10 Books for a Culturally Diverse Classroom

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    In the 21st Century, the world is connected now more than ever. Between the internet and world events that have moved families across the world, more and more people are being exposed to a myriad of diverse cultures. As teachers, it is vital to prepare students for the world they will be going into. It is clear that the connectivity of today's world is not going to change anytime soon, and as such, teachers must be preparing their students to be connected to and accepting of all of the amazing cultures they will be exposed to throughout their lives. 

    With this thought in mind, this article is a list of books that will introduce different cultures to any classroom and will allow members of these communities to feel seen and appreciated. 

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard; illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

The 20th nominee for Best Picture Books of 2019 on GoodReads, this picture book focuses on fry bread as a unifier of cultures across Native American Tribes. Its author, Kevin Noble Maillard, is a member of the Oklahoma Seminole Nation, and he is writing this nonfiction book with the goal of highlighting Native American cultures and the foods that bring them together. The book's simple text allows it to be a great read for students and their families--regardless of their reading levels. 

 Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard | Goodreads 


Festival of Colors by Surishtha Sehgal and Kabir Sehgal; illustrated by Vashti Harrison 

This bright and lovely picture books educates its readers about Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors. Mintoo and Chintoo, the main characters, move through the plot by celebrating the spring festival and taking their readers along for the ride.

Written by Surishtha Sehgal and Kabir Sehgal, and illustrated by Vashti Harrison, this realistic story time choice is sure to become a classic pick for parents, students, and educators alike. 

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña; illustrated by Christian Robinson

Last Stop on Market Street follows CJ and his nana as they complete their weekly bus route through New York. Here, CJ comes to realize that his life is different than others', but his nana helps him see the beauty of their world and feel grateful for all they have.

Last Stop on Market Street is a New York Times Bestseller, A GoodReads Choice Award Nominee for Best Picture Books (2015). Furthermore, this soon-to-be classic is the winner of the Newberry Medal in 2016, the Coreta Scott King Illustrator Honor, and a Caldecott Honor. 

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña | Goodreads


Inclusion Alphabet: ABC's for Everyone by Kathryn Jenkins

Inclusion Alphabet uses the alphabet to demonstrate inclusion and diversity for all. The plot follows a boy who can't seem to make friends, a man who meets a life-changing stranger, and a girl whose feelings of difference follow her throughout the story. Kathryn Jenkins uses the alphabet as a plot device to demonstrate how people of all kinds can do well together.

The Earth is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West by Peter Cozzens

The Earth is Weeping is a nonfiction, detailed history of the conflicts between the Native Americans and the United States. With dramatic writing to evoke emotions and critical thinking, this book is best suited towards middle school and high school students. This book provides a backdrop with which teachers can teach acceptance, tolerance, and the perils of hatred and bigotry. 

 The Earth Is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West by Peter Cozzens | Goodreads 


Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI (Young Readers Edition) by David Grann

Like The Earth is Weeping, Killers of the Flower Moon highlights the struggles of the Native American peoples in the face of American expansion. Killers of the Flower Moon, though, focuses primarily on the 20th century, the oil boom, and a true crime plot that birthed one of the United States' most effective organizations: the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Originally written for adults, the book was adapted for students in its young readers edition and gives a fascinating true story of a family on the brink of losing everything under the pressure of anti-Indigenous crime. 

 Killers of the Flower Moon: Adapted for Young Readers: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann | Goodreads


The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

 The Name Jar is a heartwarming tale about a new student who joins a class with a peculiar announcement: she is going to choose a new name. To help, her classmates fill a jar with suggestions, but soon, her new friends discover her real name and its meaning. They help her by encouraging her to choose her real name on the day of the name-choosing, and--feeling emboldened--she does. The new girl introduces herself as Unhei (pronounced Yoon-Hey) and begins to embrace her Korean heritage and the very special name she was given. 

This book is particularly special for its message of inclusion, acceptance, and basic respect. Teachers can use this story to make the commitment to their students to learn their names--all of them, no matter how long it takes. Such a commitment will show the students just how much their teacher cares about their identity and family history and will go a long way to building an inclusive classroom community.  

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi | Goodread  

A Different Pond by Bao Phi; illustrated by Thi Bui

During an early morning fishing trip in Minneapolis, Bao Phi hears his father's stories of a different fishing trip in his homeland of Vietnam. The story highlights the Vietnamese family's struggles in a new country, as well as the joy and love that can only come from a father and son bond. 

A Different Pond tells a story of immigration, poverty, and the struggles of building a new life in a new country. 

 A Different Pond by Bao Phi | Goodreads


My Dad is a Solider by Shea Grant 

My Dad is a Soldier follows Sam and his dog Boy on a soldier adventure through their house and backyard. Sam looks up to his father, who is a soldier at war, and learns about being a soldier through his adventures. In the end, though, the best part about being a soldier is coming home; and the best part of being a son waiting for his soldier dad is welcoming him home. This book is a lovely introduction to the struggles of military families and can help students of all ages relate to them. 


Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

This story follows Ellie and her family during the Great Depression, as they try to carve out a new life in an era when everything was an uphill battle. Fittingly, the setting is Echo Mountain, the place where the newly-poor family must rebuild their lives and try to find hope within the rocks of Maine. 

With a strong female protagonist leading the way, Echo Mountain tells a story of persistence, determination, poverty, and sorrow. It is best read in middle school, and will give young ladies a valuable insight into the strong women who came before them--just as Ellie learns that very same lesson. 

Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk | Goodreads 


Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña; illustrated by Christian Robinson

Last Stop on Market Street follows CJ and his nana on their weekly errands around their city. Throughout the book, CJ expresses dissatisfaction at their neighborhood and their bus--CJ's friends drive around in fancy cars. Older and wiser, Nana knows just what to say, and she helps CJ reframe his view of their neighborhood with joy, gratitude, and fun. 

Last Stop on Market Street is an award-winning New York Times Bestseller, and it won the GoodReads Choice Award in 2015. Filled with diverse characters and a relatable setting, this book would do well in anyone's library. 


Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Cinder is the debut book of the Lunar Chronicles, and it details the story of a plague that tears through New Beijing and the rest of the world's population. In the distance are the heartless Lunar people, who await the perfect chance to strike upon the planet. Into this deadly concoction comes Cinder, a second-class citizen and cyborg whose gifts and past are uniquely suited to solving New Beijing's crisis. This book shows a strong woman of color who overcomes adversity to save her planet from certain destruction. 

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Marissa Meyer | Goodreads 


Cool. Awkward. Black. edited by Karen Strong

Cool. Awkard. Black. is an anthology of short stories from a variety of genres and authors, all centered around one thing: redefining and celebrating Blackness and geekiness. One boy is searching for his Prince Charming. A girl with surprising magic powers grapples with the mysteries of her newfound magic. And then there's the girl who believes in UFOs. This book highlights a myriad of authors, genres, and topics that will relate to students and families alike. It strives to empower students of color through geeky fun and award-winning writing. 

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