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…
Category: Historical Fiction
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…