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weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
We Need Diverse Books
@weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
4.4K followers 44 following 930 posts
We Need Diverse Books is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit revolutionizing what we read to create a world where everyone can find themself in the pages of a book.

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We Need Diverse Books @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social · Oct 2
🔔 Apply for a Walter Dean Myers Grant today!

The Walter Dean Myers Grant program was established to provide grants of $2,000 each to promising diverse writers and illustrators who are currently unpublished. Follow the 🔗 below (also in our bio) to apply ⬇️

💻 bit.ly/WalterGrantsApp
Blue graphic with a bright pink box at the top that says, “Apply Today!” Beneath that, in all caps are the words “Walter Grants” followed by a brief description that says, “WNDB’s Walter Dean Myers Grants provide promising unpublished writers and illustrators $2000 to support their career development” To the left of the text is an illustration of a person with long black hair sitting at a desk and writing in a word doc. At the bottom of the graphic are the dates “October 1st through October 31st,” denoting the application period for Walter Grant applications. In the bottom right hand corner of the graphic is a light green box containing the URL “bit.ly/WalterGrantsApp”, which will direct folks to the application form. Blue graphic displaying a mock-up internet browser window. At the top of the window is a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/WalterGrantsApp”, which will direct folks to the application form for WNDB’s Walter Grants. Beneath that, the mock-up browser window is titled “About Walter Grants” and contains the following description: “The Walter Dean Myers Grant provides a financial boost to promising writers and illustrators from diverse backgrounds who are currently unpublished. Each grantee receives $2000 to hone their craft and support their career development. The Walter Grant can be used in a variety of ways, from attending conferences to purchasing new writing devices to covering childcare.”
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Not only do we need diverse books, but we need to defend diverse stories and storytellers. Join us in fighting back. 🧵

📚 bit.ly/DefendOurStories
Bright blue graphic that says, “Defend Our Stories” at the top. Beneath the title text is a smaller tagline that says, “They’re banning diverse books. We’re fighting back. Join us.” Along the right-hand side of the graphic is an illustration depicting a series of book spines, and within some of the book covers are ladders and staircases leading into the pages. Bright blue graphic with a border of multi-colored book spines along the bottom. At the top of the graphic is an illustration of multi-colored book spines that is part of the official We Need Diverse Books logo. Beneath the logo is all-caps text that says, “ Diverse books are getting banned. Diverse voices are being silenced. Diversity itself is under attack.” At the bottom is a light yellow search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/DefendOurStories”, which will redirect folks to a donation landing page where they can learn more about WNDB’s Defend Our Stories campaign.
November 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
☁️ COVER REVEAL ☁️ Take a look at the beautiful cover for STORIES ARE THE HEART OF THE WORLD, written by Laurel Goodluck and illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt, forthcoming from Simon Kids on May 5th, 2026!

📖 bit.ly/StoriesAreThe...
Graphic with an illustrated background that depicts mountains and a lush green valley beneath a clear blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds. At the center of the graphic is a mock-up hardcover book displaying the cover for the upcoming picture book “Stories Are the Heart of the World” written by Laurel Goodluck and illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt. The book is scheduled to come out on May 5th, 2026 from Simon & Schuster for Young Readers. The cover illustration shows four Native characters enjoying the outdoors as they tell stories around a burning campfire. The smoke from the campfire is wafting up towards the sky, revealing the outlines of the characters’ ancestors in the sky. Graphic with an illustrated background that depicts mountains and a lush green valley beneath a clear blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds. Contains the following book synopsis that says, in part: “When we begin our lives, stories help us understand who we are. Drawing on tribal Nations’ traditions including Mandan-Hidatsa and Navajo/Diné, this lyrical picture book carries us through the milestones of a beloved child’s life, from birth and their first laugh to entering young adulthood and understanding their place in the community and the world. Each ceremony that marks a special moment comes with a story—and each story reminds us of the beauty and responsibility to the land we call home, the powerful ancestors who came before us, and the amazing people we can grow up to be.”
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
🚨 U.S. high school seniors, don’t miss your chance to apply for a $10,000 scholarship through Penguin Random House’s annual Creative Writing Awards!

📝 bit.ly/CWA2026
Orange promotional graphic that says, “Don’t Forget to Hit Submit!” in bold, white, all-caps text. To the right of the text is an illustration of a bright gold computer mouse, hovering as if ready to click on a button. Beneath the title text is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026” which will redirect folks to the Penguin Random House landing page for the Creative Writing Awards, including details about the awards and a direct link to the application. At the bottom of the graphic is a white stripe containing the logos for Penguin Random House, the Creative Writing Awards, and We Need Diverse Books. Orange promotional graphic titled “About the CWAs”. There is the following description: “Penguin Random House is partnering with We Need Diverse Books for the 2026 Creative Writing Awards—featuring the newly-named Chinua Achebe Award for Freedom of Expression! Six first-place $10,000 prizes will be awarded in the categories of: the Chinua Achebe Freedom of Expression Award, the Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry, the Maya Angelou Award for Spoken Word, the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir, and the James Baldwin Award for Fiction. In recognition of the Creative Writing Awards previously being centered in New York City, the competition will award an additional first-place prize to the top entrant from the NYC area.” At the bottom of the graphic is an illustration of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/CWA2026”, which will redirect folks to the application page containing full details.
November 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Your impact at WNDB never goes unnoticed! Here are ten amazing things that you’ve made happen this year alongside WNDB 📚🎉
Gold promotional graphic decorated with contrasting, swooping lines. At the center is a white note that says, “10 Things You Made Possible This Year at WNDB!” At the bottom of the graphic is the logo for We Need Diverse Books.
November 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by We Need Diverse Books
maggietokudahall.bsky.social
Hooray! @authorsabb.bsky.social is *OFFICIALLY* a nonprofit, and is now open for donations!

For the last two years we've been doing all this w free tools, or paying out of pocket, & we were STILL able to get SO MUCH DONE.

Imagine what we could do with $$$

www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/donate/
Donate - Authors Against Book Bans
Thank you for donating to Authors Against Book Bans. Your donation directly supports the freedom to read by powering our work with our partner organizations, bringing the author muscle to the fight to...
www.authorsagainstbookbans.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by We Need Diverse Books
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
★ “A rapturous reflection on community worth holding close to one’s heart.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

HERE COME THE AUNTIES! by Cynthia Leitich Smith & Aphelandra (Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 4-up. @harperkids.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social @aphelandraw.bsky.social #KidLit
Review quote from post with star. Cover art for HERE COME THE AUNTIES--young child with arms up in joy backed up by a range of aunties of various ages, skin tones and dress.
November 14, 2025 at 4:44 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
🏳️‍⚧️ November 13th - 19th is #TransAwarenessWeek! While trans people (and trans stories) deserve far more than just your awareness, here’s a list of books by and/or about trans people and trans experiences that have been published (so far) in 2025! 🧵
Graphic with background displaying an illustration of blue, white, and pink clouds against a deep blue night sky. At the center of the graphic is a white square with a pink border that has title text within it that says, “Twenty-Two Trans Books Released in 2025 to Celebrate Trans Awareness Week”. Above the title text is an illustration of a heart decorated to resemble the trans flag, and beneath the title text is an illustration of a blue book with its pages splayed open.
November 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
🚵🏻‍♂️ COVER REVEAL! 🚵🏻‍♂️

We’re proud to share a first look at RIDING THE TRAIL, a groundbreaking nonfiction book from Cherokee Nation co-authors Traci Sorell and Will Chavez, forthcoming from Charlesbridge Publishing in 2026!

✨ bit.ly/RidingTheTrail
Promotional graphic with an illustrated background depicting an orange and yellow sky at sunset as well as green hills and mountains, with an asphalt road at the center. The graphic displays a 3D mock-up cover for “Riding the Trail: Cherokees Remember the Removal” by Traci Sorrell and Will Chavez, forthcoming from Charlesbridge Publishing on August 15th, 2026. The book cover is a photograph taken by co-author Will Chavez depicting three Cherokee teens wearing biking gear and biking helmets as they bike a trail retracing the Trail of Tears. At the top of the graphic, the release date is shown in bold blue text. Promotional graphic with an illustrated background depicting an orange and yellow sky at sunset as well as green hills and mountains, with an asphalt road at the center. There is the following book synopsis that reads, in part: “Follow Cherokee youths on a 950-mile bike journey retracing the Trail of Tears—from Georgia to Oklahoma—on the annual Remember the Removal Ride. This inspiring photo-rich nonfiction book follows Native youth riding to remember history, linking past and present through culture, resilience, and activism. In 112 compelling pages by enrolled Cherokee Nation coauthors, Riding the Trail does something no other book does: presents the Trail of Tears in a contemporary context. While Cherokee people suffered that grim chapter in history, they thrive today.”
November 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by We Need Diverse Books
lbschool.bsky.social
This week's Picture Book Month theme is Indigenous Heritage! From the joy of the ribbon skirt to the beauty of a winter night and the strength of your own heart's rhythm, these picture books are gorgeous celebrations of Indigenous and First Nations voices and cultures.
PICTURE BOOK MONTH: INDIGENOUS HERITAGE [book cover] Raven's Ribbons [book cover] Moon Song [book cover] The Trickster Shadow
November 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
🔔 Adopt-a-Library updates + Announcement!

Last year, WNDB announced our Adopt-a-Library grant program, where we select one library in need to receive $10,000 in books, resources, technology, & materials to help make their library a welcoming and inclusive space for their students. 🧵
Graphic with a photograph of light oak library shelves filled with multi-colored books as the background. In the forefront is an illustration of a lined library card. At the center is the title “WNDB’s Adopt-a-Library Program: Updates!”
November 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
🌿 30 educators have a chance to win a copy of BRAIDED ROOTS by Pasha Westbrook and Madelyn Goodnight! Each winner will also receive an exclusive art print featuring artwork from the book, courtesy of Scholastic 🖼️

Full details below:

📗 bit.ly/BraidedRoots
Light orange graphic titled “Educator Giveaway! Win a copy of ‘Braided Roots’ along with an exclusive art print!” Beneath the title text is a mock-up hardcover of the picture book “Braided Roots” written by Pasha Westbrook and illustrated by Madalyn Goodnight. The cover illustrations shows a young Freedman-descended Native child with dark brown hair that’s being braided by a set of older hands, with deep green foliage being braided into her hair at the same time. There’s also a mock-up art print off to the side, showing a text-less version of the book cover art. Around the border of the graphic are bunches of green and orange leaves. Light orange graphic with bunches of green and orange leaves along the border. The graphic contains the following synopsis for “Braided Roots”: “ Father braids my hair, just like his, / scented of coconut oil, the familiar tug of fingers on my scalp, / love in every twist… As a young girl's father lovingly yet painstakingly braids her hair, he weaves a story about the strength and resilience of their ancestors, Freedmen who walked the Trail of Tears from Mississippi to Oklahoma. In this enchanting picture book, past and present come together in a tale about endurance, history, and love. With beautiful, sweeping illustrations by Madelyn Goodnight and debut author Pasha Westbrook's lyrical writing, Braided Roots tenderly explores the unwavering love between a father and daughter.”
November 7, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
This Native American Heritage Month, we encourage you to learn more about Freedman & Black Natives!

Visit IndigenousReadsRisin... for an insightful article on the history of Native Freedman and the legacy of Black Natives as well as related book lists for children, tweens, and teens.
Light brown graphic with orange and gold beaded flowers bordering the top left and bottom right corners. Bold white title text says, “Learn More About Native Freedman & Black Natives: a book list and resource”. There is a small orange “We Need Diverse Books” logo in the bottom left-hand corner of the graphic. Light brown graphic with orange and gold beaded flowers bordering the top left and bottom right corners. Bold white title text says, “Who are Native Freedman?” Beneath that is the following description: “Freedmen is the term for enslaved African Americans emancipated in 1865. Native Freedmen are those people of African descent enslaved by members of the five southeastern tribal nations—Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee, and Seminole—and like their Native slaveholders, they were forcibly removed during the Trail of Tears from their Indigenous ancestral lands to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. Today, descendants of Native Freedmen are commonly known simply as Freedmen.” Underneath is a note to read the full article at IndigenousReadsRising.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
✨ COVER REVEAL ✨ Take a look at the beautiful cover for I AM THE RIVER: SARAH E. RAY AND THE BOB-LO BOAT by Leah Henderson, Patricia Lee Gauch, and Kristle Marshall, a biographical picture book forthcoming from Levine Querido on January 6th, 2026!

🌊 bit.ly/IAmTheRiverBook
Promotional graphic with an illustration of a river winding through green brush as the background. The graphic is titled “Cover Reveal” and shows a mock-up hardcover of “I Am The River: Sarah E. Ray And The Bob-Lo Boat” by Leah Henderson, Patricia Lee Gauch, and Kristle Marshall, a biographical picture book forthcoming from Levine Querido in January 2026. The cover illustration shows Sarah E. Ray, a young Black woman, wearing a blue boat and clutching a brochure for Detroit’s Bob-Lo boat in her hand. She is standing before a blue river, upon which a white steamboat is sailing towards her. The Detroit skyline and a far-off ferris wheel are also visible in the distant background At the bottom of the graphic is the book’s release date: January 6th, 2026. Promotional graphic with an illustration of a river winding through green brush as the background. The graphic contains the following synopsis: The Detroit River has long had a story to tell. It has seen a time before people. And it has seen many faces cross its waters, from Indigenous people guiding canoes to settlers on its banks and freedom seekers riding the underground railroad north toward liberty, with Bob-Lo Island at the river’s end, so close to Canada. At one time, a giant steamboat carried hundreds of excited children and adults to the amusement park that was built on Bob-Lo. But Sarah E. Ray discovered in 1945 that not all people were invited on this boat, to this island, once a symbol of the journey to freedom. It depended, she discovered, on the color of your skin. This is the dramatic story of how one young woman’s courage could create a dramatic turning point that would stand out proudly, and forevermore, in the history of a river older than the country called America.
November 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
With roughly 42 million people across the U.S. losing access to food assistance amid the federal government shutdown, it’s more important than ever to educate ourselves about the realities and impacts of food insecurity in our communities.

Here are some resources and reading suggestions ⬇️
White graphic with an illustration of a globe cut in half and filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. The graphic is titled “21 Books About Food Insecurity & Food Access” with a logo for We Need Diverse Books at the bottom.
November 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
🚨 WNDB is committed to providing emergency grants to diverse authors & illustrators, publishing professionals, and educators experiencing dire financial need due to loss of SNAP benefits. We are now open for a new round of emergency grants, between $250 and $1,000 each.

💻 bit.ly/WNDB-emergency
Royal blue promotional graphic titled “Emergency Grants Open”. Beneath the title text is a row of three illustrations depicting boxes of food donations. At the bottom of the graphic are three rows of text with a bright gold background that contain the following message: “Diverse writers, illustrators, publishing professionals, and educators financially impacted by loss of SNAP benefits or access to food, apply for a grant today!
November 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by We Need Diverse Books
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
“warmth and beauty” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books @poetnikki.bsky.social @stacyvwells.bsky.social @eblewis.bsky.social @harperkids.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #BookSky
“…warmth and beauty…readers learn not only about the tragedy in Dante’s family history, but also the joyful cultural elements they revel in.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Recommended Cover art for STRONGER THAN by Nikki Grimes, Stacy Wells & EB Lewis (headshots of all three to the right, Heartdrum logo to the left)
November 2, 2025 at 6:11 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
👻 Want to know what really scares us here at WNDB?

Every Halloween, cities and communities set up haunted houses, people dress up as monsters, and we watch spine-tingling movies that make even the bravest grown-ups jump.

But here’s what *really* scares us at We Need Diverse Books:
Light grey promotional graphic titled “Want to Know Something Really Scary?” The graphic has three illustrations of ghosts decorating the border of the post. Beneath the tile is a bright orange bubble containing a right-facing arrow, encouraging folks to swipe through.
October 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by We Need Diverse Books
cynleitichsmith.bsky.social
Cover Reveal! AN EXPANSE OF BLUE by Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams, art by JT Ojerio (Heartdrum, 2026). Powerful, romantic debut novel-in-verse about a Native Hawaiian girl's fight to find belonging in a fracturing family. #BookSky @epicreads.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Text: Cover Reveal in blue against yellow circle with wavy edges. Water in the background, rising up. Heartdrum logo (young eagle feather against Alaska Native drum) in the top right. Cover image of a light-skinned Native Hawaiian girl in profile with hair up, flower to side in hair, wearing a reddish orange top, bird in profile faintly in white in the background, title in yellow across bottom third of the book, author's name up top.
October 28, 2025 at 5:13 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Celebrate the #Halloween season with these diverse books! Whether you’re looking for something cute or creepy, this list has something for readers of any age and scare-level 🎃📚
Purple graphic titled “30 Diverse Halloween Reads: Suggestions for Scaredy Cats and Scare Enthusiasts Alike!” There are Halloween-related doodles around the border of the graphic, such as a waving skeleton, a smiling witch, a laughing werewolf, and a smiling ghost holding a pumpkin-shaped bucket. There are also doodles of candy and a purple spell book with a ghost on the cover.
October 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
🧡 COVER REVEAL 🧡 Don’t miss Brian Young’s groundbreaking YA debut, SHARDS OF SILENCE, forthcoming from Heartdrum (HarperCollins) on May 5th, 2026!

🎨 Cover art by Lynnette Haozous
🖼️ Cover design by Laura Mock

📖 bit.ly/ShardsOfSilence
Dark reddish orange promotional graphic displaying the cover for the upcoming YA debut, “Shards of Silence” by Brian Lee Young, forthcoming from Heartdrum (an imprint of HarperCollins) on May 5th, 2026. The release date is written along the bottom of the graphic in bold white text. The cover illustration shows a young Navajo (Diné) teenage boy facing forward with a stoic expression on his face. He’s wearing a bright orange ring tee underneath a navy blazer that’s part of a boarding school uniform. Dark reddish orange promotional graphic containing the following synopsis, in part, for “Shards of Silence” by Brian Lee Young: “In his first YA novel, award-winning author Brian Lee Young (Diné) bridges the generational divide between a Navajo teen at an elite prep school and his great-grandmother’s experience at a federal boarding school for Indigenous students. Even if it hurts to leave behind his friends and family in Navajo, New Mexico—especially his great-grandmother, Mildred—Derrick knows his scholarship to an elite East Coast boarding school is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Back home, Másání Mildred’s health is fading quickly. On the phone, she begs Derrick to leave Sagefield. When he realizes her fear comes from her time in federal Native boarding schools, he knows he’s finally found the term paper theme he believes in: carrying her voice into the future.”
October 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
It’s still #FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth! If you want to add (even more) books written by Filipino American and Filipino authors to your TBR, here are 24 suggestions to get you started!
Light yellow graphic titled “Twenty-Four Books for Filipino American History Month (And Beyond)”. Beneath the title text is an illustration of a young man, back facing the viewer, who is wearing a gold hoodie and holding up the flag of the Philippines in his left hand, fist raised above his head. The top and bottom of the graphic are decorated with an alternating red and blue tiled pattern.
October 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
You’ve heard of book banning, but have you heard of soft censorship?

WNDB is collecting information on the soft censorship of diverse books across the US. Have you witnessed soft censorship in your community? Consider sharing your experience with WNDB ⬇️

📚 bit.ly/SoftCensorship
Cream colored graphic displaying an illustration of a red hardcover book. Loopy text on the book’s front cover says, “Have you ever experienced soft censorship?” and beneath that is white body text that says, “Report it to WNDB!” Along the bottom of the cover on the right-hand side is a light blue bubble containing a right-facing arrow, indicating that folks should swipe for more information. Cream colored graphic with red circles in the upper left and lower right corners. At the center is mock-up internet browser window titled “What is Soft Censorship?” Then there is the following description: “According to the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), "Quiet, or soft censorship, can be defined as not purchasing materials because of personal reservations, rather than a professional evaluation of the need for them. It is not purchasing materials, weeding, or restricting access as a way to avoid controversy. It is not putting something into a display." At the bottom of the graphic is a black search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/SoftCensorship”, which will redirect folks to an online form where they can submit their experiences of soft censorship to WNDB.
October 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Think you can spot the lie? 🤔🔎
Light pink, yellow, and orange graphic displaying an internet browser window at the center. Inside the browser window, title text says, “Can you spot the lie?”
October 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
ON THE BLOCK is now available in paperback!

Don’t miss your chance to own this inspiring middle grade anthology that follows the loosely interconnected lives of multigenerational immigrant families living in the same apartment building

🏢 bit.ly/OTBPB
Light blue promotional graphic with an illustration of apartment buildings from the view of a neighborhood street lined with trees. At the top of the graphic is white, bold text outlined in blue that says, “Now Available in Paperback!” Underneath is a 3D paperback mock-up of the book “On the Block: Stories of Immigrant Families” edited by Ellen Oh. The cover illustration shows the faces of two apartment buildings side-by-side. The title, subtitle, and editor credit are illustrated as if to appear on an orange street sign. To the right-hand side of the cover mock-up is a bright yellow sunburst illustration containing the words “out now!” Light blue promotional graphic with an illustration of apartment buildings from the view of a neighborhood street lined with trees. The graphic contains the following synopsis, in part: From We Need Diverse Books comes an inspiring middle-grade anthology that follows the loosely interconnected lives of multigenerational immigrant families, the residents at the Entrada apartment building. Edited by Ellen Oh, a founding member of WNDB. 12 Families. 12 Cultures. 1 Building. Welcome to the Entrada, home to everyday Americans. This anthology features award-winning authors Tracey Baptiste, David Bowles, Adrianna Cuevas, Sayantani DasGupta, Debbi Michiko Florence, Adam Gidwitz, Erin Entrada Kelly, Minh Lê, Ellen Oh, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Andrea Wang, and Jasmine Warga. These inspiring stories celebrate family, friendship, culture, and American immigrant life today.”
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Here’s your first look at IN THE COUNTRY I LOVE by Alaa Al-Barkawi, a heartrending debut about two Iraqi American best friends confront who dark truths about their families in the wake of a devastating crime. Forthcoming from Peachtree Teen on May 26th, 2026!

✨ bit.ly/InTheCountryI...
Promotional graphic with an ombre background that transitions from dark purple to orange. The graphic shows a mock-up book cover for “In the Country I Love” by Alaa Al-Barkawi, a young adult book forthcoming from PeachTree Teen on May 26th, 2026. The cover illustration depicts houses along a suburban street and figures on the street appearing to walk towards a Shia Muslim religious building off in the distance. At the top of the graphic is the book’s release date in bold, white letters and at the bottom is the book’s official tagline: “Two Iraqi American best friends confront dark truths about their families in the wake of a devastating crime in this heartrending YA debut.” Promotional graphic with an ombre background that transitions from dark purple to orange. The graphic contains a synopsis for “In the Country I Love” by Alaa Al-Barkawi, which reads in part: “Two Iraqi American best friends—a struggling teen father and the community’s golden boy—confront dark truths about their families in the wake of a devastating crime in this heartrending YA debut. As a seventeen-year-old single dad and a soon-to-be high school drop-out, Yassir Al-Azzawi’s lapsed Shia faith is just another thing convincing his parents he’s a failure. One more mistake, and they’ll send him back to their homeland, a war-torn Iraq. Khaled Al-Hakim is perfect on paper: devout in his faith, a straight-A student, and captain of the debate team. But beneath the surface, Khaled is no saint either, and his worst sin yet is ignoring his parents’ command to stay away from Yassir.”
October 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM