Our theme for this #DiverseKidLit is books in a series. Series books are great for hooking readers because there’s another book after you finish the first one! Share your favorite book series featuring diverse characters. (As always, the theme is only a suggestion. Diverse posts on alternate topics are always welcome.)
I have a few recommendations!
Grace Lin has three series: Ling & Ting (easy reader), Pacy Lin (chapter book), and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (four-book chapter book series).
Ling & Ting are charming short stories that tie up in each book. This series has won many awards including a Geisel.
Gigi and Ojiji (I Can Read) by Melissa Iwai
Gigi can’t wait for her Ojiji—Japanese grandpa—to move in. Gigi plans lots of things to do with him, like playing tag, reading books, and teaching Roscoe, the family dog, new tricks.
But her plans don’t work out quite the way she’d hoped. And her grandpa doesn’t seem to like Roscoe. Will Gigi find a way to connect with her Ojiji? [early chapter book, ages 4 and up]
The Pacy Lin series most reflects Grace Lin’s own childhood.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon 4 book series
These are companion books but the most recent one is starting to tie back to her previous books. Lin weaves Chinese folk tales and mythology into her award-winning series.
Rita Williams-Garcia’s trilogy is a multigenerational family story that includes the Civil Rights Movement and Black Panther movement as well as living in Oakland, Alabama, and Brooklyn.
Joseph Bruchac’s series is a departure but it’s clear that he’s having fun writing dystopian young adult adventures with a Native American female protagonist.
Claudia Davila’s graphic novel series covers environmental topics for young readers.
What Is #DiverseKidLit?
Diverse Children’s Books is a book-sharing meme designed to promote the reading and writing of children’s books that feature diverse characters. This community embraces all kinds of diversity including (and certainly not limited to) diverse, inclusive, multicultural, and global books for children of all backgrounds.
We encourage everyone who shares to support this blogging community by visiting and leaving comments for at least three others. Please also consider following the hosts on at least one of their social media outlets. Spread the word using #diversekidlit and/or adding our button to your site and your diverse posts.
We hope this community serves as a resource for parents, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors! Our next linkup will be Saturday, August 5th. We will only be hosting one linkup per month (on the first Saturday) for the summer months.
Upcoming Theme
Our theme for the current month is books in a series. Series books are great for hooking readers because there’s another book after you finish the first one! Themes are a suggestion only; all diverse book posts are welcome. If you’re interested, you can start planning now …
- Our theme for August (5th) will be socioeconomic diversity. What are your favorite books for honoring characters and families who come from somewhere other than the 1% or even the upper/middle classes? We look forward to seeing your choices!
Most Clicked Post from Last Time
The most-clicked post from the previous #diversekidlit was this incredible resource from Colours to Us: 50 Picture Books about Mixed-Race Families. Wow!
#DiverseKidLit is Hosted by:
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest Becky @ Franticmommmy
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / InstagramCarolina @ La Clase de Sra. DuFault
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+Gauri @ Kitaab World
an online bookstore for South Asian children’s books, toys and games
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / InstagramGayle Swift, Author of ABC, Adoption & Me
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+Jane @ Rain City Librarian
Blog / Twitter / InstagramMarjorie @ Mirrors Windows Doors
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / PinterestMia @ Pragmatic Mom
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / InstagramMyra @ Gathering Books
Blog / Twitter / Facebook Sen, Author of Toddler Diaries
Blog / Twitter / Facebook
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Another diverse YA series is The Sawfeather Novels. Starting with the award-winning Cry of the Sea, this trilogy follows a teen daughter of environmental activists who discovers mythical creatures of her American Indian heritage are real during her efforts to protect the natural world.
Thanks for your book rec D. G.!
Dear Pragmatic Mom,
I was wondering if (hoping) you would be interested in reviewing my new book, Brandon Makes Jiǎo Zi (餃子), and including it on your blog.The story is about a little Chinese-American boy named Brandon who gets a surprise visit from his grandma from China, Pó Po (婆婆). While Brandon and Pó Po (婆婆) are making Chinese dumplings, called jiǎo zi (餃子), Brandon makes a mess and he and Pó Po (婆婆) have a good laugh! They chat and bond over the experience. Then Brandon eats and eats and eats and makes a surprise at the end that delights the whole family! This story includes some conversational Mandarin Chinese (including Pinyin – pronunciation).
When my son (the real Brandon) was very little, I couldn’t find children’s storybooks to read to him which touched upon Chinese culture and which included some Chinese (Mandarin) words to teach and/or reinforce his Chinese vocabulary, so I started writing my own.
If this sounds interesting to you, I would love to send you a pdf copy of this book. Thanks so much for your time and consideration.
Best,
Eugenia Chu
Hi Eugenia,
Your book sounds great! I have been sharing about it on social media! Thanks so much for your support of Multicultural Children’s Book Day! If you send me a copy, I’ll add it to my Chinese American book list blog post.
That would be great! Please let me know where I can send a copy of Brandon Makes Jiao Zi. Thanks so much for considering adding it to your book list!
Best,
Eugenia
Thanks Eugenia! Email me at pragmaticmomblog@gmail.com please.