Finding Diverse Books 2024 | Children's Fiction & Graphic Novels

Updated December 13, 2023
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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Finding Diverse Books 2024 | Children's Fiction & Graphic Novels

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Farewell Cuba, mi isla
Diaz, Alexandra
Ebook
Two starred reviews! "Perfect for fans of Margarita Engle and impactful historical fiction" (School Library Journal, starred review), this "evocative and transportive" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel follows two girls fleeing 1960 Cuba with...

Two cousins experience the rise of Cuban communism as one family flees and the other stays behind. While set in the 1960s, themes of family separation under strife are all-too-common for immigrant and refugee families from many regions. A Spanish edition is available as Hasta siempre Cuba, mi isla.

Language | Spanish

Lasagna means I love you
O'Shaughnessy, Kate
Paper Book
What are the essential ingredients that make a family? Eleven-year-old Mo is making up her own recipe in this unforgettable story that's a little sweet, a little sour, and totally delicious. Nan was all the family Mo ever needed. But suddenly she's gone, and Mo finds...

Every family has special food traditions that connect them to their cultural heritage and beloved elders. In search of her own connections, foster kid Mo begins compiling other people's family recipes online. This provides a great opportunity for kids to reflect on their own family's traditions. Recipes can also be used to support procedural writing activities, math lessons exploring fractions, and health lessons related to nutrition.

Income Inequality

Haru, zombie dog hero
Oh, Ellen
Audiobook

Scooby-Doo meets Stranger Things in this spooky mystery from We Need Diverse Books co-founder Ellen Oh, in which a loyal canine saves his human companion from an evil billionaire whose sinister lab is polluting their small town. Hand this one to fans of Last Kids on Earth and some animal lovers (although especially sensitive readers will probably want to steer clear).

Race & Ethnicity | Asian & Pacific Islander

Speculation
Shawl, Nisi
Paper Book
A wonderful middle-grade fantasy debut about Black families, family history, family curses ... and a really marvelous pair of spectacles. After Winna's little sister breaks her glasses, her grandfather gives her an old-timey pair of spectacles that belonged to her great-aunt Estelle...

A pair of magical spectacles helps a young Black girl explore her family's legacy in this historical novel from Nisi Shawl, a well-known writer of science fiction and fantasy books for adults. Set in 1962 as Winna investigates her ancestors' escape from slavery with the help of family ghosts, the story shines a light on two significant periods in American history.

Race & Ethnicity | Black

Finally seen
Yang, Kelly
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk comes a "involving, realistic" (Booklist, starred review) middle grade novel about a young girl who leaves China to live with her parents and sister, after five years apart, and learns about family, friendship, and the...

In children's books, it's common for immigrant kids to relocate with their entire families or for the rest of the family to join an immigrant parent. But what about a kid who's left behind with another relative while both parents put down roots in a new place? When her aging grandmother is no longer able to care for her, 10-year-old Lina finally joins her parents and younger sister (who she's never met) in California after 5 years apart and discovers that they've been misleading her about their new life in America. While Lina's situation is unique, Kelly Yang does an amazing job of conveying her feelings of loneliness and jealousy--feelings all kids can relate to.

Citizenship Status

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