Why Is My Skin Brown?
Why Is My Skin Brown?
by Lakshmi Iyer
Ages 7–10Indian author
When Sarayu moves to India for a few months, her cousins, neighbours and even her Nani have strong opinions about her dark skin. A heartfelt story about colourism, family and belonging in two worlds.
- Author
- Lakshmi Iyer
- Age
- Ages 7–10
- Type
- Chapter Book, Identity
- Language
- English
- Publisher
- Red Panda (Westland)
- In India
- Available
If you liked this, try
-
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
by Joanna Ho
Ages 4–8
A young girl notices her eyes look different from her friends' — until she recognizes the same eyes in her mother, grandmother and little sister, and learns to see them as beautiful. A lyrical celebration of Asian beauty and heritage.
-
The Beautiful Layers of Me
by Sophia Payne (illus. Ruchi Mhasane)
Ages 4–7✈️ Import only (pricey)
Ameena feels like a princess in her first salwar kameez until a neighbour calls it pyjamas. With her family's help she learns to wear her heritage with pride.
-
Hair Love
by Matthew A. Cherry
Ages 4–7
A young Black girl wants her hair to look perfect for a special occasion, so her father — who has never done hair before — steps up. Celebrates Black hair and father-daughter love. Academy Award-winning film.
-
Alma and How She Got Her Name
by Juana Martinez-Neal
Ages 4–7
Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela wonders why she has so many names — until her father tells the story of each ancestor they honour. Caldecott Honor. A love letter to heritage.
-
Ghost
Ages 10–12
Castle 'Ghost' Cranshaw is fast — faster than anyone — but it's the thing he's running from that might destroy him. A Track series novel that crackles with energy.
Heads-up: Violence, Abuse
-
Inside Out & Back Again
by Thanhha Lai
Ages 10–12
A verse novel told through a year of haiku, following ten-year-old Hà as her family flees Vietnam as refugees and arrives in Alabama. Raw and luminous. Newbery Honor.
Heads-up: War & battle violence, Death & grief, Racism & discrimination
