How diverse and inclusive is your classroom library? If you need diverse books but aren’t sure which titles to select, our list of new and exciting diverse books can help. (For even more information about these titles, scroll to the bottom of this post and watch the replay of our recent webinar, which features book talks on each one!)

New and Exciting Diverse Books for Grades PreK-2

Mommy’s Khimar (Interest Level: Grades P-3)
With the help of her mother’s colorful khimar (headscarf) collection, a young Muslim girl plays dress-up, pretending she is a superhero, a bird and more. Jamila Thompkins Bigelow’s picture book captures a small piece of Muslim culture, while also being relatable to any child who loves to play dress-up.

Drawn Together (Interest Level: Grades K-3)
Written by Vietnamese American author Minh Le and award-winning Thai American illustrator Dan Santat, this touching picture book with sparse text beautifully depicts Asian heritage and culture, while focusing on the universal challenges and joys of an intergenerational relationship.

A Plan for Pops (Interest Level: Grades P-2)
In this charming picture book which touches on family relationships and physical disabilities, a young child named Lou spends every Saturday with his or her (Lou’s gender is never identified) two grandfathers.

Sulwe (Coming Soon)
Look for this debut picture book by Academy-Award winning actress Lupita Nyong’o to be available for your bookshelf in October 2019.

Lark Series (Interest Level: Grades 1-3, Reading Level: N)
There are four titles in this leveled series of illustrated chapter books about twins Lark and Conner, who are of Korean and Kenyan heritage. Lark, who also happens to struggle with dyslexia, along with her brother, solve mysteries within their community. The newest title, Lark and the Desert Disaster, was just published in April.

Yasmin Series (Interest Level: Grades 1-2, Reading Level: K)
Several new books in Saadia Faruqi’s leveled series for young readers debuted in 2019, including Yasmin The Chef, Yasmin The Zookeeper and Yasmin The Superhero. Yasmin and her multi-generational Pakistani American family offer both mirrors and windows to Muslim culture, but most importantly, Yasmin is simply a spunky second-grader who will appeal to early readers from any background.

Sadiq Series (Interest Level: Grades 2-3, Reading Level: M)
From Siman Nuurali comes fun-loving third grader, Sadiq, and his lively Somali American family. Sadiq has many interests, from soccer to video games to cooking (and eating!) samosas. But he’s always ready to try something new! This series is ideal for emergent readers. Four titles in this leveled series will be available for your classroom library in August 2019.

Click Here to Download Your Printable PreK-2 Diverse Booklist

New and Exciting Diverse Books for Grades 3-5

Other Words for Home (Interest Level: Grades 4-7)
This novel-in-verse focuses on the refugee experience of a girl named Jude, who must leave her home in Syria and adjust to life (and middle school) in America.

Merci Suarez Changes Gears (Interest Level: Grades 4-7)
You’ve probably heard of this award-winning middle grade novel, which recently won the 2019 Newbery Medal. Upper elementary readers get the opportunity to experience the culture of Merci’s close-knit Cuban American family, while also relating to the typical problems of any 6th grade girl.

Insignificant Events in The Life of a Cactus (Interest level: Grades 4-7)
Dusti Bowling’s popular title has been available since 2017, but it is newly available in paperback. This chapter book about Aven Green, a girl born without arms, features characters with both physical and mental disabilities, and can help readers develop acceptance and understanding, as well as an appreciation of the things that make us each unique.

Front Desk (Interest Level: Grades 3-7)
Front Desk by Kelly Yang follows 5th grader and Chinese immigrant Mia Tang, who lives in the hotel her parents manage. It is the recipient of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, features a diverse cast of characters and is recently available in paperback. In the book, Yang openly tackles tough issues like poverty and racism with a light, positive tone.

Jasmine Toguchi Series (Interest Level: Grades 1-4)
Jasmine Toguchi: Flamingo Keeper is the newest title in this popular leveled series, which appeals to 3rd and 4th grade readers who are still attracted to lower page counts and light illustrations, or 1st and 2nd graders ready for the challenge of a chapter book. The four books in this series highlight Jasmine’s Japanese American culture and feature crafts related to each story.

The Carver Chronicle Series (Interest Level: Grades 1-4, Reading Level: N, O)
Like Jasmine Toguchi, this illustrated chapter book series is also perfect for 3rd and 4th graders, or 1st and 2nd graders ready for a challenge. The series isn’t new, but the sixth book in the series, Pizza Party, is now available in hardcover and comes out in paperback in October 2019. The Carver Chronicles books all feature kids from various backgrounds having fun adventures and learning lessons about acceptance and empathy.

Click Here to Download Your Printable Grades 3-5 Diverse Booklist

New and Exciting Diverse Books for Grades 6-8

The Last Last-Day-Of-Summer (Interest Level: Grades 5-7)
You don’t often find a lightly illustrated chapter book for the middle school audience. This imaginative title combines both mystery and fantasy in the story of two cousins who save their town from mysterious characters. It is also a great example of incidental diversity, as it features African American protaganists, without the boys’ race being a central focus of the story.

Zenobia July (Interest Level: Grades 5-10)
After the death of her parents, Zenobia moves across the country to start at a new school, keeping her trans identity a secret from her fellow students. This story captures an array of cultures and LGBTQ+ characters with humor and empathy.

A Good Kind of Trouble (Interest Level: Grades 3-7)
Twelve-year-old Shayla is a rule follower, who finds herself drawn to the Black Lives Matter movement. This chapter book tackles serious and relevant issues of prejudice, tolerance and social justice in a way that is appropriate for a middle grade audience.T

Pashmina (Interest Level: Grades 4-7)
This vibrant graphic novel features American teenager, Priyanka, who wants to learn more about her Indian heritage and the history of her family.

Lu (Interest Level: Grades 5-9)
Book 4 in Jason Reynold’s wildly popular Track series tells the story of Lu, who was born an albino. Lu is joined in the story by Ghost, Patina and Sunny, the protagonists from each of the previous titles in the series. Lu, which debuted in 2018, is currently available in hardcover and will be available in paperback in October 2019. Ghost, Patina and Sunny are all available in paperback now.

Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks (Coming Soon)
The newest novel from Jason Reynolds is almost here! Look Both Ways will be available to add to your classroom library in October 2019.

Redwood & Ponytail (Coming Soon)
House Arrest author K.A. Holt’s much anticipated new title will debut in October 2019. Redwood & Ponytail is the story of two very different 7th grade girls, Kate (Ponytail) and Tam (Redwood). Kate and Tam develop feelings for each other and work to understand what that means in this realistic fiction novel-in-verse.

My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich (Coming Soon)
We’re looking forward to this middle grade debut from National Book Award-finalist Ibi Zoboi, which will tell the story of Ebony-Grace Norfleet, a young African American girl who has lived her whole life with her grandfather in Alabama but travels to Harlem to stay with her father for the summer.

Click Here to Download Your Printable Grades 6-8 Diverse Booklist

New and Exciting Diverse Books for Grades 9-12

#Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women (Interest Level: Grades 7-12)
This anthology, edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, helps to shatter stereotypes by portraying the diversity of Native American culture and giving voice to a diverse group of young indigenous women through their poetry, short stories and artwork.

The Astonishing Color of After (Interest Level: Grades 7-12)
Themes of death, grief and family are prominent in this story of Leigh, a half-Asian protagonist who travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time.

We Set the Dark on Fire (Interest Level: Grades 9-12)
Set in a world heavily influenced by Latinx culture, this book by Tehlor Kay Mejia explores and challenges traditional gender roles through the journey of young Daniela Vargas. Daniela is trained at the Medio School for Girls for a specialized role as one of her future husband’s two wives. Eventually, though, she must decide if she wants to fight for equality and confront her feelings for her husband’s other wife.

Long Way Down (Interest Level: Grades 7-12)
This is another popular 2017 title now available in paperback. Jason Reynold’s novel-in-verse features an African American protagonist who grapples with issues of death and revenge that mark his street culture.

Children of Blood and Bone (Interest Level: Grades 9-12)
This is the first book in Nigerian American novelist Tomi Adeyemi’s fantasy trilogy series. The series is heavily influenced by African mythology. This book takes you on an edge-of-your seat adventure with Zelie as she fights to restore magic to her kingdom. We can’t wait for the second book to come out in December.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (Interest Level: Grades 9-12)
First published in 2017, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, written by Mexican American author Erika Sanchez, features a Mexican teenage girl protagonist. This realistic fiction novel includes themes of death and grieving, family/sibling relationships and LGBTQ+ issues and is now available in paperback!

Internment (Interest Level: Grades 7-12)
Set in a near-future version of America, this book follows the story of Muslim American teenager, Layla, who finds herself in an internment camp with her family. Internment can easily be tied to current events for classroom discussions, as well as lessons on World War II. The book also offers an obvious parallel to Japanese internment in America during the World War II time period.

They Both Die at the End (Interest Level: Grades 9-12)
This YA title from Adam Silvera features a gay Puerto Rican main character and a bisexual Cuban main character and is now available in paperback. We won’t share any spoilers, but you can probably guess what happens at the end.

Slay (Coming Soon)
Slay, which comes out in September 2019, features seventeen-year-old African-American girl, Kiera Johnson, an avid gamer who creates an online role-playing game rooted in black culture.

Click Here to Download Your Printable Grades 9-12 Diverse Booklist

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