Squire by Nadia Shammas , Sara Alfageeh

Squire by Nadia Shammas , Sara Alfageeh A good graphic novel to add to any school library. I like how brave the main character is to chose to do the hard thing but also the right thing. Enjoy.

MISHKA by Edward van de Vendel & Anoush Elman ; illustrated by Annet Schaap ; translated by Nancy Forest-Flie

Mishka is a sweet story about a rabbit and a family. The family shares their story with their youngest who was to young to remember the trip that was so harrowing. And then the family rabbit gets out of it's hutch and they go searching for it. A good story. Fine for many young children's libraries.

Heart of the Samurai by Margi Preus

A great read and audiobook. Losely based on a true person, Heart of the Samurai is a simple book that tells one man's story. Imagine leaving your county by accident and having to learn a new language and culture. Adventure and learning makes this young man extrodinary. A good read. Enjoy and fine for any school library.

Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo

I think currently immigrants are being used as pawns by political candidtates for president during this election year. Sadly there is a group that bullies immigrants and using this as a political point. I don't think we fully understand life for immigrants. Home is Not A Country brings us into a teen's world and how changes can be difficult and family relationships can be challenging. I listened to the audiobook and thought it was a solid story.

A First TIme For Everything by Dan Santat

A First Time For Everything by Dan Santat Is a great middle school coming of age book in graphic novel format. Santat's life as a awkward middle school kid from the 1980s is sweet and charming and authentic. Add this one to your middle school library. IT's a great read.

An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi

 

This is an artfully crafted book that I want in my library. Each word is weighted with depth and poignancy.  The story grabs you from the beginning.  A book that I need to add to the library.  An excellent read.

In The Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Betty Bao Lord

 I loved this book.  It reminded me when I taught English as a Second Language.  Especially when the students were playing baseball and Shirley hears Run Home and she starts to end back to her apartment. Something similar happened when I was covering PE.  It's a coming of age story that is endearing.  Enjoy.

Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh

 A must for all school libraries.  The plight of the refugees leaving deadly Syria, their homes and their lives to find a safe place to call for a new home, is part of this book.  Ahmed is in the country illegally.  He lost so much when he lost his family under two separate events. Max, has his problems too but he also recognizes that his new friend Ahmed has it real problems.  Again this is a good read.  

Love In English by Maria E. Andreu

 I loved this book!  I am adding it to my high school library.  Enjoy!  A good read

Outcasts United by Warren St. John

 Reminds me a bit of when I taught at a Newcomer school.  A coach who does so much for her team.  She asks for a lot back.  Members from all over the world.  Read their back stories and then what changes when they come to the United States.

Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan

 The awkwardness of middle school, the strength of friendship and the guilt of mistakes.  A good read. brings in opportunities to learn about Muslims.  And talks about friendship.  Add this one to middle school libraries.  Enjoy.

Efren Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

 This pairs well with Land of Cranes.  Can you imagine looking for a better life for your family, when where you come from isn't safe.  This story makes it more personal.  A good story.  One little element bothered me, when Efren is in Mexico looking for his mother, he is all by himself.  He ends up with a taxi driver that is a good guy but I fear in real life, there could be bad people who do terrible things.  Over all a good story.  Fine for school libraries.

Land of Cranes by Aida Salazar

 Wow, the content in this story alone is eye-opening.  The book is written in a beautiful imagery even though the content gets ugly in how people are treated so disrespectfully.  How many people have similar stories as this one?  Because of content, I would say older readers, middle school and up.

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez

 It's a good read.  This story reflects what is going on in the U. S.  I would say add this to your high school library.  A touching story.  

My Year In The Middle by Lila Quintero Weaver

  I loved this book.  Turns out the author used her life experiences to create this story.  I was 5 years old in the 1970s when this story takes place and there is a lot that came back to me when I read this story.  Of course I lived in California and watched in the news.  This story works well for looking at history of the 1970s in the US.  A good read.  Enjoy.

Afterlife by Julia Alvarez

Sisters band together to help a sister with some mental health issues.  The sister does end up committing suicide.  It's a story about family and grief and so much more. It's a good read.

Stella Diaz Has Something To Say by Angela Dominguez

This book fits well with any school library for both elementary and middle school.  It helps readers see another student struggling with language and cultural differences.  It's a good read.  

Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb

A sweet story of a four generation from Russia to America.  Four women raising their children as told 

by a grandmother encouraging her grand daughter.  Listen to the audio book.  It's told sweetly.  

Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno

It's a good story,  About love, loss and family.  I'm adding this to my library collection.  A little romance is also incorporated into this story.  The audio book also very good.  Enjoy.

All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney

I am so getting this for my high school library and book talking it.  It's a must for all high school libraries to add to their collection.  I looked at the author's page on Good Reads.  I would love for her to come to my high school.  If you ever make it to Fresno, California, come talk to my high school students.  You nailed it.  A good read and insightful.  The author writes with great authenticity.
Thank you for writing this book.