I Need to Pee by Neha Singh; illustrated by Meenal Singh and Erik Egerup (Puffin Books, 2018). Where do you go when you just have to go? Sahi, a little girl who loves to drink all …
Highly Commended
Farmer Falgu Goes to Kumbh Mela
Farmer Falgu Goes to Kumbh Mela by Chitra Soundar, illustrations by Kanika Nair (Karadi Tales, 2018). 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 …
The Clever Tailor
The Clever Tailor by Srividhya Venkat and illustrated by Nayantara Surendranath (Karadi Tales, 2019). In this colorful tale, talented tailor, Rupa Ram, finds creative ways to reuse the cloth of his old turban, finally weaving an …
Thukpa For All
Thukpa For All by Praba Ram & Sheela Preuitt; illustrated by Shilpa Ranade (Karadi Tales Company, 2019). Set in Ladakh, this story is about a young blind boy who lives with his grandmother. It delivers the …
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar; illustrated by Alea Marley (Sterling Children’s Books, 2019). Harpreet Singh is a practicing Sikh and adores colors. He has a different colored patka, or head covering, for every …
The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali
The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan (Scholastic, 2019). 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 …
Lakshmibai: A Graphic Biography
Lakshmibai: A Graphic Biography by Jason Quinn; illustrated by Naresh Kumar (Campfire, 2019). Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi, broke from patriarchy to lead her citizens in an arduous fight against the British. Her story is an important …
A Circle of Elephants
A Circle of Elephants by Eric Dinerstein (Hyperion Books for Children, 2019). The youngest elephant driver in the Nepalese Borderlands, thirteen year-old Nandu, faces challenges from both nature and poachers with the help of family, friends, …
A Maiden’s Prayer: A Family Story Set in 1970s Sri Lanka
This spellbinding novel narrated by a witty and keenly observant aspiring writer, teenager Tamara de Silva, unravels family and community secrets while detailing the role of astrology, match matchers, and scheming Aunties’ efforts to marry off her eligible bachelor uncle, all amid the cultural and political atmosphere of the times.
The Library Bus
Pari, a young Afghan girl, hits the road with her mother, who operates the only library bus in Kabul. Together, they travel through the countryside, lending books to girls along the way. This book captures the excitement and feeling of freedom of a child learning how to read.