Multicultural/Diversity Books

The Name Jar written by Yangsook Choi

• Genre: Realistic Fiction  
  
• Copyright: 2001
  
• Reading Level: K-2
  
• Interest Level: K-2
  
• Topic: Multicultural 
  
• Picture Book
  
• Read aloud book: Yes
  

The Name Jar is a delightful story about a young Korean girl named Unhei. Unhei just newly moved to America with her family and started to attend a new school. What is a new school without a new name? She was worried no one could pronounce her Korean name but after all her classmates placing a variety of names in Unhei’s name jar, Unhei kept her graceful name and made a new friend. The moral or lesson of this book can be to teach kids to love themselves for who they are, as well as to appreciate other cultures. This book may also be a great way into introducing or teaching about Asian history.

The Other Side written by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

• Genre: Realistic Fiction
  
• Copyright: 2001
  
• Reading Level: 1-2 (Read aloud) 3rd to 5th grade 
  
• Interest Level: 1st-3rd (Guided reading level M
  
• Topic: Multicultural, Segregation, Black History 
  
• Picture Book
  
• Read aloud book: Yes
  

The Other Side is a wonderful story that brings up the topic of segregation. In this book, a young black girl, Clover has always wondered why a fence near her house separates the black side of town from the white side of town. Over the summer, Clover meets a white girl named Annie from the other side, who sits on the fence all the time. Clover remains curious until one day she decides to approach Annie. This book subtly introduces children to segregation and black history. The theme or moral of the story can be celebrating each other's differences. This book is also a great way to introduce the discussion or learning about racism, segregation, and the civil rights movement. 

Be Quiet, Marina! Written by Kristen DeBear, photographs by Laura Dwight

• Genre: Non-Fiction  
  
• Copyright: 2001
  
• Reading Level: 2-3 (Potential Read Aloud for 1st) 
  
• Interest Level: 2-3 
  
• Topic: Multicultural/Diversity 
  
• Picture Book
  
• Read aloud book: Yes
  

Be Quiet, Marina! is a non-fiction book that tells the story of the friendship between two girls, Marina and Moira. Both Marina and Moira share many similarities in their likes, however, they do not always get along. Marina has cerebral palsy and at times screams when she gets upset, while Moira has down syndrome and does not like to hear Marina scream. While the two girls also share differences, they find a way to become the best of friends. The moral or lesson of this book can be friendship, celebrating diversity, and also kindness. This book offers a great discussion on disabilities as well as how to use kind words with others.   

Hair Love written by Matthew A. Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison

• Genre: Realistic Fiction
• Copyright: 2019
• Reading Level: Pre K-3
• Interest Level: Topic: Multicultural/Diversity
• Picture Book
• Read aloud book: Yes

Hair Love is a book about a little girl named Zuri with wild, kinky, and curly hair. Zuri loves her hair and talks about some of her favorite hairstyles and how they turn her into a superhero, a princess and more. One day, Zuri's dad attempts to do Zuri's hair and finally after so wacky hairstyles gives Zuri the perfect hair-do! Much like the other multicultural books in this category, Hair Love teaches kids the lesson of loving yourself and all your unique qualities. This book can also be used to talk to students about differences such as different hair types, skin colors, cultures and more. 

Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You written by Sonia Sotomayor and illustrated by Rafael Lopez

• Genre: Realistic Fiction
• Copyright: 2019
• Reading Level: 2nd-3rd
• Interest Level: Topic: Multicultural/Diversity
• Picture Book
• Read aloud book: Yes

Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You is an insightful book that will allow students to learn more about the different types of people around them and allow them to know that it is okay to ask questions. In this book, 12 friends work together to plant a garden and each tell something about themselves. One talks about how they have diabetes and how they take medicine to stay healthy, while others talk about how they have ADHD or are deaf. This book teaches the lesson that it is okay to ask questions as well as to celebrate each others' differences. In addition, Just Ask teaches the students a lot about different disabilities and lifestyles. All together as a community we are one big garden!