All book covers come from Amazon.
Fiction
Babies: Ages 0 - 3
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1. Title: Hush a Bye Baby
Author: Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Illustrators: Shahrzad Maydani
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date:Little Simon; Brdbk edition (December 5, 2017)
Age group: 0 - 3
Summary: Fathers put their babies to sleep in this book, which features a sweet lullaby.
2. Title: If You’re Spooky and You Know It
Author: Aly Fronis
Illustrators: Jannie Ho
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher/Date: little bee books; Brdbk edition (July 26, 2016)
Age group: 0 - 3
Summary: Get moving with monsters with this spooky take on “If You’re Happy and You Know it!”
3. Title: My Heart Fills With Happiness
Author: Monique Gray Smith
Illustrators: Julie Flett
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Orca Book Publishers; Brdbk edition (March 1, 2016)
Age group: 0 - 3
Summary: What makes you happy? Is it your family? Your pets? Nature? This joyful book explores what makes one indigenous family happy.
Children: Ages 4 - 8
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Picture Books:
4. Title: Abuela (English Edition with Spanish Phrases)
Author: Arthur Dorros
Illustrators: Elisa Kleven
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher/Date: Puffin Books; Reprint edition (May 1, 1997)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Rosalba and her grandmother fly over New York City in a magical journey told in English and Spanish.
5. Title: Africville
Author: Shauntay Grant
Illustrators: Eva Campbell
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Groundwood Books (September 4, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Africville near Halifax, Nova Scotia, was a bright Black community that despite Canadian neglect flourished. In this picture book, Grant imagines the everyday joy of this community.
6. Title: Alma and How She Got Her Name
Author: Juana Martinez-Neal
Illustrators: Juana Martinez-Neal
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Candlewick (April 10, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela learns about her ancestors and how she got her name in this sweet picture book.
7. Title: A Big Mooncake for Little Star
Author: Grace Lin
Illustrators: Grace Lin
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher/Date: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 28, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Little Star wants to eat the yummy mooncake her mother makes. But what happens if she keeps eating it? This is an origin story about the phases of the moon that was inspired by the Mid-Autumn Mood Festival.
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8. Title: Captain Starfish
Author: Davina Bell
Illustrators: Allison Colpoys
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Harry N. Abrams (March 20, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Alfie’s always struggled with participating — he’s far too shy and anxious. When a big event looms, he stays home instead. As he meets another shy creature, he begins to see that the world isn’t so scary.
9. Title: The Dam
Author: David Almond
Illustrators: Levi Pinfold
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher/Date: Candlewick Studio (September 11, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: This picture book tells the story of Kielder Water, a dam that was once land filled with family, music, and happiness. Before the dam is complete, a father and daughter play the music in honor of what is being lost.
10. Title: The Day You Begin
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrators: Rafael López
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Nancy Paulsen Books (August 28, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: What makes you different makes you special; don’t be afraid! This book encourages children to embrace their differences, find like-minded friends, and to speak up. Touches on racial, ethnic, linguistic, and class differences.
11. Title: Drawn Together
Author: Minh Lê
Illustrators: Dan Santat
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher/Date: Disney-Hyperion (June 5, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Grandson and grandfather struggle to connect due to language difference until art and adventure bring them together in this touching story.
12. Title: Hello, Lighthouse
Author: Sophie Blackall
Illustrators: Sophie Blackall
Genre: Realistic/Historical
Publisher/Date: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1st Edition edition (April 10, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: A beautiful story about a lighthouse and the man — and eventual family — who takes care of it.
13. Title: I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness
Author: Kerascoët
Illustrators: Kerascoët
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Schwartz & Wade (April 24, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: When one girl sees another being bullied, she decides to walk with her to and from school. Soon, others join and walk in solidarity. A touching and powerful story about kindness and helping others.
14. Title: Julián Is a Mermaid
Author: Jessica Love
Illustrators: Jessica Love
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Candlewick; Later Printing edition (April 23, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: This is a story about the joy of being unabashedly yourself, of transformation, of possibility. Julián sees three beautiful women and compares them to mermaids, creating a fantasy where he, too, turns into a beautiful mermaid.
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15. Title: Leave Me Alone!
Author: Vera Brosgol
Illustrators: Vera Brosgol
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher/Date: Roaring Brook Press (September 13, 2016)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: One feisty grandmother just wants to knit in peace, leading her to leave her many grandchildren behind as she goes on a humorous journey that takes her out of this world.
16. Title: Lubna and Pebble
Author: Wendy Meddour
Illustrators: Daniel Egnéus
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Dial Books (March 5, 2019)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Lubna is scared in her refugee camp until she befriends Pebble. When a new boy comes to her camp, she decides he may need Pebble more than she does.
17. Title: Night Job
Author: Karen Hesse
Illustrators: G. Brian Karas
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Candlewick (September 11, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: A father and son have an adventure at the father’s job as a night custodian at school in this sweet and understated story.
18. Title: The Rabbit Listened
Author: Cori Doerrfeld
Illustrators: Cori Doerrfeld
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher/Date: Dial Books (February 20, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: When his creation falls to the ground, a boy is devastated. Each of his animal friends has different suggestions (revenge, anger, etc.), but the rabbit who listens to him helps him the most. A moving story about the power of empathy and listening, especially in times of grief and loss.
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19. Title: Thank You, Omu!
Author: Oge Mora
Illustrators: Oge Mora
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (October 2, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Omu can’t wait to eat her delectable stew, but finds herself giving some out to every neighbor. When she runs out and can’t enjoy any herself, neighbors thank her and share some of their own food.
20. Title: Wallpaper
Author: Thao Lam
Illustrators: Thao Lam
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher/Date: Owlkids (April 15, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Our main character, a little girl, finds it too hard to talk to the kids she hears playing outside. She might be shy or have social anxiety, but either way, she finds it much easier to stay inside by herself . . . until she sees something fantastic. Under her wallpaper are layers of worlds where she can be free and play! When a monster comes after her, she learns an important lesson about courage.
21. Title: Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids
Author: Kristen Fischer
Illustrators: Susi Schaefer
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher/Date: Sounds True (July 1, 2017)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Learn to count and learn yoga poses in this fun book! Follow Lyla and her animal friends as they teach yoga.
Chapter Books:
22. Title: Meet Yasmin!
Author: Saadia Faruqi
Illustrators: Hatem Aly
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Picture Window Books; Combined edition (August 1, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Yasmin is a bright and fun second-grader who can solve any problem.
23. Title: Big Foot and Little Foot (#1)
Author: Ellen Potter
Illustrators: Felicita Sala
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Publisher/Date: Harry N. Abrams (April 10, 2018)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: Hugo, a young sasquatch, longs for adventure and finds it when he comes across a little boy — who he’s forbidden to see.
24. Title: Wonder Woman Classic: Maze of Magic (I Can Read Level 2)
Author: Liz Marsham
Illustrators: Lee Ferguson
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Publisher/Date: HarperCollins (May 2, 2017)
Age group: 4 - 8
Summary: When people go missing in Greece, Wonder Woman is called to the scene. Can she save them and defeat their captor?
Tween: Ages 9 - 12
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25. Title: Amal Unbound
Author: Aisha Saeed
Illustrators: N/A
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Nancy Paulsen Books (May 8, 2018)
Age group: 8 - 12
Summary: Amal is a normal girl in Pakistan, hoping to get her education and become a teacher. When she’s forced to drop out and help her family, she’s devastated. Yet little does she know that the worst is yet to come — with one bad decision, she becomes an indentured servant to a wealthy and criminal family in her village. What can she do?
26. Title: The Crossover
Author: Kwame Alexander
Illustrators: N/A
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary (Poetry)
Publisher/Date: HMH Books for Young Readers (March 18, 2014)
Age group: 8 - 12
Summary: Josh and Jordan are basketball star twins, partly thanks to their famous former basketball player father. As they play ball, have crushes, and deal with being a middle-schooler, they must learn how to adjust to unexpected changes at home.
27. Title: Finding Langston
Author: Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrators: N/A
Genre: Realistic/Historical
Publisher/Date: Holiday House (August 14, 2018)
Age group: 8 - 12
Summary: In 1946, Langston must adjust after moving from small-town Alabama to foreign Chicago. After losing his beloved mother, he struggles to connect to his father and his new life — which includes bullies. When he finds an unexpected home in his local library, will his life change?
28. Title: Harbor Me
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrators: N/A
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Nancy Paulsen Books (August 28, 2018)
Age group: 8 - 12
Summary: In the ARTT room (A Room to Talk), six kids find themselves opening up and changing as they navigate tough topics like immigration, grief, bullying, and racism.
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29. Title: Hurricane Child
Author: Kheryn Callender
Illustrators: N/A
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Scholastic Press (March 27, 2018)
Age group: 8 - 12
Summary: Caroline’s mother left her. That’s all Caroline can think about, even as she’s bullied in school . . . until one day, on her island in the US Virgin Islands, a new girl comes. This new girl befriends Caroline and stirs up unfamiliar feelings in her, and says she might know how to get her mother back. What will Caroline do?
30. Title: Listen, Slowly
Author: Thanhha Lai
Illustrators: N/A
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: HarperCollins (February 17, 2015)
Age group: 8 - 12
Summary: When Mai is forced to abandon her summer break with friends (and crush!) for Vietnam, she’s devastated. Why should she be the one to accompany her grandmother on a pointless trip — to discover if her grandfather who disappeared during the Vietnam War is somehow still alive? As she adjusts to Vietnam, she and her grandmother discover the shocking truth behind his disappearance.
31. Title: The Midnight War of Mateo Martinez
Author: Robin Yardi
Illustrators: N/A
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher/Date: Carolrhoda Books (March 1, 2016)
Age group: 8 - 12
Summary: Mateo Martinez is dealing with a lot: his annoying little sister, his former best friend bullying him, being a Mexican-American kid who can’t speak Spanish, and all of the troubles that come from being a kid. When he discovers that his old bike has been stolen by nefarious skunks, he must push his problems aside and protect his neighborhood — with his new best friend and some unlikely allies.
32. Title: Refugee
Author: Alan Gratz
Illustrators: N/A
Genre: Historical/Contemporary
Publisher/Date: Scholastic Press (July 25, 2017)
Age group: 8 - 12
Summary: Three kids, three shocking stories, one connection. When their families are threatened, Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud must leave their homes and find safety — but at what cost?
33. Title: The Gauntlet
Author: Karuna Riazi
Illustrators: N/A
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Publisher/Date: Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (March 28, 2017)
Age group: 8 - 12
Summary: Farah gets more than she bargained for when she plays a game with two friends — her brother is sucked into a dangerous, fantastical world where she must complete tasks to save him. If she doesn’t? They’re all stuck in the game.