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26 Teacher-Approved Diverse Books For Middle School

diverse books for middle school

July 8, 2022 //  by Seda Unlucay

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

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Sarah and her family face extreme weather, racism, and other challenges while crossing the Oregon trail during the California Gold Rush.

Learn More: Amazon

2. Playing the Cards You're Dealt by Varian Johnson

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Anthony discovers the true meaning of manhood while trying to live up to his father's unrealistic expectations.

Learn More: Amazon

3. Front Desk by Kelly Yang

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

4. Omar Rising by Aisha Saeed

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

5. It Wasn't Me by Dana Alison Levy

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When Theo's art project is vandalized, six students from diverse backgrounds are forced to band together to figure out the culprit.

Learn More: Amazon

6. Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Peña

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

7. Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

8. The First Rule of Punk by Celia Perez

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

9. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor 

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

10. Farah Rocks Fifth Grade by Susan Muaddi Darraj 

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Farah is a Palestinian girl who has to find a way to face bullying while preparing to attend a prestigious middle school.

Learn More: Amazon

11. The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya 

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

12. Santiago's Road Home by Alexandra Diaz

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

13. I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin

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This harrowing novel tells the story of Celeste, who watches as her friend and neighbors disappear under Pinochet's brutal dictatorial regime in Chile.

Learn More: Amazon

14. Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

15. New Kid by Jerry Craft 

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

16. Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

17. Sarah Weeks Save Me A Seat by Gita Varadarajan

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

18. Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh

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Junie is a young Korean girl who must decide between keeping her head down and standing up against racial injustice.

Learn More: Amazon

19. Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

20. Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams Garcia

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When three young sisters take a journey from the city to the country,  tragedy suddenly strikes, teaching them about the strength of family ties.

Learn More: Amazon

21. The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

22. 8th Grade Super Hero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

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8th Grader Reggie learns all about the power of service when he volunteers at a local homeless shelter.

Learn More: Amazon

23. Not Your All-American Girl by Madelyn Rosenberg

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

24. Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

25. Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

26. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

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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.

Learn More: Amazon

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20 Transition To Secondary School Activities 
25 Parent Involvement Activities For Elementary Schools
10 Nifty Nomenclature Activities 

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