Book Reviews Diverse Voices

A boy wakes early to help his grandmother make a family rug, and the work begins long before the weaving. Together they wash the wool, dye it, and prepare the threads. Then comes the part that makes him nervous: tying the knots. He wants every color and every movement to be perfect, but his hands do not move like his grandmother’s. As they work side by side, he begins to see that a rug is more than a pattern. It can hold memory, family, tradition, and love. A Knot Is Not a Tangle is a lyrical picture book about Persian rug-making, patience, and the gentle truth that mistakes can become part of something beautiful.

Jay is a bright, happy boy who loves spending time with his friends, getting warm hugs from his grandmother, and measuring his growing height on the living room wall. But as the pencil marks climb higher, the adults in his life start to worry. His grandfather warns him about standing in large groups, and his father sits him down to explain exactly how to behave if the police ever stop him. Jay just wants to be a regular kid, but he must learn the harsh realities of navigating a prejudiced world. This gentle and honest story explores a vital conversation that families of color share with their children every day. It provides a compassionate starting point for families everywhere to discuss fairness, safety, and the changes needed to build a better future.

Zora is a bright young girl who craves stories the way bees crave sweet honey. Growing up, her mother always encouraged her to jump at the sun, knowing that even if she missed, she would at least get off the ground. Carrying this bold advice in her heart, Zora travels from the lively porch of her hometown general store all the way to the bustling streets of Harlem. Along the way, she listens closely to the rich folktales of her people, stories that others have ignored or forgotten. Driven by an unstoppable spirit, she decides to write these incredible tales down for the whole world to read. Discover the true story of how Zora Neale Hurston became a legendary writer and preserved the vibrant culture and voices of her community.

Jasmine Toguchi is tired of Sophie doing everything first. As New Year's approaches, Jasmine's family gathers in Los Angeles to make mochi. Sophie gets to help the women roll the soft rice treats, but Jasmine is told she is too young. That is when Jasmine spots a different chance: pounding mochi with the men. It is special, it is important, and Sophie has definitely never done it before. But tradition says mochi pounding is for boys, and the heavy hammer is not easy to lift. With determination, humor, and plenty of mess, Jasmine sets out to prove she deserves a turn. This lively first book in the Jasmine Toguchi series celebrates family, Japanese American culture, and a girl who wants to make her own place.

Jasmine Toguchi has packed her toothbrush, her special journal, and a huge amount of excitement. Her family is going to Japan, and Tokyo is full of things to discover: temples, city views, ramen shops, and places Jasmine has only heard about before. But exploring a new country is not always easy. Jasmine makes mistakes, gets confused, and cannot seem to escape her older sister Sophie's bad mood. With humor and heart, this illustrated chapter book follows Jasmine as she tries to find her footing far from home. Readers will enjoy the travel adventure, the sibling tension, and the lively introduction to Japanese culture through the eyes of a curious eight-year-old who wants very much to be brave.

Jasmine Toguchi has a mystery to solve, and it starts with a weekend that refuses to go according to plan. Girl's Day should mean fun with her sister, her mom, and her best friend Linnie. There are outfits to choose, accessories to find, and a special Japanese celebration to enjoy. But then Linnie acts strangely, Sophie seems uninterested, and Jasmine starts noticing clues everywhere. As Jasmine tries to figure out what is really going on, she discovers that not every mystery is about hidden objects or secret messages. Some clues are about feelings, friendship, and paying attention to the people you love. This warm, funny chapter book is a sweet choice for readers who enjoy family stories, friendship puzzles, and a curious heroine with plenty of energy.

The playground is the perfect spot for a fun afternoon, but things get a little complicated when two different groups of kids try to share the space. Three of the children speak only English, and three of the children speak only Spanish. At first, they cannot understand each other's words, and it seems like they will just have to play separately. But as they watch each other jump, run, and explore, they realize something wonderful. They might use different words to describe the world, but they express the exact same feelings. More importantly, everyone sounds exactly the same when they are laughing. This clever and heartwarming bilingual adventure seamlessly weaves Spanish and English together, showing you that friendship does not need a perfect translation. By paying attention and being open, the kids discover new vocabulary and figure out how to play an amazing game together. Step into a beautiful story that breaks down language barriers and proves we are all much more alike than we are different.

Your family is full of happy memories, special traditions, and lots of love. For one young boy, his favorite moments are spent with his Nana, baking treats and singing songs together. But lately, Nana has started to forget things. She forgets where she put her glasses, and sometimes she forgets important plans. It can be confusing and a little scary when someone you love begins to change because of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Even though Nana's memory is fading, the love she shares with her family remains as strong as ever. This gentle and compassionate story helps you understand what happens when a grandparent gets sick, showing that there are always beautiful ways to stay connected. Through patience, hugs, and favorite songs, you will see how families can hold onto their special bonds no matter what challenges they face.

Jump into dumpsters, crawl through cramped attics, and rummage around musty basements on a thrilling treasure hunt to save history. Aaron Lansky was on a mission to rescue any book written in Yiddish, the language spoken by generations of European Jews. When experts guessed there were only a few thousand of these books left in the world, Aaron knew he had to act fast before they were lost forever. Follow his incredible journey as he defies the odds to collect nearly one and a half million books, preserving a rich culture and vital stories for the future. Accompanied by bold and beautiful illustrations, this inspiring true story shows how one person's dedication can rescue an entire piece of history and keep a beautiful language alive.

Kai’s whole family can move. At Donovan celebrations, everyone seems to know the Electric Slide, and everyone has a dance nickname to prove it. Everyone except Kai. With his aunt’s wedding coming up, Kai wants more than anything to join the line, keep up with the steps, and earn a name from Granddad. But the footwork feels tricky, the music feels fast, and his nerves keep getting in the way. This joyful picture book celebrates family traditions, African American family life, music, movement, and the courage it takes to try again. With warmth and humor, The Electric Slide and Kai invites young readers onto the dance floor, where practice, love, and a little confidence can help every kid find their rhythm.

Walking through the doors of a new school is terrifying, especially when you are worried your classmates will not be able to pronounce your name. Unhei has just traveled all the way from Korea to the United States. When it is time to introduce herself on the very first day, she panics and announces she will choose an American name by the end of the week. Her classmates decide to help by filling a glass jar with suggestions like Amanda, Laura, and Suzy. But as Unhei pulls out slip after slip of paper, none of the names feel like they belong to her. Follow Unhei on a heartwarming journey of self-discovery as she learns to embrace her heritage, find her courage, and realize that the best name of all is her own.

Imagine designing top-secret airplanes and spacecraft that fly faster than you can believe. Mary Golda Ross did exactly that as the very first female engineer for the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. You will follow Mary's incredible journey, starting from when she was the only girl sitting in her high school math class. Guided by a fierce passion for numbers and the strong Cherokee values she learned growing up, Mary became a teacher before stepping into the highly classified world of aerospace engineering. Discover how she used her talents to help reach the stars while keeping her feet firmly planted in her community. By working together, remaining humble, and mentoring other Native Americans and young women, Mary proved that education and equal opportunity can launch anyone into an extraordinary future.