por Jonae, Jesse, Layonnie, and Kahliya de Reach Incorporated

La conmovedora, pero común historia de una niña tratando de procesar complicadas emociones cuando su madre es encarcelada.

Escrito por cuatro adolescentes, este conmovedor libro ilustrado explora los efectos del encarcelamiento de una madre en una niña. Cuando su madre ingresa en prisión, Deena empieza a portarse mal en la escuela. Su mejor amiga intenta hablar con ella, su abuela intenta consolarla, su padre intenta castigarla... pero nada funciona. En un día en el parque de atracciones con su padre, Deena empieza a procesar sus sentimientos. Ilustrada con emotivos collages, esta historia ayudará a jóvenes lectores a procesar y comprender conversaciones difíciles, el dolor causado por el sistema judicial y cómo las familias perseveran a pesar de todo.

• ISBN: 978-1945434075

• edad: 4-9

• lexile: 520L

• páginas: 40

• publicado originalmente 2017

• fecha de publicación 15 Oct 2024

por London, Riley, and Shirelle of Reach Incorporated

Un niño sensible de piel oscura se enfrenta a un mundo de masculinidad tóxica. ¿Cómo puede Aaron expresar sus emociones cuando todos a su alrededor le dicen que «se porte como un hombre»?

Este motivador libro ilustrado explora los efectos perjudiciales de la masculinidad tóxica en nuestra cultura y en las comunidades de color, y cómo afecta a los niños más sensibles. Aaron es extrovertido, divertido y un genio del kickball. También es compasivo y bondadoso, y ofrece su tiempo para leerles libros a los ancianos en la residencia de ancianos de su vecindario. Es un gran chico, pero tiene un problema: todos lo llaman llorón. Cuando sus amigos hacen trampa en Fortnoche, llora de la rabia. Cuando ve a su amigo Tayshawn lastimar a un perro del vecindario, llora por empatía. Y cuando echa de menos a su hermano mayor, Sergio, que está en la universidad, llora de soledad. Su padre, sus amigos y sus compañeros de clase le dicen que «llorar es cosa de niñas». ¿Cómo puede Aaron aprender a valorar sus sentimientos y a cultivar su sensibilidad en un mundo que le dice «pórtate como un hombre»?

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-05-5

• edad: 4-9

• lexile: 510L

• páginas: 38

• publicado originalmente 2019

• fecha de publicación 15 October 2024

by Danya, Joseph, and Samaria of Reach Incorporated

Danya, Joseph, and Samaria were inspired by their experience of being in lockdown with family: both the joys and the challenges. Shayla loves to draw and be creative. But during the shutdown, she's having a hard time finding a place to do what she loves. Her big, multigenerational family seems to always be in the way. Mom and dad are video-chatting. Her brothers and sisters are doing schoolwork. And her little cousins are making messes all over the place. Frustrated, Shayla goes to her Aunties for help. Will she be able to figure out how to make space for herself in a very crowded house?

Want all four titles from this year’s amazing Reach Incorporated authors? Buy the set!

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-13-0

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 580L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2020

by Diarou, Riley, and Anthony of Reach Incorporated

Anthony, Diarou, and Riley wanted to write a story, inspired by co-author Diarou, about immigrating to the U.S. and forging friendships despite differences in language. Diarou is starting her first week in a new school, in a new country, speaking a new language... and she feels completely alone. She moved to the U.S. from Guinea over the summer and is determined to make friends, but with her limited English, she's having trouble communicating with her classmates. Just when she thinks she might be on her own, she meets another new student who’s struggling too. Can Diarou find a way to connect across language barriers to make a true friend?

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-11-6

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 530L

• Page Count: 36

• Published: Fall 2020

by Daveena , Geralyn, Jocktavious, Shatiya of Reach Incorporated

Daveena, Geralyn, Jocktavious, and Shatyia wanted to create a story that both speaks to the history of racial injustice, and honors the young people who are (and have been) fighting for change. They wanted to create a story that said the names of those who we have lost to police brutality. For this reason, they named the protagonist "Breonna" after Breonna Taylor. Breonna is an 8-year-old time traveler living in Southeast DC. As she watches 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, she sees her once-vibrant community wilt into sadness and anger. She is filled with questions about what is going on and why — and she’s determined to do something about it. Breonna travels back in time and then sees the future in order to learn about the power of speaking out. Can a visit with a youth activist from the past inspire her to bring change to the present day?

Want all four titles from this year’s amazing Reach Incorporated authors? Buy the set!

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-07-9

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 570L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2020

Top Ten Books for 2022 In The Margins Book Award

by Damarco, Emilie, and Japan of Reach Incorporated

Damarco, Emilie, and Japan wanted to write a story about how friends can disagree and move through disagreements about important issues. Cody and Nene are best friends, and they have been all their lives. But when the Black Lives Matter protests erupt in response to police violence, they realize they may not be so alike after all. While Nene defends cops like her uncle — “Not all cops are like that!” — Cody gets more and more upset about injustice. This movement will put their friendship to the test, and may push them into separate corners just when they need each other most. Can they learn to hear each other out and mend their friendship?

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-09-3

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 540L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2020

by Camal, Japan, and Dameona of Reach Incorporated

Camal, Japan, and Dameona are good kids, but struggling students. They’ve decided homework is pointless, and they’d rather just play their video game. One night when the kids refuse to stop playing, they are sucked into the world of The Pharaohs, where now they must complete challenges in their weakest subjects in school to make it out. Characters (and readers!) must solve hieroglyphic word puzzles, find their way through science-related mazes, and complete math mysteries on their path to earning their Pharaoh crowns and returning to the real world. Can they challenge themselves and learn to ask for help in time to make it out of the game?

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-06-2

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: GN530L

• Page Count: 42

• Published: 2019

by Jock, Jailah, Victoria, and Jesse of Reach Incorporated

Georgia is having a hard time. A really hard time. Her best friend, Sienna, has passed away. She’s shutting down in school, ignoring texts from her friends, and won’t even eat her Chicken Alfredo (her favorite!) for dinner. Her mother knows she’s hurting and takes her to an overnight at the zoo to cheer her up. That night, the zoo animals visit her in a dream and talk to her about their experience with loss. Can these thoughtful animals help Georgia open up about her grief and start to find a path forward?

Want all four titles from this year’s amazing Reach Incorporated authors? Buy the set!

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-03-1

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 520L

• Page Count: 42

• Published: Fall 2019

by London, Riley, and Shirelle of Reach Incorporated

Aaron is outgoing and funny and a whiz at kickball. He’s also compassionate and kind, reading books at the old folks home down H street. Basically, he’s pretty great. But he’s got a problem: everyone calls him a Crybaby.

When his friends cheat at Forknife, he cries out of anger.
When he sees his friend Tayshawn hurt a neighborhood dog, he cries out of empathy.
And when misses his oldest brother, Sage, who’s away at college, he cries out of loneliness.
His dad, his friends, and his classmates tell him to “Leave that crying for the girls.”
How can Aaron learn to value his feelings and nurture his sensitivity in a world telling him to “Man up”?

Want all four titles from this year’s amazing Reach Incorporated authors? Buy the set!

Man Up! is included in the DC Kids Book Gift Set!

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-05-5

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 510L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2019

by Talik, Anaya, and Dewan of Reach Incorporated

Marcus isn’t the coolest kid in school. The other kids make fun of his old clothes and raggedy backpack, but at least he has one true friend, Taylor, who likes him for who he is. But when Marcus finds a winning lottery ticket on the ground on the last day of school, his whole world changes! Now, with a backpack full of money, everything is possible--and Marcus goes on the spending spree to show it: never-ending arcade games, all-day Chipotle, and all the best elementary school bling. Marcus’s classmates flock to him and shower him with praise, and he is feeling good, spending money on his “new friends.” In the meantime, Taylor is shrinking further and further away. Will Marcus get caught up in the world of money and fame or will he learn to stay true to himself and remember his real friend?

Want all four titles from this year’s amazing Reach Incorporated authors? Buy the set!

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-04-8

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 570L

• Page Count: 40

• Published: Fall 2019

by Talik, Synia, Jada, and Temil of Reach Incorporated

Tyrell loves his neighborhood -- the park with the swing set, the library with the puppet shows, the restaurant with the star-shaped spaghetti. But the neighborhood has been changing a lot lately, and one day Tyrell comes home to learn that his building has been bought and everyone must move. It seems like the worst news ever, but Tyrell’s cousin Breonna has a plan for making the most of it. How can Tyrell learn how to move on and be OK?

This heartfelt story about dealing with change is both sweet and smart, coming from teen authors who know the realities of handling transitions -- and about changing neighborhoods in Washington, DC.

• ISBN: 978-1-945434-95-2

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 510L

• Page Count: 42

• Published: Fall 2018

by De’Asia, India, Essence and Malik of Reach Incorporated

Rahim loves his dog Mumbo, and Mumbo loves himself some Mumbo sauce. :-) The two are best friends, but lately Rahim has been getting frustrated by all the chores that come along with taking care of a dog -- especially the ones that get in the way of him playing basketball. On the day before his big tournament, Rahim’s dad makes him take Mumbo out, but he’s running late for practice, so he tries to multi-task… and when practice is over, Mumbo is gone. Can Rahim figure out how to find his beloved dog AND play in the big game?

• ISBN: 978-1-945434-96-9

• Age: 2-4

• Lexile: 490L

• Page Count: 42

• Published: Fall 2018

by Trevon and Kahliya of Reach Incorporated

Where can you go to grill half-smokes, captain pirate ships, shoot hoops, feed ducks, and watch the sun set magnificently over the river? Welcome to historic Anacostia Park, in Southeast Washington, D.C. Join us on an adventure through this local landmark through the eyes of D.C.’s youngest residents, and feel the ordinary become extraordinary.

• ISBN: 978-1-945434-94-5

• Age: 2-4

• Lexile: 500L

• Page Count: 32

• Published: Fall 2018

by Brittany, Dartavius, and Don’Nayah of Reach Incorporated

Every day, Tiffany hears that her smile is so bright it lights up the room. But on the morning of her ballet recital, something goes very wrong: Tiffany's two front teeth fall out. Tiffany doesn't want anyone to laugh at her new crazy smile or make fun of her lisp. But how can she avoid attention on the day she’s on stage in the spotlight?

• ISBN: 978-1-945434-97-6

• Age: 2-4

• Lexile: 500L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2018

by Abreona, Kairon, and Cassandra of Reach Incorporated

Every year on the first day of school, Carla’s friends show up wearing the coolest new shoes. But not Carla -- her mom always buys her the Same Lame Boring Plain sneakers. And this year is no different. This time, though, Carla won’t settle for more of the same. With a little advice from her older cousin Josh, a few experiments, and a whole lot of creativity, Carla decides to take a chance and do her own thing. But what will her classmates think of her creation?

• ISBN: 978-1945434068

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 550L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2017

by Makiya, Mikala, and Dartavius of Reach Incorporated

Madison is a first-grader who can’t sit still. She wants to make her teacher like her, but she also wants to jump and scream and play tag with her imaginary best friend, Alex. When Madison accidentally lets her class pet bunny out of its cage during recess, she will have to get creative and form unlikely friendships - and not just imaginary ones - if she wants to prove to her class that a hyperactive little girl can still be responsible.

• ISBN: 978-1945434082

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 520L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2017

by Ashley, De’Asia, and Romel of Reach Incorporated

It’s Amaya’s first month at a new school in a new state, and she's too scared to speak. Amaya has a stutter. At her old school she got bullied for how she talked, but she had finally just started making friends. And then her mom got a new job and moved them to DC, where she had to start all over again! Now Amaya is mad at her mom and scared at school. The only friend she shares her feelings with is her dog, Journey, who can talk back! If Amaya doesn’t start speaking soon, she’ll keep getting in trouble and will never make friends. Can Journey and her classmates help Amaya find her voice?

• ISBN: 978-1945434051

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 500L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2017

by Jonae, Jesse, Layonnie, and Kahliya of Reach Incorporated

Lately, Deena has been getting angry. A lot. She acts out in school and keeps getting in trouble. Everyone is surprised because she used to be very calm, but that was before her mother went to jail. Her dad, her grandma, and her best friend Josey all do their best to help her out, but Deena doesn’t want to talk about it. Will a day at the carnival with her Dad help her open up?

• ISBN: 978-1945434075

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 520L

• Page Count: 40

• Published: Fall 2017

by Abreona, Darrin, Rochelle, and Temil of Reach Incorporated

Closing Day is coming to the animal shelter, and “All Dogs Must Go.” Spanky, who was born with just three legs, is both excited and terrified: Does this mean he will finally be adopted? Spanky’s abandonment as a pup have left him with a deep desire to be loved, and his worries sometimes make him feel hopeless. While Pepper the mean chihuahua tries to tear him down, Dorothy the friendly pit bull tries to cheer him up. Can she help Spanky learn to be his own lovable self and finally get adopted?

• ISBN: 978-1945434013

• Age: 2-4

• Lexile: 530L

• Page Count: 46

• Published: Fall 2016

by Destiney, Kairon, and Aderemi of Reach Incorporated

Kendra the Kangaroo is getting ready for her hockey team’s big game against their rival. The only problem? Her team doesn’t think that kangaroos belong in hockey. And even worse, Kendra is afraid they’ll kick her off the team if they find out that she has asthma. So she keeps a big secret, and tries to prove that she belongs on the ice. Can her friend Rahim the Rabbit convince her to be herself and tell the truth before she puts herself in danger?

• ISBN: 978-1945434020

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 600L

• Page Count: 44

• Published: Fall 2016

by R.E.L., Taijah, and Nasseem of Reach Incorporated

Lions rule the savanna kingdom and are taught to hate hyenas, who compete for the same resources. Then Mya the Lion and Asia the Hyena both get caught by a trapper and have to work together to escape. When they return home, they have to deal with protests and a face-off between their two species, and Mya has to make a tough decision: Should she rest easy in her lion power or speak up for her new hyena friend?

• ISBN: 978-1945434044

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 580L

• Page Count: 42

• Published: Fall 2016

by Dache, Marques, Ericka, and Dartavius of Reach Incorporated

Sherbert is a little sherbet with big problems: he has serious anger management issues, and whenever he gets mad he starts to melt. His friends are getting tired of dealing with his tantrums, and the other treats in the candy shop are worried that his melting will attract unwanted attention from the store’s owner. When Sherbert’s best friend leaves him to fend for himself, he will have to learn how to deal with his anger issues on his own – before he melts away!

• ISBN: 978-1945434037

• Age: 2-4

• Lexile: 580L

• Page Count: 42

• Published: Fall 2016

Foreword by Elizabeth Acevedo. Edited by Sasa Aakil and Kathy Crutcher.

by the Young Writers of Shout Mouse Press

For ten years, Shout Mouse Press has championed the voices of young writers, publishing their authentic and necessary stories. Now, this landmark anthology of youth writing celebrates a decade of storytelling—and invites readers to pick up their pens and write the path ahead.

Spanning memoir, poetry, fiction, comics, and children’s literature, Bright Before Us, Like a Flame is more than a retrospective—it’s a creative writing resource and a call to action. Taking its title from Langston Hughes’ poem “Youth,” this collection ignites both hope for the future and the power to shape it. Through stories of immigration, identity, social justice, and resilience, young authors confront today’s most urgent topics with insight and empathy. Their words challenge, inspire, and invite readers to add their own voices to the conversation.

What’s Inside:

✅ A diverse collection of youth-authored memoirs, poetry, fiction, comics, and children’s literature, featuring underrepresented voices.
✅ Creative writing prompts and behind-the-scenes insights to inspire students and emerging writers to tell their own stories.
✅ Intergenerational conversations with award-winning guest authors, exploring the role of storytelling in social change.
✅ Discussion questions for middle and high school classrooms, book clubs, and creative writing workshops.

At a time of uncertainty and urgent global challenges, these young authors remind us: Words have power. Stories create change. And the future is yours to write.

Perfect for:

📖 Aspiring young writers looking for inspiration, mentorship, and creative guidance.
🎓 Educators and librarians seeking an engaging, diverse, and inclusive classroom writing resource for middle and high school students.
🎁 Readers who believe in the power of storytelling to spark dialogue and transform communities.

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-82-6

• Age: 12+

• Page Count: 304

Authors: Araceli, Edith & Juliana

Illustrator: Shurjo Mukhi

Toddlers will love this fun chanting book celebrating Central America!

From swimming in the sea in Panama to smelling abuela’s cafecito in Costa Rica, there are so many things to love about Central America! This fun and rhythmic book, inspired by Brown Bear, Brown Bear, was written by young mothers who wanted to celebrate their Central American heritage with their children. The sweet sayings, fun sounds, and charming collages in a bilingual children’s book will make little ones clap, smile, and learn about the world.

• ISBN:978-1-950807-51-2

• Age: 1-3

• Lexile: AD130L

• Format: Board Book

• Page Count: 22

• Originally Published: Nov 15, 2022

by Danya, Joseph, and Samaria of Reach Incorporated

Danya, Joseph, and Samaria were inspired by their experience of being in lockdown with family: both the joys and the challenges. Shayla loves to draw and be creative. But during the shutdown, she's having a hard time finding a place to do what she loves. Her big, multigenerational family seems to always be in the way. Mom and dad are video-chatting. Her brothers and sisters are doing schoolwork. And her little cousins are making messes all over the place. Frustrated, Shayla goes to her Aunties for help. Will she be able to figure out how to make space for herself in a very crowded house?

Want all four titles from this year’s amazing Reach Incorporated authors? Buy the set!

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-13-0

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 580L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2020

by the teen artists and writers of Next Wave Muslim Initiative

With a foreword by award-winning author Hena Khan

• “Captivating and uplifting.” — Starred review in Kirkus Reviews + named a Best Book of 2019

• “Get it soon… It would be difficult to ignore or forget these voices.” — Rich in Color Reviews

• Included on the “2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List for Ages 0-18”

During an era characterized by both hijabi fashion models and enduring post-9/11 stereotypes, ten Muslim American teenagers came together to explore what it means to be young and Muslim in America today. These teens represent the tremendous diversity within the American Muslim community, and their book, like them, contains multitudes. Bilal writes about being a Muslim rocker. Noor reflects about speaking in multiple tongues. Samaa creates her own cartoon Kabob Squad. Ayah responds to online hate. Through poems, essays, artwork, and stories, these young people aim to show their true selves, to build connection, and to create more inclusive and welcoming communities for all.

• ISBN: 978-1945434938

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: 830L

• Page Count: 192

• Published: 2019

by Talik, Synia, Jada, and Temil of Reach Incorporated

Tyrell loves his neighborhood -- the park with the swing set, the library with the puppet shows, the restaurant with the star-shaped spaghetti. But the neighborhood has been changing a lot lately, and one day Tyrell comes home to learn that his building has been bought and everyone must move. It seems like the worst news ever, but Tyrell’s cousin Breonna has a plan for making the most of it. How can Tyrell learn how to move on and be OK?

This heartfelt story about dealing with change is both sweet and smart, coming from teen authors who know the realities of handling transitions -- and about changing neighborhoods in Washington, DC.

• ISBN: 978-1-945434-95-2

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 510L

• Page Count: 42

• Published: Fall 2018

by the Latino Youth Leadership Council of LAYC

With a foreword by Newbery Medal-winning author Meg Medina

• Winner of the 2019 'In the Margins' Top Nonfiction award and 2020 International Latino Book Awards

• “Spotlighting underrepresented voices, this work is highly recommended for all communities in their efforts to promote empathetic, inclusive discussions around immigration.” — Starred review in School Library Journal!

• "Enlightening and inspiring #ownvoices accounts by young activists." – Kirkus Review.

During a time of heated immigration debate and unrest, this book is an opportunity to hear directly from youth who are often in the headlines but whose stories don’t get told in full. Sixteen young people from the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) in Washington, D.C. came together to tell their own stories of immigration and transformation in comics form. The result is this side-by-side bilingual collection of graphic memoirs that not only builds connections across language, but also breaks down barriers and expands hope.

***

En tiempos de inquietud y acalorados debates sobre la inmigración, este libro representa una oportunidad para escuchar directamente a los jóvenes quienes suelen ocupar los titulares en la prensa, pero cuyas historias no se alcanzan a narrar por completo. Dieciséis jóvenes del Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) en Washington, D.C. se unieron para contar sus propias historias de inmigración y de transformación en formato de cómic. El resultado es esta colección de memorias gráficas bilingüe, que no sólo construye conexiones entre los idiomas, sino que también elimina barreras y abre un espacio a la esperanza.

• ISBN: 978-1945434921

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: 720L

• Page Count: 320

• Published: 2018

by Abreona, Kairon, and Cassandra of Reach Incorporated

Every year on the first day of school, Carla’s friends show up wearing the coolest new shoes. But not Carla -- her mom always buys her the Same Lame Boring Plain sneakers. And this year is no different. This time, though, Carla won’t settle for more of the same. With a little advice from her older cousin Josh, a few experiments, and a whole lot of creativity, Carla decides to take a chance and do her own thing. But what will her classmates think of her creation?

• ISBN: 978-1945434068

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 550L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2017

By the Teen Writers of Beacon House

• 2017 INDIES Winner for Young Author (17 and Under)

• 2018 Top Fiction Winner - In the Margins Book Awards

• Named "10 Books to Read After The Hate U Give" by School Library Journal.

Meet Tajon.

Tajon is sixteen and black. He's tall and skinny, and he has dreadlocks. Tajon works hard and tries his best to be good. He does O.K. in school. He has plans. He's determined.

Tajon is the kind of son who cares about his family. He's the kind of brother who stands up for his sister. He's the kind of kid who dreams big dreams to get himself and those he loves up and out of the hood.

Tajon is the one who gets shot.

• ISBN: 978-0996927451

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: HL600L

• Page Count: 230

• Published: 2017

by Abreona, Darrin, Rochelle, and Temil of Reach Incorporated

Closing Day is coming to the animal shelter, and “All Dogs Must Go.” Spanky, who was born with just three legs, is both excited and terrified: Does this mean he will finally be adopted? Spanky’s abandonment as a pup have left him with a deep desire to be loved, and his worries sometimes make him feel hopeless. While Pepper the mean chihuahua tries to tear him down, Dorothy the friendly pit bull tries to cheer him up. Can she help Spanky learn to be his own lovable self and finally get adopted?

• ISBN: 978-1945434013

• Age: 2-4

• Lexile: 530L

• Page Count: 46

• Published: Fall 2016

por Jonae, Jesse, Layonnie, and Kahliya de Reach Incorporated

La conmovedora, pero común historia de una niña tratando de procesar complicadas emociones cuando su madre es encarcelada.

Escrito por cuatro adolescentes, este conmovedor libro ilustrado explora los efectos del encarcelamiento de una madre en una niña. Cuando su madre ingresa en prisión, Deena empieza a portarse mal en la escuela. Su mejor amiga intenta hablar con ella, su abuela intenta consolarla, su padre intenta castigarla... pero nada funciona. En un día en el parque de atracciones con su padre, Deena empieza a procesar sus sentimientos. Ilustrada con emotivos collages, esta historia ayudará a jóvenes lectores a procesar y comprender conversaciones difíciles, el dolor causado por el sistema judicial y cómo las familias perseveran a pesar de todo.

• ISBN: 978-1945434075

• edad: 4-9

• lexile: 520L

• páginas: 40

• publicado originalmente 2017

• fecha de publicación 15 Oct 2024

Authors: Sinnah, Chae, Marilyn

Illustrator: Alex Perkins

Showing love for all the different mamas being their unique selves!

If we know one thing for sure, there are many sorts of mamas, and they are all worth celebrating! This inclusive toddler book champions mothers doing their jobs and pursuing their passions, alongside their admiring kiddos. Written by three student parents, this book especially highlights mothers who might not normally appear in the pages of a book. From construction mamas to student mamas to tattooed mamas—there’s no one way to look like a mom!

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-54-3

• Age: 1-3

• Lexile: AD140L

• Format: Board Book

• Page Count: 28

• Originally Published: Nov 15, 2022

by Jock, Jailah, Victoria, and Jesse of Reach Incorporated

Georgia is having a hard time. A really hard time. Her best friend, Sienna, has passed away. She’s shutting down in school, ignoring texts from her friends, and won’t even eat her Chicken Alfredo (her favorite!) for dinner. Her mother knows she’s hurting and takes her to an overnight at the zoo to cheer her up. That night, the zoo animals visit her in a dream and talk to her about their experience with loss. Can these thoughtful animals help Georgia open up about her grief and start to find a path forward?

Want all four titles from this year’s amazing Reach Incorporated authors? Buy the set!

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-03-1

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 520L

• Page Count: 42

• Published: Fall 2019

by Jonae, Jesse, Layonnie, and Kahliya of Reach Incorporated

Lately, Deena has been getting angry. A lot. She acts out in school and keeps getting in trouble. Everyone is surprised because she used to be very calm, but that was before her mother went to jail. Her dad, her grandma, and her best friend Josey all do their best to help her out, but Deena doesn’t want to talk about it. Will a day at the carnival with her Dad help her open up?

• ISBN: 978-1945434075

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 520L

• Page Count: 40

• Published: Fall 2017

Foreword by Elizabeth Acevedo. Edited by Sasa Aakil and Kathy Crutcher.

by the Young Writers of Shout Mouse Press

For ten years, Shout Mouse Press has championed the voices of young writers, publishing their authentic and necessary stories. Now, this landmark anthology of youth writing celebrates a decade of storytelling—and invites readers to pick up their pens and write the path ahead.

Spanning memoir, poetry, fiction, comics, and children’s literature, Bright Before Us, Like a Flame is more than a retrospective—it’s a creative writing resource and a call to action. Taking its title from Langston Hughes’ poem “Youth,” this collection ignites both hope for the future and the power to shape it. Through stories of immigration, identity, social justice, and resilience, young authors confront today’s most urgent topics with insight and empathy. Their words challenge, inspire, and invite readers to add their own voices to the conversation.

What’s Inside:

✅ A diverse collection of youth-authored memoirs, poetry, fiction, comics, and children’s literature, featuring underrepresented voices.
✅ Creative writing prompts and behind-the-scenes insights to inspire students and emerging writers to tell their own stories.
✅ Intergenerational conversations with award-winning guest authors, exploring the role of storytelling in social change.
✅ Discussion questions for middle and high school classrooms, book clubs, and creative writing workshops.

At a time of uncertainty and urgent global challenges, these young authors remind us: Words have power. Stories create change. And the future is yours to write.

Perfect for:

📖 Aspiring young writers looking for inspiration, mentorship, and creative guidance.
🎓 Educators and librarians seeking an engaging, diverse, and inclusive classroom writing resource for middle and high school students.
🎁 Readers who believe in the power of storytelling to spark dialogue and transform communities.

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-82-6

• Age: 12+

• Page Count: 304

• “Poignant and powerful . . . the students write with fresh power about loss, about the failures of the system around them, and how to decide when, how and where they should speak out.” —Publishers Weekly

• “Our young people are asking that we sit with them, that we listen to them, and that we see their lives in all of their complexity. The stories in What It Cost Us must be read. They must be remembered." —Clint Smith, author of How the Word is Passed: Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America

• “Authentic and sincere.” —Kirkus Reviews

• “A momentous account of a time we must remember.” —Wendy Wan-Long Shang, author of The Secret Battle of Evan Pao

Foreword by Candice Iloh

In this collaborative novel, ten diverse young writers from Washington, DC recreate the historic year 2020 from their perspectives, through fictional stories inspired by their own lived experiences. Told chronologically from the onset of the pandemic to the insurrection of January 6th, their stories of change and resilience are accompanied by maps, social media, original artwork, and real-life headlines to create an immersive experience of an unprecedented coming of age. 

You’ll meet Faiza, a Muslim high school student, who struggles to celebrate Ramadan during the worst of the COVID-19 shutdowns. You’ll protest with Roman, the only Black student in his class, whose relationships are challenged in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. You’ll face the fraught 2020 election with Dennis, a young Nigerian immigrant, as he questions a democracy that seems to count him out. 

By examining the shards of this shattered year, these authors explore “what it cost us” through stories that both acknowledge loss and celebrate what got us through.

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-55-0

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: 780L

• Page Count: 329

• Published: Spring 2023

By Chase, Kevin, Khalil, and Josiah of Beacon House

Over the course of a historic year characterized by the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, and widespread social reckoning, four Black middle school boys from Beacon House in Washington, DC came together virtually, to dream. Pushing up against the hardship of current events, these new authors decided to create a collection of imaginative stories that share messages they believe the world needs to hear today about resilience, self-expression, and staying true to your dreams.

In this collection, you will meet Kobe, a teenage basketball player grappling with the death of his role model; Zim, a sword-wielding orphan on a quest to save his grandmother’s life; Ava, a cyborg girl who just wants to be normal; and Brandon, a boy struggling to choose between his passion and his family. This motley crew of heroes all learn to decipher their changing worlds, carrying with them necessary guidance for readers on how they can process their own. Artfully illustrated, and written in both poetry and prose, this book has something for every type of reader.

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-37-6

• Age: 9+

• Lexile: 590L

• Page Count: 120

• Published: Fall 2021

By Chase, Kevin, Khalil, and Josiah of Beacon House

Over the course of a historic year characterized by the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, and widespread social reckoning, four Black middle school boys from Beacon House in Washington, DC came together virtually, to dream. Pushing up against the hardship of current events, these new authors decided to create a collection of imaginative stories that share messages they believe the world needs to hear today about resilience, self-expression, and staying true to your dreams.

In this collection, you will meet Kobe, a teenage basketball player grappling with the death of his role model; Zim, a sword-wielding orphan on a quest to save his grandmother’s life; Ava, a cyborg girl who just wants to be normal; and Brandon, a boy struggling to choose between his passion and his family. This motley crew of heroes all learn to decipher their changing worlds, carrying with them necessary guidance for readers on how they can process their own. Artfully illustrated, and written in both poetry and prose, this book has something for every type of reader.

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-37-6

• Age: 9+

• Lexile: 590L

• Page Count: 120

• Published: Fall 2021

by the teen artists and writers of Next Wave Muslim Initiative

With a foreword by award-winning author Hena Khan

• “Captivating and uplifting.” — Starred review in Kirkus Reviews + named a Best Book of 2019

• “Get it soon… It would be difficult to ignore or forget these voices.” — Rich in Color Reviews

• Included on the “2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List for Ages 0-18”

During an era characterized by both hijabi fashion models and enduring post-9/11 stereotypes, ten Muslim American teenagers came together to explore what it means to be young and Muslim in America today. These teens represent the tremendous diversity within the American Muslim community, and their book, like them, contains multitudes. Bilal writes about being a Muslim rocker. Noor reflects about speaking in multiple tongues. Samaa creates her own cartoon Kabob Squad. Ayah responds to online hate. Through poems, essays, artwork, and stories, these young people aim to show their true selves, to build connection, and to create more inclusive and welcoming communities for all.

• ISBN: 978-1945434938

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: 830L

• Page Count: 192

• Published: 2019

By the Teen Writers of Beacon House

• 2017 INDIES Winner for Young Author (17 and Under)

• 2018 Top Fiction Winner - In the Margins Book Awards

• Named "10 Books to Read After The Hate U Give" by School Library Journal.

Meet Tajon.

Tajon is sixteen and black. He's tall and skinny, and he has dreadlocks. Tajon works hard and tries his best to be good. He does O.K. in school. He has plans. He's determined.

Tajon is the kind of son who cares about his family. He's the kind of brother who stands up for his sister. He's the kind of kid who dreams big dreams to get himself and those he loves up and out of the hood.

Tajon is the one who gets shot.

• ISBN: 978-0996927451

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: HL600L

• Page Count: 230

• Published: 2017

Proceeds from book sales go to a Ballou HS scholarship fund and to empower new authors.

The students of Ballou High School know a different Washington, DC than do the more than 18 million tourists who visit our nation’s capital each year. They live in Southeast DC, across the Anacostia River, and the tour buses don’t go through their neighborhoods. Some travel guides explicitly call the communities East of the River “areas to avoid.” Even some residents of the District don’t often visit Wards 7 and 8, as the river acts as not only a literal boundary, but a metaphorical one. The bridge that should connect these two Washingtons is all too rarely crossed.

The statistics about poverty or crime or violence in this community tell such a limited story, and it’s not the only story to tell. Those statistics should not build a wall that hides the humanity on the other side. Young people grow up in these neighborhoods, often too quickly, facing adult challenges too young. But they also grow up as all young people do: with joy. With talent. With pride. With love for their families, both biological and chosen. With style and humor and ambition and charm. For them, Southeast DC, and their own Ballou High School, is more than the headlines that others write -- it is home. And for the educators who work with these young people every day, they know that the stories we tell--and hear--about ourselves make all the difference.

• ISBN: 978-1945434006

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: 830L

• Page Count: 88

• Published: 2016

Foreword by Elizabeth Acevedo. Edited by Sasa Aakil and Kathy Crutcher.

by the Young Writers of Shout Mouse Press

For ten years, Shout Mouse Press has championed the voices of young writers, publishing their authentic and necessary stories. Now, this landmark anthology of youth writing celebrates a decade of storytelling—and invites readers to pick up their pens and write the path ahead.

Spanning memoir, poetry, fiction, comics, and children’s literature, Bright Before Us, Like a Flame is more than a retrospective—it’s a creative writing resource and a call to action. Taking its title from Langston Hughes’ poem “Youth,” this collection ignites both hope for the future and the power to shape it. Through stories of immigration, identity, social justice, and resilience, young authors confront today’s most urgent topics with insight and empathy. Their words challenge, inspire, and invite readers to add their own voices to the conversation.

What’s Inside:

✅ A diverse collection of youth-authored memoirs, poetry, fiction, comics, and children’s literature, featuring underrepresented voices.
✅ Creative writing prompts and behind-the-scenes insights to inspire students and emerging writers to tell their own stories.
✅ Intergenerational conversations with award-winning guest authors, exploring the role of storytelling in social change.
✅ Discussion questions for middle and high school classrooms, book clubs, and creative writing workshops.

At a time of uncertainty and urgent global challenges, these young authors remind us: Words have power. Stories create change. And the future is yours to write.

Perfect for:

📖 Aspiring young writers looking for inspiration, mentorship, and creative guidance.
🎓 Educators and librarians seeking an engaging, diverse, and inclusive classroom writing resource for middle and high school students.
🎁 Readers who believe in the power of storytelling to spark dialogue and transform communities.

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-82-6

• Age: 12+

• Page Count: 304

Authors: Sol Mundo, Jonathan Lopez, Yasmina Konate

Illustrator: Hee So

A young boy from an immigrant Salvadoran family learns a valuable lesson about money, work, and the sacrifices that his family have made so that he can go to school.

Un niño de una familia inmigrante salvadoreña aprende una valiosa lección sobre el dinero, el trabajo y los sacrificios que ha hecho su familia para que él pueda ir a la escuela.

For all the kids who see their family working hard, this uplifting bilingual story – told in Spanish and English – shows how important it is that they have a chance at a better life. Fernando, a young first-generationimmigrant, realizes how hard his Salvadoran family works for the community every day and he wants to help. Follow his adventures around Washington, DC as he tries to surprise his family with a contribution to their “rainy day jar.” But when his ideas don’t work out, Fernando learns that there are other ways for him to make his family proud. Through humor and charming details, this book highlights some of the ways immigrant families show love for each other.

A todos los niños que ven los esfuerzos de su familia, esta inspiradora historia —contada en español e inglés— les muestra la importancia de que tengan la oportunidad de gozar de una mejor vida. Fernando, un inmigrante de primera generación, se da cuenta de lo duro que su familia salvadoreña trabaja a diario por la comunidad, y decide ayudar. Sigue las aventuras que vive en Washington, D. C. en su intento de sorprender a su familia con una contribución para el bote de “los días lluviosos”. Sus ideas no funcionan, pero Fernando aprende que hay otras cosas que puede hacer para que su familia se sienta orgullosa de él. A través del humor y detalles encantadores, este libro resalta algunas de las maneras en que las familias inmigrantes se demuestran su amor.

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-63-5

• Age: 4-9

• Page Count: 40

• Publication Date: Oct 2023

• “Poignant and powerful . . . the students write with fresh power about loss, about the failures of the system around them, and how to decide when, how and where they should speak out.” —Publishers Weekly

• “Our young people are asking that we sit with them, that we listen to them, and that we see their lives in all of their complexity. The stories in What It Cost Us must be read. They must be remembered." —Clint Smith, author of How the Word is Passed: Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America

• “Authentic and sincere.” —Kirkus Reviews

• “A momentous account of a time we must remember.” —Wendy Wan-Long Shang, author of The Secret Battle of Evan Pao

Foreword by Candice Iloh

In this collaborative novel, ten diverse young writers from Washington, DC recreate the historic year 2020 from their perspectives, through fictional stories inspired by their own lived experiences. Told chronologically from the onset of the pandemic to the insurrection of January 6th, their stories of change and resilience are accompanied by maps, social media, original artwork, and real-life headlines to create an immersive experience of an unprecedented coming of age. 

You’ll meet Faiza, a Muslim high school student, who struggles to celebrate Ramadan during the worst of the COVID-19 shutdowns. You’ll protest with Roman, the only Black student in his class, whose relationships are challenged in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. You’ll face the fraught 2020 election with Dennis, a young Nigerian immigrant, as he questions a democracy that seems to count him out. 

By examining the shards of this shattered year, these authors explore “what it cost us” through stories that both acknowledge loss and celebrate what got us through.

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-55-0

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: 780L

• Page Count: 329

• Published: Spring 2023

Authors: Deyssy Mosso, Yenner Rengifo Chaverra

Illustrator: Fatima Seck

In Perla’s Magical Goodbye, Deyssy and Yenner wanted to write a book that reflects the experience of leaving home to move to another country. Perla has been friends with Pablo and Genesis for as long as they can remember. But now that Perla is moving away from her hometown of San Unicornio to the US, she is sad about leaving them. After making a wish at the town’s unicorn fountain, Perla and her friends are visited by a magical creature who helps them spend one last beautiful day together. How can Perla and her friends learn to hold onto these magical memories and say goodbye?

En El adiós mágico de Perla, Deyssy y Yenner quisieron escribir un libro que reflejara la experiencia de dejar su hogar y mudarse a otro país. Perla ha estado con sus amigos Pablo y Génesis desde que tiene memoria. Pero ahora que Perla se va a mudar de su pueblo natal, San Unicornio, hacia los EE. UU., está triste por dejarlos. Después de pedir un deseo en la fuente del unicornio del pueblo, Perla y sus amigos son visitados por una criatura mágica que los ayuda a compartir un último y hermoso día juntos. ¿Cómo aprenderán Perla y sus amigos a preservar estas memorias mágicas y decir adiós?

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-40-6

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: AD550L

• Page Count: 40

• Published: Fall 2021

Top Ten Books for 2022 In The Margins Book Award

by Damarco, Emilie, and Japan of Reach Incorporated

Damarco, Emilie, and Japan wanted to write a story about how friends can disagree and move through disagreements about important issues. Cody and Nene are best friends, and they have been all their lives. But when the Black Lives Matter protests erupt in response to police violence, they realize they may not be so alike after all. While Nene defends cops like her uncle — “Not all cops are like that!” — Cody gets more and more upset about injustice. This movement will put their friendship to the test, and may push them into separate corners just when they need each other most. Can they learn to hear each other out and mend their friendship?

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-09-3

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 540L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2020

by Talik, Anaya, and Dewan of Reach Incorporated

Marcus isn’t the coolest kid in school. The other kids make fun of his old clothes and raggedy backpack, but at least he has one true friend, Taylor, who likes him for who he is. But when Marcus finds a winning lottery ticket on the ground on the last day of school, his whole world changes! Now, with a backpack full of money, everything is possible--and Marcus goes on the spending spree to show it: never-ending arcade games, all-day Chipotle, and all the best elementary school bling. Marcus’s classmates flock to him and shower him with praise, and he is feeling good, spending money on his “new friends.” In the meantime, Taylor is shrinking further and further away. Will Marcus get caught up in the world of money and fame or will he learn to stay true to himself and remember his real friend?

Want all four titles from this year’s amazing Reach Incorporated authors? Buy the set!

• ISBN: 978-1-950807-04-8

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 570L

• Page Count: 40

• Published: Fall 2019

Proceeds from book sales go to a Ballou HS scholarship fund and to empower new authors.

This book, the fifth volume of The Ballou Story Project, was initiated by these young people in response to a challenging year for the community. They wanted to illuminate the Ballou not often represented in the media--one full of love, hard work, and transformation. They set their mission: to change the story about their school and the people who call it home. To combat stereotypes and assumptions. To motivate the next generation to persevere, and to believe in themselves, no matter what.

Most importantly, these young people wanted to speak for themselves, not to be spoken about. They remind us that there are many sides to every story, and that all voices should be valued and heard. “This is our last line of defense,” they write. “These are our stories. This is the Ballou We Know.”

The Ballou We Know is the fifth volume of The Ballou Story Project, a program that provides a platform for these students to tell their own stories and act as leaders in their community. Learn more.

• ISBN: 978-1945434914

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: 760L

• Page Count: 72

• Published: 2018

by Brittany, Dartavius, and Don’Nayah of Reach Incorporated

Every day, Tiffany hears that her smile is so bright it lights up the room. But on the morning of her ballet recital, something goes very wrong: Tiffany's two front teeth fall out. Tiffany doesn't want anyone to laugh at her new crazy smile or make fun of her lisp. But how can she avoid attention on the day she’s on stage in the spotlight?

• ISBN: 978-1-945434-97-6

• Age: 2-4

• Lexile: 500L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2018

by the Latino Youth Leadership Council of LAYC

With a foreword by Newbery Medal-winning author Meg Medina

• Winner of the 2019 'In the Margins' Top Nonfiction award and 2020 International Latino Book Awards

• “Spotlighting underrepresented voices, this work is highly recommended for all communities in their efforts to promote empathetic, inclusive discussions around immigration.” — Starred review in School Library Journal!

• "Enlightening and inspiring #ownvoices accounts by young activists." – Kirkus Review.

During a time of heated immigration debate and unrest, this book is an opportunity to hear directly from youth who are often in the headlines but whose stories don’t get told in full. Sixteen young people from the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) in Washington, D.C. came together to tell their own stories of immigration and transformation in comics form. The result is this side-by-side bilingual collection of graphic memoirs that not only builds connections across language, but also breaks down barriers and expands hope.

***

En tiempos de inquietud y acalorados debates sobre la inmigración, este libro representa una oportunidad para escuchar directamente a los jóvenes quienes suelen ocupar los titulares en la prensa, pero cuyas historias no se alcanzan a narrar por completo. Dieciséis jóvenes del Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) en Washington, D.C. se unieron para contar sus propias historias de inmigración y de transformación en formato de cómic. El resultado es esta colección de memorias gráficas bilingüe, que no sólo construye conexiones entre los idiomas, sino que también elimina barreras y abre un espacio a la esperanza.

• ISBN: 978-1945434921

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: 720L

• Page Count: 320

• Published: 2018

by Makiya, Mikala, and Dartavius of Reach Incorporated

Madison is a first-grader who can’t sit still. She wants to make her teacher like her, but she also wants to jump and scream and play tag with her imaginary best friend, Alex. When Madison accidentally lets her class pet bunny out of its cage during recess, she will have to get creative and form unlikely friendships - and not just imaginary ones - if she wants to prove to her class that a hyperactive little girl can still be responsible.

• ISBN: 978-1945434082

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 520L

• Page Count: 38

• Published: Fall 2017

By the Teen Writers of Beacon House

• 2017 INDIES Winner for Young Author (17 and Under)

• 2018 Top Fiction Winner - In the Margins Book Awards

• Named "10 Books to Read After The Hate U Give" by School Library Journal.

Meet Tajon.

Tajon is sixteen and black. He's tall and skinny, and he has dreadlocks. Tajon works hard and tries his best to be good. He does O.K. in school. He has plans. He's determined.

Tajon is the kind of son who cares about his family. He's the kind of brother who stands up for his sister. He's the kind of kid who dreams big dreams to get himself and those he loves up and out of the hood.

Tajon is the one who gets shot.

• ISBN: 978-0996927451

• Age: 12+

• Lexile: HL600L

• Page Count: 230

• Published: 2017

by Destiney, Kairon, and Aderemi of Reach Incorporated

Kendra the Kangaroo is getting ready for her hockey team’s big game against their rival. The only problem? Her team doesn’t think that kangaroos belong in hockey. And even worse, Kendra is afraid they’ll kick her off the team if they find out that she has asthma. So she keeps a big secret, and tries to prove that she belongs on the ice. Can her friend Rahim the Rabbit convince her to be herself and tell the truth before she puts herself in danger?

• ISBN: 978-1945434020

• Age: 4-9

• Lexile: 600L

• Page Count: 44

• Published: Fall 2016