What contemporary books do you think would be on Sal's reading list? How important is it for young readers to read from a diverse list of authors, including authors who represent their own identities?

The books Cadie and Daniela deliver to Garrett are based on reading material that was readily available in most US libraries at that time in history. What contemporary books do you think would be on Sal's reading list? How important is it for young readers to read from a diverse list of authors, including authors who represent their own identities?

Some books that I think Cadie might give Garrett today:
- The Hate U Give
- Dear Martin
- The Poet X

I think it's critical that children have access to books that represent their own identities. I remember reading Harry Potter when I was younger and it meaning a lot to me that Hermione had brown hair--that feels silly when I look back on it because hair color is of course very superficial. I can't imagine how lonely it must feel to grow up as a minority in this country and not see your identity (ethnicity, gender, sexuality, etc) represented in the stories you read.

Even though Garrett was a white boy, and therefore wouldn't need a book like The Hate U Give to see himself represented, I think books are invaluable tools to help us empathize with people who are different from us. I think a lot of the discrimination against Latin Americans in Cadie and Daniela's town was rooted in ignorance, and is exactly the reason why we need to diversity our reading lists.

The distance between us by Reyna Grande

This Land Is Our Land: A History of American Immigration Linda Barret Osborne

Americanized: Rebel without a Green Card by Sara Saedi
or some graphic novels

The Hate U Give
The Poet X
Clap When You Land
This is My America (Kim Johnson)
Stamped
Find Layla
Watch Over Me
You Should See Me in a Crown
Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From

Kids should read a real variety of genres about people from different backgrounds. Schools have required reading, but every good English teacher should supplement what’s required, at least with a good list of suggested young adult and appropriate adult literature.

Sal was a very well informed/in tune teen. She almost seemed wise beyond her years. She was a very strong minded teen.

I think she’d like books about the future and conservation such as Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy or The History of Bees by Maja Lunde

Topic: Teen Activism:No One is too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg
Topic: Climate Change: An Inconvenient Truth by Al
Gore
Topic: Illegal Immigration : Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza

I'm not up to date on what teenagers are reading these days but I feel sure Sal will be seeking out the history of her native country.