Children’s / Teenage general interest: Communities, places and peoples

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Book SynopsisArthur Dorros's skillful blend of Spanish and English and Raúl Colón's poignant paintings illuminate how the special bond between an abuelo and a nieto reaches across miles.Together, a young boy and his abuelo go camping, ride horses, and even confront a mountain lion.Trade ReviewPerfect for a grandparent-themed story hour. -- BooklistThe lessons learned on the open plains help the young boy come to feel at home in the city--laughing when he feels fear, standing strong against a bully and finding comfort in gazing at the city stars. This book succeeds at both specificity and universality, presenting the distinct culture of the gaucho cowboy and the plains of South America through a story that will resonate broadly with many children and families. -- Kirkus ReviewsTogether, Arthur Dorros and Raúl Colón capture the way and intimate bond between a boy and grandfather can feel like a magical, private world. This deceptively simple story with its universal appeal reminds children that love and comfort can cross many miles. -- Shelf AwarenessThe warm relationship between a young boy and his...grandfather...soaring landscape and emotions. -- Wall Street JournalWarm, windy, wild and free. The story depicts the affection between a boy and his grandfather, his abuelo. Dorros' language and Colón's sculptural drawings evoke a time and place...where any child would like to live, or at least linger. -- BookPageTold in graceful free verse, this book...evokes the freedom of the countryside and also the lessons of strength being taught across generations. -- Waking Brain Cell

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Book SynopsisTrapped.For eleven-year-old Gopal and his family, life in their rural Indian village is over: We stay, we starve, his baba has warned.Trade ReviewSheth's lush prose creates a vivid portrait of slave labor without losing the thread of hope that Gopal clings to. -- Publishers Weekly "Kashmira Sheth gives a name to the pernicious practice of child bondage in her unforgettable portrait of Gopal, a boy enslaved in a grueling factory job in India. And she shows the power of story telling to inspire acts of kindness and courage in even the darkest of situations." -- Patricia McCormick, author of of National Book Award Finalist SOLD Boys Without Names is not a heartbreaking story, even if there are moments that break the heart. Instead, it is a story about growing up, about learning and relearning the meaning of family. This is one of the best books I've read this year. -- Jacqueline Woodson, author of the Newbery Honor book After Tupac and D Foster With echoes of the Lost Boys in Nancy Farmer's The House of the Scorpion and even Slumdog Millionaire, this a tightly woven tale of a boy's will to survive, the power of story and the bond of friends tied together in the hope of a better day. -- BookPage

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Book SynopsisJon Scieszka's Guys Read anthology series for tweens turns to nonfiction in its fifth volume, True Stories. The fifth installment in the Guys Read Library of Great Reading features ten stories that are 100% amazing, 100% adventurous, 100% unbelievable—and 100% true. A star-studded group of award-winning nonfiction authors and journalists provides something for every reader, all aligned with the Common Core State Standards. Compiled and edited by real-life literature legend Jon Scieszka, Guys Read: True Stories is a mind-blowing collection of essays, biographies, how-to guides, and more, all proving that the truth is most definitely out there.Supports the Common Core State Standards

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Henkes knows that Alice, like many girls her age, carries plenty of things in her mind-and her heart-that she seldom speaks of. She mulls them over privately, and in Henkes's hands, eloquently." -- New York Times "Very few writers have such a keen understanding of the emotional lives of children; here Henkes is at the top of his game." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "In this introspective story about a child's search for a rare shell, Henkes again displays his ability to find profound meaning in ordinary events... Readers will empathize with Alice's frustrations and relish her moments of joy." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "With tender observations and sensory details, Henkes creates a memorable young individual whose arcadian growing up is authentic and pitch-perfect." -- Booklist (starred review) "Alice balances between familiarity and novelty, coziness and independence, self-centeredness and altruism-the balance beam of turning ten... A fully realized, respectful portrait of a childhood milestone." -- The Horn Book

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Book SynopsisSparks will fly in this hip-hop-hot teen novel that mixes social protest and star-crossed romance, from Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Kwame Alexander! He Said, She Said is perfect for fans of Walter Dean Myers and Rachel Vail alike.He says: Omar "T-Diddy" Smalls has got it made—a full football ride to UMiami, hero-worship status at school, and pick of any girl at West Charleston High. She says: Football, shmootball. Here's what Claudia Clarke cares about: Harvard, the poor, the disenfranchised, the hungry, the staggering teen pregnancy rate, investigative journalism . . . the list goes on. She does not have a minute to waste on Mr. T-Diddy Smalls and his harem of bimbos.He Said, She Said is a fun and fresh novel from Kwame Alexander that throws these two high school seniors together when they unexpectedly end up leading the biggest social protest this side of the Mississippi—with a lot of help from F

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Book SynopsisA remarkable memoir by Miss Iowa USA Abbey Curran about living with cerebral palsy, competing in Miss USA, and her inspiring work with young women who have disabilities.Abbey Curran was born with cerebral palsy, but early on she resolved to never let it limit her.Trade Review"The teenager is honest about her struggles, from wearing leg braces to coping with her parents' divorce. She exudes hope, confidence, determination, and bravery. VERDICT Adolescents will be motivated to pursue their own dreams after reading this stirring title." -- School Library Journal "Debunking myths about pageant participants, she praises the sisterhood she found and the hope pageants give "[her] girls," a happy ending to a tale of accomplishment." -- Kirkus "Curran's story will inspire readers to follow their dreams." -- Booklist "hHr overall message-to try, to dream, to put oneself out there-is an uplifting one that will continue to inspire." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

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Book Synopsis—Booklist (starred review) * "A marathon masterpiece."—Kirkus (starred review) * "Necessary."—SLJ (starred review) * "Shocking and dramatic."—Shelf Awareness (starred review) * "Mesmerizing, confounding and vividly rendered."—Book Page (starred review) * "Williams-Garcia’s storytelling is magnificent;Trade Review"Equal parts history and tantalizing, chaotic drama, Williams-Garcia's stunning novel delivers a fresh and nuanced approach to the tale of American slavery... Best-selling, award-winning Williams-Garcia's return to YA, particularly with a book as monumental as this, is definite cause for celebration." — Booklist (starred review) "With a cast of characters whose assorted genealogies feel like an ode to the mixing of peoples and cultures in Louisiana, this story broadens and emboldens interrogations of U.S. chattel slavery... A marathon masterpiece that shares a holistic portrait of U.S. history that must not be dismissed or forgotten." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "In this sweeping, richly researched, and powerfully delivered tale of privilege and exploitation—often a difficult read—Williams-Garcia’s storytelling is magnificent; her voice honest and authentic." — Horn Book (starred review) "This is a wonderful character-driven novel as stories of the enslaved and the slaveowners are simultaneously told... This novel is a necessary purchase for conversations about ­slavery’s legacy in the Black Lives Matter era." — School Library Journal (starred review) "The masterful Rita Williams-Garcia depicts the brutality and inhumanity of slavery in the antebellum South by intertwining the lives of the white Guilbert family and the Black people they enslaved in this shocking and dramatic novel." — Shelf Awareness (starred review) “A Sitting in St. James is a mesmerizing, confounding and vividly rendered portrait of the thoroughly putrid institution of slavery in antebellum Louisiana.” — BookPage (starred review) "Offers an unvarnished look at a slowly toppling power structure obsessed with artifice and tradition, hinting through a notably long-view lens that new generations may, slowly and not without suffering, move away from antiquated ideology." — Publishers Weekly "Williams-Garcia is chessmaster of a deviously intricate game; Madame Sylvie may make the boldest moves, but it’s her hobbled pawn, the near-silent servant Thisbe, who listens, observes, learns, and amasses the knowledge to strike the queen with a coup de grâce." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"There are highlights of his boxing fame, later years and racial-justice and humanitarian work. Morrison gives the art a joyful zing and a serious yet eminently kid-friendly vibe." -- New York Times Book Review "Boxing legend Muhammad Ali comes to life for young readers. Close-up, in-your-face oil illustrations and a lively text design with plenty of onomatopoeia ("POW! POW! POW!") and quotations from the champ give readers a sense of the life and style of the great Muhammad Ali." -- Kirkus Reviews "Working in acrylic, Morrison creates visceral, dynamic action shots, whether it's a young Cassius racing down a rainy street on his bicycle or an opening fight sequence...An extensive afterword fills in details about Ali's life, faith, and activism." -- Publishers Weekly "Morrison's dynamic oil paintings complement Barretta's lively text, capturing a self-assured Ali in detailed spreads. Action scenes full of movement and intensity draw readers into the boxing ring and depict Ali's growth from a gangly youth to a dominant athlete." -- School Library Journal "The book emphasizes the positive role model Ali became as he fought against racial and religious prejudice." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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Book SynopsisLearn about the fascinating life of George Washington in this Level Two I Can Read, complete with historical back matter.

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Book SynopsisThree Pakistani-American teenagers, on a trip through the land of pork ribs, mechanical bulls, and Confederate flags. It's going to be quite an adventure.The summer after her freshman year of college, Mariam is looking forward to working and hanging out with her best friends: irrepressible and beautiful Ghazala and religious but closeted Umar.But when a scandalous photo of Ghaz appears on a billboard in Times Square, Mariam and Umar come up with a plan to rescue her from her furious parents. And what could be a better escape than a spontaneous road trip down to New Orleans?With the heartbreaking honesty of Julie Murphy's Dumplin' mixed with the cultural growing pains and smart snark of When Dimple Met Rishi, this wry, remarkable road-trip story is about questioning where you come fromand choosing the family that chooses you back.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Ronit & Jamil is as beautiful as it is timely. This modern-day Romeo and Juliet is a story that is at once supremely specific and stunningly universal. The poems stand on their own while holding together a narrative that you want to live inside of long after the final page." -- Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming

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Book SynopsisTrade Review★ “Sugiura tackles an abundance of topics with finesse, including social and economic injustice, allyship, and feminism, simultaneously breaking down the Asian-American immigration narrative and the myth of the model minority. Essential.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ★ “A gripping, emotionally charged story that presents a window into a uniquely Japanese American experience.” — School Library Journal (starred review) ★“With intelligent dialogue surrounding diversity, representation and responsible social action, This Time Will Be Different is a timely, smart novel that readers of contemporary teen fiction will likely devour.” — Shelf Awareness (starred review) ★ “Sugiura deftly weaves historical fact into this coming-of-age narrative, providing an entertaining and informative backdrop that allows CJ to explore her own sense of identity while giving readers a front seat to her process.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Fresh, vibrant, affecting and powerful.” — New York Times Book Review “One of the most authentic, steadfastly real teen characters I’ve read in recent memory. CJ deals with racism, familial strife, and finding herself with a charm and grace I couldn’t get enough of. Her pitch-perfect voice leaped off the page and stayed with me. Highly, highly recommend.” — Sandhya Menon, New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi “At turns delightfully humorous and wonderfully insightful. The cultural nuances were perfect, and I found myself utterly transported. I can’t wait to read what Sugiura writes next.” — Renée Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath & the Dawn “Insightful. Intricate. Honest. With richly drawn characters that feel utterly real, Misa Sugiura reminds us that the past is always present, but that we hold the power to shape our future, if we’re brave enough to face it.” — Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Hate & Other Filters and Internment “An engaging picture of a girl facing the past—both her family’s and her own—in service of her future.” — Horn Book Magazine “Refreshingly complex. An astute look at privilege, power, and history in sometimes unexpected forms.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Sugiura’s deep dive into mother-daughter relationships, the fragility of self-worth, and the gathering of courage resonates deeply.” — ALA Booklist “Hilarious and fiercely loyal, CJ is one of my favorite characters to hit the page in a long time. This smart and thought-provoking tale of the bonds that connect family, and second chances, will have you cheering in your seats.” — Stacey Lee, award-winning author of Outrun the Moon and The Secret of a Heart Note “CJ will break your heart, reassemble it, and put it in a gorgeous flower arrangement that’ll make your heart soar. A lovely and complicated story of different forms of love and figuring out who you want to be in the world.” — Sara Farizan, award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine and Here to Stay “A beautiful, exquisitely crafted story about finding your voice. This Time Will Be Different boasts complex characters with deep-rooted histories, and the exploration of what it means to be a good ally is both timely and necessary. I was captivated from the first page.” — Akemi Dawn Bowman, author of Starfish and Summer Bird Blue “Strikes that perfect balance of light-hearted humor and emotional depth. I adored CJ and her journey. Using an inventive narrative structure to explore friendship and romance alongside family and history, Misa Sugiura has created a truly fun and thoughtful read.” — Maurene Goo, author of I Believe in a Thing Called Love “Smart, funny, and huge-hearted. You will cheer for CJ as she blooms in the most beautiful of ways. A fierce anthem for protecting (and fighting for) the values and boundaries of your own heart, even as they shift on you.” — Kim Culbertson, author of Catch a Falling Star and The Possibility of Now PRAISE FOR It’s Not Like It’s a Secret: ★“Sugiura thoughtfully explores intersecting issues of race, immigrant-family relationships, queer romance, and, less explicitly, class dynamics without implying the significance of one over the others. Well-paced, brimming with drama, and utterly vital.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “An essential and delightful choice that realistically celebrates a teen’s discovery of trust in herself and in others.” — School Library Journal “A queer coming-of-age story that also tackles big topics like adultery, racism, and the cultural conflicts of immigrant families.” — Brightly

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Book SynopsisHer special power hasn’t shown up yet, her family still won’t let her perform her own spells, and they now act rude every time Caroline comes by to help Leo with her magic training.She knows that the family magic should be kept secret, but Caroline is her best friend, and she’s been feeling lonely ever since her mom passed away.

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Book SynopsisFrom award-winning author Kathleen Krull comes an empowering, inspiring picture book biography—with dazzling illustrations from artist Nancy Zhang—about the second female justice of the Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This picture book biography is the story of Ruthless Ruthie, a warrior for equality, a tireless defender of justice, and an inspiring trailblazer for girls everywhere.Ruth Bader Ginsburg may have been one of the most respected women in the United States, but her recognition is nothing short of hard-won. For years before becoming a justice of the Supreme Court, Ruth had to fight the notion that being female meant that she was less smart, less qualified, and less worthy of attention than her male counterparts. Throughout college, law school, and her work life, she faced discrimination—because she was a woman. But it was in her fight for equality as a lawyer that she made an imprint on American history, by c

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Book SynopsisThe first picture book about the inspiring life of humanitarian Jimmy Carter, the thirty-ninth president of the United States and a Nobel Prize winner''from Alabama Spitfire author Bethany Hegedus.This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It''s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.Even before Jimmy Carter became president, he knew the value of hard work. Living on his family''s peanut farm, Jimmy saw how hard work yielded strong results.At least it did for some people. But growing up in the segregated South, Jimmy also saw firsthand how white people and black people were not treated equally. None of it was right. None of it was fair.So Jimmy created a list of Good Mental Habits to help him navigate life''s challenges. The list guided his thoughts and actions and helped him fight for change, whether working with civil rights leaders to end racial discrimination in his home state of Georgia, helping to negotiate peace in the Middle East, or building homes for the poor through Habitat for Humanity.From the statehouse to the White House and beyond, Jimmy has worked to make change for all people, devoting decades to public service and becoming one of the most respected humanitarians of our time. It''s hard work, but it''s worth it.

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Book SynopsisMysteries abound in this exciting race through Rome!Beatrice Archer may love history, and Rome may be chock-full of it, but that doesn’t mean she wants to move there! Too bad Beatrice’s father got a job as the head of the history department at the American Academy in Rome—now, Beatrice has no choice but to get used to the idea.When she arrives in Rome she explores her new city as much as she can, but it isn’t until she hears talk of a strange neighborhood legend that Beatrice perks up. A centuries-old unsolved mystery about the beautiful turtle fountain outside her window? Sounds like fun!Before Beatrice has a chance to explore, though, she sees a dark figure emerge from the shadows of the square in the middle of the night—and steal the famous turtle sculptures that give the fountain its name.When no one believes her story, Beatrice knows that it’s up to her to solve the crime and restore th

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Book SynopsisWinner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, and the Pura Belpré Award!Fans of Jacqueline Woodson, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds will fall hard for this astonishing New York Times-bestselling novel-in-verse by an award-winning slam poet, about an Afro-Latina heroine who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth. Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out. But she still can’t stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.“Crackles with energy and snaps with authenticity and voice.” —Justina Ireland, author of Dread Nation“An incredibly potent debut.” —Jason Reynolds, author of the National Book Award Finalist Ghost“Acevedo has amplified the voices of girls en el barrio who are equal parts goddess, saint, warrior, and hero.” —Ibi Zoboi, author of American Street

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Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award-winning title The Poet X comes a dazzling novel in prose about a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to feed the soul that keeps her fire burning bright. Winner of the California Young Reader Medal!Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, Emoni Santiago’s life has been about making the tough decisions—doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela.The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows that it’s not worth her time to pursue the impossible. Yet despite the rules she thinks she has to play by, once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free.Plus don''t miss Elizabeth Acevedo''s Clap Whe

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