Tommy is part of a posse, a group of six seventh-grade students who have been friends forever. He leads this posse in a neighborhood effort to slow down traffic on his street where a deaf girl lives. Meanwhile, Tommy’s mother leads a protest march called “A Day for Vincent Chin” in the state capitol. Chin, a Chinese man, was beaten to death by racist auto workers, who mistakenly assumed he was Japanese. Tommy, who more than anything wants to fit in, dislikes his mother’s leadership role because it draws attention …

Before Scully can open her eyes and put in her hearing aids, her brother Leo begins a tease-torture campaign. Meanwhile Mom, who is studying for exams, has no patience to discuss anything. Scully sneaks out into the rain and turns her hearing aids all the way up to catch the whooshing sound. She is dragged back inside from this favorite activity by her wet, angry mother and grounded until dinnertime. Later, a more relaxed Mom and Scully go outside and wait for the stars to come out. The text is …

When Allison tries on a kimono her grandmother sends her, she realizes she looks more like her Japanese doll, Mei Mei, than her parents. When her parents explain that she is adopted, she withdraws from them and her playmates at school and destroys childhood keepsakes that belong to her adoptive parents. Taking in a stray cat helps Allison see the true nature of adoption and love. Realistic illustrations show the many emotions Allison experiences on her way to acceptance.

Come join Amy as she travels to all seven continents. Amy’s Travels, based on a true story, teaches the geography, culture, and diversity of the world through the eyes of a young child.

Wodney Wat, a shy rodent, is teased by his classmates because he can’t pronounce R’s. Wodney, however, transforms into a hero when he saves his classmates from the mean bully, Camilla Capybara, by outwitting her in a game of Simon Says. Munsinger’s drawings add to the humor. This book is sure to make kids laugh out loud and reassure those that feel like outsiders that their day will come!

This is a heartwarming story based on the real-life relationship between Sarah, a busy teacher, dancer, and musician, and Perry, her guide dog. Through Perry’s eyes, young readers follow this pair through a typical day — watching them waking up, shopping, visiting a class of school children, playing in the park, and going to bed. Through illustrations with bold shapes and rich colors and a simple, warm text, children will learn about the ways a guide dog helps a blind person and the deep bond that develops between the two.

Fourteen-year-old Amir has bounced from foster home to foster home since the death of his parents. He now lives with the loving Smiths who have raised his youngest brother, Ronald, since he was a baby. Amir’s goal is to unite all of his brothers and sisters. His lifeline during this time is Doris, a friend from his old neighborhood in the Bronx. They write letters sharing their feelings and concerns. When Doris writes about a friend experimenting with drugs, Amir must come to terms with his family’s past. And when …

Paul has a younger brother, Jacob, who has Down’s syndrome, and he is angry. He doesn’t like the attention his brother receives and he doesn’t want anyone to know they are brothers. Guided by his patient and wise grandfather, Paul makes a painful journey while coming to terms with feelings about his brother.

This is the story of a young Indian boy’s struggle to meet life’s challenges and overcome his sight impairment. During his naming ceremony, Walnut must prove his readiness to make the passage from boyhood to manhood by performing a physical feat using a bow and arrow. Hitting the target successfully means he will be considered an adult among his people and given a new name. Realizing this is an impossible task for her son, Walnut’s mother teaches him to strengthen his other senses. When Walnut demonstrates his “special sight,” he …

Children who are teased at school, who are shy about speaking in front of the class, or who simply see themselves as not fitting in are bound to find relief in this tale about a cow who oinks and a pig who moos. This book teaches a great lesson about accepting differences.