The books listed below may be available through publishers, distributors such as bookstores or online retailers, or library systems.
Independent Reading
EASY- Immigrant Kids
- by Russell Freedman. Puffin Books, 1980
- Text and period photographs chronicle the life of immigrant children at home, school, work, and play during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Kids Explore America's Hispanic Heritage
- by students in grades 3-7. John Muir Publications, 1992
- A product of the Westridge Young Writers Workshop, this collection describes the history of Hispanic Americans, their cultural festivities, and the contributions of prominent individuals.
- Kids Explore the Heritage of Western Native Americans
- Westridge Young Writers. John Muir Publications, 1995
- The story of six families in different Native American nations.
- Songs from the Loom: A Navajo Girl Learns to Weave
- by Monty Roessel. Lerner Publications, 1995
- A young Navajo girl learns to weave, builds her own table loom, and learns the folklore and songs of the loom.
- Take a Trip to Haiti
- by John Griffiths. Franklin Watts Ltd., 1989
- An introduction to the geography, history, government, economy, people, and culture of Haiti.
- A Wave in Her Pocket
- by Lynn Joseph. Clarion Books, 1991
- A young girl from Trinidad retells the stories of her great-aunt. The tales are exciting and mysterious.
- Canada (Children of the World Series)
- by David K. Wright. Gareth Stevens, Inc., 1991
- Looks at everyday life in Canada today through the eyes of Rachel, a girl living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Also surveys the civilization, history, culture, and geography of Canada.
- El Guero
- by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino. Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 1989
- Describes the courageous boyhood of Porfirio Trevino Arrelo -- El Guero, the Blond One -- whose father was exiled by Porfirio Diaz in 1864 and who fled to Baja California with his family.
- Going Home
- by Nicholasa Mohr. Bantam Books, 1986
- Twelve-year-old Felita leaves New York City, her family, friends, and new boyfriend for a summer vacation in a remote mountain village in Puerto Rico. After much difficulty, she finds her place in that island world.
- Make It Work! North American Indians
- by Andrew Haslam and Alexandra Parsons. Thomson Learning, 1995
- An overview of North American Indian life that asks questions about the past. Included are directions for making replicas of items Native American people used long ago.
- Morning Girl
- by Michael Dorris. University of Oklahoma Press, 1992
- Describes life on an island in pre-Columbian America and includes an account of the arrival of the first Europeans.
- Kim/Kimi
- by Hadley Irwin. Puffin Books, 1987
- Japanese American girl travels from Iowa to California to experience life in the Japanese American community where her father was raised.
- Land of Dreams
- by Joan Lowery Nixon. Bantam Books, 1994
- In 1902, 16-year-old Kristin travels with her family to Minnesota, where she finds herself frustrated by the restrictions placed on what girls of her age are expected or allowed to do.
- Lost in the Barrens
- by Farley Mowat. Little, Brown & Co., 1956
- Two young men must survive a northern Canadian winter after becoming lost on a hunting expedition.
- Nunavut
- by Lyn Hancock. Lerner Publishing, 1995
- An overview of the social life and customs of the Inuit, and the history of their successful efforts to have the Canadian government grant them jurisdiction over Nunavut.
- Toussaint, the Black Liberator
- by Ronald Syme. William Morrow, 1971
- Relates Toussaint L'Ouverture's dramatic struggle to free the black people of the French colony of Saint Domingue, and his eventual tragic end in one of Napoleon's prisons.
- When the Legends Die
- by Hal Borland. Bantam Books, 1964
- Thomas Black Boy dedicates himself to killing the old Indian legends that gave him distinction and pride, and becomes an empty old man. He achieves spiritual rebirth and a new maturity by embracing his heritage again.
Read Aloud and Reference Books
READ ALOUD BOOKS- America Street: A Multicultural Anthology of Stories
- by Anne Mazer. Persea Books, Inc., 1993
- Fourteen short stories by American authors from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
- Canto Familiar
- by Gary Soto. Harcourt Brace, 1995
- Twenty-five poems about the pleasures and difficulties that Mexican American children experience growing up.
- Mama Rocks, Papa Sings
- by Nancy Van Laan. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1995
- A Haitian girl describes how her parents' house fills up with babies as relatives drop off their children on their way to work.
- Dominican Republic
- by Alexander Creed. Chelsea House, 1987
- Surveys the history, topography, people, and culture of the Dominican Republic, with an emphasis on its current economy, industry, and place in the political world.
- Mexico, the People
- by Bobbie Kalman. Crabtree Publishing, 1993
- Looks at the way of life of Mexican people, including family life, education, religion, city and village life, and work.
- Women in American Indian Society
- by Rayna Green. Chelsea House, 1992
- Examines the life and culture of Native American women and profiles several women who made significant contributions.