Non-Prose/ Graphic Novels

PICTURE BOOKS

A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles

by Thich Nhat Hanh

No lexile, K-4

Picture book that outlines a meditation practice to help readers relieve stress, increase concentration, and connect with nature.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781937006211

A Movie in My Pillow

by Jorge Argueta / Elizabeth Gomez

No lexile, 3-5

Bilingual poems about immigration and the beauty of El Salvador.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780892392193

Before She Was Harriet

by Lesa Cline-Ransome / James E. Ransome

NP, PreK-3

Poetic biography to honor the American heroine Harriet Tubman.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780823444298

Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes

by Wab Kinew / Joe Morse

n/a, K-4

Biographical picture book using the lyrics of a rap song to celebrate various indigenous heroes.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780735262928

Here I Am

by Patti Kim / Sonia Sánchez

NP, K-5

Wordless picture book about a boy who just immigrated to an unfamiliar American city.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781479519316

Imagine!

by Raúl Colón

NP, PreK-3

Wordless picture book about a boy who walks into a museum and ponders a painting until it comes to life.

https://bookshop.org/books/imagine-9787572203565/9781481462730

Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation

by Edwidge Danticat / Leslie Staub

NC 890L, K-3

Realistic picture book about a family that was separated by detention services after immigrating to the US from Haiti.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780525428091

My Chinatown: One Year in Poems

by Kam Mak

NP, PreK-3

Series of poems following a boy who immigrated from China as he adjusts to his new home in New York City's Chinatown.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780060291907

Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations

by Kelly Starling Lyons / Keith Mallet

NP, K-3

Picture book about the power and history of the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing," known as the Black National Anthem.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780525516095

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

by Traci Sorell / Frane Lessac

NC 970L, PreK-2

Bilingual, nonfiction picture book talking about gratitude and the modern-day lives of Cherokee citizens.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781580897723

Yes I Can! The Story of the Jamaican Bobsled Team

by Devon Harris / Ricardo Cortés

No lexile, 3-4

Biography in verse about the Jamaican bobsled team, who qualified for the Olympics without supplies, support, and even ice to practice on.

https://www.amazon.com/Yes-Can-Story-Jamaican-Bobsled/dp/0976408252

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey

by Ozge Samanci

HL 570L, 9+

Autobiographical graphic novel about finding your artistic voice amid political and religious tension.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780374316983

New Kid

by Jerry Craft

GN 320L, 3-7

Realistic middle grade graphic novel about a boy who moves to a private school where there are only a few other students who look like him.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780062691194

Stargazing

by Jen Wang

GN 510L, 3-7

Realistic graphic novel about the friendship between two girls of Chinese descent.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781250183880

Surviving the City

by Tasha Spillett / Natasha Donovan

HL 550L, 8-12

Realistic graphic novel following two girls of Anishinaabe and Inninew descent as they navigate urban living.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781553797562

The Magic Fish

by Trung Le Nguyen

HL 400L, 7-9

Autobiographical graphic novel about fairy tales, language barriers, and coming out as gay.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781984851598

They Called Us Enemy

by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott / Harmony Becker

GN 680L, 10-12

Graphic memoirs about actor George Takei's childhood imprisonment in American Concentration Camps for people of Japanese descent during WWII.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781603094504

This Place: 150 Years Retold

by multiple authors

HL 700L, 8-12

Graphic novel anthology about the history about how Indigenous people in Canada survived a post-apocalyptic world since Contact.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781553797586

When Stars Are Scattered

by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed

GN 530L, 4-7

Nonfiction graphic novel following the lives of two brothers from Somali, one of whom is autistic, in a refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780525553908

OTHER

Break the Mould: How to Take Your Place in the World

by Sinéad Burke / Natalie Byrne

No lexile, 6-8

Guidebook based on the author's experiences to help readers use their voice to make the world more inclusive.

https://www.amazon.com/Break-Mould-Take-Place-World-ebook/dp/B08931VQXN

Fred Korematsu Speaks Up

by Laura Atkins, Stan Yogi / Yutaka Houlette

930L, 4-6

Biographical book in verse about Fred Korematsu's activism against the treatment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781597143684

Inside Out and Back Again

by Thanhhá Lai

800L, 3-7

Historical novel about a girl who is forced to immigrate from Vietnam to Alabama during the Vietnam War.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780061962790

Red, White, and Whole

by Rajani LaRocca

No lexile, 3-7

Novel in verse about a girl of Indian descent whose life turns upside down when her mom is diagnosed with cancer.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780063047426

Say Her Name

by Zetta Elliott / Loveis Wise

No lexile, 7+

Poems that support Black Lives Matter activists and pay tribute to victims of police brutality.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781368045247

The Crossover

by Kwame Alexander

750L, 5-7

Realistic novel in verse about family and brotherhood, following twin brothers who love playing basketball.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780544935204

The Poet X

by Elizabeth Acevedo

HL 800L, 8-9

Novel in verse about religion, family conflict, and speaking out, featuring a girl of Dominican descent who loves slam poetry.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9780062662811

We Are Inspiring: The Stories of 32 Inspirational Asian American Women

by Angel Trazo

No lexile, 1-3 out loud / 4-6

Biographical book featuring females of Asian and Pacific Island descent, including those of different backgrounds, body sizes, ethnicities, and LGBTQ+ identities.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781543974164

What We Believe: A Black Lives Matter Principles Activity Book

by Laleña Garcia / Caryn Davidson

No lexile, PreK-5

Activity book explaining the principles of the Black Lives Matter movement, including just action, empathy, and strength.

https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/book/9781643794778