Sona and the Wedding Game by Kashmira Sheth; illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi (Peachtree Publishers, 2015). Sona is excited about attending her first Indian wedding, particularly since her sister is the bride. She discovers tradition expects her …
Award Year
My Friend is Hindu
My Friend is Hindu by Khadija Ejaz (Purple Toad Publishing, 2015) Most of us don’t have a friend like Arjun to explain to us about sanatana dharma, varnas, samskaras, and atman, but Cameron’s Hindu pal shows …
Crane Boy
Crane Boy by Diana Cohn; illustrated by Youme (Cinco Puntos Press, 2015). Every year Kinga waits for the black-necked cranes to return to his village in Bhutan. When he discovers they are endangered, he and his …
When the Rain Comes
When the Rain Comes by Alma Fullerton; illustrated by Kim LaFave (Pajama Press, 2017) A Sri Lankan girl is excited because today she will learn to plant rice seedlings that are essential to her family and …
When Dimple Met Rishi
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (Simon Pulse, 2017) Dimple is surprised when her parents allow her to attend a special summer coding camp before she heads off to Stanford. Then she finds out the …
Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh
Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh by Uma Krishnaswami (Tu Books, 2017) Softball, World War II and prejudice come together in an historical fiction title that takes place in Yuba City, CA, in 1945. Fifth-grader …
Amina’s Voice
Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan (Salaam Reads, 2017) 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 …
Room in Your Heart
Room in Your Heart by Kunzang Choden; illustrated by Pema Tshering (KitaabWorld, 2018). An old woman who lives in a tiny house in the mountains is hailed by many travelers who ask “Is there room for …
Machher Jhol
Machher Jhol by Richa Jha, illustrations by Sumanta Dey (Pickle Yolk Books, 2018). Gopu finds courage as he travels through the bustling crowds, the market, and traffic of Calcutta, to gather ingredients for his grandma to …
I Need to Pee
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 …