2025 Global Reads for 1st - 6th grade

Updated April 3, 2025
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All about Vietnam : projects & activities for kids : learn about Vietnamese culture with stories, songs, crafts & games
Tran, Phuoc Thi Minh
Paper Book
Children will get an inside look at Vietnam's vibrant culture, while learning through fun, hands-on games, songs, and activities! This multicultural children's book is perfect for story time at home or in a classroom, and is one children will come back to time and again. Young...
Astrid & Apollo and the super staycation
Bidania, V. T.
Paper Book
Astrid and Apollo's family is excited for their trip to Laos to attend a family wedding. But bad weather cancels their plans, and the twins' parents are disappointed to miss seeing their home country. Some brainstorming and a messy painting project inspire an idea: If their parents can't go to Laos,...
The brothers : a Hmong graphic folktale
Yang, Sheelue
Paper Book
In this Hmong folktale, two brothers venture into a remote jungle, hunting food for their hungry family. But the jungle is full of dangerous wild animals. The older brother vows to keep his younger brother safe . . . or die trying. With clever text and easy-to-follow panels, Discover Graphics:...
The circuit : graphic novel
Rostan, Andrew
Paper Book
Poignantly told from a young boy's perspective, the popular and award-winning memoir centered on a Mexican family working California's fields is now a powerful graphic novel that will appeal to readers of Illegal and They Called Us Enemy.  An honest and evocative account...
City of neighbors
Curtis, Andrea
Paper Book
A splash of paint, a place to sit, a popup park or playground bring life and a sense of fun to our cities. Neighborhoods where people look out for each other, eat together, make art and build community are healthier, happier, greener and cleaner. Journey around the world to discover how...
Daughters of the lamp
Lewers, Nedda
Paper Book
A USA Today Bestseller · A stunning middle grade fantasy inspired by Arabian legends about a girl who becomes the guardian of Ali Baba's treasure. Believe in fairy tales. Sahara Rashad lives by logic. Loves science. And always has a plan....
The diamond explorer
Yang, Kao Kalia
Paper Book
From APALA-winning author and Guggenheim Fellow Kao Kalia Yang, a middle-grade debut about a Hmong American boy's struggle to find a place for himself in America and in the world of his ancestors. Malcolm is the youngest child of Hmong refugees, and he was born over a decade...
Each of us a universe
Ferruolo, Jeanne Zulick
Paper Book
A heartfelt middle grade from Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo about two girls who go on an adventure to the top of a mountain, and learn about each other, themselves, and the magic friendship can bring, perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Barbara O'Connor. What do you...
Gigi and Ojiji : what's in a name?
Iwai, Melissa
Paper Book
Gigi wants to go by something besides her baby name--but her full name, Geraldine, is too long to write and Hanako, her middle name, doesn't feel quite right. Will Gigi find the perfect name This exciting new I Can Read series is brought to you by author-illustrator Melissa...
Gigi Shin is not a nerd
Lee, Lyla
Paper Book
This first book in a sparkling middle grade series "reminiscent of Ann M. Martin's Baby-Sitters Club books" (Kirkus Reviews) follows a young Korean American girl who starts a business with her best friends to support her artistic dreams. Jiyoung "Gigi" Shin loves to create...
Hope in the valley
Perkins, Mitali
Paper Book
Hope in the Valley, from National Book Award Nominee Mitali Perkins, is a middle-grade novel exploring grief, friendship, family, and growing up in a community facing a housing crisis. Twelve-year-old Indian-American Pandita Paul doesn't like change. She's...
Interfaith festival
Ali, Marzieh A.
Paper Book
Nadia and Nadir learn about Christian and Jewish customs when their mosque invites attendees of the neighboring synagogue and church for an opening Ramadan fast iftar dinner. At the event, each spiritual leader speaks about peace and respect. Nadia and Nadir make new friends, eat delicious food, and...
Isabel in bloom
Respicio, Mae
Paper Book
A middle-school girl discovers a connection between her home in the Philippines and her new home in the U.S. through a special garden in "this sweet and heartfelt novel that explores how bumpy beginnings can offer chances for new growth" (The New York Times) A National Council...
The island rescue
Gomez, Minda
Paper Book
It's boba time for Pearl Li!
Chen, Nicole
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Kelly Yang and Jessica Kim, this joyful, moving middle grade contemporary follows a big-hearted Taiwanese American girl as she aims to gain her family's acceptance and save her favorite boba tea shop by selling her handcrafted amigurumi dolls.  Pearl...
Kareem between
Safadi, Shifa Saltagi
Paper Book
This award-winning, heartfelt coming-of-age novel in verse tells the powerful story of a seventh-grade Syrian American boy and his struggles, big and small, as he navigates middle school. "The exact type of book I would've loved, and needed, as a kid." --Jasmine Warga,...
The last Rhee witch
Lee-Yun, Jenna
Paper Book
For fans of The Last Fallen Star, Witchlings, and Ghost Squad, a heartfelt middle grade debut where Korean folklore is all too real and summer camp includes a gwishin haunting. You couldn't hold onto everything and everyone. You had to choose....
Lia Park and the heavenly heirlooms
Yoon, Jenna
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of the Gifted Clans and Aru Shah series, this thrilling and "inventive" (Kirkus Reviews) second book of the middle grade fantasy Lia Park series sees Lia and Joon on a mission to protect important magical objects--and themselves--from a mysterious enemy. ...
Lily Xiao speaks out
Chen, Nicole
Paper Book
From the author of It's Boba Time for Pearl Li! comes an empowering, heartfelt middle grade novel about a grunge-loving Taiwanese American tween who must use her voice to fight for ESL support at her school. Lily Xiao can't wait to go to Camp Rock Out this summer,...
The magpie's tail : a Swedish graphic folktale
Peters, Stephanie
Paper Book
In this Swedish folktale, a young boy longs for all the nice things other children have. An old woman tells the boy a secret for granting his wishes: sprinkling salt on a magpie's tail. But, before the magpie will grant the boy's wish, the bird has some strange requests of his own. With clever text...
Maizy Chen's last chance
Yee, Lisa
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR AWARD WINNER . NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST . ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR YOUTH LITERATURE Twelve year-old Maizy discovers her family's Chinese restaurant is full of secrets in this irresistible novel that celebrates food, fortune, and family. NAMED...
Mist
Palazzesi, Marta
Paper Book
Winner of the Bologna Strega Ragazzi Prize 2020 "A not-to-be-missed tale of courage and compassion."-Katherine Applegate The incredible story of a boy's quest to give the ultimate gift to a caged wild animal: freedom. London, 1880, 13-year-old Clay is a mud lark,...
The northland beckons : an illustrated haiku journey
Hisakuni, Sandra
Paper Book
The Northland beckons Breathe, paddle, wander, observe Much will be revealed Journey to the beautiful Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Canada. This sweet collection of haiku poetry allows readers to explore nature and meet the animals who call this treasured wilderness...
The queen of thieves
Rundberg, Johan
Ebook
Mika will do what it takes to uncover a string of thefts in the city--and keep her fellow orphans safe. After a merciless winter, spring has sprung in 1880 Stockholm, and the city awaits the arrival of the SS Vega, the first ship to have sailed the Northeast Passage. Life is...
Red Bird danced
Quigley, Dawn
Paper Book
With lyrical verse and powerful emotion, Dawn Quigley (Ojibwe) tells the story of urban Native kids who find strength in connection with those who came before and in the hope that lets them take flight. Ariel and Tomah have lived in the city's intertribal housing complex all...
Sadiq and the festival of cultures
Nuurali, Siman
Paper Book
After a field trip to the Festival of Nations, Sadiq and his classmates are inspired to host a festival celebrating their own cultures. Sadiq is excited to host a booth featuring Somali foods, games, and crafts. But when he asks his friend Owen what he might show in his booth, Owen is quiet. Owen...
The secret of the jade bangle
Trinh, Linda
Paper Book
"Engaging and empowering"--STARRED review, Nonstop Reader A charming early chapter book series that explores Vietnamese culture and identity through the eyes of the Nguyen siblings, with elements of the supernatural, spirituality, and social justice woven in. 
The sky fox : a Peruvian graphic folktale
Rayo, Alberto
Paper Book
What happens to a fox that won't stop teasing the others animals? Read this Peruvian tale to find out. Some lessons can change everything. With engaging text and easy-to-follow panels, Discover Graphics: Global Folktales are perfect for graphic novel fans new and old.
A sky of paper stars
Yi, Susie
Paper Book
A Sky of Paper Stars is a heartrending middle-grade graphic novel by Susie Yi about a girl's ill-fated wish to fit in, perfect for readers of Stargazing and Pashmina. All Yuna wants is to belong. She wants to go to sleepovers, have a smart...
Thea and the mischief makers
Badua, Tracy
Paper Book
In this magical adventure that's perfect for fans of Lisa Yee and Erin Entrada Kelly, star athlete Thea must face her worst fears when two mischievous duwendes, Filipino goblins, threaten to wreak havoc on her life--and destroy her town. Thea gets a chance to begin anew at Pacific Academy....
Treasure of the north : a bilingual Minnesota adventure
Gomez, Minda
Paper Book
"Welcome back, hijos. Did you run into Don Toño in virtual reality?" "Yeah! He said we get to do a treasure hunt!" On the last rainy day of vacation, a mysterious puzzle appears at the Martinez family's cabin. Rico, Diego, and...
A two-placed heart : a memoir in verse
Nguyen, Doan Phuong
Paper Book
Afraid her sister (and maybe even herself) could lose sight of their Vietnamese identity, twelve-year-old Bom writes a poetic memoir to help them both remember--a love letter in verse to sisterhood and the places we leave behind. Bom can't believe that her sister doesn't see herself...
When clouds touch us
Lai, Thanhha
Paper Book
A Boston Globe-Horn Book Award finalist! Inspired by the author's own childhood, this stunning novel in verse, the sequel to the award-winning #1 bestseller Inside Out and Back Again, picks up two years after Hà and her family arrive in Alabama as refugees from the Việt Nam War....
When life gives you mangos
Getten, Kereen
Paper Book
Named to Oprah Magazine's Best Caribbean Books for Your 2021 reading list, imagination and adventure run wild in the most talked about middle grade debut of the year!     A small village on a Jamaican island.  A girl who doesn't remember the...
Wild poppies
Saleh, Haya
Paper Book
Two brothers fight to reunite amidst the turmoil of the Syrian War. Since the passing of their father, Omar has tried--and in his little brother Sufyan's eyes, failed--to be the man of his family of Syrian refugees. As Omar waits in line for rations, longing...

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