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Our collection of picture books featuring Black and Indigenous Peoples and People of Color (BIPOC) is available to the public.

*Inclusion of a title in the collection DOES NOT EQUAL a recommendation.*

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Always the Almost

2023

by Edward Underhill

“Sixteen-year-old trans boy Miles Jacobson has two New Year’s resolutions: 1) win back his ex-boyfriend (and star of the football team) Shane McIntyre, and 2) finally beat his arch-nemesis at the Midwest’s biggest classical piano competition. But that’s not going to be so easy. For one thing, Shane broke up with Miles two weeks after Miles came out as trans, and now Shane’s stubbornly ignoring him, even when they literally bump into each other. Plus, Miles’ new, slightly terrifying piano teacher keeps telling him that he’s playing like he “doesn’t know who he is”—whatever that means. Then Miles meets the new boy in town, Eric Mendez, a proudly queer cartoonist from Seattle who asks his pronouns, cares about art as much as he does—and makes his stomach flutter. Not what he needs to be focusing on right now. But after Eric and Miles pretend to date so they can score an invite to a couples-only Valentine’s party, the ruse turns real with a kiss, which is also definitely not in the plan. If only Miles could figure out why Eric likes him so much. It’s not like he’s cool or confident or comfortable in his own skin. He’s not even good enough at piano to get his fellow competitors to respect him, especially now, as Miles. Nothing’s ever been as easy for him as for other people—other boys. He’s only ever been almost enough. So why, when he’s with Eric, does it feel like the only person he’s ever really not been enough for…is himself?” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity Cross Group

An Invitation to Passover

2023

by Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen, Rabbi Kerry Olitzky and Mariia Kolker

“Hannah invites us all into her home for her family’s Passover seder. Her diverse group of friends bring their own culture to the celebration as well. Join the crowd and explore the universal themes of freedom, hope, thanks—and delicious food! When Hannah’s extended family isn’t able to join her for their traditional Passover seder, she invites her diverse group of friends to experience the holiday with her. From Ha-joon’s Korean kimchi, to Monique’s hymn lyrics, each friend brings a bit of their own culture to the celebration. And with each guest the themes of freedom, hope, and thanks become more meaningful. A note tells the Passover story and a glossary defines vocabulary.” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity Cross Group

Last Violent Call

2023

by Chloe Gong

“In A Foul Thing, Roma and Juliette have established themselves as the heads of an underground weapons ring in Zhouzhuang, making a living the way they do best while remaining anonymous in their peaceful, quiet life. But when they hear about several Russian girls showing up dead in nearby towns, they decide to investigate—and ultimately discover that this mystery is much closer to home than they ever imagined. In This Foul Murder, Benedikt and Marshall have been summoned by Roma to find the elusive scientist, Lourens, and bring him to Zhouzhuang. Time is of the essence aboard the week-long Trans-Siberian Express, but when someone is murdered on board, Benedikt and Marshall convince the officer in charge not to stop the train so that they aren’t thrown off-schedule. Instead, they pretend that they are investigators and promise they can solve the murder, but as they dig deeper, they realize that the murder might having surprising ties to their own mission…” — publisher

Cross Group Race/Culture/Identity Concepts

On the Edge of the World

2023

by Anna Desnitskaya

Vera and her family live on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, a place that feels like the edge of the world itself. Lukas and his family also say they live on the edge of the world, but their home is thousands of miles away on the coast of Chile. Vera spends her days devouring fantasy books, throwing balls to her dog, and longing for a friend who would care about the treasures she’s hidden underneath the alder bush. Lukas spends his days looking for fossils, playing solo games of soccer, and wishing for a friend who would read with him on the best branch of his favorite tree. One evening, both Lukas and Vera head to the beach, blink their flashlights into the dark—and discover that the edge of the world is not such a lonely place after all.

Any Child/Teen

Alone Out Here

2022

by Riley Redgate

“While the world’s leaders, scientists, and engineers oversee the frantic production of a space fleet meant to save humankind, their children are brought in for a weekend of touring the Lazarus, a high-tech prototype spaceship. But when the apocalypse arrives months ahead of schedule, First Daughter Leigh Chen and a handful of teens from the tour are the only ones to escape the planet. This is the new world: a starship loaded with a catalog of human artifacts, a frozen menagerie of animal DNA, and fifty-three terrified survivors. From the panic arises a coalition of leaders, spearheaded by the pilot’s enigmatic daughter, Eli, who takes the wheel in their hunt for a habitable planet. But as isolation presses in, their uneasy peace begins to fracture. The struggle for control will mean the difference between survival and oblivion, and Leigh must decide whether to stand on the side of the mission or of her own humanity.” — publisher

Any Child/Teen Cross Group

Liam Conquers Fort Grudge

2020

by Sophia Day, Megan Johnson and Stephanie Strouse

“Liam and his dad are building a fort to share with his neighborhood friends. When Liam gets his feelings hurt, he becomes angry and makes changes to the fort that exclude others. Holding a grudge only hurts himself, as he becomes isolated and lonely. Can Liam conquer his grudge and find freedom in forgiveness? Learn with Liam how Forgiveness, Open communication, Reconciliation, and Trust build a strong foundation for a true friendship FORT! Childhood friendships can be full of challenges, social pressure, and both intentional and unintentional hurts. Readers will learn with Liam how to recognize when they are holding a grudge and understand the impact of the hurt on their friendships and themselves. Forgiveness is not just a response to an apology, but rather a personal decision to let go of past hurts and move forward with good will. Children will learn that small arguments are a normal experience in friendships, and they will gain skills to restore friendships and rebuild trust over time. Consideration is also given to ceasing unsafe relationships even when forgiveness has taken place. This book showcases diversity in positive ways with characters that span various cultures, ethnicities, family situations, physical challenges and more. Readers of all backgrounds will see themselves in these pages while learning to value the diversity within their own community and being exposed to differences from around the world. Social and emotional learning picture books guide elementary readers to control emotions and learn social skills. This education resource features the MVP Kids; includes Discussion Guides for parents and educators. Part of a helpful character building program.” — publisher

Any Child/Teen

No Steps Behind

2020

by Jeff Gottesfeld and Shiella Witanto

"Her parents moved her from Austria to Tokyo, Japan before she started school. They were all rendered stateless when Nazi Germany and Austria stripped Jews of their citizenship. She graduated high school fluent in Japanese plus four other languages and went to college in America at age 15. Cut off from her parents by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and America’s entry into World War II, she went years not knowing if they were alive. She returned to post-war Japan as an interpreter, found her parents, and wrote the fateful words that make her a storied feminist hero in that nation even today. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor said about Beate Sirota Gordon, ‘It is a rare life treat for a Supreme Court Justice to get to meet a framer of a Constitution. It is rarer indeed for that framer to have been a woman’"–

Biography/Autobiography Incidental

Teatime Around the World

2020

by Denyse Waissbluth and Chelsea O’Byrne

“A celebration of diversity and deliciousness, Teatime Around the World reveals all the wonderful ways we can enjoy a cup of tea––or two! Let’s go on an adventure to discover new cultures and friends through tea! In this fun and lyrical picture book for ages 4-8, kids will learn how tea is enjoyed in Thailand, Japan, Russia, Egypt, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Uruguay, South Sudan, India, and more countries! Did you know that po cha, the traditional tea in Tibet, is thick and salty like soup? Or that in Iran, tea is served with a rock? (A rock candy, that is!) Or that afternoon tea was dreamed up in England by a duchess who complained of being hungry between lunch and dinner? With vivid poetry, vibrant illustrations, and unique facts about different tea cultures, Teatime Around the World tells the delightful story of a beloved beverage.” — publisher

Centering Culture & Identity Informational

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