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The Kids Are All Right

Immigration Stories, New Whatever After Book, and More!

Hi Kid Lit Friends,

It has been quite a week, and as we approach Independence Day in America, I just wanted to send love and gratitude to all of you. I know so many of you are committed to providing book access to children across the world, and I’m grateful for your work and the difference you make every day.

Bookish Goods

Blind Date with a Book

These sweet packages come with a mystery book plus little gifts for the book lover. This is a great gift for someone else or as a little self care package for yourself! $45

New Releases

Just Dance (Whatever After #15) by Sarah Mylnowski

Abby and Jonas are back, and they discover a fairy named Maryrose living at their house! She sends them through a magic mirror and into the story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses where the siblings have to find the enchanted object that will give Maryrose her fairy powers back. I love this series!

Kapaemahu by Himaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, illustrated by Daniel Sousa

When four Mahu sail from Tahiti to Hawaii and share their gifts of science and healing with the people of Waikiki in the 15th century, the islanders return this gift with a monument of four boulders in their honor. The Mahu imbue with healing powers before disappearing. This story is based on the Academy Award–contending short film and can be viewed at kapaemahu.com.

For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

The United States of America is a land of immigrants, and today I have four picture books centered around immigration stories.

Playing at the Border by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Teresa Martinez

This beautiful picture book tells the story of extraordinary human Yo-Yo Ma, who picked up the cello at age four and honed his amazing talent over decades. His music became a reflection of his own life between borders, cultures, disciplines, and generations. On April 13, 2019, as part of his multi-continent “Bach Project” tour, he performed at the US-Mexico border at the Rio Grande to prove a point—through music, we can build bridges rather than walls between different cultures.

Areli is a Dreamer by Areli Morales, illustrated by Luisa Uribe

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that has provided relief to thousands of undocumented children, referred to as “Dreamers,” who came to the United States as children and call this country home. This is the true story of Areli Morales, a Dreamer whose DACA application was eventually approved and what her life was like leading up to being an American citizen.

Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist by Julie Leung, illustrated by Chris Sasaki

This gorgeous picture book tells the story of Tyrus Wong, a young man who traveled from China to America with only a suitcase and a few papers. He then did everything he could to pursue art, eventually taking a job as a janitor while enrolling at an art institute in Los Angeles. He ended up working for Disney and came up with the iconic backgrounds of Bambi. The art in this book is stunning, especially that last spread.

I Am An American by Martha Brockenbrough with Grace Lin, illustrated by Julia Kuo

This is the story of a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court (the Supreme Court has been in the news a lot lately). When American-born Wong Kim Ark returns home to San Francisco after a visit to China, he’s stopped and told he cannot enter: he isn’t American. After being imprisoned on a ship for months, Wong Kim Ark challenges the Supreme Court for his right to be an American citizen and won, confirming birthright citizenship for all Americans.

What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

Until next time,
Karina

One-year-old corgi lying on his back and giving you the side eye.

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