Tag: diversity

Cover shows forest winter scape with snow falling and the back of a dark-haired girl with red cap and coat
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Sea in Winter

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Sea in Winter (Thorndike Press, 2021) by Christine Day is a story of resilience.

Maisie Cannon’s knee is still hurting after surgery and physical therapy, but what hurts worse is not dancing ballet. She feels hopeless. Disconnected from her friends, and even her blended family. But she’s getting better, right?

The story is set in Washington state, in Seattle and on the coast near the Makah community. We along with the character learn pieces of her family history. (Some based on history we should be aware of.)

This story is an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book!

Read about the author here. Previously, I recommended another book by Christine: I Can Make This Promise.

Cartoon style art, shows a running boy carrying a cornucopia of fruit and veggies spilling out. There's a lamb ducking raining food on one side and a shocked turkey on the other.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

It’s Almost Time for… Thanksgiving

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

It’s Friday, so time for another picture book!

It’s Almost Time for… Thanksgiving (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026) by Maisha Oso and illustrated by Tom Knight is a fun holiday book.

Written in verse it shares how to get ready–“put away decor from Halloween”–plan the meal, pick your turkey, and what to do on the day, from watching the parade, playing football, sharing gratitude, and of course the food.

The story has an unexpected twist. And is part of the “It’s Almost Time for…” series.

Read about the author here and see Maisha’s other books here.

See a bunch of Tom’s illustrations and book covers here and read about the author/illustrator here.

cover of Adventures in the City of Stories shows three kids in front of one of the lions at the NY Public Library
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Adventure in the City of Stories

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Adventure in the City of Stories (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2026) by Emma Otheguy and illustrated by Poly Bernatene is a fun novel of time travel that just came out in July.

Seventh grader and honor roll student Camilla is crying because she got in trouble with the school principal for bringing inappropriate books* to her Miami school, and now a letter has been sent to all the parents talking about how they were confiscated. Cami thinks she can’t ever go back to school. To cheer her up, Jorge shows her their aunt’s old folktale book and puppets. But when an eighth grade bully threatens to throw the book in the dumpster, the two jump into a magic tinajón (large pot) to escape and get transported in time and place. Back to 1930s New York. Where more trouble awaits.

I loved the mix of contemporary and historical in this story. It was a pleasure to “meet” some people from the past, including Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. I learned some Spanish as well as history. And who doesn’t love magic?

The book is a companion to Cousins in the Time of Magic, which I hadn’t read, but now want to. This story definitely stands alone. (I was given a copy of the book from the publisher for review.)

Read about the author here and see Emma’s other books here.

Read about the illustrator here–there are spot illustrations throughout the book. See Poly’s books here (he’s an author as well) and check out his his kid friendly illustrations here.

*The books were in Spanish about Latino students.

cover of Our Favorite Day of the Week showing a teacher with six students
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Our Favorite Day of the Week

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Our Favorite Day of the Week* (Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026) by Ashley Franklin and illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell is a fun book about how different days of the week are special. (This book is a sequel to Our Favorite Day of the Year and comes out the end of September.)

Musa is excited about tying his own shoes, but Zohra is sad about missing tomorrow–Tuesday–because it’s her favorite day of the week. He shares his favorite day, and then Zadie, Mo, Luna, and Moises share theirs. The kids are surprised to find out their teacher’s favorite day.

Favorite days include recycling, swimming, family time, religious events, sports, culture, and time with students. “‘What makes a day special is how it make you feel,’ said M. Gupta.” So true!

Read about Ashley here and check out her books here. Previously I recommended her book Not Quite Snow White.

See Rahele’s books and sample illustrations here and read about her here. I love how the cover hints at what we’ll find inside with each kid having something to represent their favorite day.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.

cover of Just Like Me, a colorful illustration of a smiling black girl with braided hair
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Just Like Me

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Just Like Me (Alfred A. Knopf, 2020) by Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a picture book of poems for girls. All kinds of girls.

There are lighthearted, serious, happy, sad poems and more. Some rhyme, others don’t. Some are long, some are not. All have beautiful or sweet or silly collage illustrations. My favorite poems in the collection are “Feelings” and “I Am.” I can’t choose just one favorite image–too hard since I love so many.

Read about the author/illustrator here as well as take a look at her art and books on the same page.

I previously recommended the book Sewing Stories that Vanessa illustrated, and Grandma’s Purse that she wrote and illustrated.