By Yoo Kyung Sung, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM and Junko Sakoi, Tucson Unified School District, Tucson, AZ
This COVID-19 post-pandemic era has been difficult for many of us. In the school district I (Junko Sakoi) am working for, stories have played a significant role in social emotional support for children and teens. Stories have eased their anxiety, stress, fear, and trauma, and helped them find a way to cope with the difficulties. This collection includes PreK–12 titles that portray young characters’ social and emotional struggles. These books could help children build resilience through self-discovery and growth as they cultivate empathetic connections and caring perspectives in relationships.
-
-
A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat, 9781250851048, First Second Books, 2023.
In this coming-of-age graphic memoir, Dan Santat tells his own journey of self-discovery and growth through a series of firsts he experienced during a three-week study abroad trip to Europe.
-
-
Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles, 9780593175217, Random House Books for Young Readers, 2023.
This is an empowering story of Lawrence, who is expelled from middle school, but finds resilience and hope with the possibility of a new start.
-
-
My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom and Steph Littlebird (il.), 9781419759437, Harry N. Abrams, 2023.
A young girl wants long hair because it will help her reclaim her identity and strengthen her connection to her Indigenous culture and to Mother Earth.
-
-
Remember by Joy Harjo and Michaela Goade (il.), 9780593484845, Random House Studio, 2023.
This poem beautifully integrates Indigenous symbols and ethos with the core belief that all inhabitants are connected to nature and the universe.
-
-
Sorry, Snail by Tracy Subisak. 9780316537728. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023.
Young readers will learn the importance of being mindful of emotional changes and how they influence behavior.
-
-
What Happened to You? by James Catchpole and Karen George (il.), 9780316506472, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023.
This story invites young children to consider the questions disabled people are often asked and to respect the disabled person’s decision to answer the questions.
-
-
When You Can Swim by Jack Wong, 9781338830965, Orchard Books, 2023.
By embracing new skills, young people can add to their experiences and perceptions, ultimately enhancing their attentiveness to their five senses and overcoming their fears.
-
-
Wings in the Wild by Margarita Engle, 9781665926362, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023.
In this verse novel, two young individuals from Cuba and the United States advocate for the environment and raise awareness about imprisoned artists in Cuba.
-
-
A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner, 9781665905152, Aladdin Books, 2023.
This diary-like verse novel portrays Will’s mental struggles with body dysmorphia, social anxiety, and eating disorders triggered by traumatic stress.
-
-
You Are Here: Connecting Flights by Ellen Oh, 9780063239081, Allida, 2023.
This book depicts examines Asian American passengers at an airport as they navigate toward their gates, highlighting instances of microaggressions.
-
-
When A Friend Needs a Friend by Roozeboos, 9781338813944, Scholastic Press, 2023.
This heartfelt story is about a young child who cares deeply about her friend who is going through a difficult time.
-
-
When Clouds Touch Us by Thanhhà Lai, 9780063047006, HarperCollins, 2023.
This sequel to Inside Out and Back Again shares the author’s complex emotion about moving to a new place that brings new challenges.
WOW Dozen features a list of 12 global books for children and adolescents around a theme, topic, issue or personal favorites. Each Dozen consists of ten newly-published titles with two older “must have” books. Please share or recommend additional books that fit the theme in the comments section or on social media using #WOWDozen. Use the printer icon in the upper left corner of this post to print or save this list as a PDF.
- Themes: Carole Lindstrom, Chrystal D Giles, Dan Santat, Ellen Oh, First Time For Everything, Jack Wong, James Catcphole, Jarrett Lerner, Joy Harjo, Junko Sakoi, Karen George, Margarita Engle, Michaela Goade, My Powerful Hair, Not an Easy Win, Remember, Roozeboos, Sorry Snail, Steph Littlebird, Thanhha Lai, Tracy Subisak, What Happened to You?, When a Friend Needs a Friend, When Clouds Touch Us, When You Can Swim, Wings in the Wild, Work in Progress, Yoo Kyung Sung, You Are Here: Connecting Flights
- Descriptors: WOW Dozen