children / young adult social justice book lists

a prayer shawl is handed down from grandfather to grandson in this story of jewish tradition and the passage of generations.

aneesa and her grandmother come up with a plan to help two girls who are refugees celebrate

in the tradition of alison mcghee's someday, beloved illustrator amy june bates makes her authorial debut alongside her eleven-year-old daughter with this timely and timeless picture book about acceptance. by the door there is an umbrella. it is big. it is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. it doesn't matter if you are tall. or plaid. or hairy. it doesn't matter how many legs you have. don't worry that there won't be enough room under the umbrella. because there will always be room. lush illustrations and simple, lyrical text subtly address themes of inclusion and tolerance in this sweet story that accomplished illustrator amy june bates cowrote with her daughter, juniper, while walking to school together in the rain.

a simple act of neighborly kindness and a bird that needs their aid helps former refugee sami settle into his new community with new-found friend moe moe's neighbors on wishbone street come from all over the world, and she's excited to meet the new boy who just arrived from syria. sami isn't quite ready to talk about his past, but he loves birds just as much as moe does. and who wouldn't have fun in a parkette full of packing snow? when the children discover a female cardinal stunned by the cold, sami uses his experience taking care of pigeons in syria to help rescue the bird--an incident that helps sami to feel more at home. in birds on wishbone street, author/illustrator suzanne del rizzo demonstrates the power of an act of kindness, telling a story about finding home and making friends in new places. illustrated with her signature polymer clay art, the story revisits characters from del rizzo's new york times notable my beautiful birds and reminds us that we're all more similar than we are different.

a calendar of celebrations which describes holidays and festivals of all major religions and cultures from around the world. includes original photography.

to thank miss eula for her wonderful sunday chicken dinners, three children sell decorated eggs to buy her a beautiful easter hat.

the wars in iraq and afghanistan have impacted the children of soldiers--men and women who have been called away from their families to fight in a faraway war. in their own words, some of these children describe how their experience has marked and shaped their lives.

chin chiang has long dreamed of dancing the dragon's dance, but when the first day of the year of the dragon arrives and he is to dance with his grandfather, he is sure he will shame his family and bring bad luck to everyone.

a powerful and necessary picture book - the journey of a child forced to become a refugee when war destroys everything she has ever known. imagine if, on an ordinary day, war came. imagine it turned your town to rubble. imagine going on a long and difficult journey - all alone. imagine finding no welcome at the end of it. then imagine a child who gives you something small but very, very precious ... when the government refused to allow 3000 child refugees to enter this country in 2016, nicola davies was so angry she wrote a poem. it started a campaign for which artists contributed drawings of chairs, symbolising a seat in a classroom, education, kindness, the hope of a future. the poem has become this book, movingly illustrated by rebecca cobb, which should prove a powerful aid for explaining the ongoing refugee crisis to younger readers.

frightened into sleeplessness by the noisy celebration of the chinese new year, a young girl takes comfort in her grandmother's soothing story of a dragon, a mother's sorrow, and buddha.

"a fictionalized account of a family fleeing war-torn syria after their home in aleppo is destroyed. they endure wretched refugee camps, ocean crossings, swindlers - all to find safety in the west."-- provided by publisher.

two young afghani girls living in a refugee camp in pakistan share a precious pair of sandals brought by relief workers. includes author's note about refugees.

a picture book based on the author's own immigration story, the infinite impact of friendship, and passing on love and kindness around the world. on a snowy lunar new year's eve in northeastern china, it's dandan's last night with yueyue. tomorrow, she moves to america. the two best friends have a favorite wintertime tradition: crafting paper-cut snowflakes, freezing them outside, and hanging them as ornaments. as they say goodbye, yueyue presses red paper and a spool of thread into dandan's hands so that she can carry on their tradition. but in her new home, dandan has no one to enjoy the gift with--until a friend comes along.

it’s too dangerous to stay any longer--the war is coming closer. viktor, little marina, and mama must pack what they can carry and flee their home. as they trudge beside the other refugees, viktor worries about what lies ahead, and what he’s left behind--his room, his books, the fish marina loves so much. even worse, his papa is off fighting with the liberation army and doesn’t know they’ve left home. how will papa ever find them now? inspired by real events, master storyteller eve bunting recounts the harrowing yet hopeful story of a family, a war--and a dazzling discovery.

maria is from spain, jin is from korea, and fatima is from somalia. all three are new to their american elementary school, and each has trouble speaking, writing, and sharing ideas in english. through self-determination and with encouragement from their peers and teachers, the 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 learn to feel confident and comfortable in their new school without losing a sense of their home country, language, and identity. young readers from all backgrounds will appreciate this touching story about the assimilation of three immigrant 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 in a supportive school community. anne sibley o'brien is the founder of i'm your neighbor, an organization that promotes children's literature featuring "new arrival" cultures. as the rate of immigration to the united states increases, topics related to immigration are increasingly more important in the classroom and home. i'm new here domonstrates how our global community can work together and build a home for all.

an instant new york times bestseller! this joyful and lyrical picture book from new york times bestselling author eva chen and illustrator sophie diao is a moving ode to the immigrant experience, as well as a manifesto of self-love for chinese american children. what do you see when you look in the mirror, mei? do you see beauty? we see eyes that point toward the sun, that give us the warmth and joy of a thousand rays when you smile. we see hair as inky black and smooth as a peaceful night sky. we see skin brushed with gold. praise for i am golden: "[a] richly metaphoric celebration of chinese american identity ... luminous, gently textured digital art by diao includes thoughtful, recognizably chinese cues that add further dimension ... a loving, affecting tribute to how children of immigrants can serve as bridges and torchbearers for their communities." --publishers weekly, starred review "from the outset, this gorgeous picture book exudes joy and celebration of identity. through dazzling illustrations, diao brings to exuberant life best-selling chinese american author chen's message of finding love and power in one's differences. ... this powerful and uplifting story captures [chinese] american joy and is a definite must-read." --booklist, starred review

celebrate books, friendship, and chocolate milk shakes with duncan the dragon in this sweet, funny story perfect for fans of dog loves booksand dragons love tacos. duncan the dragon loves to read. when he reads a story, his imagination catches fire! unfortunately . . . so does his book. fire breath is great for roasting marshmallows, but it's not so great for reading. duncan just wants to get to those two wonderful words, like the last sip of a chocolate milk shake- the end. will he ever find out how the story ends? this bright, warm tale champions determination, friendship, and a love for books. and milk shakes! an indie next selection winner of the colorado libraries for early literacy bell picture book award "though there are lots of unusual friendship stories in picture books, the vivid colors, expressive faces, and comic details make this one likely to be a storytime hit. like the last sip of a chocolate milk shake, it's very satisfying." -kirkus reviews

participating in a first carnival since her mother left to find a better job, malaika fears she will not be able to dance in the parade without a costume and comes up with an idea to use scrap fabric to create a patchwork rainbow peacock outfit.

celebrate the special connection between father and daughter in this gorgeously evocative picture book, recounting the year a little girl and her mother spend in america while waiting for her father to join them from the philippines. from acclaimed author michelle sterling and illustrator sarah gonzales, a poignant story perfect for fans of joanna ho, linda sue park, and matt de la peña. new country, new school, new friends. a lot can happen in a single year. but one thing's for certain: maribel won't forget her papa, even when he's 8,000 miles away in the philippines. after all, papa is all around. he is the memory of feeding koi fish in their pond every morning. he is the constellation map as maribel dreams of showing him her new world. he is the packages and letters sent back and forth. he is everywhere except the place he's wanted the most. but the bond between maribel and papa transcends oceans. so as the snow melts and turns to rain, as flowers blossom and welcome sun-kissed days, and as the leaves start to change and snow begins to fall once more, can maribel wait just a little bit longer

"with its warm palette and gentle scenes of the worried child being comforted, this book could function as a sequel to sanna's astounding debut picture book, the journey, which recounted a family's dangerous flight from their home in a war zone. sanna provides an empathetic exploration of the adjustment to a new land that all migrants experience."--new york times book review "authentic and immediate, the first-person narration draws in readers and reveals just how easily fear can become overwhelming and isolating, but can also be controlled when feelings are shared and through comfort found in friendship. ­like sanna's the journey, this book about an immigrant's experiences tackles a tough topic with honesty, empathy, and a sense of hopefulness."--school library journal, starred review "this follow-up to the journey about a refugee family fleeing a war-torn homeland, focuses on the young daughter's apprehension as she adjusts to life in a new country and a new school."--the horn book review "[...] this creative depiction shows how friendship, empathy, and connection can help bring the overwhelming down to size for all." --publishers weekly, starred review "a universal book that can be used to explain fear to readers and give empathy to those in a new environment." --kirkus reviews "it will be a familiar story for many children, but the girl's specific fears about language and difference might make this useful for discussions about newcomers as well."  --booklist when a young immigrant girl has to travel to a new country and start at a new school, she is accompanied by her fear who tells her to be alone and afraid, growing bigger and bigger every day with questions like "how can you hope to make new friends if you don't understand their language?" but this little girl is stronger than her fear. a heart-warming and timely tale from the bestselling author and illustrator of the journey, this book shows us the importance of sharing your fear with others--after all, everyone carries a fear with them, even if it's small enough to fit into their pocket!

a little girl sees her mother's fear when war comes to their home. fear is replaced with hope when they board a huge, shiny airplane. when it lands, they are somewhere new, and slowly, it comes to feel like home. there are many new experiences, like the beautiful, fluffy snow. and the shrill school bell that reminds the little girl of the noises of war her family left behind. but with time and love, her family embraces their new life, and it is the most beautiful thing she has ever seen.

mustafa and his family traveled a long way to reach their new home. some nights mustafa dreams about the country he used to live in, and he wakes up not knowing where he is. then his mother takes him out to the balcony to see the moon -- the same moon as in their old country. in the park, mustafa sees ants and caterpillars and bees -- they are the same, too. he encounters a "girl-with-a-cat," who says something in a language that he can't understand. he watches an old lady feeding birds and other children playing, but he is always looking in from the outside and he feels that he is invisible. but one day, the girl-with-the-cat beckons to him, and mustafa begins to become part of his new world. marie-louise gay's remarkable ability to write and illustrate from the perspective of a young child is movingly exhibited in this gentle, thoughtful story about coming to feel at home in a new country. correlates to the common core state standards in english language arts: ccss.ela-literacy.rl.1.2 retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. ccss.ela-literacy.rl.1.4 identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses. ccss.ela-literacy.rl.2.5 describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

a poetically told immigration story that fosters understanding and beautifully articulates how the desire to belong and the need for human connection are universal. a little girl learns some words in a new language to prepare for her move to a new country. but when she, her mother and her father arrive, "all her words fly away like birds." the girl waits, and watches, and listens, trying to figure things out. only, it's hard. then one day the girl meets someone who needs her help. and as she makes a new friend, she finds that the new words start to come easier --- becoming her words, at last. beautifully written in engaging and accessible free verse, this poignant story offers a powerful lesson in empathy for children everywhere. the story is inspired by the many newcomer families debora pearson has met in her work as a children's librarian in a bustling urban center. both timely and universal, it provides young children with an opportunity to expand their worldview and be inspired by how the heroine prevails and finds connection. shrija jain's simple, whimsical illustrations add playfulness and warmth to the narrative. a perfect read-aloud, this sweet and sensitive picture book encourages all children to celebrate inclusion and highlights the character education traits of resilience, kindness and empathy. there are links here to social studies lessons on community, global awareness and cultural awareness.

a poetically told immigration story that fosters understanding and beautifully articulates how the desire to belong and the need for human connection are universal. a little girl learns some words in a new language to prepare for her move to a new country. but when she, her mother and her father arrive, "all her words fly away like birds." the girl waits, and watches, and listens, trying to figure things out. only, it's hard. then one day the girl meets someone who needs her help. and as she makes a new friend, she finds that the new words start to come easier --- becoming her words, at last. beautifully written in engaging and accessible free verse, this poignant story offers a powerful lesson in empathy for children everywhere. the story is inspired by the many newcomer families debora pearson has met in her work as a children's librarian in a bustling urban center. both timely and universal, it provides young children with an opportunity to expand their worldview and be inspired by how the heroine prevails and finds connection. shrija jain's simple, whimsical illustrations add playfulness and warmth to the narrative. a perfect read-aloud, this sweet and sensitive picture book encourages all children to celebrate inclusion and highlights the character education traits of resilience, kindness and empathy. there are links here to social studies lessons on community, global awareness and cultural awareness.

when iran's government threatens zahra's family for speaking out against its actions, they decide to flee iran and seek safety in australia. the journey isn't easy. many refugees have died on the boat trip across the indian ocean. granted asylum after many months of waiting, zahra and her family must adjust to a new life. interspersed with facts about iran and its people, this narrative tells a story common to many refugees fleeing the country. readers will learn about the conflict there and how they can help refugees in their communities and around the world who are struggling to find permanent homes.

five-year-old roj's home is bombed during the civil war that has been raging in his homeland of syria. he and his family are forced to flee the country secretly by boat, and they end up in a camp for refugees in europe. interspersed with facts about syria and its people, this narrative tells a story common to many refugees fleeing the country. the book looks at the efforts being made around the world to assist the millions of refugees. readers are encouraged to consider how they can help refugees in their communities and around the world.

"sure to become a favorite book about overcoming hardships and helping others. this is truly one story not to be missed." --provo library children's book reviews over 17 awards, nominations, and other distinctions! newcomer salma and friends cook up a heartwarming dish to cheer up mama. all salma wants is to make her mama smile again. between english classes, job interviews, and missing papa back in syria, mama always seems busy or sad. a homemade syrian meal might cheer her up, but salma doesn't know the recipe, or what to call the vegetables in english, or where to find the right spices! luckily, the staff and other newcomers at the welcome center are happy to lend a hand--and a sprinkle of sumac. with creativity, determination, and charm, salma brings her new friends together to show mama that even though things aren't perfect, there is cause for hope and celebration. syrian culture is beautifully represented through the meal salma prepares and anna bron's vibrant illustrations, while the diverse cast of characters speaks to the power of cultivating community in challenging circumstances.  

it's afghan schoolgirl aria's first day back at school since her accident. she's excited, but she's also worried about sitting on the hard floor all day with her new prosthetic "helper-leg." just as aria feared, sitting on the floor is so uncomfortable that she can't think about learning at all. she knows that before the war changed many things in afghanistan, schools like hers had benches for 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 to sit at. if she had a bench, her leg would not hurt so much. the answer is obvious: she will gather materials, talk to kaka najar, the carpenter in the old city, and learn to build a bench for herself. in a sky-blue bench, bahram rahman, author of the library bus, returns again to the setting of his homeland, afghanistan, to reveal the resilience and resolve of young children--especially young girls--who face barriers to education. illustrator peggy collins imbues aria with an infectious spunkiness and grit that make her relatable even to readers with a very different school experience. an author's note gently introduces an age-appropriate discussion of landmines and their impact on the lives of children in many nations, especially afghanistan, which has the highest concentration of landmines of any country in the world. don't miss the library bus, also by bahram rahman winner of the middle east book award finalist for the governor general's literary award finalist for the florida literary association children's book award finalist for the ola forest of reading blue spruce award winner of the northern lights book award: multicultural category

"in this picture book, a young girl and her family are forced to flee their village to escape the civil war that has engulfed syria and make their way toward freedom in europe"-- provided by publisher.

"a boy travels across the sea in a rowboat in search of a new home, making a journey that is long and difficult--but also filled with beauty and hope"-- provided by publisher.