Baby Books & Picture Books Up to Age 5
You Matter
By Christian Robinson
“In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored - from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they’re feeding.” From Simon and Schuster publishing
A Boy and a Jaguar
By Alan Rabinowitz
A picture book about a boy with a stutter that learns to use his voice to speak up for endangered animals.
A Friend for Henry
By Jenn Bailey
Henry, a boy on the autism spectrum, is looking forward to the new school year. Though he hears and sees things differently from his schoolmates, kindness and understanding are universally understood in this sweet story of the value of friendship.
COPC Pediatrician Recommendation
The Arabic Quilt
By Aya Khalil
Kanzi is afraid of being different, but a lovingly-made quilt from her grandmother ends up being a useful tool for understanding and acceptance in her new home.
Books for Ages 5-8
A Family is a Family is a Family
By Sara O'Leary
This lovely book celebrates the many wonderful configurations of family, and reminds a worried child that her family, though different, is special since it is full of caring people.
Big Red Lollipop
By Rukhsana Khan
Rubina is invited to her first ever - Birthday party! But how does she keep her annoying little sister out of her goody bag?
The Carver Chronicles (Series)
By Karen English
This chapter book series follows third-grader Calvin as he moves to a new school and makes new friends, deals with family, and ever new adventures.
COPC Pediatrician Recommendation
The Chicken Squad
By Doreen Cronin
Who says chickens are “chicken”? These backyard chickens are busy solving mysteries and fighting crime!
Books for Ages 8-12
Lintang and the Pirate Queen
By Tamara Moss
For readers who enjoy a touch of magic mixed with plenty of adventure, this is a story of epic quests, mystical creatures, and a brave young girl who dreams of exploring the world.
Amber Brown (Series)
By Bruce Coville and Elizabeth Levy
Follow spunky elementary-grade Amber Brown’s escapades as she navigates school life and friendship, all complicated by her parents’ divorce and shared custody.
Aru Shah and the End of Time
By Roshani Chokshi
In this fantasy book series based on Hindu stories and Indian mythology, twelve year-old Aru finds herself in trouble because of her frequent lying. These stories of magical adventure and friendship humorously navigate middle school troubles.
COPC Pediatrician Recommendation
The Best At It
By Maulik Pancholy
After his grandfather tells him the secret to “making it” at his middle school, Rahul tries his luck at many different activities while he is trying to figure out himself and where he fits in.
Books for Middle-Schoolers & Tweens
A Long Pitch Home
By Natalie Dias Lorenzi
Baseball - he thought it would be more similar to his beloved cricket. But as recent immigrant Bilal discovers, fitting in is not as easy as he had thought it would be!
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story
By Linda Sue Park
This story follows 2 children from different tribes navigating life during and after Sudan’s brutal civil war, who join together to make a positive impact on their communities. It’s a short story of hope, water-awareness, resilience, and perseverance.
A Series of Unfortunate Events (Series)
By Lemony Snicket
This fantastical and playful series is about the three Baudelaire children, who become orphans and are sent to live with evil Count Olaf, who attempts to steal their inheritance. These witty kids reinforce the value of families working together to solve problems.
Young Adult Books for High-school Aged Kids
A Northern Light
By Jennifer Donnelly
A talented writer, farm girl Mattie earns a spot at an elite NYC college. As she takes a job to earn money for school, she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery, and in the process learns more about her independent self and familial obligation.
1984
By George Orwell
The classic novel that imagined a future dystopian society, masked as utopia, and one man’s struggle against an intrusive totalitarian government.
A Thousand Splendid Suns
By Khaled Hosseini
This is a tale of love, hope and life in war-torn Afghanistan. It chronicles the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila, and how they come of age in an increasingly violent, restricted society.
COPC Pediatrician Recommendation
A Very Large Expanse of Sea
Tahereh Mafi
Set in post 9/11 America, this semi autobiographical YA novel follows Hijab-wearing Shirin (and her diverse group of friends) as she navigates inter-cultural and interracial romance and heartbreak.