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Diversity in Kid's Literature
March 2026
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Picture Books and Early Readers
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Chapter Books & Graphic Novels
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Gracie Wei #1: You're a Winner, Gracie Wei
by Kristen Mei Chase
Gracie Wei wants nothing more than to make it onto the Wei's Special Wall, which displays awards from every family member, even her baby brother--all except for Gracie. Which is why she must win the Grapevine Elementary 4th Grade Class Spelling Bee competition.
Gracie has studied hard, there's just one problem--well, person--in her way. And her name is Elena Yarberry, who's had it out for Gracie since kindergarten. Can Gracie finally beat Elena and earn a coveted spot on the Wei's Special Wall?
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The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class: Fia Hosein Finds Her Beat
by Tracey Baptiste
After moving with her family from Trinidad, Fia makes new friends at Curiosity Academy, but when she begins to lose her Trinbagonian accent, she struggles with her identity until she finds a new way to stay connected to her roots.
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Aku: Journey to Ibra
by Micah Johnson
Aku has always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. It's easier to picture life among the stars than deal with the bully at school--or the pain of his grandfather's mysterious disappearance. But when a strange space helmet shows up in his basement, Aku is pulled into something far bigger than he ever imagined.The space helmet doesn't just look cool--it teleports him to Ibra, a distant planet under siege. There, precious Lunaberries are being stolen by a ruthless space militia, and Aku's grandfather may be the key to stopping them. With the help of his best friends and a few unlikely allies, Aku must dream bigger than ever before, find the courage to lead, and discover that bravery isn't about having no fear--it's about rising above it.
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Lola Levine Runs Out of Steam
by Monica Brown
Lola is doing TOO much! She loves all her activities, especially soccer and volunteering at the Humane Society. And she's certain that she can handle it all. But how much is too much? When Lola gets sick and has to miss all of her favorite hobbies, she begins to see that balance and rest are just as important as her other activities. Lola is NOT a good patient, but ultimately learns that our bodies (and minds) sometimes need a break.
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Queso, Just in Time
by Ernesto Cisneros
Queso wishes under the full moon to see his late father again, and suddenly finds himself back in 1985 with twelve-year-old Pancho, the boy who will grow up to be his dad-and who needs Queso's help to imagine a better future.
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Falling to Fairyland
by Sarah Jean Horwitz
In this sinister and whimsical adventure, a changeling boy embarks on a magic quest of self-discovery through a Grimm-inspired Fairyland, perfect for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Aubrey Hartman. Cricket has lived with the Fairy Witch for as long as he can remember. She may be moody and cold, and sure, maybe even a little bit evil, but she raised him as her own--even though he's a human changeling with a rare and dangerous magic. But as his thirteenth Change Day approaches, Cricket worries she may kick him out of her tower if he can't prove his worth soon. When a knight from the human world falls (literally) into Fairyland, Cricket sees his chance. He knows the knight can lead him to a coveted missing piece of the Night Sky sure to impress Cricket's fickle guardian. But after chasing him out of the tower, Cricket learns the knight has been cursed and will die soon without help. Embarking now on a quest to break the curse and steal the piece of the Night Sky, the two are thrust into a Fairyland wider, weirder, and more beautiful than they expected. As they encounter delightful characters, eerie magic, and a mischievous narrator, Cricket and the knight may discover more than they bargained for--about who they are, who they can be, and who really has their best interests at heart. In this wildly imaginative, episodic fairy tale for the modern reader, acclaimed author Sarah Jean Horwitz delivers a powerful message of identity, independence, and self-love.
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The Case of the Movie Mayhem
by Michael Hutchinson
School's out for the four Cree cousins, but this is no ordinary summer--a movie is being filmed in Windy Lake First Nation. With superheroes in their backyard, the cousins can't wait to show the actors and stunt doubles all that Windy Lake has to offer--as soon as they actually meet them, that is. On a film set, everyone has a job. Even the Muskrats, who are helping Mavis, owner of Windy Lake's well-loved House-taurant, with the film's catering. As Sam, Otter, Atim, and Chickadee take care of the cast and crew, a truck filled with specialty props and equipment disappears. Filming is halted--a disaster for everyone, including Mavis--and Windy Lake's reputation is suddenly at stake. It's up to the Mighty Muskrats to find the culprits and get the filmmaking back on track!
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Here Lies a Ghost
by Shakirah Bourne
India Hill Brown meets Sharon Draper in a spooky, poignant, tour-de-force from Shakirah Bourne -- an ode to Black Boy friendships, the richness of Caribbean history, and the power that comes from reclaiming your past. Jermaine is NOT destined to be popular at his new elite school. First, he's the poorest kid in class -- no phone, no cool sneakers, no chance. Second, he loves science and can't keep himself from gushing about geology. But after being bullied at his old school, he's desperate for the status and protection that comes from joining the Turbo Jets... even if that means abandoning Brody, a fellow outsider who truly wants to be Jermaine's friend.As part of a hazing ritual, the Turbo Jets dare Jermaine to break into the notorious haunted Chase Vault -- the crypt that once housed one of the cruelest enslavers in Barbados and his family. Then they lock him inside as a joke.Luckily, Jermaine makes it out unscathed. There's just one problem.Someone else left the crypt with him.Someone desperate to learn how she died... and get her revenge.Jermaine is relieved someone else can see the ghost: his ex-best friend Brody. But freeing her won't be easy. It means ditching the Turbo Jets, teaming up with Brody, and unearthing ugly secrets from the island's colonial past. Will Jermaine really risk everything to help the suffering spirit find peace?
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