The American Library Association (ALA) has released its list for the Notable Children’s Books of 2021, which includes Nikki Tate’s HOME BASE, illustrated by Katie Kath; Robin Ha’s ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL; and the anthology ONCE UPON AN EID, contributed to by Rukhsana Khan. Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the ALA, identifies the best of the best in children’s books, those that are “worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding.”

More about HOME BASE: A Mother-Daughter Story: 

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

A Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book 

In this empowering picture book perfect for young feminists, a gutsy baseball-playing girl and her bricklaying mom celebrate when love and hard work triumph over nerves.

A young pitcher steps up to the plate.

A hardworking mom interviews for her biggest job yet.

Girls and women aren’t always welcome in the worlds of baseball and bricklaying. But with practice, the right gear, and a whole lot of determination, this intrepid mom and daughter thrive under pressure. Readers get to see their parallel narratives unfold in tandem, coming together at the end for a sweet reward: ice cream!

With fun, punchy writing and radiant illustrations, this touching story will be a hit for budding activists, kids who love sports, and the moms who cheer them on.

More about ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL:

Harvey Award Nominee, Best Children or Young Adult Book

A powerful and moving teen graphic novel memoir about immigration, belonging, and how arts can save a life—perfect for fans of American Born Chinese and Hey, Kiddo.

For as long as she can remember, it’s been Robin and her mom against the world. Growing up as the only child of a single mother in Seoul, Korea, wasn’t always easy, but it has bonded them fiercely together.

So when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama, unexpectedly becomes a permanent relocation—following her mother’s announcement that she’s getting married—Robin is devastated.

Overnight, her life changes. She is dropped into a new school where she doesn’t understand the language and struggles to keep up. She is completely cut off from her friends in Seoul and has no access to her beloved comics. At home, she doesn’t fit in with her new stepfamily, and worst of all, she is furious with the one person she is closest to—her mother.

Then one day Robin’s mother enrolls her in a local comic drawing class, which opens the window to a future Robin could never have imagined.

This nonfiction graphic novel with four starred reviews is an excellent choice for teens and also accelerated tween readers, both for independent reading and units on immigration, memoirs, and the search for identity.

More about ONCE UPON AN EID: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices:

A joyous short story collection by and about Muslims, edited by New York Times bestselling author Aisha Saeed and Morris finalist S. K. Ali
 
Once Upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! Eid: The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it’s the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift giving and holiday parties to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy. The anthology also includes a poem, graphic-novel chapter, and spot illustrations.

Nikki Tate is represented by Amy Tompkins; Robin Ha is represented by Samantha Haywood; and Rukhsana Khan is represented by Rob Firing and Amy Tompkins. 

To see the full list of Notable Books of 2021, please visit: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb  

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