Children’s Books Set in North America

Many of North America’s most beloved regions are artfully celebrated in these board books designed to soothe children before bedtime while instilling an early appreciation for the continent’s natural and cultural wonders. Each book stars a multicultural group of people visiting the featured area’s attractions.

Recommended for ages 1-4

Good Night Mexico
Setting: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cancun, Chichen Itza, and more

Good Night Canada
Setting: Canadian Rockies, Niagara Falls, Vancouver, Newfoundland, PEI, BC, and more

Good Night Montreal
Setting: Montreal, Canada

Good Night Toronto
Setting: Toronto, Canada

View all titles in the series, including each of the US States and many major cities.

by Patty Rodriguez

Take a trip around the world with Vámanos series of board books from Lil' Libros. Each story celebrates the sights, sounds, and people of a different city with colorful and engaging illustrations and simple text in English and Spanish. Each book will have your little ones celebrating the world, fostering empathy, and seeing that there are a million ways to live on this planet!

Recommended for ages 2-4

Vámanos: San Salvador
Setting: San Salvador, EL SALVADOR

Travel to San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, and hike up to nature’s giant, the Boquerón volcano.

Vámanos: Tegucigalpa
Setting: Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS

Introduce little ones to the lovely city of Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, in both English and Spanish!

Introduce your little readers to Tegucigalpa, the ever-growing capital of Honduras. Your little ones will discover the hidden gems – secret parks, hilly terrains, and stone steps – and feel like they’re on top of the world at El Picacho. They will bear witness to the natural phenomenon of the lluvia de peces, visit the national park of La Tigra, and dig into the country’s beloved platter of anafre!

Vámanos: Oaxaca
Setting: Oaxaca, MEXICO

Teach your baby about Oaxaca, a magical city in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Vámanos: Panama City
Setting: Panama City, Panama

Introduce your little readers to Panama City, the capital of Panama, home to gorgeous beaches and its famous canal. Children will travel through a bustling city with modern and historical architecture.

Vámanos: Antigua
Setting: Antingua, Guatemala

Introduce your little readers to Antigua, a city in Guatemala that is famous for its ethereal natural beauty and beautifully preserved architecture. Founded in the early sixteenth century, this city is surrounded by lush forested hills and active volcanoes that create a stunning panorama.

Vámanos: Havana
Setting: Havana, Cuba

Teach your baby about Havana, the colorful capital of Cuba.

Vámanos: San Juan
Setting: San Juan, PUERTO RICO

Teach your baby about San Juan, the capital and largest city in the island of Puerto Rico.

Vámanos: Santo Domingo
Setting: Santo Domingo, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Introduce your little readers to Santo Domingo, the stunning capital of the Dominican Republic. Children will start their journey on the Teleférico; afterward, they will learn to tell time using the Reloj del Sol at the plazoleta, study the lush gardens of the Santo Domingo Greenbelt, dance to the beat at the Merengue Festival, and taste the delicious platters of cangrejo guisado and sancocho.

Vámanos: Los Angeles
Setting: LA, CALIFORNIA, USA

ntroduce your little readers to Los Angeles, the famous and largest city in California. Your little ones will discover the glitz and glamour of the creative capital of the world and experience the beauty and culture behind being a Los Angeleno. They will wander past film sets and step over the pink stars of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, enjoy fruta fresca from the famous street vendors, and cheer on the city’s sport champions.

Vámanos: New York City
Setting: NYC, New York, USA

Introduce your little readers to the hustle and bustle of New York City, the most populous metropolitan area in the United States. Your little ones will explore the five boroughs – Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island – all with a history and culture of their own. They will catch a glimpse of the city through the Roosevelt Island Tramway, dance to Broadway showtunes, and visit local libraries and bodegas.

by Per-Henrick Gurth

Setting: Toronto, Canada

This playful alphabet book showcases all the highlights and wonders in the city of Toronto, with one letter on each page.

Recommended for ages 2-4

by Tania de Regil

Setting: MEXICO CITY & NYC

Moving to a new city can be exciting. But what if your new home isn’t anything like your old home? Will you make friends? What will you eat? Where will you play? A boy moving from New York City to Mexico City and a girl moving from Mexico City to New York City express their fears about leaving home to live in a new and unfamiliar place. Soon it becomes clear that the two cities — and the two children — are more alike than they might think.

Recommended for ages 3-5

This alphabet series is a wonderful way to introduce children to countries and cultures throughout Europe.

P is for Pinata: A Mexico Alphabet
Setting: Mexico

Discover America State by State
Setting: One for each state in the US
33 of the titles are available free with Kindle Unlimited

D is for Drum: A Native American Alphabet
Setting: The Americas

F is for French: A Quebec Alphabet
Setting: Quebec, Canada

G is for Golden Boy: A Manitoba Alphabet
Setting: Manitoba, Canada

T is for Territories: A Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut Alphabet
Setting: Canadian Territories

C is for Chinook: An Alberta Alphabet
Setting: Alberta, Canada

I is for Island: A Prince Edward Island Alphabet
Setting: PEI, Canada

P is for Puffin: A Newfoundland and Labrador Alphabet
Setting: Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

F is for Fiddlehead: A New Brunswick Alphabet
Setting: New Brunswick, Canada

S is for Spirit Bear: A British Columbia Alphabet
Setting: British Columbia, Canada

by Sade Smith

Setting: JAMAICA

Shelly-Ann lives with her Granny on the beautiful island of Jamaica. When Shelly-Ann becomes hungry, she asks her Granny for something to eat. Granny tells her “Gyal, you betta can cook!” and teaches Shelly-Ann how to get in touch with her Jamaican roots through the process of cooking.

As Shelly-Ann tries each recipe, everything goes wrong. But when Granny is too tired to cook one morning, Shelly-Ann will have to find the courage to try one more time and prepare the perfect Jamaican breakfast.

Recommended for ages 3-6

by Nomar Perez

Setting: PUERTO RICO & NEW YORK CITY

A heartfelt picture book based on the author-illustrator's own experiences, about a boy who moves to the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico and realizes that New York City might have more in common with San Juan than he initially thought.

Miguel's pet frog, Coquí, is always with him: as he greets his neighbors in San Juan, buys quesitos from the panadería, and listens to his abuelo's story about meeting baseball legend Roberto Clemente. Then Miguel learns that he and his parents are moving to the U.S. mainland, which means leaving his beloved grandparents, home in Puerto Rico, and even Coquí behind. Life in New York City is overwhelming, with unfamiliar buildings, foods, and people. But when he and Mamá go exploring, they find a few familiar sights that remind them of home, and Miguel realizes there might be a way to keep a little bit of Puerto Rico with him wherever he goes.

Recommended for ages 3-7

Bilingual edition in English and Spanish

by Monic Brown

Setting: CUBA & NYC

This bilingual book allows young readers to enter Celia Cruz's life as she becomes a well-known singer in her homeland of Cuba, then moves to New York City and Miami where she and others create a new type of music called salsa. This picture book is an excellent biography to introduce kids to a significant woman and her music.

Recommended for ages 5-8

Also consider the picture book, Celia Cruz: Queen of Salsa

by Lola Walder

Setting: GUATEMALA

A magical story of a Guatemalan girl named Juanita, who lived in Santa Catarina Palopó, a pretty little village next to a beautiful lake, surrounded by three huge volcanoes. She loved cooking crunchy maize tortillas and counting stars every night. One day, Juanita’s mom became very ill, and she couldn’t work at her loom. Juanita wanted to help but didn’t know how to. It appears the sky had been listening to her all the time and had a big surprise in store for her.

Recommended for ages 4-8

by Edith Hope Fine

Setting: MEXICO

One night Rosalinda is awakened by a noise in the garden. A man is taking lemons from her beloved tree. She consults the wise old woman La Anciana, who offers her a creative solution. Beautiful watercolor and pastel illustrations transport young readers to the rural Mexican countryside.

Recommended for ages 5-7

by Rachel Katstaller

Setting: EL SALVADOR

A gorgeous picture book inspired by a traditional Central American Indigenous story about a snake with the power to bring the rain, told in lyrical language and evocative art, and subtly conveying an environmental theme.

Recommended for ages 3-6

by Margarita Engle

Setting: CUBA

A rhythmic picture book about a little girl visiting her grandfather who is a pregonero—a singing street vendor in Cuba—and helping him sell his frutas.

Recommended for ages 4-7

by Linda Elovitz Marshall

Setting: GUATEMALA

Ixchel wants to follow in the long tradition of weaving on backstrap looms, just as her mother, grandmother, and most Mayan women in Guatemala have done for more than two thousand years. But Ixchel's mother is too busy preparing her weavings for market. If they bring a good price, they will have money to pay for Ixchel s school and books. And besides, there is not enough extra thread for Ixchel to practice with.

Suddenly, Ixchel has an idea! She collects and washes the plastic bags. Then she cuts each bag into thin strips. Sitting at her loom, Ixchel weaves the plastic strips into a colorful fabric that looks like a beautiful rainbow just like the weavings of Mayan women before her.

Recommended for ages 5-7

The Adventures of Bella & Harry is a picture book series that chronicles the escapades of a pup named Bella, her little brother Harry and their family, who travel the world exploring the sights and sounds of new cities.

Recommended for ages 4-7

Adventures of Bella & Harry: Let's Visit Vancouver
by Lisa Manzione
Setting: Vancouver, CANADA

Join sibling Chihuahuas, Bella and Harry, as they travel to Vancouver, Canada.

Adventures of Bella & Harry: Let's Visit Maui
by Lisa Manzione
Setting: Vancouver, HAWAII, USA

Join sibling Chihuahuas, Bella and Harry, as they travel to Maui, Hawaii.

Adventures of Bella & Harry: Christmas in New York City
by Lisa Manzione
Setting: NYC, USA

Join sibling Chihuahuas, Bella and Harry, as they travel to New York City at Christmastime.

by Chloe Perkins

Setting: MEXICO

Meet Rosa, a kid living in Brazil - a country filled with beautiful art, incredible ancient ruins, and gorgeous beaches, rainforests, and deserts!

Each book in the Living In... series is filled with fresh, modern illustrations as well as loads of history, geography, and cultural details. Join kids from all over the world on a globe-trotting adventure.

Grade Level: K-2

by Steven Wolfe Pereira

The Tiny Travelers Treasure Quest Series takes its readers on a fun-filled journey to discover what makes each country special with search-and-find features on every spread.

Grade Level K-2

Tiny Travelers Haiti Treasure Quest
Setting: HAITI

Journey from the historic Port-au-Prince to the cobalt-blue pools of Bassin Bleu. From the festive sights and sounds of Rara to the fishing spots of Ile a Vache, Tiny Travelers will enjoy getting closer to Haitian sights, history, and culture, making magical discoveries along the way. Each illustrated spread invites children to discover hidden "treasures" ― icons, animals, statues, instruments, and more ― that make up incredible Haiti.

Tiny Travelers Puerto Rico Treasure Quest
Setting: PUERTO RICO
Journey from the historical city of San Juan with its famous "El Morro" fort, to the beautiful bioluminescent bay in Vieques. Tiny Travelers will enjoy getting closer to Puerto Rican culture, and seeing why it is called “La Isla del Encanto” (the island of enchantment). Each illustrated spread invites children to discover hidden "treasures" - icons, animals, statues, instruments and more - that make up the rich cultural heritage of Puerto Rico.

Tiny Travelers Mexico Treasure Quest
Setting: MEXICO

Journey from the mariachi-filled plazas, to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan. From the Lucha Libre ring, to the flower filled boats of Xochimilco, Tiny Travelers will enjoy getting closer to Mexican culture making magical discoveries along the way.
Each illustrated spread invites children to discover hidden "treasures" - icons, animals, statues, instruments and more - that make up the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.

Tiny Travelers United States Treasure Quest
Setting: USA

Journey from the capital city of Washington DC, to the vibrant Mardi Gras festival in Louisiana, and the iconic Yellowstone National Park. Tiny travelers will enjoy getting closer to American culture, making magical discoveries along the way. Each illustrated spread invites children to discover hidden "treasures" - icons, animals, statues, instruments and more - that make up the rich cultural heritage of the United States of America.

This book series, by Amanda Lumry, provides environmental education through a blend of photography and illustration. The fictional story is supplemented with nonfiction information.

Grade Level: K-3

Adventures of Riley: Survival of the Salmon
Setting: ALASKA

Young adventurers Riley and Alice visit the pristine wilderness of Southeast Alaska in order to solve a puzzling salmon migration mystery: Why are Pacific Salmon thriving while North Atlantic Salmon are more endangered than ever? Riley's daring quest for answers features moose, bald eagles, grizzly bears and a very special guest appearance by world-renowned animal expert, Jack Hanna.

Adventures of Riley: Polar Bear Puzzle
Setting: Churchill, CANADA

Riley and family fly north to Churchill, Canada, to watch polar bears hunt seals from the ice of the Hudson Bay. There’s just one problem: no ice! For polar bears, no ice means no seals, and without food, the bears can quickly become hungry, weak, and dangerous! It’s a race against time as everyone searches for clues to this puzzling climate mystery. Will the ice freeze in time or at all? And will the polar bears finally get to eat again?

by Chris Oler

Setting: PUERTO RICO

Join Molly and Michael as they learn about the culture of Puerto Rico. Their new friend Alana shows them around the island’s beautiful beaches, ancient cities, lush rainforests, and imposing fortresses. From food to dancing and museums to zip lines.

Grade Level: 1-3

by Jeff Brown

Easy-to-read language and illustrations on most pages make this early chapter book series perfect for beginning readers.

Grade Level: 1-4

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #1: The Mount Rushmore Calamity
Setting: MT. RUSHMORE, NORTH DAKOTA, USA

The whole Lambchop family is off to see Mount Rushmore. But when Flat Stanley and his brother, Arthur, team up with a scrappy cowgirl named Calamity Jasper, their vacation turns into the Wild West experience of a lifetime. Pretty soon, they find themselves in a real tight spot—even for a flat boy like Stanley!

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #4: The Intrepid Canadian Expedition
Setting: BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Stanley Lambchop and his family are in British Columbia, Canada, for some skiing and winter fun. But when Stanley and his new friend Nick go snowboarding—with Stanley as the snowboard, of course—they take a midair tumble just as the wind picks up . . . and find themselves floating in an amazing Canadian cross-country journey that might just be Stanley's wildest adventure yet!

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #5: The Amazing Mexican Secret
Setting: MEXICO

When Stanley's mother needs the secret ingredient for a special recipe, Stanley mails himself to Mexico to track down its mysterious maker. But when a band of spies threatens to steal the secret, Stanley's simple trip becomes a race against an opponent that even a flat boy like himself can't slip past!!

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #9: The US Capital Commotion
Setting: WASHINGTON D.C., USA

Stanley’s been chosen to receive a medal of honor in the nation’s capital! But once in Washington, DC, Stanley gets swept away by a crowd and separated from his family. Now he’s on the run in a city filled with monuments—and with shadowy figures on his trail. What’s a flat boy to do now?

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #10: Showdown at the Alamo
Setting: TEXAS, USA

In this easy-to-read and incredibly hilarious chapter book, Stanley and his friends head to the big state of Texas to visit their pal Eduardo. From rocking out onstage at a music festival, to riding a horse, to parasailing in the desert, Stanley is having the time of his life! But when a mysterious truck starts following the friends, tensions run high. Who could it be? And what do they want? A suspenseful and surprising showdown at Texas's historic Alamo will reveal all . . . including Stanley's courageous inner cowboy.

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #12: Escape to California
Setting: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA

Tthe Lambchop family is ready to explore San Francisco, California!

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #13: The Midnight Ride of Flat Revere
Setting: BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTES, USA

When the Lambchop family gets to Boston, Stanley is excited to go on a Duck Tour, eat lunch at Quincy Market, and see Fenway Park baseball stadium. Stanley even gets to be in a reenactment of American Colonist Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride. But Stanley has a problem. The Lambchops’ friend, Dr. Dan, is in town, too, and he’s giving a speech about his cure for flatness. And he wants Stanley to talk about being flat! But does Stanley want to change and be a regular kid, or would it be better to stay flat after all?

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #15: Lost in New York
Setting: NYC, USA

Stanley Lambchop has been invited to New York City to take part in an International Declaration of Friendship at the United Nations! But before anyone signs the declaration, the group goes on a whirlwind tour of New York City. What should be an adventure quickly turns scary when Stanley and his new friend Ian get separated from their group. But Stanley and Ian manage to find the fun in their situation, traveling around Manhattan: through the subway, across Times Square, and—finally—to the top of the Empire State Building.

Grade Level: 2-4

If You Were a Kid in the Thirteen Colonies
by Wil Mara
Setting: 1724, American Colonies

It is winter of 1724 in the North American colonies. With her mother sick in bed and her father away on business, Charlotte Sheppard is left to watch over her younger siblings and the family farm as a dangerous storm blows in overnight. Meanwhile, Charlotte's friend Elijah Coth is concerned that his immigrant family will return home to Holland after so many setbacks on their own farm. Join Charlotte and Elijah as they work together to make repairs and feed their families in the aftermath of the storm.

If You Were a Kid During the Civil War
by Wil Mara
Setting: 1770s, American Colonies

When British soldiers accuse Samuel Richardson's father and uncle of being rebellious Patriots, Samuel must work together with his cousin Molly to help the family make an escape. Follow along on the cousins' adventure as they witness the early days of the American Revolution and come up with a daring plan to save their fathers.

If You Were a Kid on the Oregon Trail
by Josh Gregory
Setting: 1800s, Western USA

As Josephine Jenkins sets off on the Oregon Trail with her mother and younger brothers to reunite with her father out West, she realizes that her beloved diary has gone missing. Meanwhile, her fellow traveler Stephen Byrd is sad to be leaving his friends behind as his family makes the move to Oregon. Follow Josephine and Stephen along the trail as they camp in the wilderness, look out over incredible landscapes, and prepare for their new lives in the West.

If You Were a Kid in the Wild West
by Tracey Baptiste
Setting: Western USA

During the 1800s, many settlers moved westward across North America to seek their fortunes as farmers, ranchers, and miners. In the Wild West, there were few towns and few people paid much attention to laws. Take a trip through this thrilling period of American history as they join Louise and Nat for a tale of cowboys in a frontier town.

If You Were a Kid During the California Gold Rush
by Josh Gegory
Setting: 1848, CALIFORNIA

In 1848, gold was discovered in a California river, kicking off a period of time when thousands of people traveled to the West Coast with dreams of getting rich. Get an up-close look at life during the California Gold Rush as they follow the adventures of Louise and Feng, two kids living in mining camp near San Francisco.

If You Were a Kid During the Civil Rights Movement
by Gwendolyn Hooks
Setting: 1960s USA

Joyce Jenkins has recently moved to a new town with her family, and she will soon be attending a segregated school for the first time. Meanwhile, Connie Underwood is trying to figure out what her twin brothers are planning in secret. Follow along with the two girls as they find themselves in the middle of a civil rights demonstration, and find out how the fight for equality changed the country forever.

If You Were a Kid During the Civil War
by Wil Mara
Setting: 1860s, USA

With their families caught on opposite sides of the Civil War, friends Sarah Pierce and James Hood are afraid that everything they know is about to change.
When the two friends encounter a wounded Union soldier after a violent battle sweeps through their rural Virginia home, they are faced with a difficult decision. Find out how the war threatened to tear the United States apart forever by following along with this gripping tale.

If You Were a Kid at the Iditarod
by Josh Gregory
Setting: ALASKA

Each March, the world's top sled dog teams gather in Alaska for the sport's biggest event: the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. In this incredible race, mushers race their dog teams across more than 900 miles (1,448 kilometers) of rough Alaskan terrain. Learn about the Iditarod's history, rules, strategies, and much more. 

by Mary Pope Osborne

The Magic Tree House and Merlin Missions book series follow a young brother and sister, Jack and Annie, on their adventures around the world and throughout history. And the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker books provide additional factual information to help kids learn more about the topics they discovered in the Magic Tree House adventure books.

Magic Tree House books are recommended for readers in grades 1-4, and the Merlin Mission books and Fact Trackers are recommended for grades 2-5.

Magic Tree House #10: Ghost Town at Sundown
Setting: WILD WEST, USA

Magic Tree House #12: POLAR BEARS PAST BEDTIME
Setting: ARCTIC NORTH

Magic Treehouse Fact Tracker: POLAR BEARS & THE ARCTIC
Setting: ARCTIC NORTH

Magic Tree House #18: BUFFALO BEFORE BREAKFAST
Setting: GREAT PLAINS, USA

Magic Tree House #21: CIVIL WAR ON SUNDAY
Setting: AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

Magic Tree House #22: REVOLUTIONARY WAR ON WEDNESDAY
Setting: AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Magic Treehouse Fact Tracker: AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Setting: AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Magic Tree House #23: TWISTER ON TUESDAY
Setting: MIDWEST, USA

Magic Tree House #24: EARTHQUAKE IN EARLY MORNING
Setting: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Magic Tree House #27: THANKSGIVING ON THURSDAY
Setting: AMERICAN COLONIES

Magic Treehouse Fact Tracker: PILGRIMS
Setting: PLYMOUTH. MASSACHUSETTS

Magic Tree House #28: HIGH TIDE IN HAWAII
Setting: HAWAII

Magic Tree House #29: A BIG DAY FOR BASEBALL
Setting: BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Magic Tree House #30: HURRICANE HEROES IN TEXAS
Setting: GALVESTON, TEXAS

Magic Tree House #32: TO THE FUTURE, BEN FRANKLIN
Setting: BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Magic Tree House #33: NARWHAL ON A SUNNY NIGHT
Setting: GREENLAND

Magic Tree House #35: CAMP TIME IN CALIFORNIA
Setting: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA

Merlin MIssions #14: A GOOD NIGHT FOR GHOSTS
Setting: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Merlin MIssions #19: ABE LINCOLN AT LAST
Setting: WAHINGTON D.C.

Merlin MIssions #24: SOCCER ON SUNDAY
Setting: MEXICO

Merlin MIssions #26: BALTO OF THE BLUE DAWN
Setting: ALASKA

by Kate Messner

This series is about Ranger, a time-traveling golden retriever with search-and-rescue training. He has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day!

Grade Level 2-4

Ranger in Time #1: RESCUE ON THE OREGON TRAIL
Setting: OREGON TRAIL

One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam's family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger's help more than they realize!

Ranger in Time #3: LONG ROAD TO FREEDOM
Setting: MARYLAND

Ranger goes to a Maryland plantation during the days of American slavery, where he meets a young girl named Sarah. When she learns that the owner has plans to sell her little brother, Jesse, to a plantation in the Deep South, it means they could be separated forever. Sarah takes their future into her own hands and decides there's only one way to run -- north.

Ranger in Time #6: ESCAPE FROM THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE
Setting: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Ranger travels to San Francisco and meets Lily Chen. She was sent from China to America to work as a young servant, but she dreams of studying to be a doctor. When the Great Earthquake hits, Ranger arrives in time to rescue Lily from falling beams in the mission house where she lives. Together they flee to safety, stopping to help another girl, May Wong, save her little brother from the family's collapsed market. Lily and May try to make their way through the ruined city with Ranger at their side. But can they escape crumbling buildings and raging fires, all while facing anti-Chinese discrimination?

Ranger in Time #8: HURRICANE KATRINA RESCUE
Setting: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Ranger arrives in New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina approaches and residents start to evacuate the city. Ranger meets Clare Porter, who is searching for her grandmother. Once Ranger helps Clare find Nana, he takes shelter with them at their home in the Lower Ninth Ward, and they wait for Clare's father to return from the gas station. But there's no sign of him as hours pass and the weather gets worse. The wind picks up and rain pours down. And when the levees break, floodwaters dangerously rise, and Clare and Nana are separated. Can Ranger help Clare navigate the flooded streets to safety and back to her family?

Ranger in Time #10: NIGHT OF SOLDIERS AND SPIES
Setting: NEW JERSEY

Ranger heads to the Revolutionary War just before the Battle of Trenton. He meets Isaac Pope, a fisherman turned soldier for the Continental Army. When General George Washington is in need of a spy to cross into enemy territory, Isaac is chosen for the dangerous task. Ranger must help Isaac remain safe and undetected, or the battle -- and their lives -- will be lost.

Ranger in Time #11: ESCAPE FROM THE TWIN TOWERS
Setting: NYC

Ranger has never needed his search-and-rescue training more than when he arrives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. There he meets Risha Scott and her friend Max who have come to work with Risha's mother for a school project. But when the unthinkable happens and the building is evacuated, Risha is separated from her mom.

Ranger in Time #12: ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Setting: HAWAII

Ranger travels back to 1941 Hawaii, where World War II is on everyone's minds. That includes Ben Hansen, a young sailor stationed at Pearl Harbor, and twins Paul and Grace Yamada who are making their weekly market trip when Japanese bombs begin to fall from the sky. As the surprise attack puts all of Ranger's new friends in danger, his search-and-rescue training kicks in to high gear. Can he help them survive against all odds?

by Harper Paris

Setting: ALASKA

While visiting Alaska, the twins see glaciers and grizzlies, kayak through fjords, and learn about polar bears! They also meet some native people who tell them that lately their food supplies have been going missing. And when Ethan and Ella spot some nearby paw prints, they wonder who the paws belong to…and if they might belong to the thief responsible for stealing all the food!

Easy-to-read language and illustrations on most pages make this book series perfect for beginning readers.

Grade Level: 1-4

by Alane Ferguson & Gloria Skurzynski

In this 12-book series, the Landon family adventures through the National Parks.

Grade Level: 2-4

Mysteries in Our National Parks: Wolf Stalker: A Mystery in Yellowstone National Park
Setting: WYOMING

Mysteries in Our National Parks: Cliff-Hanger: A Mystery in Mesa Verde National Park
Setting: COLORADO

Mysteries in Our National Parks: Deadly Waters: A Mystery in Everglades National Park
Setting: FLORIDA

Mysteries in Our National Parks: The Hunted: A Mystery in Glacier National Park
Setting: MONTANA

Mysteries In Our National Parks: Ghost Horses: A Mystery in Zion National Park
Setting: UTAH

Mysteries in Our National Parks: Over The Edge: A Mystery in Grand Canyon National Park
Setting: ARIZONA

Mysteries in Our National Parks: Valley of Death: A Mystery in Death Valley National Park
Setting: CALIFORNIA

Mysteries in Our National Parks: Escape From Fear: A Mystery in Virgin Islands National Park
Setting: CARIBBEAN

Mysteries in Our National Parks: Out of the Deep: A Mystery in Acadia National Park
Setting: MAINE

Mysteries in Our National Parks: Running Scared: A Mystery in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Setting: NEW MEXICO

Mysteries in Our National Parks: Buried Alive: A Mystery in Denali National Park
Setting: ALASKA

Mysteries in Our National Parks: Night of the Black Bear: A Mystery in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Setting: TENNESSEE & NORTH CAROLINA

by Kristin Earhart

Setting: ARCTIC TUNDRA

This is book #3 in the action-packed adventure series, Race the Wild. The air might be freezing, but the race is heating up! Dev can't stop thinking about how much he'd disappointed his dad by signing up for The Wild Life. But to win a race through the frozen Arctic tundra, where animals are ferocious and nature is extreme, the red team needs everyone to give it their all...even Dev!

Grade Level: 2-4

by Susan B. Katz

Setting: MEXICO

Frida Kahlo is one of the most celebrated artists in the world, but before she made history with her beautiful paintings and brave spirit, she went through a life-changing accident that would have made many people want to give up. Young readers will learn how she went from a young girl from a small Mexican town to one of the most well-known painters in history.

Grade Level: 2-4

by Dr. Brady Barr

Setting: COSTA RICA

Alexa and the other children at her school in Costa Rica have a special project: they are raising American Crocodiles. Alexa's story is a fictionalized portrayal of a real program in Costa Rica that allows young students to temporarily care for a baby crocodile. With a mixture of photographs and retro-style illustrations, this book will both entertain and educate readers.

Grade Level: 2-4

by Angela Cervantes

Setting: MEXICO

Paloma Marquez is traveling to Mexico City, birthplace of her deceased father, for the very first time. She's hoping that spending time in Mexico will help her unlock memories of the too-brief time they spent together. While in Mexico, Paloma meets Lizzie and Gael, who present her with an irresistible challenge: The siblings want her to help them find a valuable ring that once belonged to beloved Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Finding the ring means a big reward -- and the thanks of all Mexico. What better way to honor her father than returning a priceless piece of jewelry that once belonged to his favorite artist!

Grade Level: 3-5

There are many books in the Where Is... What Was... series that will help kids learn more about Europe. This series is recommended for grade levels 3-7 and titles include:

Where Is Chichen Itza?
by Paula K. Manzanero
Setting: MEXICO

The city of Chichen Itza was a powerful religious, political, scientific, and artistic center of the Maya people. Readers will learn about how Chichen Itza began and what happened to cause the downfall of a great society. The book also provides details about the culture of the Maya of Chichen Itza and the stunning architecture they built like the El Castillo pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors, and the massive ball court that was used for games and rituals.

Where is Niagara Falls?
by Megan Stine
Setting: ONTARIO, CANDAD & NEW YORK, USA

While traveling through Canada in 1678, a French priest came across the most gigantic waterfalls he'd ever seen. Stricken with both awe and fear, he began to shake, fell to his knees, and prayed. Ever since, people from all over the world have come to explore Niagara: among them the daredevils determined to tumble down or walk across the falls on tightrope. Kids will get a kick reading about the hare-brained stunts and will also learn how the falls were formed and how--one day--they will disappear.

What Was the Wild West?
by Janet B. Pascal
Setting: WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI, USA

The west was at its wildest from 1865 to 1895, when territories west of the Mississippi River remained untamed and lawless. Famous for cowboys, American Indians, lawmen, gunslingers, pioneers, and prospectors, this period in US history captures the imagination of all kids and now is brought vividly to life.

by Lonely Planet Kids

Setting: U.S.A.

Lonely Planet's "Not For Parents" series is packed with fascinating facts that will help tweens get to know the real inside story. In this book you'll hear fascinating tales about the Wild West, cockroach races, a massive canyon and weddings in Vegas. Check out cool stories about candy bars and movie stars, beauty queens and blue jeans. You'll find astronauts, gangsters, pilgrims and some amazingly heroic dogs.

Grade Level: 4-7

This book series is out of print, but you'll find new and used copies on Amazon.

by Laura Resau

Setting: MEXICO

Clara is a modern teenager growing up in Baltimore. She has never met her father's parents and doesn't know much about his past other than the fact that he snuck over the US border as a teenager. One day she receives a letter from her grandparents inviting her to spend the summer with them in their small village of Yucuyoo in southern Mexico.

After her initial culture shock, Clara begins to see the beauty in a simpler life, and as she learns about her father's past, she also embarks on her own journey of self-discovery.

Grade Level: 4-7

by Patti Wheeler

The Travels with Gannon & Wyatt series follows two twin brothers as they travel the world and venture into the wild. They keep journals of their adventures in the tradition of explorers like Lewis & Clark, Dr. Davido Livingstone, and Captain Cook.

Grade Level: 4-7

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Greenland
Setting: GREENLAND

Upon arriving in Ilulissat, Greenland, Gannon and Wyatt prepare for the adventure of a lifetime--a dogsled expedition in the Arctic! But before the explorers even crack a whip, they receive a desperate mayday call from an Inuit family that is stranded in the far north. Suddenly, Gannon and Wyatt's expedition to study climate change and Greenlandic culture turns into something far more dangerous--a mission to save lives. As they rush north to rescue the family, led by Inuit guides, the brothers must steer clear of deadly hidden crevasses, hungry polar bears, and bitter cold as they race into an Arctic super-storm, putting even more lives in jeopardy--their own.

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Rainforest
Setting: BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Gannon and Wyatt can't wait to trek into the Great Bear Rainforest in search of the mythical spirit bear, but surviving in this unforgiving wilderness proves more challenging than they could have ever imagined. When members of the expedition go missing, the brothers bravely set out on a search-and-rescue mission. Soon they find themselves lost in a forest teeming with grizzlies, wolves and mysterious gunmen. Guided by the wisdom of the First Nation people, Gannon and Wyatt uncover a sinister plot and must risk everything to save those who are missing and restore balance to the Great Bear.

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Hawaii
Setting: HAWAII

The Hawaiian Islands offer no shortage of adventure! Teaming up with fellow explorer, Alana Aukai, thrill-seeking twins Gannon and Wyatt begin an expedition to study rarely visited parts of this Pacific paradise. When an ancient map is found on a drowning archeologist, the explorers shift their attention to uncovering the map's secrets. To their astonishment, they discover that it might lead to one of Hawaii's most puzzling mysteries—the burial place of the islands' most-revered ruler, King Kamehameha the Great! Adding danger to an already perilous journey, someone else is after the map—someone who seems willing to do just about anything to get it.

by L.M. Montgomery

Setting: PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA

Written in 1908, Anne of Green Gables has been a charming classic for over a century. The book starts a series of 8 novels, which follow Anne from childhood all the way through having her own children. In the first book, you'll meet Anne as an 11-year old orphan being adopted by the Cuthbert's - an older man and his stern sister who live on a farm on Prince Edward Island called Green Gables. 

The only problem is that the Cuthbert's intended to adopt a boy to help run the farm, not a feisty red-headed girl. However, her wild imagination and beautiful yet precocious spirit quickly win them over.

Grade Level: 4 and up

by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Setting: CUBA & USA

In 1961, two years after the Communist revolution, Lucía Álvarez still leads a carefree life, dreaming of parties and her first crush. But when the soldiers come to her sleepy Cuban town, everything begins to change. Freedoms are stripped away. Neighbors disappear. And soon, Lucía's parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send her and her little brother to the United States—on their own.

Suddenly plunked down in Nebraska with well-meaning strangers, Lucía struggles to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new way of life. But what of her old life? Will she ever see her home or her parents again? And if she does, will she still be the same girl?

Grade Level: 4 - 7

by Polly Horvath

Setting: CANADA

Primrose Squarp simply knows her parents did not perish at sea during a terrible storm, but try convincing the other residents of Coal Harbour, Canada on that score. For all practical purposes, at least for the time being, Primrose is an orphan, and there's no great clamoring of prospective adopters.

After realizing the impracticality of continuing to pay Miss Perfidy (a mothball-scented elderly lady) an hourly wage to babysit her, the town council is able to locate a relative, Uncle Jack, who reluctantly takes Primrose into his care. Primrose does warm up to living with him and in his home, despite the eerie noises resembling a hockey game that haunt her in the night. But true sanctuary can always be found at a restaurant called The Girl in the Swing, where everything―including lasagna―is served on a waffle, and where the proprietor, Miss Bowzer, offers a willing ear, as well as sage advice. Through a mixture of eccentric humor and probing philosophy, author Polly Horvath makes Primrose's search for peace and understanding a most memorable one.

The stories from this remote Canadian fishing village continue in the second book, One Year in Coal Harbor.

Grade Level: 4-6

by Rebecca Balcarcel

Setting: TEXAS and GUATEMALA

Quijana is a girl in pieces. One-half Guatemalan, one-half American: When Quijana's Guatemalan cousins move to town, her dad seems ashamed that she doesn't know more about her family's heritage. One-half crush, one-half buddy: When Quijana meets Zuri and Jayden, she knows she's found true friends. But she can't help the growing feelings she has for Jayden.

One-half kid, one-half grown-up: Quijana spends her nights Skyping with her ailing grandma and trying to figure out what's going on with her increasingly hard-to-reach brother. In the course of this immersive and beautifully written novel, Quijana must figure out which parts of herself are most important, and which pieces come together to make her whole.

Grade Level: 5-7

by Margarita Engle

Setting: CUBA

This middle-grade novel by the award-winning Young People's Poet Laureate is written in verse.

Edver isn’t happy about being shipped off to Cuba to visit the father he barely knows. Yet now that travel laws have changed and it’s a lot easier for divided families to be reunited, his mom thinks it's time for some father-son bonding.

Edver doesn’t know what this summer has in store, but he’s definitely expecting to meet a sister he didn’t know existed! Luza is a year older and excited to see her little brother, until she realizes how different their lives have been. Looking for anything they might have in common, they sneak onto the internet—and accidentally catch the interest of a dangerous wildlife poacher. Edver has fought plenty of villains in video games. Now, to save the Cuban jungle they love, he and Luza are going to have to find a way to conquer a real villain!

Grade Level: 4-7

by Peter Vegas

Setting: BELIZE

Sam Force travels to Belize to investigate an ancient and evil secret society in this second novel of the Pyramid Hunters series, which School Library Journal called a mix of “Indiana Jones, National Treasure, and The Da Vinci Code.”

Grade Level: 4-8

by Pablo Cartaya

Setting: PUERTO RICO

After a fight at school leaves Marcus facing suspension, Marcus's mom decides it's time for a change of environment. She takes Marcus and his younger brother to Puerto Rico to spend a week with relatives they don't remember or have never met. But Marcus can't focus knowing that his father--who walked out of their lives ten years ago--is somewhere on the island.

So begins Marcus's incredible journey, a series of misadventures that take him all over Puerto Rico in search of his elusive namesake. Marcus doesn't know if he'll ever find his father, but what he ultimately discovers changes his life. And he even learns a bit of Spanish along the way.

Grade Level: 5-8

by Margarita Engle

Setting: PANAMA

One hundred years ago, the world celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal, which connected the world’s two largest oceans and signaled America’s emergence as a global superpower. It was a miracle, this path of water where a mountain had stood—and creating a miracle is no easy thing. Thousands lost their lives, and those who survived worked under the harshest conditions for only a few silver coins a day.

Grade Level: 6-8

by Jack London

Setting: ALASKA

This triumphant tale of survival, the greatest of Jack London's works, relates the adventures of Buck, half-St. Bernard and half-Scottish sheepdog, who is forced into the brutal life of a sled-dog during the heady days of the Alaska gold rush.

Set in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Far North, the story follows Buck as he grows daily in strength, savagery, and cunning, adapting to his hostile circumstances by responding to the stirring of his primitive ancestral traits. This unabridged edition offers young readers a fine introduction to the excitement of the classic adventure novel.

Grade Level: 6-8

by Skila Brown

Setting: GUATEMALA, 1981

Carlos knows that when the soldiers arrive with warnings about the Communist rebels, it is time to be a man and defend the village, keep everyone safe. But Mama tells him not yet — he’s still her quiet moonfaced boy. The soldiers laugh at the villagers, and before they move on, a neighbor is found dangling from a tree, a sign on his neck: Communist. Mama tells Carlos to run and hide, then try to find her. . . . Numb and alone, he must join a band of guerillas as they trek to the top of the mountain where Carlos’s abuela lives. Will he be in time, and brave enough, to warn them about the soldiers? What will he do then? A novel in verse inspired by actual events during Guatemala’s civil war, Caminar is the moving story of a boy who loses nearly everything before discovering who he really is.

Grade Level: 5-8

by Ben Mikaelsen

Setting: GUATEMALA

They called Gabi the tree girl because she was always climbing trees in the Guatemalan forest to watch the eagles and the sunrise. One day while high in the safety of her trees, she witnesses the sights and sounds of a terrible massacre - part of the ongoing Maya genocide. Also known as the Silent Holocaust, the Guatemalan military government carried out more than 600 massacres, killing tens of thousands of Maya citizens and destroying more than 400 Mayan villages between 1981 and 1983.

Having lost not only her whole family, but her entire village, Gabi joins the masses of refugees struggling to reach the Mexican border. Throughout the long journey, Gabi continues to hold out hope that she might be reunited with her younger sister.

Grade Level: 7 and up