Diverse Books That Take Readers to Another Place

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” – Mason Cooley

Summer vacation is upon us, and social distancing and job changes are causing many families to cancel their normal travel plans. Kids looking forward to building sandcastles on the beach or playing tag with cousins at the annual family reunion may be disappointed. But staying in your own backyard doesn’t have to be boring. Open up exciting new worlds for the little ones with these fun books:

Zaynab’s Enchanted Scarf by Robyn Abdusumad – Zaynab takes a magical trip to the motherland of Africa in this colorful picture book. Along the journey readers learn about the historical contributions of Africans and African-Americans and Zaynab gains the courage and strength to find her way home.  Ages 6-10. Buy HERE.

Tristan Strong Punches a  Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia -This exciting epic fantasy stars a seventh grader named Tristan Strong and introduces a magical world that includes African American folk heroes and West African gods. The sequel, Tristan Destroys the World,  is scheduled to release this fall. Ages 8-12. Buy HERE. 

Shuri: A Black Panther Novel by Nic Stone – Black Panther fans are transported back to Wakanda with T’Challa’s younger sister, Princess Shuri, in this exciting series opener by New York Times Bestselling Author Nic Stone. When the magical plant that gives the Black Panther his strength mysteriously stops growing, teenaged Shuri sets off on a quest to restore it and save her homeland.  Ages 9-12. Buy HERE.

Feyi Fay and the Case of the Disappearance of Captain Nosa by Simisayo Brownstone – This is the second book of the imaginative series about Feyi Fay, an African fairy who travels the world to help kids solve their problems. In this fun-filled book about compassion and respect she journeys to Costa Rica to find brainy superhero, Captain Nosa. Ages 6-10.  Buy HERE.

The Jumbies  by Tracey Baptiste – Set in the Caribbean, this is the opener in a three-book series about a brave girl who stands up to scary spirits to save her island home. The story is loosely based on a Haitian folktale called “The Magic Orange Tree.” Others in the series include, The Rise of the Jumbies and The Jumbie God’s Revenge. Ages 9-12. Buy HERE.

Sophie Washington: Mission: Costa Rica by Tonya Duncan Ellis– Sophie and friends take a spring break mission trip to Costa Rica and have a wild jungle adventure filled with zip lines, a river ride, and plenty of wildlife sightings in this exciting, illustrated chapter book. This is the sixth installment in the 10-book series. Ages  8-12. Buy HERE.

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the Amazon Best Selling, Readers’ Favorite “Five Star” rated Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
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