Stories that Shape Us
A place where CL/R SIG reviewers share annotations and insights on books that matter.
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Jackie Arnold, Tracey S. Hodges, Julia López-Robertson, Leslie Morris, Sharon Pratt, Bethany L. Scullin In the second of two columns, members of the 2026 Notable Books for a Global Society committee proudly present reviews of 12 outstanding books for readers in PreK to 12th grades from this year's list. These books explore themes of home and advocacy, bringing readers into stories where displacement, identity, and justice intersect as each one reflects the depth and diversity of global literature.  And They Walk On. Kevin Maillard. Illus. by Rafael López. (2025). Roaring Book Press/Macmillan. A young boy wonders where his grandmother has gone after she "walks on." He moves through her home, where her jacket still hangs by the door, her shoes remain on the floor, and her starlight mints sit by the bed, as though she has simply stepped out. Room by room, memory by memory, he begins to understand that those who walk on stay present through the moments and experiences shared with the people they loved. The text is written in lyrical stanzas and introduces readers to an Indigenous expression for death that feels both tender and expansive. The detailed illustrations complement the text and offer an honest and moving portrayal of grief and loss. (PreK–Gr 3) -BLS  Brave. Weshoyot Alvitre. (2025). Kokila/Penguin Random House. A young Indigenous boy dreams of wearing his hair long like the men he sees dancing at powwows and like his father, who carefully brushes his hair each day. At school, however, he is teased and shamed for his appearance. Through conversations with his father, he learns that his father was forced to cut his hair and that his grandfather was forbidden from practicing their traditions and was called a “Brave.” Inspired by their resilience, the boy decides to reclaim his identity by growing his hair and honoring his culture. Paired with Alvitre’s powerful illustrations, this story reminds readers that identity is something to celebrate. It delivers a meaningful message: we are strong, we are brave, we are loved, and we should never be ashamed of who we are. (Gr K-4) -LM  Displaced. Patrick Ochieng. (2025). Carolrhoda Books/Penguin Random House. Kimathi loses his father, his best friend, and his home in an instant when post-election violence tears through his Kenyan city. Forced to flee with his mother and sister to a nearby refugee camp, he must navigate the harsh realities of displacement and his own grief. The conditions in the camp are stark, with overcrowded tents, scarce food and water, and little sense of what comes next. Told in a graphic novel format, the story captures Kimathi's inner world with care, including the nightmares and dizzy spells that follow him from the violence he witnessed. The storytelling is honest and restrained, letting the human moments speak for themselves. A grounded and affecting look at political conflict, forced migration, and survival. (Gr 4–8 ) -BLS  The Freedom Seeker. Ruchira Gupta. (2025). Scholastic Press/Scholastic. Twelve-year-old Simi is vying for captain of her hockey team in India when her life changes drastically. Her father has to leave suddenly to establish a home for them in the United States, as they seek to escape threats from the community related to her parents’ interfaith marriage. Although his goal was to later bring Simi and her mother over to join him, asylum restrictions delayed the process. Instead, Simi and her mother seek passage into the US through dangerous and uncertain immigration routes from Mexico. They both experience heat and dehydration, as well as separation from each other. Simi also barely misses being caught in a child trafficking ring before she is sent to different shelters within the United States. After she endures the conditions in the shelters, Simi must hold on to hope that her family will find their way back to each other. (Gr 3–7) -SP  King of the Neuro Verse. Idris Goodwin. (2025). Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster King of the Neuro Verse by Idris Goodwin is a rhythmic novel in verse that centers a Black teen with ADHD who is tired of being defined by what school says he cannot do. Pernell is back in summer school again, and the stakes feel real. If he cannot pass, graduation slips further away. In the classroom, his mind is treated like a problem to manage, but during lunchtime cyphers, his quick thinking and restless energy become assets. As he works to earn respect and chase the title of Cypher King, he is also navigating family pressure, friendships, and the vulnerability of first love. This book invites readers to see neurodivergence through a strengths-based lens while still acknowledging the barriers kids face in systems not built for them. (Gr 6–9) -TSH  My Home Is in My Backpack. Eugenia Perrella. Trans. by Sally Polson. Illus. by Angela Salerno. Floris Books/Spotlight Publishing . Clara and her family have left their home in Venezuela behind, carrying what matters most in backpacks as they journey on foot toward safety. Along the way, her mother offers a quiet but lasting reassurance, explaining that home is not a place, but the people you love and the memories you carry with you. The story draws directly on the real experiences of Venezuelan refugees, giving it an authenticity that feels present throughout. The illustrations show both the enormous distances traveled and the quieter moments in between, including singing, storytelling, and pausing to notice the natural world. Joy and hardship exist side by side, and the family's love for one another remains steady even in the most uncertain moments. Back matter offers additional context on the story behind the book. (Gr K–3) -BLS  A Place for Us. James E. Ransome. (2025). Nancy Paulsen Books/ Penguin Random House. Ransome’s wordless picture book follows a mother and son through what first appears to be an ordinary day. After school, they share a meal at a fast-food restaurant, then head to the library to complete homework, staying until closing. While these moments feel familiar, the story takes a quiet turn when they go not to a home, but to a park. There, the mother stays awake through the night, watching over her son as he sleeps on a bench. In the morning, he washes in a fountain, combs his hair, and prepares for school. Through vivid, emotional illustrations, the story reveals a powerful truth that many families experiencing homelessness live unseen within our communities, reminding readers to look with greater empathy and awareness. (Gr K–3) -LM  Rez Kid. Andrea Landry. Illus. by Isabella Fassler. (2025). Kids Can Press. Rez Kid explores the hurt of prejudice and the healing power of heritage. The story follows an Indigenous girl who faces daily teasing on her school bus. Seeking comfort, she turns to her family during traditional activities like beading and harvesting medicinal plants. Her relatives each offer their own wisdom, encouraging her to respond with kindness, teach others, or walk away with pride. Ultimately, the protagonist chooses a courageous path of radical hospitality, inviting her classmates to the reservation to experience her culture firsthand. This shift transforms painful prejudicial stereotypes into a bridge for empathy and connection. Enhanced by Isabella Frassler’s emotive illustrations, the book celebrates family strength and the profound impact of sharing one’s identity to overcome misunderstanding. (Gr K–3) -JA  Rosa, By Any Other Name. Hailey Alcaraz. (2025). Viking Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House. Set in 1955 in Arizona during the civil rights era, this Romeo and Juliet-inspired retelling follows Rosa Capistrano, a light-skinned Mexican American girl secretly passing as white at her predominantly white high school. Hoping to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist, Rosa carefully keeps her two worlds apart-until her childhood best friend Ramón and her school friend Julianne, the sheriff’s daughter, fall in love. When the couple is tragically murdered before they make their relationship public, Rosa is left as the sole witness, thrust into the center of a town-wide scandal. Drawn to Ramón’s brother, Marco, through shared grief and a powerful drive for justice, Rosa must ultimately decide whether to protect her carefully constructed future or risk everything to find the courage to speak the truth. (Gr 10 Up) -JLR  A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvare. María Dolores Águila. (2025). Roaring Book Press/Macmillan Against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the Mexican Revolution era, this novel in verse brings to life the remarkable true story of Roberto Alvarez, a twelve-year-old born in the United States as the first American-born child in his family. Structured in the tradition of a corrido, the narrative beautifully honors the strength and solidarity of the Latino community in the face of deep injustice. Fueled by anti-Mexican prejudice, the Lemon Grove School District sought to push Mexican students out of mainstream education into a makeshift ‘Americanization’ school in a converted barn. Refusing to be silenced, even under threat of deportation, the affected families banded together as the Comité de Vecinos and took the district to court. Their bravery yielded a landmark outcome as the first successful school desegregation ruling in U.S. history, won nearly two decades before Brown v. Board of Education. It is a profound, yet long-overlooked, triumph in the ongoing struggle for civil rights. (Gr 3–8) -JLR  The Story of My Anger. Jasminne Mendez. (2025). Dial Books/Penguin Random House. The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez is a novel in verse about identity, resistance, and the powerful work of finding one’s voice. The book follows Yulieta “Yuli” Lopez, a Dominican American teen in Texas who dreams of being cast in a lead role in her high school drama club but is repeatedly overlooked because of her race. When her favorite teacher’s curriculum comes under attack by the school board, and books that reflect her experience are banned, Yuli’s simmering anger ignites into action. Inspired by the activism of her family and friends, she and her peers form a guerrilla theatre troupe to challenge discrimination and censorship in their community. By braiding poetic text with scenes written as plays, Mendez’s narrative captures Yuli’s journey from silence to self-assertion, inviting discussions about racism, art, and social justice. (Gr 7 Up) -TSH  The Teacher of Nomad Land. Daniel Nayeri. (2025). Levine Querido/Chronicle Books.
Set in Iran in 1941, this novel follows thirteen-year-old Babak and his younger sister Sana after their father is accidentally killed by British soldiers. Determined to stay together and carry on his work, Babak straps his father's chalkboard to his back and sets out to teach the nomads crossing the mountains. The journey is difficult from the start as British and Soviet forces occupy the country, food and water are scarce, and trust is hard to come by. When the siblings encounter a Jewish boy being tracked by a Nazi soldier, the situation becomes considerably more dangerous. Communication across languages is rarely straightforward, and yet small acts of decency surface in unexpected places. The war is ever-present but never overshadows the story's core, which remains fixed on two children determined to keep moving forward and stay together. (Gr 3–7) -BLS
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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 Tracey S. Hodges, Jane Bean-Folkes, Cheryl Logan, Doricka Menefee, Lesli Morris, and Bethany Scullin In this second column, members of the 2025 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. These exemplary books provide a variety of perspectives, lived experiences, and authentic stories showing the depth of global identities.  A Two Placed Heart. Doan Phuong Nguyen. (2024). Lee & Low Books. The Two-Placed Heart by D.P. Nguyen is a poetic exploration of the immigrant experience through the eyes of two sisters, Bom and Bo, who navigate the complex journey of moving from Vietnam to the United States. Told in verse, the story highlights their emotional struggle as they try to assimilate into their new home while holding onto their Vietnamese heritage. Bom, torn between two identities, reflects on her past and fears losing her connection to her roots, wondering, “How many days do I have left before I become like Bo…forgetting everything?” Bo, on the other hand, embraces her American identity, saying, “I’m not…I’m American and you are too.” As Bom and Bo struggle with questions of identity, belonging, and memory, the sisters come to understand what it means to be shaped by two homelands and the love they hold for both. (Gr 3-7) - JB  Barrio Rising: The Protest that Built Chicano Park. Maria Dolores Aguila. Illus. by Magdalena Mora. (2024). Dial Books for Young Readers. In 1970, the residents of the Barrio Logan neighborhood in San Diego were overjoyed to see cranes and heavy machinery arrive under the Coronado Bridge. They believed the city was finally making good on its promise to build a park that the community had repeatedly requested for the past three years. But to their shock, the land was actually being cleared for a police station. Barrio Rising is a true story of how ordinary people, united by a common cause, can create real change. Told through the eyes of young activist Elena, the story reveals how a community refuses to be silenced after years of broken promises. Their determination transformed an empty lot into Chicano Park, now home to the largest collection of outdoor murals in the U.S., a lasting reminder that when a community stands together, they can paint their own future. (Gr 1 Up) - BS  The Color of a Lie. Kim Johnson. (2024). Random House. Set in 1955, The Color of a Lie is a gripping and deeply moving novel that exposes the insidious systems designed to uphold segregation in the United States. The story follows Calvin Greene, who is caught between worlds, navigating the dangers of racial identity and the moral dilemmas of "passing for white" in pursuit of safety and opportunity. As the story unfolds, readers witness how secrets, assimilation, and the inner turmoil Calvin faces. Through a thought-provoking narrative, actual historical events are woven together to reveal the brutal realities Black Americans faced during the Jim Crow era. Meticulously researched storytelling examines past injustices while drawing powerful parallels to the present. This unflinching account reveals the painful truths of history and how they continue to shape the world today. (Gr 6 Up) - TH  The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II. Candace Fleming. (2024). Scholastic Press. Based on the true history of Bletchley Park, a well-kept secret during World War II, this story portrays the call to service of hundreds of teenage girls and young women in the spring of 1941, capturing their experiences and the critical roles they played. The details behind the complexity of code and cipher breaking come to life through photos and documents, offering a vivid look at the work of women like Jane, Mavis, Sarah, and Diana. Their contributions take shape from the moment they received the telegram stating, “You are to report to Station X at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, in four days' time.” Playing a vital part in winning the war and helping decipher encrypted messages, including those encoded by machines like Enigma, these teenage girls and young women made a crucial contribution without ever knowing its full impact. They remained silent for years, keeping the secret of their service. (Gr 5 Up) - JB  Everything We Never Had. Randy Ribay. (2024). Penguin Group. This four-generational family account of what it means to be Filipino American is a must-read. Francisco Maghabol, first generation in the United States, contends with migrant farm work and racial violence, shaping the experiences of his son, Emil. Emil resents Francisco and is determined not to follow in his father’s socialist footsteps; instead, he focuses on assimilating. Emil’s son Chris wants to learn more about his grandfather Francisco and the Filipino culture his father has tried to erase. Straining under Emil’s vision for Chris’s life, he insists on raising his son Enzo differently. Enzo, who struggles with anxiety, attempts to heal the generational trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic when Emil comes to live with their family. Their four interwoven stories highlight the interconnectedness of each generation pursuing their own dreams. Exploring the audiobook is highly recommended to experience the four-person narration and enjoy the sound effects, altering Francisco’s story to sound as though it was recorded in the 1930s. (Gr 6 Up) - LM  Flap Your Hands: A Celebration of Stimming. Steve Asbel. (2024). Lee & Low Books. In this vibrantly illustrated picturebook, Flap Your Hands: A Celebration of Stimming, readers are introduced to children who are on the autistic spectrum who use self-stimulation techniques, stimming, to calm themselves when they become too overwhelmed with the sights, smells, and sounds around them in various spaces. The book presents stimming as normal activity, as it should be viewed. Stimming can be exhibited in different ways, including physical or vocal, and varies from person to person. It can include covering ears, spinning, clapping, and flapping hands. Each of these ways helps autistic folks to feel more comfortable in stressful social situations. It is a letter of acceptance to children with autism emphasizing the beauty, magic, and normalcy of stimming. (PreK Up) - DM  Kindred Spirits. Leslie Stall Widener. Illus. Johnson Yazzie. (2024). Charlesbridge Publisher. Spanning generations, continents, and peoples, this historical picture book weaves a narrative of empathy and resilience. The story opens in 1845, Ireland, during the potato famine, which claimed more than a million lives. Haunted by their own memories of their Trail of Tears, the Choctaw gathered to raise what little money they had to help the Irish in a remarkable act of solidarity. Fast forward seven generations later, the Navajo and Hopi Nations are ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by this legacy of compassion, more than 26,000 Irish people donated 3 million dollars to help them. The book celebrates a timeless legacy of love and sacrifice that unites disparate peoples through lyrical poems interwoven with factual text. Complemented by insightful backmatter, including a timeline, glossary, and further reading, the work invites readers to explore shared histories and embrace the enduring power of human kindness. (Gr 2 Up) - LM  Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day. Zenda Walker. Illus. Princess Karibo. (2024). Running Press Kids. In this picturebook, the diversity and history of Black hairstyles take center stage. Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day follows Zara, a young Black girl learning the cultural significance of Black hairstyles throughout the diaspora. The story moves through the Black girl wash day routine, including washing, conditioning, and detangling. During the detangling portion, Zara laments to her mother about why her hair can only be styled in afro-puffs, braids, and twists instead of being straightened regularly on special occasions. In response, Zara’s mother explains the people and cultures behind the hairstyles she creates for Zara. Through Zara’s journey, historic Black hairstyles and their African origins are explored, along with an appreciation for African hair texture. The book concludes with an illustrated guide to the Fulani-inspired hairstyle that Zara rocks at the end of the book. (PreK-Gr 5) - DM  Puzzled: A Memoir Growing Up with OCD. Pan Cooke. (2024). Rocky Pond Books. In Puzzled, the author offers a deeply personal and insightful look at growing up with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Using the metaphor of a puzzle, this graphic novel illustrates the complexity and frustration of living with a condition that often goes unseen and is misunderstood. The immersive storytelling and expressive visuals pull readers into the relentless cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsions, making the experience feel all the more tangible. With raw honesty and heartfelt moments, this memoir explores what it means to understand and manage mental health, highlighting the emotional toll of OCD alongside the resilience it takes to navigate daily life. Rather than just explaining the condition, the author brings it to life in a way that feels real and relatable, showing both the struggles and the strength that come with it. (Gr 4 Up) - TH  This Book Won’t Burn. Samira Ahmed. (2024). Little Brown Books for Young Readers. This Book Won’t Burn is about the fight for intellectual freedom, told from the perspective of one Indian-American Muslim girl. When Noor and her family move to a new town, she quickly discovers that book banning is on the rise, threatening stories that reflect diverse voices, including her own. Determined to stand up for the freedom to read, Noor takes action, challenging censorship and risking backlash from those who want to silence her. The novel explores themes of student activism, identity, mental health, family relationships, and the courage to stand up for what is right. As Noor fights against book banning, she also struggles with personal challenges when her father abruptly leaves the family. Through her story, the novel highlights the importance of representation in literature and the fundamental right to see oneself reflected in the books we read. (Gr 6 Up) - TH  Threads: Zlata’s Ukrainian Skirt. Lima Maslo. (2024). Farrar, Straus and Giroux. In 1932, in Ukraine, Zlata’s world was upended by Communist Russian policies that stripped her family of their livelihood. During this upheaval, Zlata is given a handmade, embroidered shirt for her eighth birthday. Stitched in the colors of Ukraine - red and black - it symbolizes love and sadness. However, her friend Yeva and her father, fueled by jealousy and misguided ideals, report Zlata’s family to the Communists. They seize all that remains from Zlata’s family, including their land, arresting Zlata’s papa and leaving Zlata and her mother destitute. In a twist of fate, Yeva’s father and family soon receive the same treatment, prompting Yeva to return Zlata’s cherished embroidered shirt to her. Together, the girls find solace in learning to embroider and carry on a craft that represents their traditions and beliefs. Backmatter enriches the narrative by including the author’s family story of the Holodomor famine-genocide, background information about Communism, and teaches readers about traditional Ukrainian embroidery. (PreK Up) - LM  Where Wolves Don’t Die. Anton Treuer. (2024). Levine Querido. After a fight, a fire, and his father’s growing fears for his safety, Ezra is sent to spend the winter on Nigigoonsiminikaaning tribal lands in Canada with his grandfather. There, he learns to run a trap line, navigate the harsh wilderness, and embrace the cultural teachings of his ancestors. However, his journey is not just about physical survival. It is also about understanding his place in the world and the resilience of his people. Steeped in suspense and rich with Anishinaabe traditions, Where Wolves Don’t Die is both an adventure and a powerful exploration of intergenerational wisdom, self-discovery, and the struggles Indigenous youth continue to face today. This debut novel is an unforgettable exploration of strength, heritage, identity, resilience, and the ongoing racism Indigenous peoples face. (Gr 6 Up) - TH  Who Needs a Statue? Eve LaPlante and Margy Burns Knight. Illus. by Alix Delinois (2024). Tilbury House Publishers. Did you know that the United States Capitol houses 100 statues, two from each of the 50 states? Until 2000, when Congress allowed states to replace their statues, every statue but ten represented a white man. Even after 25 years of this policy change, only nine statues now depict people of color and just 12 feature women. Across the country, statues are being added and removed, prompting the question: Who needs a statue? The authors feature state statues of women and people of color, prompting readers to reconsider whose stories history remembers. Among these are Barbara Jordan, the first African American woman elected to the Texas State Senate, and labor activists fighting for immigrant farmers, Dolores Huerta and César Chávez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers movement in 1962. With detailed backmatter providing further information on each person represented, this timely book reminds us that history isn’t just about who has been remembered; it’s also about who should be. (Gr 3 Up) - BS Tracey Hodges, co-chair of NBGS, is an associate professor at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. Jane Bean-Folkes is a K-12 English language arts supervisor at South Orange * Maplewood School District in South Orange Valley, NJ. Cheryl Logan is a retired teacher educator at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Doricka Menefee is an assistant professor at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. Lesli Morris is an ELA teacher specialist for Canyons School District in Sandy, UT. Bethany Scullin is an associate professor at the University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA.
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