Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho (Grades 1-3)

Author Joanna Ho writes stunning children's literature that speaks to the heart and experience of being an Asian child in North America. Her passion for inclusion and self-love is evident in her beautiful book, Eyes that Speak to the Stars. In it, a young boy realizes that his eyes don't look the same as his friends' and begins to reflect on that. He hurts from feeling different, and shares this with his Baba. Baba lifts his spirits, sharing stories of their culture and ancestors - those who have the same eyes. "My eyes that rise to the skies and speak to the stars are visionary. They are Baba and Agong and Di-Di. They are me. And they are powerful."

Joanna Ho is the daughter of immigrants from Taiwan and China, born in Minnesota. She has written other critically-acclaimed books such as Eyes that Kiss in the Corners and Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma, and you can learn more about her and her upcoming picture book at https://www.joannahowrites.com/ . She also shares book recommendations and reviews on her instagram account, @joannahowrites