Addressing relatable themes of social justice, discrimination, multiracial families, and difficult school situations, this collection of diverse books for middle school readers is sure to cultivate greater tolerance and appreciation of cultural diversity.
1. Sarah Journeys West by Nikki Shannon Smith
Sarah and her family face extreme weather, racism, and other challenges while crossing the Oregon trail during the California Gold Rush.
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2. Playing the Cards You're Dealt by Varian Johnson
Anthony discovers the true meaning of manhood while trying to live up to his father's unrealistic expectations.
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3. Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Mia and her immigrant family get a big financial break when they're asked to manage a motel, but they have no idea what Mr. Mao, the cruel hotel owner, has in store for them.
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4. Omar Rising by Aisha Saeed
Omar gets the opportunity of a lifetime when he is awarded a scholarship to an elite private school, but little does he know the mistreatment that is waiting for him.
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5. It Wasn't Me by Dana Alison Levy
When Theo's art project is vandalized, six students from diverse backgrounds are forced to band together to figure out the culprit.
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6. Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Peña
Danny is challenged to find his own self-identity in a world that is eager to stereotype him based solely on his racial and family background. This compelling coming-of-age story deals with themes of self-acceptance, authenticity, and honoring one's family heritage.
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7. Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee
When Maizy gets an opportunity to work at the Golden Palace, a Chinese restaurant that's been in her family for generations, she learns more about her family's history and culture than she ever imagined.
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8. The First Rule of Punk by Celia Perez
When Malu starts a punk rock band at school, she's faced with some opposition from the administrators and learns very quickly that punk culture is about more than just music.
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9. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
This powerful story is set during the Great Depression and tells the story of a family fighting for their land in the face of racism and injustice. The combination of historical fiction and social justice themes makes this both a compelling and educational read.
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10. Farah Rocks Fifth Grade by Susan Muaddi Darraj
Farah is a Palestinian girl who has to find a way to face bullying while preparing to attend a prestigious middle school.
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11. The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
Arturo is used to casual Miami summers of basketball and mango smoothies until he meets Carmen, his poetry-loving new neighbor, who turns his life (and his heart) upside down.
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12. Santiago's Road Home by Alexandra Diaz
This is the heart-warming story of Santiago's journey across the US-Mexican border armed with nothing more than new friends, a backpack, and hope for a better life.
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13. I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin
This harrowing novel tells the story of Celeste, who watches as her friend and neighbors disappear under Pinochet's brutal dictatorial regime in Chile.
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14. Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar
When Ruthie, a Cuban-Jewish immigrant girl who has recently immigrated to New York City thinks she has finally found a new normal, she suffers from an accident that leaves her bed-ridden and unable to move.
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15. New Kid by Jerry Craft
Jordan has to navigate between his life as a cartoon-loving inner-city kid and the new private school where he struggles to fit in.
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16. Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper
Stella is a young girl growing up in a segregated Depression-era town when the violently racist Ku Klux Klan arrives and forces the community to fight for equality.
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17. Sarah Weeks Save Me A Seat by Gita Varadarajan
This is the humorous and heartfelt tale of Joe and Ravi, two misfits who must band together to defend themselves against the biggest bully in their class.
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18. Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh
Junie is a young Korean girl who must decide between keeping her head down and standing up against racial injustice.
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19. Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
Merci is a young Hispanic girl who has to adapt to life at a new private school while dealing with the challenges of her grandfather's health struggles.
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20. Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams Garcia
When three young sisters take a journey from the city to the country, tragedy suddenly strikes, teaching them about the strength of family ties.
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21. The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
When Starr loses her friend Khalil in a fatal police shooting, she is challenged to find the courage to share what really happened on that tragic night.
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22. 8th Grade Super Hero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
8th Grader Reggie learns all about the power of service when he volunteers at a local homeless shelter.
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23. Not Your All-American Girl by Madelyn Rosenberg
This is the heartwarming multicultural story of two best friends who are pitted against each other when they both try out for the school play.
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24. Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez
After his father is injured in a tractor accident, Tyler's family hires migrant Mexican workers to help with the farm labor. When Tyler develops a close friendship with Mari, the daughter of one of the workers, he begins to understand the immigrant experience in a way he never knew was possible.
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25. Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai
Mai is forced to find a way to live between two worlds when she accompanies her grandmother on a trip back to their home country of Vietnam.
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26. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Coming from a conservative religious family and unable to find other outlets for self-expression, Xiomara discovers the power of words when she joins a slam poetry club at school.
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