On her tenth birthday, Leah Hopper receives an unexpected gift from her Aunt Olivia which includes train tickets to Los Angeles. A Coretta Scott King Honor Book,

Saint, who plays the clarinet, dreams of going to Juilliard and is devoted to his dog, Shadow. But when Hurricane Katrina hits, he makes a life changing decision. Now on 8 State Award Lists

Meriwether Hunter, a Black World War II Veteran, saves Gabriel's life and they become friends in Birdsong, South Carolina. A CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young Readers, Amazon Teacher's Pick

Eden plays piano and also writes music. It's the summer of 1965 when her cousin, Winter Robeson, comes to Los Angeles to visit. While he's there she finds out why he really came and the Watts Riots cause the city to erupt. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Coop, who's adopted, loves playing basketball and sometimes wonders why his birth mother abandoned him at a hospital right after he was born. But when he rescues a bird that only has one wing, he starts to see some things differently. School Library Journal Starred Review

Violet Diamond, a bi-racial girl, whose African American father died before she was born, sets out to meet his family for the first time. A KIRKUS Reviews Best Book

Zoe G. Reindeer, who thinks of herself as a 'shy, perfectly plain girl-person', can be adventurous in her imaginary world. Her only friend, Quincy, is moving away and she's afraid of being lonely. But when she meets an Astronomer from JPL, Zoe begins to see that being different can be a good thing.

Sally, who's about to be sold, narrowly escapes slavery with her family and finds a home with a Native American tribe in the 1800's. Booklist Starred Review

Emako Blue is a budding star with a voice that's smoky and sweet, like vanilla incense. Her future looks bright and record producers are hovering. But... tragedy is on the way. IRA Children's Book Award