Building Community, Fitting In, Celebrating Difference...

[k]

I'm helping a friend compile a list of books about joining a (school) community, fitting in, celebrating difference, being comfortable as one is... What *essentials* are missing from the lists below? Thanks in advance for your help! ~k

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grades K-3
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Cannon, J. (2004). Pinduli. New York: Harcourt Children's Books.
Child, L. (2004). I am absolutely too small for school. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Choi, Y. (2001). The name jar. New York: Knopf.
Creech, S. (2001). A fine, fine school. New York: HarperCollins.
Falwell, C. (2001). David's drawings. New York: Lee & Low Books.
Henkes, K. (1991). Chrysanthemum. New York: Greenwillow Books.

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grades 4-8
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Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Ellis, D. (2001). The breadwinner. Toronto: Groundwood Books.
Garland, S. (1997). The lotus seed. Logan, IA: Perfection Learning.
Herrera, J. F. (2000). The upside down boy / El niño de cabeza. New York: Children's Books Press / Lee & Low Books.
Hill, K. (2000). The year of Ms. Agnes. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic.
Mikaelsen, B. (2002). Touching spirit bear. New York: HarperCollins.
Shusterman, N. (2001). The downsiders. New York: Simon Pulse.
Spinelli, J. (1999). Maniac Magee. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Spinelli, J. (2000). Stargirl. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

[k]

Thanks, Abigail!

[June]

You might take a look at Yoko. Yoko brings sushi for lunch and the other students make fun of her until one of them tries it.

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

For a very simple (not spectacular, but good for younger children) introduction to Dim Sum, Dim Sum for Everyone! is a good choice.

[Alyson]

Any good suggestions for teaching kids about different cultures and holidays?

[Michele]

I like Suki's Kimono, about a girl who decides to wear her kimono to school.