Diversity Book List 2016-2017 Gr. 7-8 Fiction Alexander, Kwame Booked HMH Books, 2016. Soccer, words (Nick's father has written a dictionary) and a fabulous librarian coalesce in this novel in verse as Nick deals with bullies, his parents' separation, and an unexpected surgery. Bowles, David The Smoking Mirror IFWG Publishing, 2015. The Garza twins, Carol and Johnny, are shapeshifters who must rescue their mother from the Aztec underworld. Crowder, Melanie Audacity Philomel, 2015. This novel in verse tells the story of Clara, a Jewish Russian immigrant who is an organizer in the sweatshop industry in New York, despite her family's disapproval. de los Santos, Marisa Connect the Stars HarperCollins, 2015. Audrey, who can detect even the smallest lie to a debilitating degree, and Aaron, who has an astounding memory, meet at a wilderness camp where they encounter other equally quirky kids and must work together to save each other and themselves. Hale, Shannon Dangerous Bloomsbury, 2015. A diverse cast of characters, led by Maisie Danger Brown, must save the world from aliens in this action-packed science fiction adventure. Hilton, Marilyn Full Cicada Moon Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015. In 1969, Mimi, who is Japanese and African-American and in seventh grade, moves from California to Vermont where her father is a college professor. Her classmates struggle with Mimi's race and identity. Lai, Thanhha Listen, Slowly HarperCollins, 2015. Mai unwillingly escorts her grandmother to Vietnam for the summer where details have been uncovered about her grandfather who went missing during the Vietnam War. Mai's acclimation to Vietnam is both hilarious and touching. Selznick, Brian The Marvels Scholastic, 2015. A true work of art, Selznick takes the reader on a journey through pictures and words of one theatrical family of the past and present.

Diversity Book List 2016-2017 Gr. 7-8

Fiction Continued

Smith, Ronald L. Hoodoo Clarion Books, 2015. Hoodoo Thatcher must find his "hoodoo" (folk magick) to overcome the stranger who threatens his family. Wiviott, Meg Paper Hearts Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2015. Based on a true story, this novel in verse is set at Auschwitz. Though the birthday card paper heart is an act of rebellion that could cost them their lives, Zlatka and Fania maintain their kindness and hope for the future. Zeiss, Joyce Burns Out of the Dragon's Mouth Flux, 2015. Mai is forced to leave Vietnam after the fall of Saigon with her young uncle. They arrive at a refugee camp on a Malaysian island where they must endure many horrific challenges before Mai's journey to the United States is eventually sponsored.

Poetry Engle, Margarita Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings - A Memoir Atheneum, 2015. This memoir describes the richness of growing up in two cultures, as well as the challenges that occur when the two cultures divide during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Nelson, Marilyn American Ace Dial Books, 2016. When his Italian grandmother dies, Connor's dad receives a letter telling him that the man he thought was his father, was not. Connor investigates and, with the help of a librarian, discovers that his grandfather was most likely a Tuskegee Airman. Nelson, Marilyn My Seneca Village Namelos, 2015. Nelson's poems are narrated by the residents of Seneca Village. While the residents are fictional, they are based on census records and written accounts from the real Seneca Village, a multiethnic and multiracial working class community founded in Manhattan in 1825 and abolished to make way for Central Park in 1857. Weatherford, Carole Boston Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement Candlewick Press, 2015. A series of poems outlines Hamer’s life, beginning with her birth in Mississippi as the youngest of twenty children, through her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and her election campaigns.

Diversity Book List 2016-2017 Gr. 7-8 Informational Text Brown, Don Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015. This graphic novel visually and realistically portrays the grim events surrounding Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath in New Orleans. Burgan, Michael The Untold Story of the Black Regiment: Fighting in the Revolutionary War Compass Point Books, 2015. In straightforward language, this book discusses the experiences of African American soldiers who fought during the Revolutionary War, many of whom are not included in texts on the topic. Cruz, Barbara The Fight for Latino Civil Rights Enslow Publishing, 2016. This text covers many events and issues in Latino history in the United States, including biographical information on key people. Doeden, Matt Darkness Everywhere: The Assassination of Mohandas Gandhi Twenty-First Century Books, 2014. This is the story of the events leading to Gandhi's assassination, including biographical information and historical information on India. Huey, Lois Miner Forgotten Bones: Uncovering a Slave Cemetery Millbrook Press, This book follows archaeologists as they unearth and examine a slave burial site.

2016.

Levinson, Cynthia Watch Out for Flying Kids: How Two Circuses, Two Countries and Nine Kids Confront Conflict and Build Community Peachtree, 2015. This is the story of two youth circuses, one comprised of inner-city and suburban kids from St. Louis, and one composed of both Arab and Jewish kids in Israel. The book describes the cultural differences (and similarities) noted when the two circuses meet, and also highlights the stories within each circus.

Diversity Book List 2016-2017 Gr. 7-8 Informational Text Continued

Lin, Yoming S. Defeating Depression Rosen Publishing, 2016. In a nonjudgmental way, this book outlines the possible causes and symptoms of depression and provides resources for support, sharing the message that challenges are not insurmountable. Nicholson, Hope Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection AH Comics, 2015. Moonshot is a unique juxtaposition of art and story that celebrates indigenous folklore, by indigenous authors and artists. Pinkney, Andrea Davis Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip through the Motown Sound Roaring Brook Press, 2015. Chronicling Motown's start with founder Berry Gordy, Jr., this story rolls through Motown's trials and triumphs, documenting the start and rise to fame of multiple performers, including Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and The Jackson 5, as well as the choreographers, songwriters, and other artists who made Motown great. Ross, Michael Elsohn She Takes a Stand: 16 Fearless Activists Who Have Changed the World Chicago Review Press, 2015. This book offers very accessible biographical sketches of a diverse group of international women activists. The women are presented as though the author knew them personally.