Antiracism & Inclusion Read in Color Recommended Reads

Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence by Maisha Oso, illustrated by Candice Bradley (40 pp, Orchard Books, 2024). For so many of us, the first introduction to Black history begins with lessons about slavery. While slavery is a crucial part of African-American history, it is not the beginning. In fact, there is a rich history tied to the continent of Africa that deserves to be told and to be marveled at– which is exactly what Maisha Oso does in Before the Ships. With sparse yet moving text, Maisha takes us back in time to before the advent of the Transatlantic slave trade. We see the grandness of African royalty, the bravery of warriors like the Queen of Kush, and stories being told in song with griots and drums. Candice Bradley’s gorgeous and reflective illustrations illuminate the strength of Black history and Black joy, reminding readers about the power within us all. Ages 4 – 8.

Call Me Gebyanesh by Arlene Rosenfeld Schenker and Gebyanesh Addisu, illustrated by Chiara Fedele (32 pp, Apples & Honey Press, 2025). Will I ever belong here? Gebyanesh asked herself that very question on her first day in her new school in her new country. Her family had just moved to Jerusalem from Ethiopia, and already she was feeling unsettled by how different everything was. This was only made worse when her teacher could not pronounce her name–and wouldn’t really even try. “We will call you Rakhel,” the teacher said. That isn’t my name, Gebyanesh thought. But she said nothing. Ages 4 – 8.

Call Me Miss Hamilton by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford (40 pp, Millbrook Press, 2022). Mary Hamilton grew up knowing right from wrong. She was proud to be Black, and when the chance came along to join the Civil Rights Movement and become a Freedom Rider, she was eager to fight for what she believed in. Mary was arrested again and again–and she did not back down when faced with insults or disrespect. In an Alabama court, a white prosecutor called her by her first name, but she refused to answer unless he called her “Miss Hamilton.” The judge charged her with contempt of court, but that wasn’t the end of it. Miss Mary Hamilton fought the contempt charge all the way to the Supreme Court.

Powerful free verse from Carole Boston Weatherford and striking scratchboard illustrations by Jeffery Boston Weatherford, accompanied by archival photographs, honor this unsung heroine who took a stand for respect–and won. Ages 7 – 11.

Charlotte and the Nutcracker by Charlotte Nebres, illustrated by Alea Marley (40 pp, Random House Books for Young Readers, 2021). The only thing Charlotte loves as much as ballet is Christmas. So, when she gets the opportunity to play Marie in the New York City Ballet’s The Nutcracker, she leaps at the chance.

Dancing takes practice-hours of adjusting her arms and perfecting her jumps. With the help of her Trinidadian and Filipino families, encouragement from her sister, and a view of her mom and dad in the audience, Charlotte finds the strength to never give up. Ages 4 – 8.

The Doll Test by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by David Elmo Cooper (32 pp, Carolrhoda Books, 2024). During the first half of the twentieth century, schoolchildren in many parts of the United States were segregated–Black children and white children could not legally attend the same schools. In their so-called doll test, pioneering Black psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark investigated the effects of segregation by presenting children with two Black and two white baby dolls. “Show me the doll that you like best,” they said. “Show me the doll that looks like you.” Ages 7 – 11.

Everybelly by Thao Lam (40 pp, Groundwood Books, 2025). Maddie and her mom spend a sunny day at the local public pool where she meets and greets friends and neighbors. Maddie is waist-high on most of them, and she knows there’s an interesting person behind every belly she passes — like Jackie, the artist with a splatter of ice cream across their belly. Maddie’s splatter painting often leaves Mama speechless, too!

The poolside belly parade keeps Maddie musing: How bellies can make excellent tables, how hard some people work to keep their bellies flat when Maddie prefers her belly full, and how you should never, ever stick your hands in other people’s bellies, no matter how soft and doughy they might look. (Maddie’s cat taught her that the hard way.) Ages 3 – 6.

A Home on the Page by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Seo Kim (32 pp, Carolrhoda Books, 2026). Nou loves her family, and she likes the brown house where they live, surrounded by trees with sheltering branches. But the young Hmong American girl’s sense of safety and belonging is shattered after she wakes one day to find a hateful message spray-painted on the family’s mailbox: “Asians Go Home.” So Nou asks her parents if they can leave.

Nou’s question leads her on a journey to discover where each member of her family finds home. For her father, it is in his songs. For her mother, it is in the garden. In a world that doesn’t always welcome her, where can Nou find home? Ages 5 – 10.

How Do You Jew? by Suzy Ultman (24 pp, Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2026). This modern and whimsical Jewish-themed series is the first of its kind to incorporate both Jewish traditions and Jewish culture, offering a truly representative and current depiction of Judaism. How Do You Jew? introduces readers to Jewish traditions from around the world, validating the varied experiences of Jewish readers and celebrating the global Jewish community. Ages 2 – 4.

I’m So Happy You’re Here by Mychal Threets, illustrated by Lorraine Nam (32 pp, Random House Books for Young Readers, 2026). Welcome to the library!

It’s a place just for you! There are activities, movies, games, and SO. MANY. STORIES. Best of all, it’s a place where you will always belong.

Take a tour of the library with the internet’s favorite librarian, Mychal Threets! This heartwarming debut picture book from Mychal extends an invitation to anyone who could use a little library joy and a reminder that libraries are for everyone. Ages 3 – 7. En español.

The Untold Story of Larry Itliong by Cristina Oxtra (32 pp, Capstone Press, 2023). You may have read about Cesar Chavez’s leadership in organizing the well-known Delano Grape Strike and Boycott of the 1960s.

But did you know it began as a strike led by Larry Itliong?

He was a Filipino labor organizer who had also been working with grape pickers in California at the time. Ages 8 – 11.

Revolutions Are Made of Love by Mélina Mangal and Sun Yung Shin, illustrated by Leslie Barlow (40 pp, Carolrhoda Books, 2025). This was a core belief of activists and married couple James Boggs and Grace Lee Boggs. James Boggs was a worker from rural Alabama in the segregated South. Grace Lee Boggs was a philosopher from urban Rhode Island and New York City. Both found their life’s work, and each other, in Detroit. James and Grace were drawn to civil rights–and the labor, social, and political organizations through which people struggled for better living conditions for all. Ages 7 – 11.

Small Shoes, Great Strides by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by Alex Bostic (40 pp, Carolrhoda Books, 2023). Escorted by U.S. Marshals and facing swarms of shouting protestors, they became the first children in New Orleans to integrate a previously all-white school, just ten minutes before Ruby Bridges. Like Ruby, the trio faced crowds of protestors fighting against public school desegregation efforts and relied on US Marshals to keep them safe. That day was just the beginning of their journey.

Despite hate mail, death threats, and ongoing protests, Leona, Tessie, and Gail continued attending McDonogh No. 19 Public School. To ensure their safety, classroom windows were covered with paper, and they weren’t allowed outside for recess. With the love and protection of their parents, the Marshals, and their kindly teacher, the girls carried on and formed a close bond, becoming friends for life. Ages 7 – 11.

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes (272 pp, Viking Books for Young Readers, 2025). In the small town of Great Mountain, Mississippi, all eyes are on Henson Blayze, a thirteen-year-old football phenom whose talents seem almost superhuman. The predominately white townsfolk have been waiting for Henson to play high school ball, and now they’re overjoyed to finally possess an elite Black athlete of their own.

Until a horrifying incident forces Henson to speak out about injustice.
Until he says that he might not play football anymore.
Until he quickly learns he isn’t as loved by the people as he thought. Ages 10 and up.

Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now by Jeff Yang, Phil Yu, and Philip Wang (496 pp, Harper, 2022). When the Hart-Celler Act passed in 1965, opening up US immigration to non-Europeans, it ushered in a whole new era. But even to the first generation of Asian Americans born in the US after that milestone, it would have been impossible to imagine that sushi and boba would one day be beloved by all, that a Korean boy band named BTS would be the biggest musical act in the world, that one of the most acclaimed and popular movies of 2018 would be Crazy Rich Asians, or that we would have an Asian American Vice President. And that’s not even mentioning the creators, performers, entrepreneurs, execs and influencers who’ve been making all this happen, behind the scenes and on the screen; or the activists and representatives continuing to fight for equity, building coalitions and defiantly holding space for our voices and concerns. And still: Asian America is just getting started. 

Space Chasers by Leland Melvin by Leland Melvin and Joe Caramagna, illustrated by Alison Acton (240 pp, First Second, 2025). When Tia Valor takes a test on a whim for an exclusive NASA program for middle schoolers, she never thought she’d pass. After all, she never really fit in at school. In fact, she’s been skipping school most days to work at her brother’s auto shop instead. But Leland Melvin, a famed astronaut, sees potential in Tia, and before she knows it, she’s part of a team of other talented kids training to launch to an advanced space station orbiting the earth. But the perils of space are unpredictable and Tia finds herself with only half her crew and no adults around to help. Now she must rely on her instincts and the quick thinking of her fellow kid astronauts to save the space station and their lives! Ages 8 – 12.

What Jewish Looks Like by Liz Kleinrock and Caroline Kusin Pritchard, illustrated by Iris Gottlieb (128 pp, HarperCollins, 2024). Too many Jews have been told: “You don’t look Jewish!” It begs the question, “What does Jewish look like?” Well, there are over fifteen million Jews in the world, which means there are more than fifteen million ways to look and be Jewish. It can look like setting out menorahs on tribal land, adding kimchi to the seder plate, organizing for change, and living out loud.

Shining a light on Paralympians and chefs, anthropologists and activists, dancers and dreamers, the individuals in these pages represent a range of identities. But they are threaded together by one unmistakable truth: Their lives, work, and commitment to Jewish values have changed our world for the better. These bold profiles and inspiring everyday stories come together to create a tapestry that beautifully reflects the multifaceted essence of the Jewish people. Ages 8 – 12.

All Power to the People: Poems to Address the Past, Present, and Future of Policing by Ari Tison and Ty Chapman, illustrated by Damon Davis (128 pp, Zest Books, 2026). This wide-ranging collection springs from a simple invitation to share stories. It includes contributions from nearly forty poets, including Ada Limón, Jason Reynolds, Erin Entrada Kelly, Danez Smith, and Amanda Gorman. The multifaceted chorus of voices explores experiences and emotions related to policing and over-policing by various law enforcement officers and agencies, touching on everything from the slave trade to an ICE agent killing Renee Good in early 2026. Evocative pieces of artwork by Damon Davis are interspersed, adding additional layers of meaning. Ages 13 – 18.

Chain of Ideas by Ibram X. Kendi (592 pp, One World, 2026). Recall the words chanted in Charlottesville, Virginia: “You will not replace us!” Recall the string of mass shooters across the globe—in Oslo, Christchurch, Buffalo, El Paso, and Pittsburgh—who claimed their crimes were a defense against “White genocide.” Recall business and media figures cultivating anxiety and furor over demographic change. These incidents only scratch the surface: Popular and ruling politicians in every region of the world have expressed some version of great replacement theory, eroding democratic norms in the name of preventing demographic change.

We Are Each Other’s Liberation: Black and Asian Feminist Solidarity edited by Jaimee A. Swift, Td Tso, and Rachel Kuo (384 pp, Haymarket Books, 2025). A collaborative project between Black Women Radicals and the Asian American Feminist Collective, We Are Each Other’s Liberation envisions a cross-racial and internationalist politics that explicitly addresses solidarity between Black and Asian feminists. Bringing together organizers, artists, journalists, poets, novelists, and more, this collection introduces readers to new ways of understanding and reflecting on race and feminism.

We Deserve to Heal: Black Women on the Perils and Promises of Friendship with White Women edited by Patrice Gopo (184 pp, University Press of Kentucky, 2026). Can Black women have thriving friendships with white women in a society steeped in the realities of racism? Can such friendships experience the presence of genuine mutuality?

We Deserve to Heal: Black Women on the Perils and Promises of Friendship with White Women features essays from ten intergenerational Black women who consider these questions through themes such as identity, belonging, rupture, and freedom. This powerful and perceptive anthology speaks honestly of the beauty and the struggles, the welcome and the wounds. Each piece pairs with a response from another contributor, fostering an innovative conversation throughout the entirety of the book. While patterns emerge, the stories revealed by each writer are vast and dynamic.