raised by her aunt until she is six, Betty, who will later marry Malcolm X, joins her mother and stepfamily in 1940s Detroit, where she learns about the civil rights movement.
A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Ramee Moore
The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert
Dream Annie, Dream by Waka Brown
Begins with the roots of the civil rights movement through civil rights today.
Freedom Riders by Ann Bausum
Mighty Justice by Dovey Roundtree Johnson
Sit-in by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Each famous profile proves that the greatest mistakes and flops can turn into something amazing.
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli
Never Too Young by Aileen Weintraub
The Playbook by Kwame Alexander
Through a series of poems, a girl chronicles the year 1975, when she and her family leave Vietnam and resettle in Alabama.
Refugee by Alan Gratz
World in Between by Kenan Trebinฤeviฤ
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
Lety Muรฑoz’s first language is Spanish, and she likes to take her time putting her words together. Can Lety find her voice before it’s too late?
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Shine On, Luz Veliz! by Rebecca Balcarcel
Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
After getting separated from his class during an outing to the Empire State Building, Pablo, the new kid, learns to navigate the NYC subway as well as his own feelings towards making new friends.
Planet Omar by Zanib Mian
Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead
Making Friends by Kristen Gudsnuk
Eight-year-oldย Catalina Castaรฑeda uses Tรญa Abuela’s sewing kit to turn ordinary clothing into a magical disguise, enabling her to uncover a thief at the local library.
Merci Suarez Changes Gear by Meg Medina
Green Thumbs Up by Jenny Meyerhoff
Wanting to be a part of her family’s Dia de los Muertos preparations, Leonora sneaks out of school to discover her mother, aunt, and older sisters have been keeping a secret.
Bliss by Kathryn Littlewood
Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca
Sauerkrat by Kelly Jones
6th Grade
Bold, graphic portraits & beautiful poems present famous and lesser-known Latinos from varied backgrounds who have faced life’s challenges in creative ways.
Delphine just started sixth grade and is self-conscious about being the tallest girl in the class, and nervous about her first school dance.ย ย
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Kek, an African refugee, is confronted by many strange things in Minneapolis, but finds comfort in the company of a cow and her owner.
Other Words For Home by Jasmine Warga
When Moon’s family moves in next door to Christine’s, Moon goes from unlikely friend to best friend. Then catastrophe strikes–can Christine find it in herself to be the friend Moon needs?
Everyone warns Grace to keep her head down and her thoughts to herself, but the more she sees of the oppressive Master and his hateful wife, the more she questions things.
This fun and practical guide to financial literacy and entrepreneurship inspires kids to dream big and teaches them toย make, save, and spend wisely, one penny at a time.
7th Grade
In vivid poems, Jacqueline Woodson shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s.
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
A memoir by the former NASA astronaut and NFL wide receiver traces his personal journey to success.
A family flees war-torn Syria after their home in Aleppo is destroyed. They endure wretched refugee camps, ocean crossings, swindlers to find safety in the West.
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson
Carol is not happy to be spending the summer helping move her grandfather to an assisted living home, but she finds herself fascinated by his amazing stories.
Candice is spending the summer in South Carolina. When she finds a letter that sent her grandmother on a treasure hunt, she finds herself caught up in the mystery.
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
This fun and practical guide to financial literacy and entrepreneurship inspires kids to dream big and teaches them toย make, save, and spend wisely, one penny at a time.
8th Grade
Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper: I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own. I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.ย
The Schwa was Here by Neal Shusterman
While twins Ella and Herbie help the handyman Mr. Mital work on their new home, he tells them about African-American inventors.
This fun and practical guide to financial literacy and entrepreneurship inspires kids to dream big and teaches them toย make, save, and spend wisely, one penny at a time.
9th Grade
Lily Owens life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily’s black “stand-in mother,” Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free.
Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
ย Harper’s vision forย youngย women on facing tough issues and becoming the architect of your own life.
Straight talk and inspiring advice for America’s youth are offered by the powerhouse public speaker and star of “CSI: NY”.
When sixteen-year-old Rashad is mistakenly accused of stealing, classmate Quinn witnesses his brutal beating at the hands of a police officer who happens to be the older brother of his best friend.ย
Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro
10th Grade
Ebo’s epic journey takes him across the Sahara Desert to the dangerous streets of Tripoli, and finally out to the merciless sea.ย
Internment by Samira Ahmed
This volume for young people is an honest and fascinating account of Michelle Obama’s life led by example.
Since her body grew into curves, Xiomara Batista has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.ย
On The Come Up by Angie Thompson
11th Grade
Ned Begay and other Navajo men are recruited by the Marines to become Code Talkers, sending messages during World War II in their native tongue.
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
In Nigeria, Kambili and her brother lead cloistered lives. Their father is a wealthy businessman and attend private school. But, through Kambili’s eyes, we see that their home life is anything but harmonious.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Lee Mackenzi
12th Grade
A powerful story about a teen girl from a poor neighborhood striving for success.
Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman by Kristen R. Lee
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
With an incisive wit and unflinching honesty, Noah weaves together a moving yet funny portrait of a boy making his way through a damaged world in a dangerous time.
Loving vs. Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell
Dana, a modern black woman, is celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with her new husband when she is snatched abruptly from her home in California and transported to the antebellum South.
Octavia E. Butler’sย Kindredย / a graphic novel adaptation by Damian Duffy and John Jennings
