Picture Books (click here for a printable version)
“Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome” by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua – Amy’s class has a new student from China and while she tries hard to welcome him, it takes a special event- a dumpling party- to help make deeper connections.
“The Boy Who Loved Everyone” by Jane Porter and Maisie Paradise Shearing – Dimitri is so excited to start preschool. He warms up instantly to his classmates and teacher and tells them all “I love you.” At the end of the day, he’s sad because no one has told him they love him, but he eventually learns through their actions that he is accepted.
“The Buddy Bench” by Patty Brozo and Mike Deas – Some children in Mis Mellon’s class are feeling separate from the rest of the ones who are enjoying their playtime, and the whole class gets involved in creating a solution to this problem.
“My Two Blankets” by Irena Kobald and Freya Blackwood – A young girl from Sudan who has just moved to a new country has a difficult time getting to know a new friend who has words that are different from hers. Each time they meet, the girl brings more words, which to her are like the weaving of a new blanket, feeling a warmth like the blanket she brought from her old home.
“We Are Together” by Britta Teckentrup – Children of many cultures playing together, exploring the world make this book with cut outs and beautiful illustrations an example of belonging and unity. The book starts by saying it can be fun to do things on your own, but better to be with others as you discover the world.
Youth
“Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year” by Nina Hamza – After Ahmed and his family move back to his dad’s hometown in Minnesota from Hawaii, Ahmed experiences the challenges and the joys of belonging to a new group of friends, the support of a loving teacher, and the enthusiasm of being part of a team of book savvy students.
“A Home for Goddesses and Dogs” by Leslie Connor – An uplifting middle grade novel about recovery featuring strong female characters, an adorable dog, and the girl who comes to love him.
“Other Words for Home” by Jasmine Warga – Jude and her mother move to Cincinnati, Ohio from Syria, leaving her father and brother behind. This is a life-affirming story about the power of belonging in a new place, far from home.
“Ways to Grow Love” by Renee Watson – Ryan Hart is getting ready to attend her first sleep away camp and become a big sister. In the process, she must learn how to accept and get along with some new kids, share space and become part of a group. Once the new baby arrives, Ryan figures out how to belong in a larger family.
“You are Not Alone” by Kaitlin McGaw, Tommy Soulati Shepherd and Ashley Evans – The musical duo named Alphabet Rockers from Oakland, California joined forces with artist Ashley Evans to bring one of their songs to life. In a picture book format for older readers, the song features children of many backgrounds, and a refrain that lets each person know they are seen and welcomed and honored for their unique selves.
Teen
“Scout's Honor” by Lily Anderson – Prue is training a group of teens to become Lady Bird Scouts and—unlike her Lady Bird Scout leader—Prue is focusing her scouts' training on teamwork rather than competition.
“Lakelore” by Anna-Marie McLemore – Two nonbinary teens bond over their neurodivergence, nonbinary identities, and the fact that they're the only two in town who have noticed that the lake is magical.
“A Spark of White Fire” by Sangu Mandanna – In a space opera laced with Indian mythology, a girl sets off a chain of events complicated by the presence of gods when she reveals her identity to a royal family who did not know of her existence in hopes of taking her place with them.
“The Wednesday Wars” by Gary D. Schmidt – A year of Wednesday afternoons in 7th grader Holling’s life is spent being tortured by his teacher, Mrs. Baker, who hates his guts. So how in the world does cleaning erasers, wrangling rats, and slogging through Shakespeare end up helping Holling feel grounded in his tumultuous 1960s life?
“You Should See Me in a Crown” by Leah Johnson – Abandoned by her best friend when high school begins, Liz—who always felt embarrassed at her differences—decides to just try to blend in. When it comes to senior year and future challenges, she discovers that belonging is not about being like everyone else; it is about being herself.
Adult
“The Bookshop on the Shore” by Jenny Colgan – With the help of Nina, the friendly local bookseller, Zoe begins to put down roots in the community. Set in Scotland.
“Win Me Something” by Kyle Lucia Wu – Willa Chen has never quite fit in. Growing up as a biracial Chinese American girl in New Jersey. A coming-of-age story about a young woman who asks what it means to belong and how to define her own life.
“The People We Keep” by Allison Larkin – After leaving her hometown where she never felt accepted, April stops to rest in Ithaca, New York and finds a sense of belonging at Café Decadence, a local coffee shop. Throughout this novel she struggles to accept that she does not have to be defined by where she came from.
“It’s Not All Downhill from Here” by Terry McMillan – At 68, Loretha Curry is on top of the world with a successful business, happy marriage and a group of lifelong friends. When she encounters a loss that changes her life, she leans on her friends to find a way forward.