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Zuri Ray Tries Ballet

by Tami Charles and Sharon Sordo

"For fans of Fresh Princess, Fancy Nancy, and Lola Dutch comes the first book in a charming picture book series about a spunky girl with big ideas and an even bigger heart. Meet Zuri Ray! She’s always willing to go the extra mile for family and friends, and is up for any challenge. At least, that was before her BFFD (best friend from diapers), Jessie, asked her to join a ballet camp. Now Zuri isn’t sure if she’s up for everything. Ballet calls for pointed toes, tight hair buns, and frilly tutus. And while Jessie can’t wait to chassé and plié on the dance floor, that doesn’t sound like Zuri at all! But she can’t let her friend down. Maybe classical ballet just needs a new spin . . ." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group

A Story of Hope / Zāntā Tasfā

2020

by Worku L. Mulat and Daniel Getahun

"Captured in Ethiopia and sold into slavery as a child, Malik Ambar travels throughout the Middle East until he arrives in India. Despite a lifetime of adversity and hardship, Malik’s love of language and ideas helps him persevere and inspires him to study military history. Through education, hard work and perseverance, Malik learns to manage his master’s finances and trains legions of African horsemen as a commander in the Indian Army. As a free man, he becomes a respected diplomat and earns his place as a respected figure in Indian history. Written by science writer Dr. Worku L. Mulat and illustrated by Ethiopia-educated Daniel Getahun, the story of the Ethiopian slave boy who grew to be regarded as one of the greatest leaders of central and southern India reminds us how empowering and liberating education can be. " -- publisher

Beautiful Life Biography Cross Group

A Story of Hope / Yatasfā Tārik

2019

by Worku L. Mulat and Daniel Getahun

"Captured in Ethiopia and sold into slavery as a child, Malik Ambar travels throughout the Middle East until he arrives in India. Despite a lifetime of adversity and hardship, Malik’s love of language and ideas helps him persevere and inspires him to study military history. Through education, hard work and perseverance, Malik learns to manage his master’s finances and trains legions of African horsemen as a commander in the Indian Army. As a free man, he becomes a respected diplomat and earns his place as a respected figure in Indian history. Written by science writer Dr. Worku L. Mulat and illustrated by Ethiopia-educated Daniel Getahun, the story of the Ethiopian slave boy who grew to be regarded as one of the greatest leaders of central and southern India reminds us how empowering and liberating education can be. " -- publisher

Beautiful Life Biography Cross Group

Samuel’s Choice

2012

by Richard Berleth and James Watling

"Samuel is a fourteen-year-old enslaved African American in Brooklyn in 1776 when the fighting between the British and the colonists reaches his doorstep. "Liberty ain't for Africans," says fellow servants. "It got nothin' to do with us." But his friend Sana says, "Nobody here's gonna be free unless they take the risk." Soon the well-equipped Redcoats have trapped ragged American soldiers, who have no boats to escape, and a terrible storm blows up. Samuel, a strong boatman, must decide what he should do." -- publisher

Beautiful Life Cross Group Oppression & Resilience

Check It Out! Reading, Finding, Helping

2012

by Patricia. Hubbell and Nancy Speir

"Librarians love to read and share books. But they also like to plan book parties and look up fun facts. They help with schoolwork. They tell stories that make people giggle. They even dress up for book parades. Librarians love their jobs and that’s why children love them. This book takes the reader inside the life of a librarian and shows all the wonderful things she does all day." -- publisher

Incidental

Gabby Bears with Embarrassment

2019

by Sophia Day, Megan Johnson and Stephanie Strouse

"Gabby goes to summer camp, but starts it off with an embarrassing moment. Her best friend encourages her to be confident and use funny jokes to laugh off the embarrassment. Gabby has fun canoeing, playing sports, doing arts and crafts, roasting marshmallows and building true friendships the rest of camp. Your child can learn how to use perspective, humor, and compassion to keep embarrassment from becoming an obstacle to fun and friendship. 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." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group

Spell it Like Samar

2020

by Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Saliha Caliskan

"An empowering story of persistence and believing in yourself! Samar has recently moved to America from Syria, and everything is new. Even the jump rope games at recess are unfamiliar. It doesn't help that Jenna, the class bully, keeps making fun of Samar's accent. Samar decides to enter the school spelling bee to prove once and for all that she's smarter than everyone thinks! But learning the words turns out harder than she thought. Can Samar be persistent and compete in the school spelling bee?" -- publisher

Beautiful Life Cross Group

My Diwali Light

2022

by Raakhee Mirchandani and Supriya Kelkar

"A charming holiday story following one girl’s family as they celebrate their Diwali traditions with the ones they love. Devi loves the Diwali season. It’s a time to wear her favorite red bindi and eat samosas until she bursts! Makemithai and design rangoli with her Papa. And paint diyas with her nani—a reminder to shine her light brightly all year long. This joyful story, with vibrant collage illustrations, follows one girl’s Diwali traditions as her family celebrates their favorite holiday with the ones they love. " -- publisher

Beautiful Life Cross Group

Too Perfect

2009

by Trudy Ludwig and Lisa Fields

"Maisie thinks Kayla is perfect. She’s pretty and thin, has cool clothes, gets good grades, and she’s a star on the soccer field. But is Kayla happy? The more Maisie gets to know Kayla, the more she begins to question whether being perfect is really so wonderful. In Too Perfect, acclaimed speaker and child advocate Trudy Ludwig explores the relentless and destructive drive for perfection, and the freedom that comes from accepting one’s self." -- publisher

Cross Group Incidental

Change Sings

2021

by Amanda Gorman and Loren Long

"In this stirring, much-anticipated picture book by presidential inaugural poet and activist Amanda Gorman, anything is possible when our voices join together. As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes—big or small—in the world, in their communities, and in most importantly, in themselves. With lyrical text and rhythmic illustrations that build to a dazzling crescendo by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long, Change Sings is a triumphant call to action for everyone to use their abilities to make a difference." -- publisher

Any Child Cross Group