Fiction

Blasts From the Past: Diverse Historical Fiction

By Jen Kraar on November 19, 2025 / Book Lists, Fiction / 1 Comment

As a kid, I loved reading historical fiction. In my day, most of these stories centered on Europe and a war. I felt transported to other times and places, and was introduced to characters my age confronting challenges of survival. I enjoyed connecting with kids from the past who, with their friends and families, bravely faced difficulties.

Now, we have more novels told by historically underrepresented voices that offer perspectives on a wide variety of events. Rudine Sims Bishop described how books can be mirrors to a readers life, or can build empathy through windows where readers can view lives of others, or may provide sliding doors where readers can step into another world and immerse themselves in a new reality.

Here, I offer six wonderfully written, diverse titles that serve as a portal to another time.

A Sea Of Lemon Trees by Maria Dolores Aguila, Macmillan, 2025, 273 pp.

This novel in verse is inspired by the true story of Robert Alvarez and the Lemon Grove Incident where one child’s courage to stand up for what is right and the determination of the Mexican community will transport readers to the challenges confronted by Robert in 1931 San Diego. Young Roberto was chosen to speak up about the horribly unfair conditions in the separate school for Mexican immigrants. This is the uplifting story of how his activism brought great changes to the “Americanization” efforts.

Zarina Divided by Reem Faruqi, Harper Collins, 225, 326 pp.

Zarina’s idyllic life in 1947 Poona, India is abruptly ended when her Muslim family moves to Pakistan during the Great Partition. Lyrical verse paints a realistic picture of Zarina’s hardships, including acts of violence and racism, as she journeys by train and boat to a new home. Just as Zarina begins to settle into her new life, she makes a big mistake. Her family agrees to let her go to boarding school, where a whole new set of challenges confront her. This novel brings a fresh perspective to the religious divide of a country.

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glasser, Harper Collins, 2025, 420 pp.

Han Yu and Luli Lee live 1200 years apart, yet they both share a goal: they go to great risks to save their families. In 731 a plague threatens Chang An, China, and Han Yu must trek across the Silk Road to fulfill a promise and find a cure. In 1931, New York’s Chinatown, Luli starts up her own bun business to bring her family’s restaurant back from the brink of foreclosure. Big themes and small details – like buns and birds – connect these two stories. The ties that bind Han Yu and Luli across centuries are an unforgettable surprise.

Seabird by Michelle Kadarusman, Pajama Press, 2025, 199 pp.

Twelve-year-old Katina brings nineteenth century Indonesia (also known as the Dutch East Indies) to life through her letters to her best friend and her passion for learning. Inspired by the real-life Javanese noble turned activist, Raden Adjeng Kartini, this novel depicts how girls were given little freedom. Noble-born Kartini was confined to her house at twelve until she was to be married. Educated, Kartini turned to her best friend, Letsy, who had returned to Holland for help. Through her skills as a writer, Kartini speaks out, and like a seabird, gets free of her cage, and becomes a celebrated advocate for education.

How To Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares, Random House, 2025, 223 pp.

Readers get a visual and personal view of Castro’s Revolution in Cuba in this emotionally gripping graphic novel. Based on the experiences of the author’s father, readers see the uncertainty and fears Carlos faced as a child while his family was being threatened for owning land. Major events in Castro’s path to power are explained in a straightforward manner. Miyares does an excellent job describing the differing opinions of Castro that the Cubans held.

Will’s Race For Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Little Brown, 2025, 196pp.

This is a Western like no other. It’s 1889, and Will has persuaded his father to allow him to accompany him on the treacherous trek from Texas to Oklahoma. It’s been several decades since the Emancipation Proclamation, yet his father still does not have the right to own land – unless he takes advantage of the Oklahoma Land Rush. The journey is difficult not only because of the difficult terrain, but also because of the racism, poverty, and violence Will and his father experience along the way. Belle the mule, and frequent illustrations add charm to the story.

More Than Mysteries

By Jen Kraar on September 19, 2025 / Articles, Book Lists, Fiction

You don’t have to be a super sleuth to discover these recently published mysteries written by diverse authors. Readers will be intrigued trying to puzzle out whodunit in these page-turning stories. Yes, they will encounter clues, red herrings and action packed scenes, but, most importantly, they will be thrilled to meet relatable young detectives who will inspire them to care about the questions they are seeking to answer. What stands out about these titles is that they are layered with bigger questions – such as injustices in Black History, or the unresolved lives of supernatural spirits, class prejudices in resort towns, the difficulties of true friendship, or ethics in celebrity TV shows. Without a doubt, readers will be entertained.

Their Just Desserts by Tracy Badua

Laila is thrilled to be on the TV set of a kid’s bake show, while her best friend Lucy, inspiring journalist, would rather be investigating a news story. Both best friends are determined to solve the mystery of the stolen jewels to help their friend, whose father has been accused of this crime. The girls strong personalities, and friendship difficulties, matched with the delicious baking scenes and excitement of the investigation are captivating.

Billions to Burn by Taylor Banks

Clever puzzles, high jinx, and treasure maps, fuel Zeus’s cross country quest to find his grandfather. Along the way he and his three friends are chased by scary henchmen but also are presented with opportunities to learn about the Harlem Renaissance and other aspects of the injustices to Blacks in American History. The inclusion of these thought provoking themes are layered in a natural and fascinating way. The action escalates, and ends with a cliff hanger. Keep your eyes open for a sequel.

A Study in Secrets by Debbi Michiko Florence

Megumi ‘Meg’ Mizuno is an unwilling student at Leland Chase aka The Last Chance Academy. After her mother’s death two years ago, she has spiraled academically, and longs to spend more time with her busy and distracted father. When a silver envelope is slipped under her door she sees the chance to solve a scavenger hunt and win the luxury vacation prize that would bring her closer to her father. Meg, who has had difficulties making friends in the past, finds she needs to begin trusting her classmates, or else lose any chance of winning the hunt. The private school, shrouded in secrets, is the perfect backdrop for this series opener – as is the unexpected ending.

Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

Kaylani is trying to make the best of her summer visiting her family’s hoity-toity friends. It shouldn’t be too hard, after all Martha’s Vineyard is full of beaches, kids her age and interesting Black History. When a young boy dies a shocking death, Kaylani is thrown into the role of detective. As Kaylani uncovers clues she’s confronted with secrets about her own life. Plot twists and emotional turns will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly

Lila has never met her Grandpa Clem, and is not to thrilled when her parents uproot her to spend time at his Inn to sort things out after his death. On arrival, she begins to see and communicate with ghosts, who tell her that her grandfather was murdered. With the help of a boy next door, Lila sets out to find the truth so she can release the spirits and allow them to pass to the other world. This spine chilling spooky mystery includes interactive elements. Using a QR code, readers can connect with the ghosts and conduct investigations of their own.

Opal Watson: Private Eye by Brittany J.Thurman

Opal’s a confident detective who has solved many a case for her friends and family. Now that she’s moved to the Crescent, the new apartment building that her dad is managing in Chicago, she’s confronted with a super challenging mystery. When her best friend and neighbor, Madison hears a strange noise in her bathroom, Opal investigates and finds a much bigger mystery – one that may threaten the existence of the entire building. She and a reluctant partner are assigned a video project about The Great Migration, and discover more surprising secrets about their building.

Jen Kraar

Jen Kraar grew up chasing lizards in India, making up stories about the residents of the spirit houses in Thailand, and riding retired racehorses in Singapore. On occasion she would visit the Met in NYC, and, like Claudia and Jamie, dream of splashing among the muse statues in the cafeteria’s fountain. Jen explores themes of finding home in the middle grade novels and picture books she writes. Now, as a Manager at Pittsburgh’s beloved City of Asylum Bookstore, she builds a diverse collection of books, talks about kid lit with customers young and old, and reads every middle grade ARC (advanced reading copy) she can get her hands on. When Jen is not reading or writing she is baking scones, knitting while viewing French detective shows with her partner, or visiting her daughters in Brooklyn and Durham.

Finding Home Again: 5 MG Books About Moving and Identity

By Amanda Stone on July 18, 2025 / Book Lists, Fiction

Two Black girls stand confidently on a beach with a purple-blue sky and knit-textured backdrop. One wears overalls and sneakers, the other wears a skirt and boots with sunglasses. The title is in bold white handwritten letters.

Unlike most kids I knew, my family moved almost every year. New town. New school. New hallways to navigate. And nearly every time, I was the only kid of color in the room. This not only left me feeling unsure about who I’d sit with at lunch, but unsure about who I would have to become in order to fit in.

Why it Matters: During the summer months, many kids are bracing for that intense kind of transition. Some are moving across town. Some across states. Some across oceans. They won’t just be starting over. They’ll be rebuilding their sense of identity and belonging from scratch. A process that can be uncomfortable, disorienting, and at times, deeply lonely.

Go Deeper: These five middle grade books are for readers going through that kind of change. Kids of color, kids from other countries, kids navigating new spaces that don’t quite feel like home yet. These stories reflect their journey and remind them that “home” is a place within themselves.

Read Time: 4 minutes

Manga-style illustrated cover of a smiling Japanese girl with a ponytail holding a basketball with a winking cartoon cat perched on top. The background is bright blue with the title in bold purple letters.

Bounce Back by Misako Rocks! (2021)

Lilico doesn’t want to leave Japan, but when her family moves to Brooklyn, she’s forced to start all over. New school, new language, new everything. Basketball becomes her anchor, and a magical guardian spirit cat named Nico helps her find strength when she’s overwhelmed by change.

Perfect for: readers navigating culture shock or who are adjusting to a brand new country or school.

The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert (2020)

Alberta has always been the only Black girl in her small California beach town, until Edie moves in. The two form a bond over their shared identity, but also uncover hidden secrets in old journals found in Edie’s attic. Together, they find their place in a town that rarely made space for them.

Perfect for: readers navigating the complexity of being “the only one” and wondering what it means to share space with someone who gets it.

Illustrated cover of a red-haired girl with glasses holding a beagle puppy, standing in front of a leafy green background. She looks off to the side with a thoughtful expression. The title is in whimsical teal lettering.

Hazel’s Theory of Evolution by Lisa Jenn Bigelow (2019)

Hazel’s family moves her to a new school district the same year her moms are expecting a baby after several heartbreaking losses. Hazel isn’t sure how to make new friends, how to support her family, or how to deal with the emotional swirl she’s carrying inside. Slowly, she learns that change doesn’t mean losing everything. It just means evolving.

Perfect for: introverted readers who feel overwhelmed by transitions, or for kids whose family lives are shifting too.

New Kid by Jerry Craft (2019)

Jordan Banks just wants to go to art school, but instead, his parents send him to a prestigious private academy where he’s one of the only kids of color. Through graphic novel panels, we follow Jordan’s inner world as he navigates code-switching, microaggressions, and the tension between two different worlds.

Perfect for: readers entering unfamiliar cultural territory and learning how to stay true to themselves.

The Many Meanings of Meilan by Andrea Wang (2021)

When Meilan’s family leaves Boston’s Chinatown for a mostly white town in Ohio, she loses more than her home. At her new school, her principal even changes her name to “Melanie” without asking. Meilan splits herself into pieces just to survive, but ultimately must decide which version of herself is true.

Perfect for: readers who’ve been renamed, mispronounced, or asked to shrink themselves to fit in.

In Closing

You know I love to highlight books that aren’t afraid of the hard stuff. And at the heart of every move is a kid asking tough questions like: Who will I be in this new space? Will anyone see me for me? Will I ever feel like myself here?

It can make kids feel like the ground is slipping beneath them. I hope these stories help them find home again, not in a specific place, but in who they are.

Fiction

Blasts From the Past: Diverse Historical Fiction

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