Book picks similar to
Tata's Earrings by Desiree Calderon de Fawaz


little-readers
young-readers
12-diversity-and-social-j-other
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Tanaka Rain: Yakuza Claimed Series


Kenya Clark - 2020
    Instead of wishing for her situation to change, she decides to change it. She moves away from her drug addicted mother to start her life anew. The last thing on her mind is love until she meets the mysterious Rain Tanaka. Ebony doesn’t know what he sees in her, all she knows is that he scares her with the way he makes her feel.Rain Tanaka has spent his life taking care of his family. He realizes quickly, he had been a fool in thinking everything he needed was found at home. Ebony Drake, is the missing piece. He knows he shouldn’t get involved with her, but there’s just something about the dark skin beauty that pulls him to her. However, just when things begin to heat up between them, he has to walk away.No matter how much Rain tries, he can't erase Ebony from his sweat filled dreams. Risking it all, Rain will do anything to get the love he left behind back. He should have remembered the code; NO ONE disobeys the Yakuza.

Beyond Lies


Alka Dimri Saklani - 2021
    Nobody knows where I am. Hell, even I don’t know where I am. I don’t even know who my captor is, my blindfold doesn’t allow me to see anything. I don’t even know how this will end. Can anyone be more clueless about their lives?Tied up in this jilted place I have little to do, but reminiscence my old life. I had it all; a loving family, a dependable friend, a compassionate fiancé, a dream job. I never had time to analyze my relationships then, but now in this god-forsaken place, amid fear and doubts, all I have is time and I can see the cracks I ignored for so long.And I am forced to question; was my life really perfect?Or was it a perfect lie?Twisted and dark, Beyond Lies, explores the complexities of the human mind, a mind that can lead to dangerous paths and sometimes, harm the one it seeks to protect.

Hair Love


Matthew A. Cherry - 2019
    Cherry and New York Times bestseller Vashti Harrison.Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it’s beautiful. When mommy does Zuri’s hair, she feels like a superhero. But when mommy is away, it’s up to daddy to step in! And even though daddy has a lot to learn, he LOVES his Zuri. And he’ll do anything to make her—and her hair—happy.Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair—and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere.

¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market


Raúl the Third - 2019
    This bilingual board book teaches readers simple words in Spanish as they experience the bustling life of a border town. Follow Little Lobo and his dog Bernabe as they deliver supplies to a variety of vendors, selling everything from sweets to sombreros, portraits to piñatas, carved masks to comic books!

Brina: A Pagan Picture Book


Andrea Stein - 2020
    This enchanting story will leave children and parents with the magical reminder that finding your path can be a bewitching journey -- even if you aren't sure where you'll end up. Brina is a little witch. She’s yet to find her way. She learns about the ancient craft through art, and earth, and play. “There are many types of witches,” says her mother- rightly so. But Brina doesn’t know which way her witchy heart will go. From debut author-illustrator team Andrea Stein and Cayce Matteoli, this book will become a staple for children being raised in homes practicing Paganism, Wicca, and other earth-based spiritualities. Ages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Grade Level: Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st grade

Nelson Beats The Odds


Ronnie Sidney II - 2015
    When Nelson learns that he has been placed in Special Education, he fears being teased. Consequently, he keeps his learning disability and ADHD diagnosis a secret. With the encouragement of his parents and assistance from Mrs. T., his Special Education teacher, Nelson pushes the boundaries and discovers his potential. ”Nelson Beats The Odds” is an inspiring story that celebrates friendship, resilience and empowerment. The striking illustrations give life to ”Nelson Beats The Odds”, while the author’s story is perfect for students diagnosed with learning disabilities or mental health disorders.

Lulu the One and Only


Lynnette Mawhinney - 2020
    Her brother inspires her to come up with a power phrase so she can easily express who she is, not what she is.Includes a note from the author, sharing her experience as the only biracial person in her family and advice for navigating the complexity of when both parents do not share the same racial identity as their children.

Julián Is a Mermaid


Jessica Love - 2018
    Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a periwinkle curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes—and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself? Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love's author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.

Papagayo: The Mischief Maker


Gerald McDermott - 1980
    But when the ferocious moon-dog begins to devour the moon, only Papagayo knows how to save it. The night creatures learn that he’s a good friend to have--even if he is a bit NOISY.

Alma and How She Got Her Name


Juana Martinez-Neal - 2018
    As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all — and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell. In her author-illustrator debut, Juana Martinez-Neal opens a treasure box of discovery for children who may be curious about their own origin stories or names.

Thunder Boy Jr.


Sherman Alexie - 2016
    Thunder Boy Jr. wants a normal name...one that's all his own. Dad is known as big Thunder, but little thunder doesn't want to share a name. He wants a name that celebrates something cool he's done like Touch the Clouds, Not Afraid of Ten Thousand Teeth, or Full of Wonder. But just when Little Thunder thinks all hope is lost, dad picks the best name...Lightning! Their love will be loud and bright, and together they will light up the sky.

I Lived on Butterfly Hill


Marjorie Agosín - 2014
    She lives peacefully among friends and neighbors and family in the idyllic town of Valparaiso, Chile—until one day when warships are spotted in the harbor and schoolmates start disappearing from class without a word. Celeste doesn’t quite know what is happening, but one thing is clear: no one is safe, not anymore. The country has been taken over by a government that declares artists, protestors, and anyone who helps the needy to be considered “subversive” and dangerous to Chile’s future. So Celeste’s parents—her educated, generous, kind parents—must go into hiding before they, too, “disappear.” Before they do, however, they send Celeste to America to protect her. As Celeste adapts to her new life in Maine, she never stops dreaming of Chile. But even after democracy is restored to her home country, questions remain: Will her parents reemerge from hiding? Will she ever be truly safe again? Accented with interior artwork, steeped in the history of Pinochet’s catastrophic takeover of Chile, and based on many true events, this multicultural ode to the power of revolution, words, and love is both indelibly brave and heartwrenchingly graceful.

Never Say a Mean Word Again: A Tale from Medieval Spain


Jacqueline Jules - 2014
    The most important advisor in the royal court, he was considered the wisest man in the kingdom. He was also Samuel s father. Make sure Hamza never says a mean word to you again, he had ordered Samuel. What should Samuel do? He couldn t disobey his father. But how would he make sure that Hamza never insulted him again? Perhaps train a monkey to hold Hamza s lips closed, or give him some lemon juice to make his mouth pucker? Inspired by a powerful legend of conflict resolution in Muslim Spain, Never Say a Mean Word Again is the compelling story of a boy who is given permission to punish an enemy. What will he do?"

We Are Family


Patricia Hegarty - 2017
    Some families are made up of many people, and some are much smaller. Sometimes family members look like each other, and sometimes they don't! But even though every family is different, the love is all the same.

Barbie & Benz: A Thug Love Story


Princess Diamond - 2020