Theme: Cultural Differences

Somos Un Arco Iris: We Are A Rainbow

Posted by on Oct 23, 2020 in Ages 03 and up, Mexican, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Bilingual Book, Theme: Celebration, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences | Comments Off on Somos Un Arco Iris: We Are A Rainbow

Somos Un Arco Iris: We Are A Rainbow

Somos Un Arco Iris: We Are A Rainbow By Nancy Maria Grande Tabor Published by Charlesbridge ISBN-13: 9780881068139 Age Range: 3+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat Colorful, sweet, fascinating, and fun, the world and its people become closer and we learn that everyone can be a friend. Description WE ARE A RAINBOW helps young readers begin building the cultural bridges of common human understanding through simple comparisons of culture from breakfast foods to legends. Colorful cut-paper art and gentle language deliver this universal message eloquently. This bilingual...

Read More

After the Last Border

Posted by on Oct 23, 2020 in North America, Syrian, Syrian American, Theme: #OwnVoices, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Family Separation, Theme: Fleeing Persecution, Theme: Human Rights, Theme: Immigration, Theme: Migrant Life, Theme: Racial Discrimination, Theme: Refugee Life, Theme: Religious Differences, Theme: Religious Persecution, Theme: Survival, Theme: Trauma, United States | Comments Off on After the Last Border

After the Last Border

After the Last Border By Jessica Goudeau Published by Penguin Publishing Group ISBN: 9780525559139 Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “Goudeau’s sometimes heartbreaking narratives personalize the refugee crisis in ways cold news accounts cannot.”  —Library Journal Description The welcoming and acceptance of immigrants and refugees has been central to America’s identity for centuries–yet America has periodically turned its back at the times of greatest humanitarian need. After the Last Border is an intimate look at the lives of two women as...

Read More

American as Paneer Pie

Posted by on Jul 10, 2020 in Ages 08 and up, Indian American, North America, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Cultural Traditions, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Identity, Theme: Race, Theme: Racial Discrimination, United States | Comments Off on American as Paneer Pie

American as Paneer Pie

American as Paneer Pie By Supriya Kelkar Published by Aladdin ISBN-13: 9781534439382 Age Range: 8+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “…paints a convincing portrait of a girl straddling two cultures.”  —Publishers Weekly Description As the only Indian American kid in her small town, Lekha Divekar feels like she has two versions of herself: Home Lekha, who loves watching Bollywood movies and eating Indian food, and School Lekha, who pins her hair over her bindi birthmark and avoids confrontation at all costs, especially when someone teases her for being...

Read More

The Knockout

Posted by on Jul 10, 2020 in Ages 14 and up, Indian American, North America, Theme: #OwnVoices, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Traditions, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Gender Roles, Theme: Identity, United States | Comments Off on The Knockout

The Knockout

The Knockout By Sajni Patel Published by North Star Editions ISBN-13: 9781635830606 Age Range: 14+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat Description If seventeen-year-old Kareena Thakkar is going to alienate herself from the entire Indian community, she might as well do it gloriously. She’s landed the chance of a lifetime, an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open, which could lead to a spot on the first-ever Olympic team. If only her sport wasn’t seen as something too rough for girls, something she’s afraid to share with anyone outside of her family. Despite pleasing her...

Read More

Our Wayward Fate

Posted by on Jun 16, 2020 in Ages 12 and up, North America, Taiwanese American, Theme: #OwnVoices, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Race, Theme: Racial Discrimination, United States | Comments Off on Our Wayward Fate

Our Wayward Fate

Our Wayward Fate By Gloria Chao Published by Simon Pulse ISBN-13: 9781534427617 Age Range: 12+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “When the new student in town happens be Taiwanese just like her, Ali Chu’s world is turned upside down—and not in the ways she might have imagined.”  —Kirkus Reviews Description Seventeen-year-old Ali Chu knows that as the only Asian person at her school in middle-of-nowhere Indiana, she must be bland as white toast to survive. This means swapping her congee lunch for PB&Js, ignoring the clueless racism from her...

Read More

Nana Akua Goes to School

Posted by on Jun 16, 2020 in Ages 04 and up, Ghanaian American, North America, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Celebration, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Cultural Traditions, Theme: Education, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Grandparents & Intergenerational, United States | Comments Off on Nana Akua Goes to School

Nana Akua Goes to School

Nana Akua Goes to School By Tricia Elam Walker Illustrated by April Harrison Published by Random House Children’s Books ISBN-13: 9780525581130 Age Range: 4+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound| B&N | Worldcat “This lovely story explores the perennial fear of being different, while showcasing the great love between a grandparent and grandchild.”  —School Library Journal Description It is Grandparents Day at Zura’s elementary school, and the students are excited to introduce their grandparents and share what makes them special. Aleja’s grandfather is a...

Read More

A Very Large Expanse of Sea

Posted by on May 17, 2020 in Ages 13 and up, Muslim American, North America, Persian American, Theme: #OwnVoices, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Gender Roles, Theme: Identity, Theme: Race, Theme: Racial Discrimination, Theme: Religious Differences, Theme: Religious Persecution, United States | Comments Off on A Very Large Expanse of Sea

A Very Large Expanse of Sea

A Very Large Expanse of Sea By Tahereh Mafi Published by HarperCollins Publishers ISBN-13: 9780062866578 Age Range: 13+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “A moving coming-of-age narrative about the viciousness of Islamophobia and the unwavering power of love in post-9/11 America.”  —Kirkus Reviews Description It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped. Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired...

Read More

Yes No Maybe So

Posted by on May 17, 2020 in Ages 14 and up, Muslim American, North America, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, United States | Comments Off on Yes No Maybe So

Yes No Maybe So

Yes No Maybe So By Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed Published by HarperCollins Publishers ISBN-13: 9780062983794 Age Range: 14+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “After narrowly surviving an airstrike, Ghalib suddenly finds himself being forced to join the Kurdish Protection Units or else risk his life fleeing to Europe.”  —Kirkus Reviews Description YES Jamie Goldberg is cool with volunteering for his local state senate candidate—as long as he’s behind the scenes. When it comes to speaking to strangers (or, let’s face it, speaking at all to almost anyone)...

Read More

Salma the Syrian Chef

Posted by on May 17, 2020 in Ages 04 and up, Canada, Canadian, Egyptian, Indian, Jordanian, Lebanese, North America, Persian, Somali, Syrian, Theme: #OwnVoices, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Cultural Traditions, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Family Separation, Theme: Immigration, Theme: LGBTQIA+, Theme: Refugee Life, Theme: Trauma, Venezuelan | Comments Off on Salma the Syrian Chef

Salma the Syrian Chef

Salma the Syrian Chef By Danny Ramadan Illustrated by Anna Bron Published by Annick Press, Limited ISBN-13: 9781773213750 Age Range: 4+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “…Syrian-Canadian activist Ramadan writes with poetic immediacy about displacement, home, and family.”  —Publishers Weekly Description 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...

Read More

The Henna Wars

Posted by on May 17, 2020 in Ages 14 and up, Bangladeshi Irish, Brazilian Irish, Ireland, Theme: #OwnVoices, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Cultural Traditions, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: LGBTQIA+, Theme: The Arts, Western European | Comments Off on The Henna Wars

The Henna Wars

The Henna Wars By Adiba Jaigirdar Published by Page Street Publishing ISBN: 9781624149689 Age Range: 14+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “Debut author Jaigirdar seamlessly weaves issues of racism and homophobia into a fast-moving plot peopled with richly drawn characters.”  —Kirkus Reviews Description Nishat doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school...

Read More

Duck for Turkey Day

Posted by on May 3, 2020 in Ages 04 and up, North America, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Celebration, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Identity, United States, Vietnamese American | Comments Off on Duck for Turkey Day

Duck for Turkey Day By Jacqueline Jules Illustrated by Kathryn Mitter Published by Whitman, Albert & Company ISBN-13: 9780807593929 Age Range: 4+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat Kids from families with different traditions will enjoy this warm story about “the right way” to celebrate an American holiday. Description It’s almost Thanksgiving, and Tuyet is excited about the holiday and the vacation from school. There’s just one problem: her Vietnamese American family is having duck for Thanksgiving dinner – not turkey! Nobody has duck...

Read More

The Upside Down Boy/El Nino De Cabeza

Posted by on Apr 26, 2020 in Ages 07 and up, North America, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Education, Theme: Identity, Theme: Immigration, Theme: Learning English, Theme: Migrant Life, United States | Comments Off on The Upside Down Boy/El Nino De Cabeza

The Upside Down Boy/El Nino De Cabeza

The Upside Down Boy/El Nino De Cabeza By Juan Felipe Herrera Illustrated by Elizabeth Gomez Published by Lee & Low Books, Inc. ISBN: 9780892392179 Age Range: 7+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “In rhythmic, flowing language, Herrera uses startlingly apt images to tell the story of a young Hispanic boy’s adjustment to an Anglo school.”  —School Library Journal Description The Upside Down Boy is award-winning poet Juan Felipe Herrera’s engaging memoir of the year his migrant family settled down so that he could go to school for the first...

Read More

The Moon Within

Posted by on Apr 24, 2020 in Ages 08 and up, Mexican American, North America, Puerto Rican American, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Cultural Traditions, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Gender Roles, Theme: Identity, United States | Comments Off on The Moon Within

The Moon Within

The Moon Within By Aida Salazar Published by Scholastic, Inc. ISBN-13: 9781338283372 Age Range: 8+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “This novel contains rich descriptions of Mexica rituals and provides a unique perspective on gender fluidity and the bonds of unbreakable friendship.”  —School Library Journal Description The dazzling story of a girl navigating friendship, family, and growing up, an Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret? for the modern day, from debut author Aida Salazar. Reviews & Accolades “Writing in clear, lyrical...

Read More

Dumpling Days

Posted by on Apr 12, 2020 in Ages 08 and up, Asian (East), Taiwan, Taiwanese American, Theme: #OwnVoices, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Cultural Traditions, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Grandparents & Intergenerational, Theme: Identity | Comments Off on Dumpling Days

Dumpling Days

Dumpling Days By Grace Lin Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ISBN-13: 9780316531337 Age Range: 8+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat The beloved heroine of The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat has returned in a brand new story. Description Pacy is back! The beloved heroine of The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat has returned in a brand new story. This summer, Pacy’s family is going to Taiwan for an entire month to visit family and prepare for their grandmother’s 60th birthday celebration. Pacy’s parents have signed her up...

Read More

Karma Khullar’s Mustache

Posted by on Apr 12, 2020 in Ages 08 and up, Indian American, North America, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Family Death, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Identity, United States | Comments Off on Karma Khullar’s Mustache

Karma Khullar’s Mustache

Karma Khullar’s Mustache By Kristi Wientge Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers ISBN-13: 9781481477710 Age Range: 8+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “Karma Khullar—half Indian, half white; half Sikh, half Methodist—is starting sixth grade, and she’s pretty sure that the universe is against her.”  —Publishers Weekly Description In the tradition of Judy Blume, debut author Kristi Wientge tackles the uncomfortable—but all too relatable—subject of female body hair and self-esteem with this “sparkling and triumphant tale of a middle...

Read More

The Arabic Quilt

Posted by on Apr 4, 2020 in Ages 06 and up, Egyptian American, North America, Theme: #OwnVoices, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Bilingual Character, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Immigration, Theme: Migrant Life, United States | Comments Off on The Arabic Quilt

The Arabic Quilt

The Arabic Quilt By Aya Khalil Illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan Published by Tilbury House Publishers ISBN-13: 9780884487548 Age Range: 6+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “This story will boost immigrant children’s morale and teach others to be more open-minded.”  —School Library Journal Description Kanzi’s family has moved from Egypt to America, and on her first day in a new school, what she wants more than anything is to fit in. Maybe that’s why she forgets to take the kofta sandwich her mother has made for her lunch, but that backfires when Mama...

Read More

Team Fugee

Posted by on Apr 4, 2020 in Ages 09 and up, Canada, Nigerian, Nigerian American, North America, Syrian, Syrian American, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Immigration, Theme: Refugee Life | Comments Off on Team Fugee

Team Fugee

Team Fugee By Dirk McLean Published by Lorimer & Company, Ltd. ISBN-13: 9781459412057 Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “The exceptional new series “Soccer United” explores the lives of soccer players who are refugees from around the world.”  —School Library Journal Description Two years after his birth parents disappeared from their home in Nigeria, newly adopted Ozzie moves to Canada. At his new school, Ozzie and the other Nigerian kids compete for time on the soccer field with a team of Syrian refugees—led by Victor. But then...

Read More

Tournament Fugee

Posted by on Apr 4, 2020 in Ages 07 and up, Canada, Nigerian, Nigerian American, North America, Syrian, Syrian American, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Identity, Theme: Immigration, Theme: Refugee Life | Comments Off on Tournament Fugee

Tournament Fugee

Tournament Fugee By Dirk McLean Published by James Lorimer & Company, Ltd., Publishers ISBN-13: 9781459412279 Age Range: 7+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “The exceptional new series “Soccer United” explores the lives of soccer players who are refugees from around the world.”  —School Library Journal Description A talented thirteen-year-old goalkeeper, Victor Bayazid, is asked to join and captain a soccer team, the GTA Gazelles, to compete in the “Thank You, Canada” tournament. The tournament brings together teams of Syrian...

Read More

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces

Posted by on Mar 27, 2020 in Ages 14 and up, Mexican American, North America, Theme: #OwnVoices, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Cultural Traditions, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: First Generation, Theme: Grandparents & Intergenerational, Theme: Identity, Theme: Religious Differences, United States | Comments Off on Gabi, a Girl in Pieces

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces By Isabel Quintero Published by Cinco Puntos Press ISBN-13: 9781935955955 Age Range: 14+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “A fresh, authentic and honest exploration of contemporary Latina identity.”  —Kirkus Reviews Description Gabi Hernandez chronicles her last year in high school in her diary: college applications, Cindy’s pregnancy, Sebastian’s coming out, the cute boys, her father’s meth habit, and the food she craves. And best of all, the poetry that helps forge her identity. July 24 My mother named me...

Read More

Parachutes

Posted by on Mar 27, 2020 in Ages 14 and up, Chinese, Filipino American, North America, Theme: #OwnVoices, Theme: Bi-racial Identity, Theme: Community, Theme: Cross-Group Friendship, Theme: Cultural Differences, Theme: Cultural Identity, Theme: Cultural Traditions, Theme: Family Relationships, Theme: Identity, United States | Comments Off on Parachutes

Parachutes

Parachutes By Kelly Yang Published by HarperCollins Publishers ISBN-13: 9780062941084 Age Range: 14+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “A wealthy Chinese teen is sent to America on her own to attend private school.”  —Kirkus Reviews Description They’re called parachutes: teenagers dropped off to live in private homes and study in the United States while their wealthy parents remain in Asia. Claire Wang never thought she’d be one of them, until her parents pluck her from her privileged life in Shanghai and enroll her at a high school in California. Suddenly...

Read More