Over the holidays, I’ve tried to reduce my piles of books that stare at me. I’m getting there. Many titles foster understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion. This posting offers ten titles, each corresponding to a chapter in my book Teaching Tough Topics: How to use children’s literature to build a deeper understanding of social justice, diversity and equity.
EVERYTHING WE NEVER HAD by Randy Ribay / chapter 1: Race and Diverse Cultures + chapter 1: The Immigrant Experience (ages 12+)
This novel is framed by the lives of four characters over four generations. First m in 1930, we meet Francisco who has left the Philippines and struggles to eke out a living picking apples in California. In 1965, we are introduced to Francisco’s son, Emil. who refuses to be a like his labor organizer father and is determined to ‘make it’ in America. Emil gives birth to Chris. who in 1983, feels smothered by his overbearing father, and eventually his hungry to learn more about his Filipino history. In 2020, the world experiences the global pandemic and Enzo, his father and abrasive grandfather struggle to get along. The author takes readers back and forth in the lives of the characters. Randy Ribay is a gifted writer. He not only tells a compelling story,and present historical fact with clarity but he digs deep into the thoughts and feelings of his characters. Everything We Never Had is a poignant intergenerational story and a special account of Filipino immigrants striving to make a success as they pursue the American dream. Hooray to Randy Ribay for presenting Filipino characters with authenticity. Hooray for the Maghabol family who persevered and stood up for all they believed in. Hooray to all immigrants, like Francesco, Emil, Chiris and Enzo who strive to succeed and are filled with hope.
Excerpt (p. 250)
…”when it comes to repairing relationships, you can keep the door open, but you can’t make the other person walk through it.”
ACE AND THE MISFITS by Eddie Kowooya / chapter 2: The Immigrant and Refugee Experience
“Ace” Katumba arrives in Canada from Uganda and he is quick to settle into an unfamiliar culture of his new home. School life presents some particular challenges as Ace strives to maintain high grades and find a place a belonging with other Grade 8 students. Like many new immigrants, Ace feels alone and lacks self-worth, but the author presents a heartwarming journey of overcoming fears, gaining confidence and pursuing dreams. This is a beautiful debut novel by written by a Canadian Immigrant from Uganda. An African proverb introduces each chapter:”Kind words do not wear out the tongue”; “However far a stream flows, it never forgets its source.” “The firewood we gather in our youths is what we will warm ourselves with in old age.”
THE KODIAKS: Home Ice Advantage by David A. Robertson / chapter 3: Indigenous identities
To start, let me say that I am not a hockey fan. Let me also begin by saying that David A. Robertson knows hockey. The play-by-play description of each of the character’s games is filled with the action, thrills and tension of the mighty travelling puck. Alex Robinson’s family has moved from their reserve community to Winnipeg. Like any kid on the move, Alex is trying to find a place of belonging and his passion and talent lead him to find purpose when he joins the local hockey team, The Kodiaks. Alex proves himself to be one of the best players, but he also becomes a target because he’s Indigenous. Intentional or not, slurs about his Indigeneity are hurled at Alex and he is challenged with the choice to stand up to the racist jerks or continue to support the team he loves. The discussion – and lessons – of Anti-Indigenous Racism is a notable feature of this exciting story. I’m assured that young hockey lovers would love this book. The Kodiaks (Book One of the Breakout Chronicles) is a marvelous story about being a member of a sports team and I’m assured that any kid who’s participated in a team sport would understand and identify with the joys and frustrations of competition. This is another very special book by a very special author.
Excerpt (p. 180)
“There was going to be somebody at some point, who would say something ignorant. Alex knew that. But he knew, now, that when it did happen, it would be their problem, not his.”
WHEN WE FLEW AWAY: A novel of Anne Frank before the Diary by Alice Hoffman / chapter 4: The Holocaust
Alice Hoffman has written over 30 books including some YA titles (Aquamarine, Nightbird, IncantationA). This recent publication is an astonishing attempt to tell the story of Anne Frank and her family’s experience of surviving the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. When We Flew Away can be considered a prequel of sorts to the iconic Diary of a Young Girl, which Anne wrote while she and The Frank family were in hiding during World War II. The published journal became one of the most central texts of Jewish experience during the Holocaust. Writing this novel was certainly an ambitious project for Alice Hoffman but she has risen to the occasion by doing extensive research to tell the heart-wrenching story of the girl millions of readers have come to know and respect. Like Alice Hoffman who first read the diary when she was twelve years old, readers have come to recognize that the venerated book changed the way we looked at the world. Hoffman paints a vivid portrait of a creative, fearless girl becoming a teenager, “the girl who was always questioning, who had so much to say, the one who wished she could fly away and see the world.” (p. 31).
Fictionalized accounts of Anne’s relationships with her parents, older sister, grandmother, friends and boyfriend provide readers with step into the heart and mind of an audacious young lady as well as a historical account of Jews were caught up in the inescapable violence of Nazi power. I wholeheartedly recommend reading this book that serves as an extended foreshadowed account of what we know will happen to Anne and her family. You will likely want to re-read the notorious diary again. I do. The book is published under the cooperation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
Excerpt (p 61)
What happened in Germany had begun as a tiny see of hatred, the smallest blister, a few evil men. How could Oma tell her beloved granddaughter waht could happen when that seed bloomed? How could she reveal to her sweet child that evil was everywhere, in the hearts of your neighbors, and the postman and your friends next door? Hatred was contagious, it spread from one household to the next, a slow infection of the spirit of the soul.
POPCORN by Rob Harrell /chapter 5: Mental Challenges
“Dedicated affectionately to the anxious, the worried, the stressed, and the generally freaked out. “
Andrew Yaeger is having a terrible horrible no good very bad day. The action of this story takes place in the school day in the life of Andrw who suffers from OCD, anxiety and panic attacks. It’s picture day and this grade seven student has prepared himself to look good for the photo, but is not prepared for all the mishaps that come is way (a flying ketchup bottle, an exploding test tube, an abusive bully and a grandmother who has gone missing. The kernels of corn in Rob’s stomach are getting hotter and hotter until they threaten to pop and create a nightmare for Andrew as the mishaps of the day build and build. Most of the action takes place over the course of a single school day, but that narrative is interrupted with 1) stories of Andrew’s relationship with his grandmother (G) who has Alzheimer’s and now has taken over Andrews bedroom room and 2) Andrew’s visits to a therapist who helps him deal with his problems. Rob Harrell (Wink) unpacks how a young person deals with mental challenges and remarkably he does so with funny funny stuff. The spot illustrations nd graphic “Anxiety File” graphic panels provide comic relief to Andrew’s woes. Harrell knows what Andrew Yaeger is going through, because he himself was 100 percent a “Kid with Anxiety”. This is a terrific terrific read with an A+ recommendation from Dr. Larry.
UNSINKABLE CAYENNE by Jessica Vitalis (Verse novel) / chapter 6: Poverty
Knowing that I enjoy reading verse novels, a friend recommended Unsinkable Cayenne to me. I’m glad she did since this is a story that not only unpacks the complexity of trying to fit in in middle-school, but addresses issues of poverty and classism. The story is set in 1985 in a fictional town in Montana. Cayenne’s family has moved around a lot in their sticker-covered van and because of her sage-burning, free-spirited mother and moody father (suffering from PTSD), Cayenne feels that her life is weird. With the hopes of settling down and finding a job, Cayenne’s father settles the family into a new home. For this seventh-grader it also means that she is challenged of finding a way to fit in with the popular girls, class projects, attending parties and games. and finding a way to hide that her family is living in poverty and can’t pay the rent on their new home. Drawb frin her own family’s transient childhood experiences, Jessica Vitalis a very fine job of revealing the woes that many young adolescents face. Throughout the novel, references are given to birds who serve as symbols for Cayenne’s experiences. The history and fate of the Titanic disaster also plays an important part in helping Cayenne come to terms with what life has dealt her. Thank you for recommending this book, my friend. Unsinkable Cayenne is a special title to add to my Verse novel collection
Excerpt (p. 69)
“In middle school/ there are two choices/fit in/ or stand out. Trust me, you do bnot, want to stand out./ At least not/ for the wrong reasons.
WILDFUL by Kengo Kurimoto (graphic novel) / chapter 7: Death Loss and Remembrance
Poppy is sad about the passing of her Gran. Her mother is grieving and is reluctant to leave her home. One time, when Poppy takes her dog for a walk around the neighbourhood she discovers an old fence and slides through to enter the world of a forgotten forest. A new friend escorts her through the wilderness and helps Poppy discover the wonderw of the wilderness. After encounter the marvels of birds, flowers, badgers and stars , Poppy is determined to help her mother experience the healing powers of nature. Wildful is a mostly non-verbal graphic story, revealed in monochromatic panels. The brilliant style of Kengo Kurimoto lures readers to pay attention to the magical mindful world of the wildful. This book s a remarkable achievement of visual storytelling and was selected as one of the New York Times top ten reads of 2024.
ONLY THIS BEAUTIFUL MOMENT by Abdi Nazemian : chapter 8: Gender and Homophobia + Chapter 1: Race and Diverse Cultures (YA)
“… my favourite day was today, because it holds every preceding day within it.” (author’s note, p. 388)
Only This Beautiful Moment is an engrossing intergenerational story, describing the lives of three Iranian men, each experiencing prejudice and hate in their lives at different time periods. in 2019, Moud is a gay teen living in Los Angeles is, madly in love with another boy but when he accompany’s his father to Thehran because of his grandfather’s impending death, he comes to learn more about family secrets as well as his culture. In 1978, We meet Saaed, an engineering student who is forced to leave Teharan when he becomes involved in America revolutionary protests. Saaed is sent to live with his grandmother, a person he never new existed in America, In 1939, we enter into Bobby’s life, a child celebrity under the thumb of his mother. Bobby’s Hollywood experiences take him into the gay world of This nightclubs . Nazemian brilliantly weaves past and present together interconnecting the lives of grandson, parent and grandparent. Moreover, the novel exposes hidden secrets of family, of gay sexual awakening and cultural history. The author not only unpacks he Iranian queer experience but tells. a universal rich story about making choices, about activism, self-discovery, forgiveness and love. The author tells us that this novel is a story of ‘ resilience of the human spirit’ and an ‘ode to the bonds of family.. (page 389). Only This Beautiful Moment is the winner of the LGBTQIA Stonewall Ad (2024), Lambda Literary Award (2024) as well as the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award (2024).
Excerpt (p. 295)
“History is a quilt. You pull one thread and everything changes. I’m here. Your father is here. You’re here. We cant’ change that. But we can be honest with each other.”
HOW DO YOU LIVE? by Genzaburo Yoshino / chapter 9: Bullying+ chapter 10: Ripples of Kindness
The fact that this book has sold millions of copies in Japan that it was first published in 1937 (translated into English in 2021) and that it is a rich reading experience for young adolescents as well as adults make this an intriguing title. For purposes of this posting I was contemplating placing it in Race and Cultures because of the Japanese, or in Ripples of Kindness since it deals with moral, ethical issues and digs deep into the realm of belonging. But How Do You Live? has some powerful narratives about the bullying and how to reflect on the world of the bully, the bullied and the bystanders
As we go through the journey life, most of us wonder: “What’s it all about, Alfie?” Some questions that frame this book: How do we live our lives as caring citizens of the world, How do we pursue our dreams? How do we build trusting family and friend relationships? What does the class structure we are born into influence our views of the world? As young people move into adolescenthood they come to think about their identities, the ‘invisible knapsacks’ they carry. and their place in the world today and tomorrow? Following the death of his father, a fifteen year old teenager named Copper encounters changes particularly in his education, his friendships, and in his insights into history (Napolean’s conquests), and science (Copernicus) talent (making tofu, playing sports). In a number of chapters we are told stories of Copper’s every day life but these chapters are framed with chapters that appear as journal entries from Copper’s uncle who shares advice wisdom, and raises questions for that help Copper consider what matters most. In a translator’s note we are told that Yoshino wanted to write an ethics textbook but turned to the novel format that containing lessons and messages about thinking for oneself. That the book was written in 1937, speaks to the universal quest to of being living a life “like a true human being.” In particular, I was knocked out by the strong lesson to be learned about the question os standing up for others when encountering bullies and determining ‘What should you do: ‘What would you do?’. Genzburo Yoshino has indeed accomplishd his goal to have his character reflect on the question “How Do you Live?” and as readers, young and old connect to Copper’s story, they too will wonder . ‘How Do You Live?’ and “How will you live?”
As I write about this book I recognize what a philosophical marvel this is. Everyojne needs an uncle to help us sort out confusions and guide is into a path of well-being, belonging and kindness. With this book, Yoshino serves as an uncle to us all. How lucky we are to have this translation. I also look forward to seeing the film version by renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away; My Neighbor Totoro)
Excerpt; (p, 275) (Reminder… this book was written in 1937)
“I think there has to come a time when everyone in the world treats each other as if they were good friends. Since humanity has come so far, I think now we will definitely be able to make it to such a place. So I think I want to become a person who can help that happen.”
CARTER AVERY’S TRICKY FOURTH GRADE YEAR by Rob Buyea / chapter 10: Ripples of Kindness
Avery Carter can’t sit still and often has outbursts saying whatever is on his mind. He has a reputation for being ‘difficult’. No teacher has ever liked Carter. He enters grade four wary of his new teacher, Ms Oliva (Owl-ivia)_Krane but he needn’t have worried. Ms. Krane knows how to handle Carter’s energy and they quickly come to understand each other. When Ms. Krane is on leave due to her pregnancy, Avery has a new problem to contend with when Lieutenant Gene Boss, retired from the U.S. Navy takes over the class. Making things worse, Missy Gerber is a annoying bossy classmate who bosses Carter even when they come to work on school projects together. I have been a Rob Buyea fan ever since reading his books about beginning teacher Mr. Terupt. Buyea knows the workings of a classroom. He knows middle years kids. With this new novel he shows understanding and respect for ADHD students and tells an engaging story that demonstrates that “you can get more flies with honey than with vinegar”. Like August Pullman in R.J. Palacio’s Wonder, KINDNESS is what saves Carter Avery from a terrible year in school. Highly recommended.