#OwnVoices books are written by authors who share underrepresented characteristics with the characters they are writing about. Children need and want to see themselves in the books they are reading. #OwnVoices books give children that mirror to see themselves reflected in the books they read. Brightly author Kayla Whaley says it perfectly, “The author has the deepest possible understanding of the intricacies, the joys, the difficulties, the pride, the frustration, and every other possible facet of that particular life—because the author has actually lived it” (n.d.) These books aren’t just for the population they are written about though. They are also a great way to understand the world and life from the perspective of people who have been marginalized by society.
Here is a growing list of books for children from preschool to eight grade:
Picture Books
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
Where Are You From? By Jamie Kim
Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña
The Day Abuelo Got Lost by Diane de Anda
Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina
I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison
Saffron Ice Cream by Rashin Kheiriyeh
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
Middle Grade
A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold
Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
The Stars Beneath our Feet by David Barclay Moore
Born Just Right by Jordan Reeves & Jen Lee Reeves
Dear America by Jose Antonio Vargas
George by Alex Gino
Braced by Alyson Gerber
Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
It All Comes Down to This by Karen English
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
Resources: Whaley, K. (n.d.). #OwnVoices: Why we need diverse authors in children’s literature. https://www.readbrightly.com/why-we-need-diverse-authors-in-kids-ya-lit/
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