After a knee injury sidelines her ballet dreams, Maisie struggles with her new reality as she is no longer able to maintain her ballet training and auditions. While her family is supportive, Maisie knows they do not understand the hopelessness that she feels. Her anxieties soon lead to dark moods that begin to hurt as much as the pain in her knee. She has no interest in the planned family road trip along the coast, near the Makah community where her mother grew up. How can she possibly keep pretending to be strong?
Realistic Fiction
Realistic Fiction genre
We Still Belong
Wesley’s hopeful plans for Indigenous Peoples’ Day (and asking her crush to the dance) go all wrong-until she finds herself surrounded by the love of her Indigenous family and community at the intertribal powwow.
Cross My Heart And Never Lie
In this fresh, sensitive, diary style graphic novel, 12-year-old Tuva’s questions about becoming a teenager are confusing, so when her first crush turns out to be on another girl, it feels absolutely wonderful—so why does it become so complicated?
My Powerful Hair
Mom never had long hair, she was told it was too wild. Grandma couldn’t have long hair, hers was taken from her. But one young girl can’t wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the Earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her.
The Night Walk
Mama opened our bedroom door. “Wake up, you two,” she whispered. “Let’s go, so we get there on time.” Excited, the sleepy family step outside into a beautiful summer night. The world is quiet and shadowy, filled with fresh smells and amazing sights. Is this what they miss when they’re asleep? Together, they walk out of their sleeping village. What will they find in the dark landscape?
An Ofrenda For Perro
Losing a pet is hard, but this picture book told through a Day of the Dead celebration will show readers that the love they have for their beloved companion will always remain. Benito loves Perro. But when Perro passes away, Benito is heartbroken. During the Day of the Dead celebration, he tries to understand the meaning of the flores de cempasuchil, candles, pan de muertos, photographs, and sharing memories of departed loved ones. By creating his own special altar for Perro, he realizes that his love for his beloved companion, and the happiness Perro gave him, will always remain.
Too Much: My Great Big Native Family
When Russell tries to share exciting news with his large, Native family, he struggles with being heard, but after he ventures out on his own he realizes how much he loves his family.
Dancing The Tinikling (Own Voices, Own Stories)
Jojo’s grandmother Lola invites him to join her in the rhythmic tinikling dance, and though he initially stumbles, Jojo finds his footing and joyfully embraces his American and Filipino heritages.
Something Like Home
When a lost dog helps Laura find a way home to her family, they discover family in each other along the way.
My Brother Is An Avocado
A big sister anticipates the birth of a new sibling in this warm and funny stage by stage picture book tour of all the sizes of a growing baby, from teeny tiny poppy seed to giant watermelon.It’s hard to wait for an exciting new baby to join the family, especially when it’s still growing inside Mom’s tummy. But when her dad tells her the size of the baby at each stage, one little girl imagines all the fun she can have with her baby brother as a teeny tiny poppy seed, then a grape, then a lemon.But she’s not quite sure how she feels about having an avocado for a brother. Or an onion. Or a watermelon!