These Violent Delights

Written By: Chloe Gong For Ages: YA (CW: Gun violence, gore, kissing, gangs) Language: Majority English, some Chinese & Russian. Topics Covered: Romeo & Juliet Retelling, Communism, China, Gangsters, Fantasy, Monsters, Historical Fiction. Summary: I think all of us have had to read Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare in school, but none of us have…

At the Mountain’s Base

Written by: Traci Sorell Illustrated by: Weshoyot Alvitre  For ages: 4-8 years Language: English Topics Covered: Indigenous Voices, Military, Women Pilots, Family, Grief, Culture & Traditions, Historical Fiction, Global Community, Own Voices. Summary: This is one of the most beautiful and emotional books that I’ve read in a long time.  The story is told in simple, lyrical poetry and encompasses the emotions that…

Imogene’s Last Stand

Written by: Candace Fleming Illustrated by: Nancy Carpenter  For ages: 4-8 years Language: English Topics Covered: History, Politics, Women in Leadership, Preservation, Activism, Peaceful Action, Feminism. Summary: I checked out this book from the library with cautious optimism.  I was hoping that the book would have solid representation in historical figures and not be another ode to the founding fathers of the…

The Degenerates

Written by: J. Albert Mann Cover Art by: Design: Rebecca Syracuse; Illustration: Sarah Maxwell-Folio Art For ages: YA (14 years and up) Language: English Topics Covered: Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Growing Up, Mental Health, Disability, Own Voices, Interracial Love, Family, Friendship, Institutionalized Lives, Courage, Bravery, Love.  Summary:  This book is incredible.  I truly hope this book review does it justice, I couldn’t put it…

Ho’onani Hula Warrior

Written by: Heather Gale Illustrated by: Mika Song For ages: 4 years and up Language: English and Hawaiian Topics Covered: Gender Identity, Hawaiian Culture & Traditions, Hula, Indigenous Voices, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Trailblazer, History, Historical Figure, Biographical, Self-Esteem, Family, Acceptance.  Summary:  This is an incredible book based on a real person!  Ho’onani is a young girl that feels in the middle of…

Granddaddy’s Gift

Written by: Margaree King Mitchell Illustrated by: Larry Johnson For ages: 5 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Modern Back Freedom Struggle, Voting Rights, Family, Activism, Racism, Strength, Resilience, Education, Own Voices, Historical Fiction.  Summary: This story is told from the perspective of a young girl, who everyone calls Little Joe on account of the fact that she follows…

Little People Big Dreams: Ella Fitzgerald

Written by: Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara Illustrated by: Bàrbara Alca For ages: 4-7 years Language: English  Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Historical Figures, Women in Music, Musicians, Trailblazers, Biography, Black Culture & Identity.  Summary: Ella was a young girl fascinated with performing and music.  When she was 15, her mother died and radically changed her life.  Running away from a reform school,…

This is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration

Written by: Jacqueline Woodson Illustrated by: James Ransome For ages: 5-9 years Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Black Culture & Identity, The Great Migration, Family, History, Community, Growing Up, Own Voices, Historical Events. Summary: This story of family legacy is framed using a rope, and all of its different uses throughout its time with the family, and told in first…

A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice

Written by: Nadia L. Hohn Illustrated by: Eugenie Fernandes For ages: 4-8 years  Language: English & Jamaican/Caribbean Patois  Topics Covered: Historical Figure, POC-Centric Narratives, Poetry, Global Community, Trailblazer, Black Culture & Identity, Jamaica, Language, Literacy.  Summary: Louise is a young girl living in Kingston, Jamaica.  She loves words and writing poetry, but the words get stuck when she tries to speak.  Louise gains inspiration…

Little People Big Dreams: Zaha Hadid

Written by: Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara Illustrated by: Asun Amar  For ages: 4 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Historical Figure, Women in STEM, Biography, Women in Architecture, Trailblazer, Feminist. Summary: This book talks about the life of prolific architect, Zaha Hadid.  She was creative from a young age, and was soon designing her own clothing and furniture.  Zaha was…