Wonder World Book Cafe'

Heera, a fourteen year old girl living in a crudely made shack in Northern India, knows girls like her have only two inevitable life paths: marry young or become a prostitute. She's ambitious, wants an education, and questions "tradition." Come along on Heera's journey. While a work of fiction, this is based off true events that occur across the globe. Transcript here

Middle school issues are difficult enough, but Güero and Fregona are dealing with even bigger and more important issues. When Fregona’s dad drops her off on the first day of school, ICE agents take him away.

At 17 years old, Veronica wants to reclaim her body. All her life she’s lived with overbearing parents who worry incessantly about the hip condition she was born with and doctor’s who speak of Veronica’s condition as if she’s not even in the room. She has endured multiple surgeries, physical therapy, chronic pain, ableism, and plenty of people who stare and comment on her “disability.” Veronica fi...

☕Listen in on this espresso-sized episode, shorter than usual, to learn about a few YA highly engaging short stories (but not short stories in the traditional sense). I hope this episode provides you a little extra jolt for reading. Transcript here

In this YA novel, Charlie Vega battles with societal expectations, and even her own mother about her body type. She longs for her first kiss and a real date. Charlie is bold and honest about her struggles. Come along on her journey of love, romantic and self. Transcript here

In this YA novel, 17 year-old Jamison uses his love of photography to cope with stifling grief and to honor his best friend, his mom. With Dorothea Lange as his inspiration, Jamison decides to take a photo every night, at the very corner he saw each night from his mom's hospital room, at 9:09, the time of her last breath. Come along with Jamison as his photography is a catalyst for healing--fo...

In this YA novel, Chaos Theory, meet seniors Shelbi and Andy. Both have distinctive voices and their perspectives on families, friends, addiction, mental health, pain, grief, joy, and love are stories we need in the world. Transcript here

In this middle grade book, readers will relish a collection of 18 short stories and poems all from different Native authors. Each piece is written from the author’s own lived experiences and imagination. People are traveling from Nations within the borders of the United States and Canada to Ann Arbor, Michigan for the annual two-day Dance for Mother Earth Powwow. Ancestor Approved , brings us stor...

In this young adult, historical fiction, romance novel, four strong Black women's lives intertwine in alternating chapters (my favorite format). As the story begins, it’s 1910. In each chapter, a strong-willed, determined young Black woman tells her story of love, friendship, and living up to or defying family and societal expectations.  Transcript here  

When classmates accuse 11-year old Sicily of lying about her heritage, she sets out to gain an understanding of and ultimately confidence to explain how she is Black first, then Panamanian and Latina. Sicily, a writer, has much to share with the world!  Transcript here  

At the age of nine, Javier Zamora migrated to California. Decades later, Zamora, a Salvadorian poet, tells his story in this memoir, Solito: a nine-year-old boy from El Salvador who embarked on a harrowing "trip" with strangers and a coyote who was paid to safely reunite him with his parents in the United States.  Transcript here

Twelve-year old Iveliz's story brings mental health conversations to the forefront. She is grieving the loss of her father whose death, she's sure, is her fault. When her Abuela Mimi comes from Puerto Rico, this sets off a generational and cultural rift as Mimi dismisses the need for the therapy and medication Iveliz needs for trauma and PTSD.  Transcript here  

During WWII, ten year old Mari and her family are forced to the Manzanar Relocation Center. Mari is devastated with her brother Mak decides to join the Army, even against his father's wishes. In protest, Mari takes a vow of silence until Mak returns home safely.  Transcript here  

Teenage sisters embark on "world school" with their parents. Listen in on this true story to learn all the places this family of four traveled to along with the many ups and downs of learning about new places and cultures.  Transcript here  

Evan Pao doesn't feel he fits into his new community steeped in its Civil War history and traditions until he learns Chinese soldiers fought in this war. He is delighted to see himself represented. It's a little known fact that Chinese Americans fought in the Civil War.  Transcript here  

Jama, a 12 year-old Maasai girl, lives in rural Kenya and has a heart for "her herd of elephants." She uncovers corruption between poachers and the ranger who is supposed to be stopping such cruel acts. Inspired by the threats elephants in Asia and Africa continue to endure. The Elephant Girl is heart-pounding and heart-warming.  Transcript here  

Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Knowledge. Savor the stories. Ponder the questions. Heed the call to action. Use as a reference guide. Care for and love this one Earth.  Transcript here  

Twelve-year old Joseph is aggressive and angry, and now finds himself living with Mrs. F, a cold woman who is trying to keep the few animals left in her family's zoo alive during WWII. One animal is Adonis, a huge ferocious silverback gorilla. Adonis saves him from a school bully, and a friendship between Adonis and Joseph ensues. But, time is running out for Adonis; Joseph and Mrs. F come togethe...

It's 1965 in Delano, California. Seventh-grader Lula is inspired when she meets Dolores Huerta and thinks maybe she wants to be an activist and organizer, too. But, first Lula's family and all the other farm workers are on strike demanding better working conditions and wages from the growers. The families meet  important historical figures fighting on their behalf, such as Dolores Huerta, Ces...

Set in Ghana, Abena and Faiza, both 14 years old, meet in a busy market place where Faiza earns a meager living being a kayayoo (a porter girl). Abena left her plush lifestyle behind to spend the summer holidays working in her auntie's market cloth shop. The girls quickly develop a deep friendship; it's inconsequential that they don't speak the same language. Both are bright and curious about the...

Set in 1987, 12 year old Annie's future aspirations include playing in the NBA and performing on the big stage. When she  gets a part in her school's production of The King and I, she overhears others saying she only got a part because it's an Asian play, and she's Asian. Annie wonders if this is the end of her acting dream as she thinks people will never see her for her talent or hard work.&...

Set in modern Ghana, twelve year-old Ato and his two best friends are inspired when they learn of an opportunity to visit Nnoma, a precious bird sanctuary that Ato's late father helped create. Visiting this bird island is all Ato has ever wanted; now he and his friends set out to create their project, a prerequisite for entry to Nnoma. They're sure they can use organic pesticides to grow vegetable...

Jo and Ronny each have their own dilemmas: Jo is trying to overcome stage fright for her upcoming cello audition while Ronny's entrepreneurial spirit is awakened when he decides to earn enough money to save the family car from being repossessed by the bank. Come along on their journey— just in time for the holiday season, where each of their predicaments is lessened when Jo and Ronny become an imp...

💗The Road to After. F ull of heart and hope AND equally important, the reality of trauma and steps toward healing. You’ll want to meet resilient and creative 11 year-old Lacey and learn how nature is so closely connected to her healing from a lifetime of abuse from her father.  Transcript here  

(⏰10 minutes) Two 6th grade best friends, Isaac and Marco, couldn't be more different. But, they have commonality: dads who don't follow through on their promises. Each has a goal. Marco's is to become more responsible with school work which he believes will keep his family together and help his dad stop drinking. Isaac's is to finally do something that will make his dad proud. On these pages, fi...