The Windows & Mirrors List
NECBA's annual list of diverse and inclusive children's titles
Since 2015, a committee of NECBA community members has curated an annual list of diverse and inclusive children's titles that they feel best represent the concept of Windows & Mirrors (as articulated by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop). After selecting titles submitted by publishers and booksellers, NECBA presents that year's Windows & Mirrors list at the annual NEIBA Fall Conference, as well as at various ABA, NEIBA, and NECBA events. Committee members write short blurbs for 20 featured titles, which are posted here along with an Edelweiss collection of the complete list. Each year's list includes titles with a range of diverse experiences and identities, for every age.
Updates & Resources
- Submissions for the 2027 Windows & Mirrors lists will open soon. Stay tuned!
- Applications to join the Windows & Mirrors committee are open! Click here to apply.
- To view Edelweiss collections for previous Windows & Mirrors lists, click the year:
2026 Windows & Mirrors List
To view this list as an Edelweiss collection, please click here.
To download a printable PDF, click here.
Picture Books
My Papi's Hands by Melissa Seron Richardson and illustrated by Edel Rodriguez
Papi's hands build houses, create music, and hold his loved ones close. Sometimes Papi's hands get tired from work, from worry, and from hate. But still, they inspire, they teach, and they help create the future – together with the next generation! Deftly navigating anti-immigrant racism without letting it dominate, My Papi's Hands glows with gratitude for Latine laborers – and the wood-block illustrations are full of life and detail that make this read-aloud a guaranteed read-again!
- Kinsey Foreman, High Five Books (Florence, MA)
A Year of Kites by Monisha Bajaj and illustrated by Amber Ren
What I LOOOVED about this book, besides the beautiful illustrations, was the fact that it shows how much people all around the world have in common though one single very fun thing: Kites. We all love kites. They are fun to make, to fly, to see. All these different cultures make them, fly them, love them. It is such a wonderful way to show what brings us together in a beautiful, colorful, fun way. The fact that it shows kites from Sunpango in Guatemala, where I am from, was just the icing on the cake.
-Andrea Iriarte Dent, Molly’s Bookstore (Melrose, MA)
Everything Grows in Jiddo's Garden by Jenan Matari and illustrated by Aya Ghanameh
A girl delights in her grandfather's garden and learns about her Palestinian heritage in this glowingly beautiful book. The rhyming text is light and lyrical, and begs to be read out loud! The bright, soft art feels welcoming and friendly. Rooted in love of family and the earth, this is a story you'll want to read over and over.
-Sara Waltuck, Brookline Booksmith (Brookline, MA)
Rhea's Rodeo by Laekan Zea Kemp and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa
I loved every moment I spent with this book! The colors pop off the page. You feel every moment of the joy, excitement, and heartbreak of the rodeo. Not to mention the great lesson about what true sportsmanship looks like and, of course, some strong young female characters!”
- Emily Stevenson, Belmont Books (Belmont, MA)
Fly in the Chai by Zenia Wadhwani and illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat
This book is so much fun AND funny! A trip to the most colorful market ever. Saying hello to everybody. Saying all sorts of wonderful things goes sour when... There is a fly in the Chai! Why did that happen? You HAVE to find out why. It is fuuuuunny. Perfect story time book.
-Andrea Iriarte Dent, Molly’s Bookstore (Melrose, MA)
Chapter Books
Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo by Àlàbá Ònájìn
This hilarious graphic novel is set in Makoko, Nigeria, a fishing village built on stilts. Korobá and her friends (and dog) know everyone and everyone’s business, making them the perfect people to track down a thief! I had an absolute blast figuring out the clues with Korobá until she revealed the thief just in the nick of time. The art is part of the fun too! It’s bright without being overwhelming, making it easy to follow for younger readers so they can enjoy the story as much as I did.
-Sara Waltuck, Brookline Booksmith (Brookline MA)
Salma Speaks Up by Danny Ramadan and illustrated by Anna Bron
Salma faces a lot of tough issues, like her uncle’s seasonal depression and a bully who is set to erase her and her best friend’s cultural identities. But, through the power of research and trusting her gut, she finds the strength to stand up for herself and those around her. An incredible heartwarming story packed with amazing lessons for young readers.
- Emily Stevenson, Belmont Books (Belmont, MA)
Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise by Adeola Sokunbi
Outwardly, Destiny Ink is INKTASTIC! Full of joy and she loves to draw. But on the inside, her imagination is coming up with everything that could go wrong on her first sleepover. Well, what’s the best way to get brave? When you have to show someone else the ropes. A scared little alien shows up at her door the night before, and Destiny walks them through all the FUN things that can happen on a sleepover. Turns out, the next night at Olivia’s is even MORE fun! Keep your eyes peeled for more stories with Destiny. You’ll feel INKTASTIC too!
-Kristin Richland, Phoenix Books (Essex, VT)
Venus Washington and the Lasagna Drama by Maisha Oso
Venus Washington is a very literal minded character. From trying to figure out why her parents named her Venus (she was born on Earth!) to only eating chicken eggs (not eggplants!), Venus' misinterpretations lend themselves to hilarious chaos. So when she tries to figure out the truth behind the secret ingredient of her grandmother’s famous lasagna, Venus and her neighbors will go to any length to solve the mystery! With over the top misunderstandings and related mayhem, Venus Washington will have you laughing and cringing at the same time.
-Laure Colodner, Odyssey Bookshop (South Hadley, MA)
Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can Can by Seema Yasmin and illustrated by Noha Habaieb
Most kids have big dreams for who they want to be when they grow up. Some want to be a Ballerina Doctor Astronaut. Maysoon Zayid always knew she wanted to be an entertainer — an actress, comedian, and dancer. This incredibly readable early chapter biography energetically details Maysoon’s life so far and quest for stardom — particularly as Muslim and Palestinian American, and diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child. With cartoon illustrations sprinkled throughout, young readers will relate to and be inspired by Maysoon as she bounds past the hurdles and naysayers who tried to keep her from her dreams, whether or not they share aspects of her identity. Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can Can is the perfect early chapter book for young readers who devour books in the Who Is? Series and other chapter book biographies, and are looking for more cool people they should know about.
-Tildy Lutts, Belmont Books (Belmont, MA)
Middle Grade
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser
The author of The Vanderbeekers series is back with this delightful, heartwarming tale about Han Yu and Luli, who live in 731 China and New York City in the 1930s, respectively. They are both doing all that they can to save their families. With end of chapter cliffhangers that keep you engaged, Glaser seamlessly interweaves Han Yu and Luli’s stories, creating a bridge that magically transcends time.
-Laure Colodner, Odyssey Bookshop (South Hadley, MA)
Roxie in Color by Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka
This incredibly relatable middle school story had me empathizing and cringing in turn. Roxie is the new girl in school, an artist who experiences the world through color. She wants to fit in and downplay anything that makes her different, including that both her parents are blind. Thoughtfully tackling heavier topics like ableist stereotypes, the weight of carrying secrets, and fraught friendship dynamics without ever feeling overly preachy or bleak, I read this in one sitting. Occasional chapters from the POV of Nash, the mother’s guide dog, provide extra delight. Any lover of realistic fiction will enjoy getting lost within these pages.
-Lauren D’Alessio, Wellesley Books (Wellesley, MA)
A Glimmer of Change by Elle McNicoll
Elle McNicoll excels at writing neurodivergent characters to root for and thirteen-year-old Keedie Darrow is no exception. Whether she's helping younger sibling Addie navigate an autistic meltdown or standing up to school bullies (who also happen to be friends with her twin sister, Nina), Keedie's personality practically explodes from the page – making this an entertaining and informative novel for tween readers.
-Kinsey Foreman, High Five Books (Florence, MA)
Shook by Julian Randall and illustrated by Nathan Walker
Basketball is everything for 12-year-old Malik "Shake" Page – who believes he's got what it takes to make the varsity team and the NBA. But when he fractures his ankle during his team's final game, he can no longer play ball for the rest of the summer. With his confidence and hopes upended, he slips deeper into anxiety and depression. This profoundly relatable novel-in-verse is perfect for fans of Kwame Alexander and Jason Reynolds.
- Alyssa Raymond, Copper Dog Books (Beverly, MA)
How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares
Warm washes of color and sketchy lines immersed me in the true story of Carlos (Miyares’ father). Carlos loved living in rural Cuba, spending time with his grandparents on their farm and running amok with his best friend. But after a financial windfall and move to the city during Castro’s rise to power, life becomes increasingly frustrating for Carlos and unsafe for his family, until they eventually escape to the U.S. I learned a lot about the history of Castro’s regime almost without realizing it, because the small, personal moments in Carlos’ story were so memorable.
-Sara Waltuck, Brookline Booksmith (Brookline, MA)
Young Adult
Armaveni by Nadine Takvorian
This is a unique, loosely autobiographical graphic novel about a teenage girl in the early 2000s, USA, who has been trying to uncover the mystery of what happened in her family’s homeland in Armenia. For years none of her family will talk about it – but Nadine doesn’t give up. When the stories finally come out and Nadine has the opportunity to travel and visit family in Armenia, she is suddenly pulled into an adventure of exploring her ancient ancestral homeland – in person and through memories. This is a beautiful story about the Armenian genocide and how its legacy impacts the subsequent generations and how a girl learns to feel a sense of belonging in her multiple identities.
- Koki Mulugeta, High Five Books (Florence, MA)
One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram
Told through second-person narration and dual perspectives, this deeply immersive, heartfelt novel places you right inside the heads of two high-school freshmen in the aftermath of a homophobic incident. A powerfully relevant and timely exploration of identity, accountability, and community that's full of humor, insight, and hope.
- Alyssa Raymond, Copper Dog Books (Beverly, MA)
Where You'll Find Us by Jen St. Jude
Somewhere, outside of time and space, there’s a little farm house that only reveals itself when you need it most. Filled with queer kids from throughout history, it’s a place to be safe when the world outside isn’t, a place to have the space and acceptance to be who you’re yearning to be. Reading this book feels like being welcomed into a safe space, filled with loving people, all trying their best to be happy. But when the world doesn’t accept you, does that mean you must leave it? Can a life outside of time and space be enough? Or must we all return to the real world to fight the good fight?
-Elouise Schmidt, Oblong Books (Millerton, NY)
Maybe Tomorrow I'll Know by Alex Ritany
This book totally blew me away. The mystery kept me riveted, reading way past my bedtime; the characters are fully fleshed out people I grew to love; the romance is equal parts swoony and sweet; and the story it tells is so, so important. It’s about fate and love and choice, and learning that looking away from the difficult things doesn’t make them go away – but learning who you are and choosing to move forward in life with the full knowledge of yourself is a powerful thing.
-Frederick Rossero, Oblong Books (Millerton, NY)
Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions by Ahmad Saber
This is an origami heart of humor and hope! Poor Ramin. Graduation is in sight but the principal points out that he needs to fulfil his PhysEd requirement. He finds himself on the school’s soccer team, where Captain Handsome, maybe, just maybe, is flirting with him!?
Add this to the list of other haram things he has to keep secret, like listening to his favorite Broadway musicals, or dreaming about baking for Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson. How can he be a good follower of Allah if all of this feels like such a part of him?
It’s not until he says it out loud to his crush that Ramin realizes it’s true: that Allah doesn’t make mistakes. Will his parents feel the same?
-Kristin Richland, Phoenix Books (Essex, VT)