Fatima's Great Outdoors, by Ambreen Tariq and illustrated by Stevie Lewis

 

BUY HERE (or, even better, request at your local library!)

The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson

The Day You Begin focuses on children who feel different, for reasons such as the way they look, how much money their family has,  or the language they speak. It truly captures the feeling of aloneness and otherness, as well as the courage it takes to announce your otherness to the world and go forth and find commonality with others.  This isn't the type of book I'd typically recommend - it doesn't have a linear plot - but my son and I were both entranced by the emotions so perfectly captured in this book that, for once, it didn't matter.  

BUY HERE (or, even better, request at your local library)

Kaia and the Bees, by Maribeth Boelts

We read Kaia and the Bees as part of a bee study I did with my son, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Kaia is shown as having a Black father and a white mother - something that isn't otherwise discussed in the story.  My son strongly identified with this story because of Kaia's fear of bee stings, and it's a quick engaging read.  

Kaia's dad keeps bees on the roof of their apartment building, though Kaia never helps because she was previously stung by a bee.  Though one day she brags to her friends about how much she helps with the bees, only to panic - right in front of them! - when a bee lands on her arm.  Their laughter goads her into actually going on the roof with the bees.  It's great, until . . . she takes off a glove and is stung AGAIN.  The book ends with her overcoming her fear and also learning a bit about bees.  

BUY HERE (or, even better, request at your local library)