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Diversity in Kid's Literature
January 2026
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Picture Books and Early Readers
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Chapter Books & Graphic Novels
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Nadia Islam, on the Record
by Adiba Jaigirdar
In this illustrated middle grade novel by bestselling author Adiba Jaigirdar, a curious and competitive girl travels to celebrate Ramadan with her family in Bangladesh, where she learns about the country's climate crisis--and the true meaning of her favorite holiday. A must-read for fans of Saadia Faruqi and Kelly Yang!Even though Nadia Islam is excited to meet her cousins on her summer trip to Bangladesh, she is disappointed not to be celebrating her first Ramadan fasting alongside her best friend, Yasmin. Then again, she just might find the news story that will get her picked to be her school paper's editor-in-chief!As soon as she lands, Nadia realizes she has a lot to learn about Bangladesh. Fortunately, her favorite aunt (and fellow journalist) is spending the summer researching the disastrous flooding in the region--and she just might need Nadia's help to get the inside scoop about the country's climate dangers.Meanwhile, Nadia's cousins are almost as competitive as she is, and suggest a contest to see who can keep the most fasts. Between her journalism and her determination to win the Ramadan Race, Nadia is sure to have the best Ramadan ever--right? Adiba Jaigirdar's middle grade debut, with lovely interior artwork by Avani Dwivedi, celebrates family, faith, and community, and will inspire young readers looking to make their own difference in the world.
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Destiny of the Diamond Princess
by Sherri Winston
The Princess Diaries meets From the Desk of Zoey Washington in this story about a girl who is reconnected with her birth family, only to discover that she is an African princess and the key to unlocking an ancient curse.
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Hattie Mae Begins Again
by Sharon G. Flake
A southern girl attends an elite girls boarding school in the north must find the courage to be herself and to dream of a brighter future, set against the backdrop of the great migration.
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The Beasts of Winter: A Daggers of Ire Novel
by J. C. Cervantes
A thrilling, heartfelt, and magical companion to The Daggers of Ire from J. C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author of the Storm Runner series. Perfect for fans of Witchlings and Amari and the Night Brothers!Fetch the fox is on his own.Fetch is a weaver of magic, gifted with immense powers--but there is no one left to teach him how to master them. And no one to share his life with since the cruel Winter Queen, Celeste, cursed Fetch into a fox and abducted his beloved younger sister, Violet.As Celeste awakens from her slumber to usher in Winter once more, she makes a stunning announcement: the Winter Palace--the very place where Violet is being held captive--will host a festival. With the palace's spelled protections down for just one evening, the opportunity to save his sister might finally be in Fetch's grasp. And so, with only Beckblade, a tiny yet fierce bone dragon, for company, he sets off on a treacherous rescue mission.But what Fetch doesn't realize is that a dark and mysterious secret lies buried within him, one that could unravel everything. Can Fetch discover what plagues him before it leads to his ruin, and he loses Violet and their magic forever?
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Hula Heritage
by Jake Maddox
After Kai's family moves from Hawai'i, he feels frustrated and disconnected after being forced to leave everything he's worked for. Can hula help build a connection to his family's traditions and his own strength?
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Gabby Torres Is the Best Winner Ever
by Angela Dominguez
In the second book in the Gabby Torres graphic novel series, nine-year-old Gabby discovers the true meaning of winning when she enters a baking contest, perfect for fans of THE CUPCAKE DIARIES and DORY FANTASMAGORY. Gabby has a new idea: now that she's finally learned how to not burn her cookies, she will become the best baker the world has ever seen! The local grocery store's baking competition is the perfect opportunity to show everyone what she's made of... winner material! All she needs to do is buy books for research and baking supplies... and more baking supplies... and more baking supplies... oh dear. What will happen when her money, and her parents' patience, runs out? This heartwarming series is written and illustrated by Angela Dominguez, the New York Times bestselling illustrator who created the beloved Stella Díaz series. Gabby Torres is tenacious, bold, relatable, and hilarious, reminiscent of favorite characters like Junie B. Jones, Clementine, and Ramona Quimby.
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The Star of Moon Village
by Jennifer Ann Richter
Even in outer space there are frenemies. Priscilla Cobb has spent her whole life dreaming of space. The underground scientific labs on the Moon are the stuff of legend. So when an international student research voyage to the Moon is announced, Priscilla trains day in and day out. But as Priscilla discovers, research will not be the priority of the trip. In fact, the whole trip starts to feel like a vacation for the ultrarich and famous. And when a surprise secret guest is revealed (someone Priscilla hoped to never cross paths with again), she decides enough is enough. It's time for science to fight back. Combining classic middle school growing pains with a near-future space setting, The Star of Moon Village is a smart and empathetic read perfect for fans of Stacy McAnulty's The Miscalculations of Lightning, Jennifer L. Holm's The Lion of Mars, and Jasmine Warga's A Rover's Story. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
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The Snips: Enter the Wigmaster! (a Graphic Novel)
by Raul the Third
For readers of Dog Man and The Bad Guys comes a fun and zany early graphic novel series starring a crew of scissor-wielding hairdresser superheroes. In this hilarious adventure the Snips must take on the nefarious Wigmaster in a hair-raising battle for Scissors City! The Snips aren't your average heroes - Casco, Patty, Letty, Nubes, and Flealix the Dog make up Scissor City's beloved crew of crime-fighting, mystery-solving barbers! In their latest comic caper, The Snips take on the dastardly Wig Master and his wignions who are intent on nothing less than world domination, of course. Things start to look hairy, when Patty, Letty, and Nubes fall under the Wigmaster's hypnotic control. But never fear -- Casco and Flealix are on the case! This easy-to-read graphic novel series will be perfect for kids 7-10, those who are reluctant readers or newly independent readers, as well as kids who just like jokes, puns, and outrageous humor.
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