Together, let’s read and share stories in honor of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. AANHPI voices demonstrate the Power of Story, this month and throughout the year.
Doña Esmeralda, Who Ate Everything!
By Melissa de la Cruz and Illustrated By Primo Gallanosa
Picture Book
Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
Laugh-out-loud with this silly, read-aloud picture book debut about a lady named Doña Esmeralda who is always hungry, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meslissa de la Cruz!
My Bindi
By Gita Varadarajan and Illustrated By Archana Sreenivasan
Picture Book
Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
A young girl finds the magic, power, and history of wearing a bindi for the first time in this moving and lyrical picture book debut about embracing who we are and where we come from by Gita Varadarajan.
Leo + Lea
By Monica Wesolowska and Illustrated By Kenard Pak
Picture Book
Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
One boy loves numbers. Everywhere he looks he sees things to count. His classmates don’t understand counting as he does. A new girl loves patterns. A beautiful celebration of friendship, math, and art that honors different ways of seeing and being in the world.
The Party Diaries #2: Starry Henna Night
By Mitali Banerjee Ruths and Illustrated By Aaliya Jaleel
Chapter Book (Branches)
Ages 5 to 7, Grades K to 2
Priya plans a henna-night party that is out-of-this-world in the second installment of this full-color early chapter book series! With speech bubbles, easy-to-read text, and vibrant artwork on every page, this series is perfect for newly independent readers!
Kittens Are Monsters!: A Branches Book (Pets Rule! #3)
By Susan Tan
Chapter Book (Branches)
Ages 6 to 8, Grades 1 to 3
A mysterious cat tells Ember she will give him an army if he can babysit her kittens for three days. Ember is eager to complete the task, but babysitting is tricky, and it’ll take all paws on deck to the keep the kittens safe.
Freestyle
By Gale Galligan
Graphic Novel [Graphix]
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
From New York Times bestselling author Gale Galligan comes a fun, high-energy graphic novel about friendship, family, and the last hurrahs of middle school.
The Tryout
By Christina Soontornvat and Illustrated By Joanna Cacao
Graphic Novel [Graphix]
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
From three-time Newbery Honoree and Kirkus Prize winner Christina Soontornvat, and stellar new talent, Joanna Cacao, comes a spirited graphic novel memoir about courage and competition, friendship and belonging, and learning to feel comfortable in your own skin.
Squished: A Graphic Novel
By Megan Wagner Lloyd and Illustrated By Michelle Mee Nutter
Graphic Novel [Graphix]
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
From the creators of the instant bestseller Allergic, comes a heartfelt graphic novel about finding yourself, even when you're squished in a famly of nine. Avery is tired of sharing space with her siblings. This summer she's going to find a way to get her own room.
Legends of Lotus Island #1: The Guardian Test
By Christina Soontornvat and Illustrated By Kevin Hong
Middle Grade
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
On an island like no other, an incredible adventure begins! From three-time Newbery honor recipient Christina Soontornvat comes a compelling new young middle grade fantasy series for readers who love stories about animals, magic, and kids like them embracing their power to change the world.
Front Desk #4: Key Player
By Kelly Yang
Middle Grade
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
In the fourth installment of the bestselling Front Desk series, Mia Tang goes soccer-crazy. Follow Mia's adventures as she grapples with bringing two identities together, facing her fears, AND passing PE! But if anyone can find a way to win, it’s Mia Tang!
Must Love Pets #3: Bunny Bonanza
By Saadia Faruqi
Middle Grade
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
A young middle grade series that combines the heart and friendship of the Baby-sitters Club, with the irresistible appeal of adorable animals!
Sweet and Sour
By Debbi Michiko Florence
Middle Grade
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
A heartfelt middle-grade novel about ex-best friends, betrayals, and revenge that is best served sour. The new novel from Debbi Michiko Florence, beloved author of Keep It Together, Keiko Carter.
Bhai for Now
By Maleeha Siddiqui
Middle Grade
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
A fresh and fun new spin on the Parent-Trap story, by Indies Introduce author Maleeha Siddiqui. This is the story of two long-lost brothers who, while they might not like each other, just might need each other.
The Fire Queen #2: Crown of Flames
By Sayantani DasGupta
Middle Grade
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
The sequel to the critically-acclaimed Force of Fire from bestselling author, Sayantani DasGupta. Readers will be brought back into the fantastical world of the Kingdom Beyond, where there are always serpents to fight, riddles to solves, and a corrupt government to overthrow.
The Secret Battle of Evan Pao
By Wendy Wan-Long Shang
Middle Grade
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
Middle school can be a battlefield... From award-winning author Wendy Wan-Long Shang comes a poignant and timely take on prejudice, bullying, and claiming our own histories. Perfect for fans of the Front Desk series.
The 39 Clues #1: The Maze of Bones: A Graphic Novel
By Ethan Young and Rick Riordan
Middle Grade
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
A graphic novel adaptation of the worldwide phenomenon. When Grace Cahill dies, her relatives are given a choice. They can inherit 1 million dollars or a clue. Before long Amy and Dan Cahill are in the race of their lives as they uncover the mystery of the Cahill family.
Parachute Kids: A Graphic Novel
By Betty C. Tang
Middle Grade
Ages 9 to 12, Grades 4 to 7
A dream trip to America turns into a nightmare when Feng-Li and her siblings are left in California on their own as parachute kids. Now they must fend for themselves in a strange new world in this powerful graphic novel inspired by the author’s childhood.
I Kick and I Fly
By Ruchira Gupta
Young Adult
Ages 12 And Up, Grades 7 And Up
From renowned activist and award-winning documentarian, Ruchira Gupta, I Kick and I Fly is a hopeful story about a girl in Bihar, India, who escapes being sold into the sex trade when a local hostel owner helps her to understand the value of her body through kung fu.
Beneath the Wide Silk Sky
By Emily Inouye Huey
Young Adult
Ages 12 And Up, Grades 7 And Up
Stunning, devastating, poignant: Debut author Emily Inouye Huey paints an intimate portrait of the racism faced by America's Japanese population during WWII. Perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys and Sharon Cameron.
Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute
By Sayantani DasGupta
Young Adult
Ages 12 And Up, Grades 7 And Up
New York Times bestselling Sayantani DasGupta brings her trademark wit and insight to this bright and funny Sense and Sensibility retelling!
Meet Me in Mumbai
Sabina Khan
Young Adult
Ages 14 And Up, Grades 9 And Up
A timely story about two teenage girls forced to understand the power and consequences of their choices. Meet Me in Mumbai is the latest novel from the author of The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali and Zara Hossain Is Here.
