(NBGS #1) Environmentalism and Language Representation

Jackie Arnold,  Tracey S. Hodges, Julia López-Robertson, Leslie Morris, Sharon Pratt, Bethany L. Scullin
In the first of two columns, members of the 2026 Notable Books for a Global Society committee proudly present reviews of 13 outstanding books for readers in PreK to 12th grades from this year's list. United by themes of environmentalism and language representation, these winning books honor the diversity of global literature, inviting readers into stories where identity, land, and language are celebrated, protected, and reclaimed.

Alberto Salas Plays: Paka Paka Con la Papa. Sara Andrea Fajardo. Illus. by Juana Martinez-Neal. (2025). Roaring Book Press/Macmillan. 

What makes the humble potato so extraordinary and why is it under threat? Discover the answers through a game of paka paka con la papa (the Quechua way to say ‘hide and seek’) and hunt for potatoes alongside Peruvian agricultural scientist Alberto Salas. Dr. Salas’ boundless curiosity and deep love for both his homeland and this remarkable crop are infectious. This lyrical biography sweeps readers through the breathtaking Andes Mountains of Peru, weaving together the rich history and surprising wonder of the potato along the way. Stunning illustrations by Juana Martínez-Neal bring every page to life, drawing readers into urgent conversations about environmental challenges while keeping them thoroughly enchanted by the spirited game of paka paka con la papa. Pick up this gorgeous, captivating book and see for yourself who comes out victorious! (PreK–3)
-JLR

---

he Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit. Kelly Crull. (2025). Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing.

The Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit by Kelly Crull introduces readers to the courageous women of South Africa’s Black Mambas, a groundbreaking group of unarmed rangers who protect wildlife in the Greater Kruger National Park. Through engaging narrative and striking photographs, Crull follows these women as they patrol vast landscapes, spot signs of poachers, and safeguard endangered animals such as rhinos and pangolins. The book highlights how the Black Mambas combine traditional tracking skills with community awareness to deter poaching without weapons, reshaping expectations about who can be a conservation leader. Quotations from the rangers and dynamic images invite readers to appreciate both the challenges and triumphs of their work. Informational sidebars and accessible text make this title a compelling choice for elementary. (Gr 2–5)
-TSH

---

Call Me Gray. Andrew Larsen & Bells Larsen. Illus. by Tallulah Fontaine. (2025). Kids Can Press. 

Call Me Gray by Andrew Larsen is a tender, affirming story about identity, self-advocacy, and the courage it takes to name yourself. Told through the perspective of a child who feels unseen, the story follows Gray as they navigate a world that keeps calling them by a name and identity that do not fit. At school, at home, and among peers, Gray wrestles with the discomfort of being mislabeled and the weight of others deciding who they are. When Gray finally says, “Call me Gray,” the moment becomes an act of clarity and self-trust. As adults and classmates begin to listen, the story models what affirmation and respect can look like in community. Thoughtful and accessible, this book invites conversations about dignity, belonging, and creating classrooms where every child is seen and valued. (Gr K–4)
- TSH

---

The History of We. Nikkolas Smith. (2025). Kokila/Penguin Random House 

In The History of We, Nikkolas Smith employs a combination of lyrical verse and vivid acrylic paintings to map out a global lineage rooted in Africa. The narrative serves as a historical reclamation, using double-spread illustrations highlighting Africa’s foundational contributions to essential human advancements like medicine, agriculture, and artistic expression. Each page captures how these early innovations eventually traveled across the globe, shaping the modern world. The journey concludes with a powerful visual of a diverse, united community, reinforcing the idea of a shared human identity. Supplemented by detailed backmatter and an author’s note, the book directly challenges the historical erasure of African origins in traditional education, asserting instead that the entire human family tree finds its primary strength and beginnings on the African continent. (Gr K–8)
-JA

---

Hopeful Heroes: More Poems About Amazing Latinos. Margarita Engle. Illus. by Juliet Menéndez. (2025). Godwin Books/ Macmillan..

Hopeful Heroes is a vibrant collection of poems paired with bold, colorful illustrations celebrating 20 influential Latino men and women. Spanning from 1474 to the present and representing cultures across Latin America, these individuals demonstrate remarkable strength, resilience, and determination. Through poetry, readers meet heroes who defended their lands, championed education, studied the stars, earned Olympic medals, protected the environment, created powerful works of art, and received Nobel Prizes. Each poem offers a glimpse into the courage and accomplishments of these inspiring figures while highlighting the richness and diversity of Latino history and culture. The book also includes helpful backmatter with short nonfiction biographies of each Hopeful Hero, giving readers the opportunity to learn more about the real people whose stories continue to shape and inspire the world today. (Gr K–4)
-LM

---

The Interpreter. Olivia Abtahi. Illus. by Monica Arnaldo. (2025). Kokila/Penguin Random House.

Reflecting a situation that many children of immigrants know all too well, Cecilia moves fluidly between identities, shifting from carefree kid to capable interpreter whenever duty calls. She is a modern-day superhero whose remarkable superpower is bilingualism! As a language broker for her family, Cecilia bridges two worlds, translating between English and Spanish during parent-teacher conferences, doctor’s appointments, and countless other everyday moments that adults rely on her to navigate. The lively, expressive illustrations vividly capture the growing strain that this weighty responsibility places on Cecilia’s young shoulders. The emotional burden becomes impossible to ignore until her family finally recognizes the toll it is taking on her childhood. Together, they find a healthy balance, one that still allows Cecilia to use her gift, just not all the time. (Gr K–3)
- JLR

---

Kahoʻolawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People. Kamalani Hurley. Illus. by Harinani Orme. (2025). Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing. 

The story of Hawaii’s smallest island is told through rich illustrations and descriptions that are appropriate for a range of readers from elementary through high school. How the island was formed by volcanic eruptions and settled by Polynesian voyagers demonstrates the history of the island predates any U.S. involvement. Across many decades, the island’s environment and ecosystem have been devastated by invasive goats, WWII bombings, and occupation by the U.S. military for target practice from 1941 to 1993. Beginning in the 1970s, activists led nonviolent protests seeking transfer of the island’s land back into Hawaiian control. Successful activist efforts are narrated in detail, revealing their determined resilience and passion for the conservation, restoration, and preservation of Kaho-Olawe. These efforts may inspire readers to advocate for preservation of their own local lands that are rich in cultural and geographic history. (Gr 2–5)
-SP

---

My Heart Speaks Kriolu. Stephanie Foster Brown. Illus. by Keisha Morris. (2025). Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

My Heart Speaks Kriolu by Stefanie Foster Brown is a reflective story about family, language, and what it means to belong. Each Saturday a young girl walks with her grandfather through their Massachusetts neighborhood, listening as he speaks of returning someday to their ancestral home in Cabo Verde. Papa encourages her to speak Kriolu, the Portuguese creole of their heritage, but she stumbles over the words and worries that not speaking it perfectly might keep her from truly knowing where she comes from. As she spends this time with him, she begins to feel the language in the sounds, smells, and rhythms around her, and she discovers that home lives in the heart as much as in any place. (Gr PreK–3)
- TSH

---

rigin. Nat Cardozo. (2025). Red Comet Press/Spotlight Publishing. 

This quietly powerful nonfiction picturebook introduces readers to 22 Indigenous communities across five continents. Each two-page spread pairs a first-person narrative with a breathtaking portrait of a child's face, woven together with the landscapes, animals, and plants of their homeland. Brief notes on territory, population, and language add helpful context without turning the book into a fact list. The recurring themes of community, reciprocity, and environmental stewardship tie the entries together, and the writing is consistently honest about the real challenges these communities face in protecting their land, language, and ways of life. Originally published in Spanish, the translation reads smoothly and keeps the prose clear and direct throughout. Backmatter includes a world map locating the featured communities and a section for further reading with additional context on several of the groups. (Gr 3–7)
-BLS

---

Please Pay Attention. Jamie Sumner. (2025). Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster. 

Loosely based on the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, author Jamie Sumner’s hometown, Please Pay Attention is a powerful novel in verse about grief, resilience, and healing after tragedy. Sixth-grader Bea loves being a “buddy” to her “little” Josie, a shy kindergartner Bea hopes will learn to make friends. At home, Bea finds comfort with her older sister and close neighbors. But everything changes when an active shooter enters her school. Thrown from her wheelchair but unable to hide, Bea survives, but must face the loss of classmates, teachers, and a sense of safety. In the aftermath, she struggles with depression and PTSD, unsure if she can ever return to school. Over time, with support and by working with a therapy horse, Bea slowly begins to heal and realizes that both she and Josie still have a future worth fighting for. (Gr 4–6)
-LM

---

Radiant. Vaunda Micheaux Nelson. (2025).  Dutton Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House.

Radiant inspires readers to consider how finding one’s unique way to shine should involve both individual assertiveness and empathy for others. This middle-grade novel in verse depicts everyday life for Black people in the 1960s through the perspective of a fifth grader. Cooper lives in a predominantly white suburban neighborhood in Pennsylvania, and she perceives both color blindness and racial discrimination are impacting her relationships in school and the community. Cooper poignantly narrates how she comes to better understand a difficult life situation of a classmate she believes is bullying her because of her mother’s job as a cleaner in their home. We also see, through Cooper’s experiences, the impact historical events of the 1960s had on children and their families, including Kennedy’s assassination, the Birmingham church bombings, and Beatle fandom. (Gr 5–9)
-SP

---

Song of a Blackbird. Maria van Lieshout. (2025). First Second/Macmillan. 

In this gripping graphic novel, Dutch author and illustrator Joris van Lieshout crafts a transformative story that bridges two eras of time. When Annick discovers her grandmother requires a bone marrow transplant, the subsequent search for a donor uncovers a shocking family secret: Oma is not biologically related to her siblings. Driven by a desperate need to save her grandmother’s life, Annick begins to investigate the fragments of Oma’s past, a collection of architectural prints depicting Amsterdam. Assisted by her friend Koenji, whose mother is from Japan, Annick works to decode these visual clues, a journey that ultimately transports the reader back to the harrowing events of the mid-1940s. Unfolding through the unique perspective of a blackbird, the author uses striking illustrations and authentic primary source materials to present an immaculately researched history. This deep dive into the past reveals the wartime experiences that shaped the lives of Oma, Annick, and many others, offering a poignant reflection on how historical legacies continue to impact the modern world. (Gr 7–12)
-JA

---

Together, A Forest: Drawing Connections Between Nature’s Diversity and Our Own. Roz MacLean. (2025). Henry Holt/Macmillan.

Joy is anxious during a class trip to the forest when her teacher asks each student to choose just one thing to study. While her classmates quickly find their footing, drawn to towering trees, insects, and streams, Joy struggles to find her own connection. The story moves quietly but purposefully from that simple assignment toward something larger: an exploration of how difference strengthens a community. The forest itself carries much of that message, illustrated in rich and layered detail. Roots intertwine, fungi communicate underground, and no two leaves are identical, reinforcing the idea that variety is both natural and necessary. The parallel between the forest's ecosystem and human diversity never feels forced or heavy-handed. Backmatter includes an author's note and a kid-friendly explanation of "All Kinds of Minds," offering helpful context for classroom and home conversations. (Gr K–3)
-BLS

---