self-esteem

Marianne Blume, a self-described 'ditz,' tries out for her school's Quiz Quest team in a bid to prove she is smart.

"Self-esteem" can feel like a buzzword to kids, but they may not understand what it means. Self-esteem is how a person feels about themself. Sometimes, that's good-and sometimes it's not. Self-esteem is constantly under fire in young readers, and this book helps with that. Tips include valuing yourself and people for more than their looks, adopting a growth mindset, and speaking up when you want or need to express a feeling or idea. Each tip is geared for elementary readers and includes actionable changes and age-appropriate examples.

"The Vietnam War is raging, the US Navy has only recently begun the process of integration, and the country is reeling from racial turmoil and unrest. So why does C?sar, a street-tough kid of Afro-Cuban descent, enlist in the navy? He is on the run from a life of crime and from Mr. Mike, a charismatic, sociopathic gangster who was once a mentor but has now turned on him. Escaping into a navy wrestling with its history of racism and sexism, C?sar soon sees the absurdity of certain prejudices that seem as old as the US Armed Forces. When he is deployed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, racial tensions are high and are moving quickly toward violence. Through it all, C?sar's ever-growing sense of honor and self-worth force him to make moral decisions he never knew he was capable of. It's a fortitude he will desperately need"--Provided by publisher.

When Korean American Jasmine Yap's long-time boyfriend, Paul, is caught cheating on her, her giant, overprotective family secretly arranges to use her graduation party to introduce her to Orlando's most eligible men.

"Channeling their own experiences, sixteen . . . authors subvert mental health stereotypes in an . . . uplifting collection of fiction"--Provided by publisher.

An extremely exuberant chicken has an important message to share in this rhyming book that reminds readers that trying your best is reason enough to celebrate.

"When she realizes she looks different than her beautiful Mama, Izzy feels sad and confused until Mama encourages her to see her own unique beauty, in this . . . story about a multiracial child navigating identity and belonging"--Provided by publisher.

"Chris loves his long, curly hair, so why do his classmates tease him about it? When he looks for answers in his mirror, something wonderfully wild and weird happens: a lady appears with wise words that make him feel like a king! But when he starts acting like a king at school, it's time for another visit to the mirror"--Provided by publisher.

"Illustrations and rhyming text reveal all of the things boys love, including music, nature, sports, and school"--Provided by publisher.

"Good or bad, the things you do are all a part of being you--of learning how to take your boat on stormy seas and stay afloat. . . . A healing and uplifting tribute to learning and growing--to making mistakes and making amends"--Provided by publisher.