Diversity in youth literature has been a big topic of late. So, for this month’s contemporary YA lit book list, I am going to highlight some titles with various aspects of diversity in them (including a book that includes financial struggle). I know I will miss some, but these are the titles that popped into my head and I want you all to tell me of more titles!
The Tyrant’s Daughter by J.C. Carleson
Laila’s father was killed in a coup, and her family has been exiled to the United States from the Middle East. While she’s trying to adjust to a new life and culture, her mom is conspiring to get the family throne back.
I’m Just Me by M.G. Higgins
Nasreen and Mia are two very different girls who stand out at their school, making them targets for bullying and racial slurs, both at school and online. So the girls come together and hatch a plan for revenge.
Death, Dickinson, and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Frenchie Garcia can’t come to grips with the death of a classmate. No one can figure out why its bothering her so much, but she hasn’t told anyone she was with him the night he died. So she sets out to recreate his last night and figure out what went wrong.
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Sixteen-year-old Amal has decided to wear a hijab full time. She didn’t think a piece of cloth would be such a big deal, but it changes everything.
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina (2014 Pura Belpré Award and 2014 YALSA Top Ten Quick Picks)
This is what Piddy Sanchez is told upon her arrival at school. Problem is, Piddy doesn’t even know who Yaqui Delgado is or what she could possibly have done to make her mad, since she’s the new kid at school.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (2014 Odyssey Honor Book and 2014 Printz Honor Book)
Eleanor doesn’t wear the right clothes or do the right things. She can’t afford to, but when she meets Park, her whole world changes and she has hope.
-Faythe Arredondo