Books Matter™

Children's & Young Adult Literature

Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she’s the only Indian American student, and home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand why she’s conflicted—they only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. (Ages 8-12)

This book looks at common circumstances of bias and bullying that children encounter through the eyes of the bystander, until they become a target.

It’s Hanukkah, and Max and Rachel are excited to light the menorah in their family’s new apartment. But, unfortunately, their Hanukkah box is missing. (Ages 3-8)

When Bimi and his family, who are refugees, immigrate to the U.S. and move into Evie’s neighborhood, not everybody is welcoming.

It’s the last few days of her vacation in Pakistan, and Amina has loved every minute of it. Now that the school year is starting again, she’s sad to leave, but also excited to share the wonders of Pakistan with her friends back in Greendale. 

Step in and discover all the rituals and wonder of the mosque in this lyrical picture book. 

When it's time for the symbolic Passover custom of opening the family's front door for the prophet Elijah, both the boy and the cat are in for a remarkable surprise.

This graphic novel tells the story of the Aldabaan family. After escaping a Syrian prison, Ibrahim Aldabaan and his family fled the country to seek protection in the U.S.

Binny wakes up happy but nervous. It was her day to share about Diwali, the Festival of Lights! (Ages 4-8)

A five-year-old South Asian boy becomes fascinated with his mother’s bindi, the red dot commonly worn by Hindu women to indicate the point at which creation begins.

It's the start of a new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.

As a young girl observes six very different women in her life who each wear the hijab in a unique way, she dreams of the rich possibilities of her own future, and how she will express her own personality through her hijab. (Ages 4-8)

As a child in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai made a wish for a magic pencil. Even if she never found one, Malala realized that she could still work hard every day to make her wishes come true.

Josef, Isabel and Mahmoud all go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. Although they are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections tie their stories together in the end. (Ages 9-12)

Written as a letter from a father to his daughter, this book is a celebration of social harmony and multicultural identities.

While Amina, a Pakistani American middle school student, grapples with questions of friendship and identity, she is devastated when her local mosque is vandalized. She ultimately uses her voice to help bring a diverse community together. (Ages 8-12)

This book is told from the perspective of a young child and explores the unimaginable decisions made as a family leave their home and everything they know to escape the turmoil and tragedy brought by war.

When her fifth-grade teacher hints that lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visible outside their classroom window, Deja sets off on a journey of discovery.

Fleeing the Holocaust in Europe, Marcus moves with his family from Berlin to Shanghai, where he doubts this unfamiliar city will ever feel like home.