A Project of the South Asia National Outreach Consortium
Softball, World War II and prejudice come together in an historical fiction title that takes place in Yuba City, CA, in 1945. Fifth-grader Maria, whose father is from India and mother is from Mexico, fights to save her baseball field while helping to fight injustice against her intercultural family. (Grades 4-8)
When shy Amina enters sixth grade, she faces many challenges: her best friend is thinking of changing her name to be more “American”, her strict uncle is visiting from Pakistan, and her teacher and friends are urging her to sing a solo in the school concert. When her hometown mosque is vandalized, Amina sees the community come together and finally finds her voice as she accepts who she is. (Grades 3-5)
An old woman who lives in a tiny house in the mountains is hailed by many travelers who ask “Is there room for me?” Her secret for fitting so many visitors into her small home is the heart-warming message of this Bhutanese folktale. (Grades K-3)
Gopu finds courage as he travels through the bustling crowds, the market, and traffic of Calcutta, to gather ingredients for his grandma to cook his father’s favorite dish—fish curry (machher jhol). The illustrations invite the reader to travel along with Gopu, and hope that the special dish is just the medicine Gopu’s father needs to feel well again. (Grades K-5)
Where do you go when you just have to go? Sahi, a little girl who loves to drink all types of things, finds out as she travels from Mumbai to visit her aunt’s house in Assam. (Grades 3-5)
Farmer Falgu is excited to see the sadhus and elephant processions and savor sweet treats like jalebi and lassi. But he has surprises in store for him, and his kindness to others is rewarded in the end. (Grades PreK-1)
In this colorful tale, talented tailor, Rupa Ram, finds creative ways to reuse the cloth of his old turban, finally weaving an engaging kahaani, or story, which will leave children and adults alike with a smile on their faces. (Grades Pre-K-1)
Set in Ladakh, this story is about a young blind boy who lives with his grandmother. It delivers the message that specially-abled persons are no different from others and in fact suggests that they have different capabilities. It also introduces the reader to the culture of the people of Ladakh and demonstrates the importance of community. (Grades K-3)
Harpreet Singh is a practicing Sikh and adores colors. He has a different colored patka, or head covering, for every occasion. But, when his family moves to a new city, everything feels grey. Will he find a way to make life vibrant again? (Grades Pre-K-2)
Rukhsana Ali is in love with her girlfriend Ariana. As a Muslim, Bangladeshi-American daughter, Rukhsana wants to preserve her parents’ honor by hiding her relationship for at least a few more months until she leaves home for Caltech. But, unfortunately, it is hard to keep love a secret. (Grades 9 and up)
