For Parents

Diversity in MG Lit #53 May and June 2025

Last week it was my great pleasure to attend the Children’s Institute, the annual

logo for Children's Institute 2025 in Portland

meeting of children’s booksellers. This year it was in Portland Oregon. It was my 4th Children’s Institute. As always I was inspired by the passion of children’s booksellers for the art of getting each child the just-right book. The kindness and generosity of booksellers makes me proud to count myself among their number.

And in the very same week there was another bit of good news from my home state. The Oregon Legislature passed a bill that makes it illegal to ban a book written by or about a person from a protected class as recognized by the Oregon constitution. These classes include race, ethnicity, immigration status, disability, and LGBTQ+ which accounts for all the books currently the focus of book bans.

Booksellers are brilliant at many things. One of the most important superpowers of the indies is the ability to boost the visibility of a debut authors. Online algorithms and big box stores are great at showing readers a book they’ve already bought, but terrible about helping readers find the vibrant new voices. Every year a committee of book sellers reviews all the debut titles and choses a dozen or so to include on the Indies Introduce lists in both adult’s and children’s books. Here is a link to this year’s Indie Next list for kids. And remember if you don’t see a title you want on the shelf at your local indie, ask them to order it for you. It’s easy, usually fast and if you pick up the book at the shop you don’t have to pay for shipping. Thank you Indie Bookstores!
Here are a few of the books that were featured at Children’s Institute.
book cover Scarlet Morning by ND StevensonScarlet Morning by ND Stevenson (Quill Tree Books HC) is the authors first venture into prose novels. It has so many elements that MG readers are going to love: pirates, a mysterious book, friendship, treachery, a daring voyage and a search for hidden truth. Best of all it has lots of lively black-and-white spot illustrations throughout to bring the adventure to life. It will publish in September.
book cover for The Golden Necklace by Mitali PerkinsThe Golden Necklace: a Darjeeling Tea Mystery by Mitali Perkins (Charlesbridge) will be available in October. It is set on a tea plantation in Nepal. Our heroine Sona is determined to win a scholarship to the best school in her community and also to solve the mystery of a missing inheritance so that her brother will not be blamed for the crime. This one has a handful of full page illustrations that bring the countryside of Nepal to life.
book cover Chloe Vega and the agents of magicChloe Vega and the Agents of Magic by Leslie Adame (Harper) is a debut title. Like so many mixed status immigrant families, Chloe Vega worries about her parents. Worries they’ll be deported. Worries that she is a financial burden on them. So when she learns that her parents are heirs to a magical power and have been taken, not by ICE, but by sinister magical forces, Chloe is determined to master her powers and save her family. This book comes out in September
book cover for Folk Remedy by YoshiotaFolk Remedy by Jem Yoshioka (Andrews McMeel) is a graphic novel set in 1920s Japan. It features characters from Japanese mythology. I appreciated the mix of historical and fantastical elements. The art has a muted palate with warm tones and a style that will feel fresh and interesting to readers who mostly look at American-made graphic novels. It will publish in September.
book cover RefugeeRefuge the graphic novel by Alan Gratz (Graphix) This book in prose form has been a best seller for years. It portrays the lives of refugees in 1939, Germany; 1994, Cuba; and 2015, Syria.  Understanding the refugee experience is vital to grasping the politics of our times. This graphic novel will make an important story all the more accessible. It will be available in September.
This list is based on books that were being promoted at the Children’s Institute in 2025. As always if you have a new diverse MG book

Summer Reading Prep – From the Classroom

It’s that time of year when testing is winding down, classroom celebrations are taking hold, and the whiffs of summer are permeating the air. What better time to talk about summer reading with all your favorite middle grade books!

Why Summer Reading?

Experts agree that summer reading is a great way to prevent the summer slide – where students have the potential to lose the academic gains they’ve made over the school year. This is especially true for students who may struggle with reading and writing. Specifically, by sixth grade, the cumulative effect of summer reading loss creates a gap of 18 months or more between struggling and proficient readers. Over time, this summer reading loss accounts for about two-thirds of the gap between economically disadvantaged students and their wealthier peers. Summer Reading, therefore, is great for building vocabulary, comprehension, strengthening writing skills, and building background knowledge.

Most importantly, it can be fun!

Inspiring Students and Kids to Read This Summer!

While students are still in school, Rebecca Alber recommends the following ideas to drum up excitement for summer reading:

  1.  Invite students to give booktalks to the class. Want a great way to have students celebrate what they’ve read all year? Have them share their favorite books to inspire summer reading lists.
  2. Introduce students to book series. Banish the “I don’t know what to read next” whining with great book series that students can race through.
  3. Consider setting up a social media platform for students to share their favorite summer reads. Middle schoolers are probably all talking to each other anyway, so why not steer their conversations towards great summer reads?
  4. Advise families to take their kids to bookstores and the library. Send a note home with a list of libraries and bookstores (independent if possible) in the area and region. Have them travel to someplace new to check out a new bookstore!

At home, Reading Rockets recommends the following ideas:

  1. Read with your child every day. Whether this is family reading time or sitting down and reading aloud to your kid (please, please, please read aloud to your middle schooler!), having a daily reading schedule should be part of the routine!
  2. Start a kid’s book club. Keep it simple, keep it fun, and encourage reflection. Check out Read Across America’s tips for book clubs.  
  3. Connect the reading to real life. You might already have a vacation planned this summer or you might want to explore somewhere new. Either way, find ways to reinforce what your children are reading about through all your trips and activities this summer.

 

Finding Books

Chances are your library already has a summer reading list ready to go for children. They are the first and best resource for you. If you want more ideas on where to find books to read, check out the following.

  1. Best of Book Lists. Here is School Library Journal’s Best of Middle Grade Books 2024 list. Browse their archives for more books!
  2. Children’s Literature Expert Maria Salvadore has booklists from 2008 until present along with more book ideas on her popular blog.
  3. Check out the classics. There are amazing new middle grade books all the time, many featured on this blog. There are also books that have been recommended throughout the ages. Diversify your reading list as best as you can!

 

What are your plans for summer reading with students and kids?  Share in the comments below!

 

Books to Share with Kids on Presidents’ Day that Emphasize the Democratic Process

Presidents’ Day serves as a reminder of the role of the president and the foundational values of our democracy. Today and every day, it’s important to teach children about the responsibilities of leadership, including checks and balances and the democratic process.

Here are some books for kids that focus on the presidency, as well as how the democratic process works.

Ellie May on Presidents’ Day by Hillary Homzie

For younger readers, Ellie May on Presidents’ Day provides a relatable way to explore the presidency. I think this is a particularly fun and informative book for younger readers. (True Confession: I wrote this story). While it’s a chapter book, it’s also perfect for reluctant readers who are fourth and fifth graders. In this story, Ellie May learns about presidential qualities and how important it is to have strong, compassionate leadership. This story introduces kids to the idea that the president’s role is not just about authority but also about service to others.

For Which We Stand: How Our Government Works and Why It Matters by Jeff Foster

This book is a great way to get older elementary school as well as middle school students thinking about the democratic process and the roles that various government branches play. Foster breaks down the complex relationships between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. By highlighting how the system works together to ensure fairness, the book promotes the idea that balance is vital to preserving freedom and justice.

So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George and Illustrated by David Small

This timeless picture book offers an entertaining and informative look at the quirks and qualities of past presidents. The engaging writing and vibrant illustrations by David Small make it a fantastic starting point for kids of all ages, including upper elementary school students. It introduces young readers to the many responsibilities of the president, including the challenges of leadership, while also celebrating the diversity of presidential experiences.

The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman

In this fun and imaginative story, a middle schooler runs for president. The book can help young readers gain a better understanding of what it takes to run a campaign. In a humorous style, the book demonstrates how democratic elections function. It points to the fact that anyone can make a difference and how it takes more than blind ambition to lead

Speaking of America by Jared Cohen

This book offers a deep dive into American history, values, and the evolution of leadership, especially focusing on the office of the president. Cohen’s exploration of key moments in American history illustrates how the presidency has influenced the country. It’s an excellent resource for helping kids understand how presidential decisions shape the nation, especially in times of national tension or transformation.

By sharing these books, teachers, librarians, parents and caregivers can help foster a deeper understanding of the democratic process. So as we celebrate Presidents’ Day, let’s remember that the presidency is not just about one individual—it’s about the collective efforts of all Americans to ensure that democracy continues to thrive for generations to come.

Hillary Homzie is the author of the Ellie May chapter book series (Charlesbridge, 2018), Apple Pie Promises (Sky Pony/Swirl, 2018), Pumpkin Spice Secrets (Sky Pony/Swirl, 2017), Queen of Likes (Simon & Schuster MIX 2016), The Hot List (Simon & Schuster MIX 2011) and Things Are Gonna Be Ugly (Simon & Schuster, 2009) as well as the Alien Clones From Outer Space (Simon & Schuster Aladdin 2002) chapter book series. She’s also a contributor to the Kate the Chemist middle grade series (Philomel Books/Penguin Random House). And her nonfiction picture book, If You Were a Princess: True Stories of Brave Leaders From Around the World is a look at historical and current princesses from many diverse lands who have made their mark (Simon & Schuster, August 2022). During the year, Hillary teaches at Sonoma State University. In the summer, she teaches in the graduate program in children’s literature, writing and illustration at Hollins University .She can be found at hillaryhomzie.com and on Instagram, and her Facebook page