Multicultural Children’s Booklist
Family Tree
Katherine Ayres
J Ayres 1996
Amish
Tyler Stoudt has been raised by her father since her mother died in a car
accident. When her sixth grade teacher assigns each student to create a family
tree, Tyler realizes that she doesn't know anything about her family.
*Also available as a book on tape.
Ernestine and Amanda
Sandra Belton
J Belton1996
African American
Ernestine and Amanda are not friends but they aren't really enemies either,
and taking piano lessons from the same teacher means that they keep running into
each other whether they like it or not.
*Also available as a book on tape. *Look for other books featuring Ernestine and
Amanda.
Suki and the Wonder Star
Joyce Blackburn
J Blackburn 1998
Japanese American/Latin American
Suki is jealous when her friend begins spending time with Manuel, but a dream
revealing the true meaning of Christmas helps her accept friendship of all
kinds.
*Available as a book on tape. *Look for other books about Suki.
Chevrolet Saturdays
Candy Dawson Boyd
J Boyd 1993
African American
Joey has a difficult time adjusting to life with a new stepfather until his
friends help him see that life with two fathers won't be so bad after all.
Eagle Song
Joseph Bruchac
J Bruchac 1997
Native American
It's hard being the only Native American kid at Danny's new school until
Danny's father helps him learn that making friends is never easy, but always
worth the extra effort.
The Paint Brush Kid
Clyde Robert Bulla
J Bulla 2000
Mexican American
Uncle Pancho brightens the neighborhood with his stories about Mexico. When
his house is scheduled to be destroyed, Gregory decides to paint the house with
colorful murals to try and save it.
*Also available as a book on tape.
Sarah and the Naked Truth
Elisa Lynn Carbone
J Carbone 2000
Trinidad/El Salvador
Whether the obstacle is racial prejudice, a physical disability or being the
only girl on an all-boy basketball team, Sarah, Christina and Olivia stick
together.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963
Christopher Paul Curtis
J Curtis 1995
African American
This is the story of Kenny and his sister and brother and their many
adventures, including a trip to Birmingham, Alabama at the time of the historic
church bombing.
*Also available as a book on tape.
The Window
Michael Dorris
J Dorris 1997
Native American / African American /European American
Rayona has to explore her feelings about her multiracial background when she
discovers that her family isn't exactly what she imagined.
Yolonda's Genius
Carol Fenner
J Fenner 1995
African American
Yolonda is convinced that her little brother is a musical genius but because he
has difficulty learning to read no one believes her.
*Also available as a book on tape.
Bluish
Virginia Hamilton J Hamilton 1999
African American / Jewish
Though Natalie is very ill with leukemia, it doesn't stop her from becoming
friends with two girls who are very different.
Ola Shakes It Up
Joanne Hyppolite
J Hyppolite 1998
African American/Haitian
When Ola's family moves from racially diverse Boston to a mostly-White
suburb there are many changes for everyone in the family.
Maniac Monkeys on Magnolia Street
Angela Johnson
J Johnson 1999
African American
When a wacky girl named Charlie moves to a new neighborhood she's not sure
if she will like it until she makes a new friend in Billy.
Felita
Nicholasa Mohr
J Mohr 1979
Puerto Rican Americans
Felita experiences racial prejudice when her family moves to a new neighborhood
but Felita's grandmother helps her overcome the difficulties.
Yang the Third and Her Impossible Family
Lensey Namioka
J Namioka 1995
Chinese American
Yingmei Yang is doing her best to learn everything American. She's changed her
name to Mary and she adopts a kitten to try and impress a girl at school. But
how long can she keep the kitten a secret?
Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear
Lensey Namioka
J Namioka 1992
Chinese American
Yingtao has many problems in his life but the biggest one is the fact that he
can't play the violin very well no matter how hard he tries!
Keisha To The Rescue
Teresa Reed
J Reed 1996
African American / Economically disadvantaged
When Keisha visits the magic attic she is able to see the effects of
prejudice on someone other than herself. Part of the Magic Attic Club series.
Boys at Work
Gary Soto
J Soto 1995
Mexican American
After Rudy accidentally breaks a Discman that belongs to a bully, Rudy and
Alex set out on a crazy adventure to find jobs and make money to pay for it.
*Also available as a book on tape.
The Skirt
Gary Soto
J Soto1992
Mexican American
When Miata leaves her folklorico skirt on the school bus she must figure out
a way to get it back in time for her special Mexican dance performance.
*Also available as a book on tape.
Dangerous Skies
Suzanne Fisher Staples
J Staples 1996
African American/European American
Buck and Tunes are very unlikely best friends because one is a white boy and
the other is a black girl growing up in the South. When tragedy strikes, and
Tunes is accused of a serious crime, their friendship is tested to the limits.
*Also available as a book on tape.
Additional Suggestions:
Many of the authors listed here have additional books that might be of
interest to you.
The Coretta Scott King Award list is an excellent source of additional titles
featuring African Americans.
This booklist includes only titles set in contemporary United States
settings. Many more books are available that feature historical settings and
other locations.
Prepared by TRL Youth Services Staff
6/02
