Matt de la Peña
Ages 3–8
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn't he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty -- and fun -- in their routine and the world around them.
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A Caldecott classic that finds beauty on an ordinary bus ride — gratitude without sugarcoating hard questions about what other kids have.
Ages 3–8. Ideal when a child notices unfairness, or when you want a gentle community story for storytime.
Ask: What made someone in this story feel proud of who they are?
After reading, walk or ride somewhere familiar and ask what beauty you both notice that you usually rush past.
Two titles that deepen the same conversation.
Ages 8–12
Look Both WaysThis story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy— Talking about boogers. Stealing pocket change. Skateboarding. Wiping out. Braving up.
Ages 8–12
The Stars Beneath Our FeetUnable to celebrate the holidays in the wake of his older brother's death in a gang-related shooting, Lolly Rachpaul struggles to avoid being forced into a gang himself while constructing a fantastically creative LEGO city at the Harlem community center.
Ages 13+
(Me) MothFINALIST FOR THE 2021 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE A debut YA novel-in-verse by Amber McBride, Me (Moth) is about a teen girl who is grieving the deaths of her family, and a teen boy who crosses her path.
Ages 3–8
A dance like starlightIn a lyrical tale as beautiful as a dance en pointe, Kristy Dempsey and Floyd Cooper tell the story of one little ballerina who was inspired by Janet Collins to make her own dreams come true.
Ages 8–12
A Good Kind of TroubleFrom debut author Lisa Moore Ramée comes this funny and big-hearted debut middle grade novel about friendship, family, and standing up for what’s right, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give and the novels of Renée Watson ...
Ages 3–8
A Kids Book About RacismThis is one conversation that's never too early to start, and this book was written to be an introduction for kids on the topic.
Ages 3–8
A letter to AmyA letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.
Ages 3–8
A Stone for SaschaIn his first picture book following the conclusion of his best-selling Journey trilogy, Aaron Becker achieves a tremendous feat, connecting the private, personal loss of one child to a cycle spanning millennia — and delivering a ...
