Middle Grade Novels With Mixed Race Protagonists

 

As a mixed race human being, I find that there is far too little representation for people of multiple races. However, I have searched through my mental archive of books, as I do, and found thirteen wonderful middle grade novels with multiracial protagonists. These books are all amazing, and I hope you check some of them out! 

 

New From Here by Kelly Yang 

When Knox Wei-Evans's mom makes the last-minute decision to uproot their family from Hong Kong, where the coronavirus is beginning to take hold, and move back to California, Knox has no idea what to expect: when will he see his dad, who has to stay in Hong Kong for work, again? Will they really be safe from the coronavirus in California? And is the move temporary, or permanent?

When the Wei-Evanses reach California, where COVID-19 cases are already starting to pop up, they encounter more problems than they could have anticipated. Knox's mom is fired from her job in Hong Kong because she can't work in-person, and now she's searching frantically for work so that the family can have health care. The Wei-Evans kids all have to start at new schools, where the other students are suspicious of them because they're from China. Knox doesn't know if he'll be able to fit in here, what with his impulse problems and lack of talent for making friends. Not only that, racism against Asians is shooting up all over American. Will Knox be able to stand up to hate while trying to keep his family together?

This book deals with many serious topics, such as Asian hate, moving overseas, and surviving the COVID-19 pandemic; but it's also hilarious, heartwarming, and generally really enjoyable!  

 

Blended by Sharon M. Draper

Isabella feels caught in the middle after her parents' divorce. She splits her time between a big house with her dad, his girlfriend Anastasia, and her son Darren, and a small house with her mom and her mom's boyfriend. And she can't help wondering if some of this divide is because her dad is Black and her mom is white. She's always experienced stares, and people who are confused about her race. The world seems to be asking her to pick a side, but Isabella just feels more conflicted than ever. Will she ever feel whole?

This book is the perfect story for anyone who hasn't felt quite at home in their own skin. 

 

Lupe Wong Won’t Dance by Donna Barba Higuera

To achieve her dream of meeting Fu Li Hernandez, the first ever Chinacan/Mexinese pitcher in the Major Leagues, Lupe has to earn all As. And the class that's giving her the most trouble is not expected: it's P.E. Lupe loves P.E., and everything sports-related (well, mostly baseball-related). But square dancing, the new P.E. unit, is NOT a sport. And Lupe Wong will NOT dance with a boy. However, her determination to get square dancing cancelled doesn't end as she planned: she creates drama with her classmates and friends, annoys the principal, and ends up without a dancing partner. Maybe Lupe should give up this particular cause?

Nah.

Lupe--a Gryffindor if I ever saw one--is a hilarious and lovable protagonist, and this book shares her qualities.  

 

I Can Keep This Promise by Christine Day

Edie is curious about her heritage, but she knows that it's unlikely that she'll ever learn anything important. Her Native American mother was adopted by a white couple as a baby, and no one seems to know anything about Edie's grandparents. But one day, Edie and her friends are in her attic when they discover an old box full of letters and photographs of a woman who looks just like Edie. 

Who is this mysterious woman, who signs her letters "Edith"? Could she be a link to Edie's heritage? And if so, why was she kept a secret until now?

This novel offers a wonderful perspective on Native American past, present, and identity.

 

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo

With Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy's father in the military and their mother working overtime, their Brooklyn family is struggling to keep their heads above the water. The sisters find comfort in each other, and in their new neighbor Laurie, who lives with his grandfather. Meg struggles with her shame of being poor, Amy has difficulties at school where she's bullied, Beth works hard to keep the family together, and Jo struggles with a secret. But when Beth falls terribly ill, and their father is injured overseas, their precarious world is thrown out of balance.

This book is a wonderful, diverse reimagining of Little Women (and I honestly enjoyed it more than the original).

 

Becoming Naomi León by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Naomi Soledad León Outlaw is happy with her peaceful life living in a trailer park with Gram and her younger brother Owen. Sure, she wishes the boys at school wouldn't tease her about her name, and that her gram wouldn't insist on sewing all of her clothes. But when her long-gone mother blows in out of nowhere, bringing with her all sorts of history, questions, and challenges, Naomi has to figure out who she really is.

One of the books I will reread time and time again, Naomi León is a wonderful story about finding yourself and your past.  

 

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

Hanna is the only Asian in her new Dakota pioneer town, where most people have never even seen an Asian before. But this town offers Hanna new hope, after moving from place to place with her white father since her Chinese-Korean mother's death. Maybe she can go to school for once--and later, open a dress shop, which has always been her dream since her mother taught her to sew. But the people in LaForge don't know how to act around Hanna, distrust her, or are downright cruel to her. Will Hanna be able to follow her dreams while being an outcast?

This fascinating book by Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park, Prairie Lotus illustrates a perspective that I never even thought of before: Asians in the pioneer west. A fresh and timely pioneer book.

 

The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao

Christina and her best friend, Megan, have spent their childhoods trying to fit in at their all-white school. When cheerleading tryouts are announced at their new middle school, both girls are ecstatic. Not only does cheerleading look super fun, but the cheerleaders are the most popular girls in school. 

But the tryouts aren't easy. Round after round, girls do their best and get eliminated. Will Christina make it to the top? She might be asked to risk everything--including her friendship with Megan--to get there.

This graphic memoir has wonderful writing and illustrations, and offers an honest story of growing up Asian American.

I hope you check out some of the wonderful books on this list! 🤎