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 …
2020
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, …
Stories for South Asian Supergirls
This inspiring illustrated biography compilation truly is “a treasure trove” of fifty important, influential South Asian women from all walks of life – from all parts of the globe. Beyond mirrors, it offers our young girls maps to who and what they can become. (Grades 3-8)
The Jungle Radio: Bird Songs of India
Delve into an adventure of delightfully woven onomatopoeia, rhyming verse and ornate explosions of color with inquisitive Gul as she explores the sprawling habitat of her Indian jungle searching for the aerial musicians of the symphonic sounds emanating from her radio in a beautiful compilation introducing children to bird-watching. (Grades K-5)
Across the Line
Toshi and her six-year-old brother Tarlok are separated during the violent riots following partition in India which divided the country as well as families, creating profound loss. Sixty years later, the discovery of a diary offers insight while a chance meeting provides healing and understanding. (Grades 6 and up)
Forward Me Back to You
Robin, Kat and Gracie travel to Kolkata, India with their church group to help girls who have been rescued from trafficking, but find that they are the ones whose lives are changed. (Grades 9 and up)
The Bridge Home
Runaway sisters Viji and Rukku learn the harsh realities of life on the swarming streets of Chennai, India. They find shelter and friendship with Muthi and Arul, two homeless boys living under an abandoned bridge. Forming a family, the four use their instincts and tenacity to survive in a perilous, indifferent world. (Grades 4-6)