Hey, kids! Summer’s here, the time is right for having fun and nothing’s more fun than reading for sheer pleasure. So once again Kiana Borjian, the librarian at one of Oakland’s best schools, St. Paul’s Episcopal School, has generously given us a list of some new books she thinks you’ll really like.
Grades K-2: Borjian’s first pick is “Barrio Rising: The Protest that Built Chicano Park” by Maria Dolores Águila and illustrated by Magdalena Mora.
“Now is the perfect time to learn and be inspired by community-driven activism,” she says, “and this picture book captures the history and spirit of Chicano Park beautifully. More historical context is also in the appendix for those who want to dive deeper.”
“Coyote Tales by Thomas King” is her other pick for this age group.
“Some stories are utterly captivating no matter your age. These reimagined folk tales by Greco-Cherokee author Thomas King leave readers spellbound with their creativity, humor and subtle wonder. Whether at bedtime or lounging at the park with some crayons handy, I cannot recommend this book more highly!”
Grades 3-5: “Parachute Kids” and its sequel, “Outsider Kids,” by Betty C. Tang are Borjian’s first two choices for this age group.
“Imagine vacationing to another country with your family and learning that you will be staying there permanently while your parents will go back home,” she says. “This is what happens to siblings Feng-Ling and Jia-Xi, also known as Ann and Jessie, when they move from Taiwan to the United States. The story captures daily life and challenges with incredible accuracy, deft and empathy — a must read!”
“When A Bully is President: Truth and Creativity for Oppressive Times” by Maya Gonzalez is Borjian third offering in this age group.
“Local author and all-around magical human Maya Gonzalez has created this amazing book which discusses tough history and gentle strategies to heal from the violence in our world. The book is so thoughtful, intentional and made with care — I hope you pick up this book and feel the love radiating.”
Grades 6-8: “Bhai for Now” by Maleeha Siddiqui is her first pick for this age group.
“Ashar and Shaheer are long-lost identical twins. As you can imagine, they swap places in hopes of getting to the bottom of why they were separated and never told why. Both sweet and riveting, the story captures relatable themes of family, belonging and coming of age through a wild premise that will keep you turning the pages.”
“Westfallen” by Ann Brashares and Brad Brashares is Borjian’s next choice.
“What would happen if the Nazis had won World War II? This is the question explored in this exciting genre-bending novel that combines time travel, history and suspense when kids from 1944 and the present day build a relationship through a radio. Read it over the summer to be ready for the sequel coming out in fall!”
Grades 9-12: “Everything We Never Had” by Randy Ribay is Borjian’s first pick for high-schoolers.
“The stories of four generations of Filipino men are explored in this unforgettable book that focuses on family, generational memory, masculinity, the Philippines and the United States. If you’re looking for a rich, character-driven read that explores history through a personal lens, this is the book for you.”
“Trans History: A Graphic Novel — From Ancient Times to Present Day” by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett is her other offering in this age group.
“This is a profoundly well researched graphic novel that shows how trans people have existed and thrived throughout time. The format makes it accessible and will provide you with many amazing historical tidbits. The LGBTQ community and their allies will appreciate the learning and wonder the book provides.”
Comics: Finally, if you don’t mind, I’d like to add a suggestion of my own. When I was little, my first love was comic books. That’s how I learned to read: I got bored by just looking at the pictures, so I taught myself the words. And I’ve been in love with books ever since.
In that spirit, I’d like to recommend a comic book. Actually, it’s a collection of comic books that were combined into five books. The first three are titled “A Cartoon History of the Universe,” followed by two volumes called “A Cartoon History of the Modern World.” Together, they’ll take you from the Big Bang to 9/11.
They’re drawn and written by a guy who lives in San Francisco named Larry Gonick. He really knows his history, so you’ll learn a lot of cool stuff, but, just as important, they’re really, really funny. Your parents will love them too. I still go back and reread them all the time.
Have a great summer, and have fun!
Martin Snapp can be reached at [email protected].
Originally Published: June 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM PDT
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