September 21, 2024
For many years, the majority of books were written by white authors about white characters. Within the last ten years, publishers have been accepting more books that incorporate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) by diverse authors. The publishing world is still not completely equitable in its choice of what is published, but changes are being made to alter these statistics.
Information about DEIB children and teen book publishing can be found in articles published at a few different websites. One website CCBC posted, “ CCBC’s latest Diversity Statistics show an increasing number of diverse books for children and teens .” The “CCBC Choices” booklist is hyperlinked in the article. We Need Diverse Books is another excellent resource for articles about DEIB publishing that includes multiple booklists. WNDB affirms that, “We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA+, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities.”
This reading list contains books that are mirrors, widows, and sliding glass doors for readers of all ages. Books are mirrors that reflect a reader’s own life in the pages. They become windows when books allow readers a view of lives and stories that are different from their own. Books that transport the reader into the world of the story is a sliding glass door. (Rudine Smith Bishop)
Wonderful DEIB Books for all Ages
Picture Books PreK – 3 grades
Maribel’s Year by Michelle Sterling, Sarah Gonzales Illustrator
Describes the year Maribel and her mother spend in America while waiting for her father to join them from the Philippines.
The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung, Hanna Cha Illustrator
Bao Bei’s mother helps him discover his eastern and western roots through stories about dragons.
Every Wrinkle Has a Story by David Grossman
Grandpa Amnon explains that the lines on his face are wrinkles, and they are something that grown-ups get. He tells Yotam the stories of how he got each of his wrinkles. A beautiful tale of life’s journey by this Israeli author.
Boys Don’t Fry by Kimberly Lee, Charlene Chua Illustrator
This loving picture book about a young Malaysian boy who defies gender expectations will make hearts warm and stomachs hungry.
Aloha Everything by Kaylin Melia George and Mae Waite
Ano takes us on a journey through the islands of Hawaii where her heart is connected to her home.
Gibberish by Young Vo
On the first day of school in a new country Dat discovers he doesn’t know the language. To Dat, everything everybody says sounds like gibberish. How is Dat going to make new friends if they can’t understand each other?
Readers 1-3 grades
Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee, Dung Ho Illustrator. Series
The first volume of the many food adventures Mindy Kim shares with her classmates.
Ali the Great and the Paper Airplane Flop by Saadia Faruqi, Debby Rahmalia Illustrator. Series
Pakistani American second grader Ali Tahir joins in a paper airplane contest with the other students on a rainy day. Whose airplane will fly the furthest?
Ava Lin, Best Friend! by Vicky Fang
Ava Lin is six and a half years old, and she loves bubble tea, finding treasures, and animals. She is starting first grade and her most cherished wish is to find a new friend.
From Nerd to Ninja! by Anh Do. Series
When Nelson wakes up on his tenth birthday, he discovers he is a ninja. The last ninja on earth! How is he going to save the world when he cannot even pull his undies on the right way?
Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules by Sarah Kapit, Genevieve Kote Illustrator. Series
Rachel loves being Jewish, but she hates following the rules at synagogue―and everywhere else.
Lola Levine Is Not Mean! by Monica Brown, Angela Dominguez Illustrator. Series
Monica Brown shares her Peruvian-American heritage with students through the Lola Levine series.
Middle Grade 3-7 grades
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
Selah knows her rules for being normal.She always, always sticks to them. This means keeping her feelings locked tightly inside, despite the way they build up inside her as each school day goes on.
How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford, Frank Morrison Illustrator
Prejudice and discrimination ruled—on the train, in the hotel, and, sadly, at the spelling bee itself.
José Feeds the World: How a famous chef feeds millions of people in need around the world by David Unger , Marta Álvarez Miguéns Illustrator
José Andrés created World Central Kitchen, a disaster-relief organization that has fed more than 200 million people affected by natural disasters, the COVID pandemic, and war.
Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín
A graphic memoir about a Mexican American boy’s family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico.
The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee, Dan Santat Illustrator
RASCH is a cover for an elite group of misfits who fight crime, and Olive has arrived just in time.
The Floating Field: How a Group of Thai Boys Built Their Own Soccer Field by Scott Riley, Kim Lien Illustrator
After watching the World Cup on television, a group of Thai boys form their own team. Then they join together to build their very own floating soccer field.
Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein
Will is going to be Bar Mitzvahed and he can’t think of anything worse than visiting RJ, mainly because he will have to face his fear of hospitals. Life in the seventh grade isn’t much easier. The kids are relentless–they bully Will because of his funny looking chin.
Shang-Chi and the Quest for Immortality by Victoria Ying
Twelve-year-old Shang-Chi and his younger sister, Shi-Hua, are the only children in the grand palace of the Five Weapons Society. Their father, Zheng-Zu, is a harsh master. All Shang-Chi wants is to prove himself in his father’s eyes.
Aya and the Star Chaser by Radiya Hafiza, Kaley McKean Illustrator
In this Bengali folktale, Aya has been fascinated by stars ever since she can remember. But never in her wildest imagination did she expect to get struck by one and develop powers.
Drawing Deena by Hena Khan
Deena’s never given a name to the familiar knot in her stomach that appears when her parents argue about money, when it’s time to go to school, or when she struggles to find the right words. Art helps her cope with her anxiety disorder.
Timid: A Graphic Novel by Jonathan Todd
Cecil wants to be known for his comics-making talent. But the few kids who are impressed by his art aren’t always nice to him.
Middle School 5-8 grade
The House of the Lost on the Cape by Sachiko Kashiwaba, Yukiko Saito Illustrator
In the wake of a devastating earthquake and tsunami, Yui, fleeing her violent husband, and Hiyori, a young orphan, are taken in by a strange but kind old lady named Kiwa in the small town of Kitsunezaki.
Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendez
Mami refuses to allow Ani to swim, but Ani and her doctor believe that swimming along with medication will help Ani manage her juvenile arthritis.
Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson
Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson is part cultural folklore, part origin myth about the Messenger’s Feast – which is still celebrated in times of bounty among the Iñupiaq.
A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat
A First Time for Everything is a graphic memoir of New York Times bestselling author Dan Santat’s awkward middle school years.
What Happened to Rachel Riley? By Claire Swinarski
Anna Hunt, the new girl at East Middle School, can tell there’s something off about her eighth-grade class. Rachel Riley, who just last year was one of the most popular girls in school, has become a social outcast. When something happens that is wrong can she be the catalyst for change?
Buzzing by Samuel Sattin, Rye Hickman Illustrator
Isaac, a boy with OCD, who finds everything from studying to looking in the mirror becomes a battle between him and a swarm of unhelpful thoughts. He wants to convince his mom he may have found a solution in this graphic novel.
Lupe Wong Won’t Dance by Donna Barba Higuera
Lupe Wong is determined to be the first female pitcher in the Major Leagues. She needs an A in all her classes in order to meet her favorite pitcher. Is Square dancing in P.E. going to rob her of her goal?
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf
Ahmet, a Syrian boy is embraced by his class when they learn that he is a war refugee. The students are empathetic, kind and determined to help Ahmet.
Young Adult 8-12 grades
Lunar New Year Love Story written and illustrated by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham
Lunar New Year Love Story (graphic novel) will appeal to younger teens through adults interested in a story about all types of love: romantic, familial, intergenerational, spiritual and the special love between trusted friends.
Yoghurt and Jam: or How My Mother Became Lebanese by Lena Merhej
Discovering how her mother likes her yogurt sparks an exploration of what led her mother, a doctor, from Germany, to Lebanon, in this graphic memoir.
Rez Ball by Byron Graves (Published October 15, 2024)
Tre Brun is happiest when he is playing basketball on the Red Lake Reservation high school team—even though he can’t help but be constantly gut-punched with memories of his big brother, Jaxon, who died in an accident.
You’ve Reached Sam: A Novel by Dustin Thao
Julie Clarke has her future all planned out―move out of her small town, attend college in the city; spend a summer in Japan. But then her boyfriend Sam dies.
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham
In this graphic memoir about an immigrant family from Vietnam, lies a story about food. And for Thien Pham, that story is about a search–for belonging, for happiness, for the American dream.
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
Two Vietnamese American teens fall in love even though they know that their families that own competing restaurants won’t be happy.
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin. The Book of Tea Duology
Ning travels to the imperial city to compete in a competition to find the kingdom’s greatest masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning’s only chance to save her sister’s life.
Throwback by Maurene Goo
Being a first-generation Korean-American immigrant is difficult. Traveling back to the 1990s to your first-generation Korean-American mother’s senior year in highschool is impossible, right?
Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu. Series
A teen Covert Ops agent meets singing sensation Winter Young. Can they stop an international crime boss?
Lucy Clark Will Not Apologize by Margo Rabb
In this story by New York Times Journalist and YA author Margo Rabb, a sixteen-year-old Jewish girl is suspended from boarding school and sent to New York City, where she must solve a mystery about the woman she is living with.
