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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28 matching books
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The Luis Ortega Survival Club
“Ariana Ruiz wants to be noticed. But as an autistic girl who never talks, she goes largely ignored by her peers, despite her bold fashion choices. So when cute, popular Luis starts to pay attention to her, Ari finally feels seen. Luis’s attention soon turns to something more, and they have sex at a party—while Ari didn’t say no, she definitely didn’t say yes. Before she has a chance to process what happened and decide if she even has the right to be mad at Luis, the rumor mill begins churning—thanks, she’s sure, to Luis’s ex-girlfriend, Shawni. Boys at school now see Ari as an easy target, someone who won’t say no. Then Ari finds a mysterious note in her locker that eventually leads her to a group of students determined to expose Luis for the predator he is. To her surprise, she finds genuine friendship among the group, including her growing feelings for the very last girl she expected to fall for. But in order to take Luis down, she’ll have to come to terms with the truth of what he did to her that night—and risk everything to see justice done.” — publisher
Frontera
“As long as he remembers to stay smart and keep his eyes open, Mateo knows that he can survive the trek across the Sonoran Desert that will take him from Mexico to the United States. That is until he’s caught by the Border Patrol only moments after sneaking across the fence in the dead of night. Escaping their clutches comes at a price, and lost in the desert without a guide or water, Mateo is ill-prepared for the unforgiving heat that is sure to arrive come sunrise. With the odds stacked against him, his one chance at survival may be putting his trust in something, or rather someone, that he isn’t even sure exists. If you’d asked him if ghosts were real before he found himself face-to-face with one, Mateo wouldn’t have even considered it. But now, confronted with the nearly undeniable presence of Guillermo, he’s having second thoughts. Having spent his afterlife guiding migrants to safety, Guillermo knows things about the Sonoran Desert far beyond what could be explained by a mere hallucination. But even as Mateo forms an uneasy partnership with Guillermo, survival is still uncertain. The Sonoran Desert, with its hostile temperatures and inhabitants, is teeming with danger as the Border Patrol, rogue militias, and animals prowl its deadly terrain. As his journey stretches on, Mateo will have to decide exactly what and who he’s willing to sacrifice to find home.” — publisher
Little People, BIG DREAMS: American Dreams
“Learn more about each of your favorite dreamers with new in-depth stories, facts, and figures in this beautifully crafted compendium. With an emphasis on heroes of the USA, each story is rewritten to be appropriate for an older audience. Revisit best-loved figures from the series and some new ones, too, including Prince, Maya Angelou, Dolly Parton, Martin Luther King Jr., Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jordan, Amanda Gorman, Gloria Steinem, Elvis, Neil Armstrong, and Dwayne Johnson. Discover how these incredible people shaped America into the country it is today. From inspiring artists and passionate activists to intrepid explorers and groundbreaking musicians, this collection goes further than the original series into the lives of these iconic figures—perfect for curious minds who always want to know more!” — publisher
She Persisted: Deb Haaland
“As a child of two parents in the military, Deb Haaland moved around a lot when she was young. She especially cherished her time spent with her grandparents in their ancestral home, in present-day New Mexico, where they taught her their pueblo values. Through all the moves, she persisted in focusing on her studies, eventually earning a law degree. An enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo nation, Deb was one of the first two Native American women to be elected to Congress, where she represented New Mexico’s 1st District. In 2021, when the Senate confirmed her as President Biden’s secretary of the Interior Department, she became the first Native American in history to become a cabinet secretary. Deb believes in correcting past mistakes and wants to create a future across the United States and the world that her ancestors would be proud of. She continues to break barriers and inspire future generations to dream of greater opportunities.” — publisher
Up in Flames
“At eighteen, Ruby Ortega is an unapologetic flirt who balances her natural aptitude for economics with her skill in partying hard. But she couldn’t care less about those messy college boys—it’s her intense, brooding neighbor Ashton who she wants, and even followed to school. Even the fact that he has a girlfriend doesn’t deter her . . . whatever Ruby wants, she eventually gets. Her ruthless determination is tested when wildfires devastate her California hometown, destroying her parents’ business and causing an unspeakable tragedy that shatters her to her core. Suddenly, Ruby is the head of the family and responsible for its survival, with no income or experience to rely on. Rebuilding seems hopeless, but with the help of unexpected allies—including a beguiling, dark-eyed boy who seems to understand her better than anyone—Ruby has to try. When she discovers that the fires also displaced many undocumented people in her town, it becomes even more imperative to help. And if she has to make hard choices along the way, can anyone blame her?” -publisher
Bessie the Motorcycle Queen
“In 1929, 18-year-old Bessie Stringfield hopped on her motorcycle and headed out on an adventure, an unusual choice for a young Black woman at the time. Paying her way by winning motorcycle races, she criss-crossed the country through small towns, big cities, and wide open spaces. But not everyone was happy to see Bessie’s brown face peeking out from underneath her helmet. And more than once, Bessie found herself making some quick exits on the back of her bike to escape Jim Crow. A trailblazer in the world of women’s racing and motorcycling, Bessie Stringfield was a figure who will inspire all children to pursue their dreams.” — publisher
Changes in the Weather
“Four teenagers displaced by climate change. WIND How will Isla fix her family in a world that’s blown apart? EARTH Can a romance bloom for artist Ava, even in a land that’s parched? WATER Will songwriter Xenia find the words to express her flooding heart? FIRE How will Natasha put out the fire but still hold on to her spark? For those coming of age in a time of uncertainty, it’s no longer a question of whether they will be impacted by climate change but when. In this ring of stories from debut author Leela Marie Hidier, four young people find sanctuary—and strength—in their families, friends, communities, and even strangers. Along the way, they learn to use their voices to create change and discover what home really means.” –publisher
Defending the Earth: A Max Axiom Super Scientist Adventure
“Earth is bombarded every day by objects from space. Most of the time they’re harmless. But occasionally much larger objects come along that pose a real threat. If a large asteroid or comet hit Earth, it could change life as we know it. Is there a way to stop these threats before it’s too late? In this nonfiction graphic novel, Max Axiom and the Society of Super Scientists go on a fact-finding mission to learn about Near-Earth Objects and discover methods that scientists are developing to defend our planet.” — publisher
Rick Riordan Presents: Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows (A Paola Santiago Novel Book 3)
“Paola Santiago has recently returned from Oregon, where she defeated the Hitchhiker ghost and saved her father from the vengeful spirit that was possessing him. The poor girl deserves a rest! But first she has to rescue Dante from the void, where he’s been imprisoned by some unknown force. Even though Dante has turned against Pao, she can’t just leave him there–they’ve been friends for too long. Paola’s prophetic dreams seem to have dried up, so she has to find other ways to locate a new rift where she can enter the void. Signs point to Texas–but how is she going to get there from Arizona? It just so happens that Emma’s new group of politically active friends, the Rainbow Rogues, are planning a field trip to San Antonio. It’s the perfect ruse for Paola, if she can stand being with the judgmental girls for that many days. . . . Relying on her wits, training from the Ninos de la Luz, and the emotional support of her best friend Emma, Pao makes it into the void. Once there she must face down not just one but two enemies: El Cucuy, the bogeyman . . . and someone even scarier who looks a lot like Pao herself.” — publisher
Undercover Latina
“A Latina teen spy goes undercover as a white girl to stop a white supremacist terrorist plot in a fast-paced middle-grade debut from a seasoned author of contemporary crime fiction. In her debut for younger readers, Aya de León pits a teen spy against the ominous workings of a white nationalist. Fourteen-year-old Andréa Hernández-Baldoquín hails from a family of spies working for the Factory, an international organization dedicated to protecting people of color. For her first solo mission, Andréa straightens her hair and goes undercover as Andrea Burke, a white girl, to befriend the estranged son of a dangerous white supremacist. In addition to her Factory training, the assignment calls for a deep dive into the son’s interests—comic books and gaming—all while taking care not to speak Spanish and blow her family’s cover. But it’s hard to hide who you really are, especially when you develop a crush on your target’s Latino best friend. Can Andréa keep her head, her geek cred, and her code-switching on track to trap a terrorist? Smart, entertaining, and politically astute, this is fast-paced upper-middle-grade fare from an established author of heist and espionage novels for adults.” — publisher
