Introduction and Editors’ Note

The U.S. public has just experienced a campaign characterized by name-calling, signaling that this behavior is acceptable if it wins elections. The books reviewed in this issue serve as a counter-narrative to this assumption, inviting readers to set aside labels and familiarize themselves with cultures that may differ from their own, but are rich in values and family traditions that have undergirded and guided people for generations.

In The Spice Box, several generations who have experienced moving to a new location use a traditional box of spices to cook, inviting others to share their meal as a means of feeling at home and making new friends. A Crown for Corina tells the story of a young girl collecting flowers for her birthday crown, choosing blooms that represent her history and that of each member of her extended family. In These Olive Trees, a grandmother and granddaughter collect seeds from their family orchard in Palestine, with the intention of planting a new orchard in their new country.

Kindness is critical to social and emotional well-being as we interact with each other, thoughtful kindness even more so as children learn to engage in discussions with people who may differ in cultures or abilities. Say My Name celebrates the cultures of various names, communicating pride in the origins of each name. The story of When Charley Met Emma gives readers a window into relationships where abilities may be quite different, but the desire to be friends and play together is the same. Sister Friend relates the ways in which one girl tries to connect with a new classmate at school, finally succeeding when they meet in a mosque.

These books also emphasize taking action and persevering in a way that benefits the entire community, not just serving a personal agenda. The Undefeated highlights the history of African American people who persevered in spite of circumstances and prejudice to make a mark in sports, arts, and politics, paving the way for others to contribute. Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman is a picturebook biography of one of the first Indigenous women to be elected to the U.S. Congress. This issue concludes with two titles from Africa that highlight collective action. In The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda, a community comes together to repair a booth damaged before the Jewish celebration of Sukkot. Finally, The Walking School Bus tells the story of a brother and sister who desperately want to go to school and find a creative way to enable themselves and other children to walk safely to school.

We hope you read these titles with children to engage in discussions around thoughtful interactions and kindness.

We invite you to submit a review for future issues:

Volume 17, Issue 2 (Winter 2025 – submission deadline December 30, 2024) – Sharing Space: Animal/Human Relationships, a themed issue on the relationships between humans and animals as they share spaces in the world (e.g., protection of endangered animals, relationships with pets, human/animal dynamics). The editors welcome reviews of fiction and nonfiction global or multicultural children’s or young adult books published within the last three years that highlight intercultural understanding and global perspectives.

Volume 17, Issue 3 (Spring 2025 – submission deadline February 15, 2025) – Open theme. The editors welcome reviews of global or multicultural children’s or young adult books published within the last three years that highlight intercultural understanding and global perspectives.

Volume 17, Issue 2 (Summer 2025 – submission deadline May 15, 2025) – Community Collaboration, a themed issue on working together as a community to solve a problem. The editors welcome reviews of global or multicultural children’s or young adult books published within the last three years that highlight intercultural understanding and global perspectives.

Susan Corapi, co-editor

María V. Acevedo-Aquino, co-editor

© 2024 by María V. Acevedo-Aquino and Susan Corapi