Asha and Yesofu were both born in Uganda, but their lives have always been different. Asha lives with other families with Indian heritage in a big, beautiful house with all the modern conveniences. Yesofu's mother works as a servant for Asha's parents and his family lives in a two room shack with no running water. Despite their differences, they have always been best friends. Until the day that Uganda's president announces all Indian people have 90 days to leave the country. The controversial move spikes tensions and ignites violence across the country as neighbors who lived together peacefully now find themselves at odds. Will Asha and Yesofu's friendship be able to survive? Will Asha's family make it to safety before the deadline? With every day that passes the deadline gets closer, and life for those left behind becomes more dangerous.

This story switches between Yesofu and Asha's perspectives and does an excellent job presenting multiple viewpoints. I was moved to read Asha and Yesofu's story and glad to learn about a period of history I knew next to nothing about. The book follows the 90 day timeline and it's shocking how fast the situation in the country changes.

Orange for the Sunsets by Tina Athaide
Erica's Picks
4th - 7th grade
​Tags: character driven, friendship, fast-paced, global perspectives, historical fiction, people of color, SEL, tear-jerker

Mona is not excited about facing the new school year after her best friend moves away to Hawaii. With him gone, her depression gets worse and it's harder to make new friends. In the midst of this, she develops a mysterious back pain that won't go away. When everything threatens to overwhelm her, she discovers that she's stronger than she thinks. With the help of her art, her friends, her family, and her therapist she might be able to pull an amazing year out of the jaws of disaster.

This book gets mental illness. I love Gulledge's art and the way she can depict intangibles in a way that makes them instantly recognizable, providing a satisfying mirror for readers with mental illness and an insightful window for those without. At the back she shares her self-care plan and provides a space for readers to create their own. 

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge
Erica's Pick
6th - 8th
tags: art, character driven, comics, contemporary fiction, friendship, mental illness

Years ago, shayateen djinn attacked the city of Noor and killed all the humans except three: Fatima, her adopted sister, and their elderly neighbor. Fatima discovered on that day that her blood can repel the creatures, but she has no idea why. Her past is a complete mystery to her. After the attack, Fatima and her sister forget the mystery in the daily struggle to get by. Until Noor once again becomes the victim of supernatural attacks, and Fatima is caught up in palace intrigue and the world of supernatural creatures. Could a girl from the slums be the city's only hope for survival? Or will the secrets from her past consume her?

I loved this fantasy novel set in a world based on Middle Eastern history and mythology. I was completely immersed in the world and enjoyed each twist and turn of the plot. 

The Candle and the Flame  by Nafiza Azad
Erica's Picks
​7th & 8th
Tags: character driven, family life, fantasy, global perspectives, people of color, romance, supernatural

Kat is a jiu-jitsu champion, so when one of her classmates tries to assault her, she's able to fight him off. But because her attacker is injured as well, no one believes her story.
Robin was adopted from an Indian orphanage by two wealthy, white parents. He loves them, but he yearns to learn more about his heritage and where he came from.
When their church organizes a service trip to help victims of human trafficking, both are eager to sign up. Kat sees an opportunity to teach other girls how to fight back and Robin sees a chance to go back to the orphanage and find out more about his past. The trip does not go as planned for either of them, but both their lives are changed forever.

This is such a moving novel that touches on so many important issues. The topics of sexual assault and human trafficking are both by nature disturbing, but neither are discussed with graphic detail. The story is more about the after-effects and healing process that follows. Their story switches between Kat and Robin/Ravi's perspectives but there is a large cast of characters beyond them and all are well-drawn and have their own engrossing stories and unique perspective. Highly recommended.

Forward Me Back to You by Mitali Perkins
8th grade
Erica's Picks
​Tags: 

Melati looks like a typical teen: going to a movie with a friend, talking about music and celebrity crushes. But inside her head, she is constantly waging war with a djinn. Her father is already dead, and the djinn tells her about all the horrible things that will happen to her mother if she doesn't obey. The djinn loves numbers, so she placates it by doing things like tapping in multiples of three. Sometimes, she can do this discreetly while appearing normal and sometimes she loses hours of her life to it. Melati is used to envisioning horrible fates, but that doesn't make it easier when something truly horrifying comes to pass. Riots break out between the Malay and Chinese and Melati sees people massacred. She is quickly separated from her friend and has no way of contacting her mother. How can Melati survive alone in the chaos when she struggles in everyday life?

This book, which takes place during the 1969 race riots in Kuala Lumpur, is gripping, intense and violent. Melati is a powerful character and I found the way she framed her OCD as a djinn inside her head fascinating. Every character is carefully crafted and fully fleshed out. The writing was beautiful and the plot unrelenting. 

Erica's Picks
8th grade
​tags: character driven, global perspectives, historical fiction, mental illness, people of color, survival

Regina has lived all her life on a reservation in Oregon with her friends and family. Everything changes one day when the federal government terminates her tribe. Her family moves to Los Angeles to start over. Life in LA is very different from life back home with the Umpqua tribe. She meets people with different traditions and cultures, and it's hard to adapt, but she soon makes friends. Just when it looks like her luck is changing, something happens that shakes her family to its core.

This book is based on the author's own life and the the effects of the US government's tribal termination policy. Regina struggles with her identity as her friends tell her that she doesn't act like a "real Indian" based on the stereotypes they've learned from cowboy shows and movies. Even though the book is set in the late 50's the issues Regina faces are ones that continue to this day. A great book for discussion and gaining empathy.

 Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis and Traci Sorell 
Erica's picks
4th - 7th grade
Tags: character driven, family life, historical fiction, issues fiction, people of color, social justice