Books, ok... But why panhuman?

There are only two types of books. Good books and bad books. Not all good books tell a story about a white straight person without a disability. The books we read to ourselves and our children should be not only good, but also panhuman - relating to all humanity, manifesting universal values, featuring diverse people and cultures.

We provide recommendations for highly rated books with nonmainstream characters.

Let's start

Haben Girma: A Successful Deafblind Lawyer

Books That Inspire

Haben Girma is an outstanding deafblind attorney, advocate, and public speaker. She has inspired and empowered people with disabilities to follow their aspirations by drawing on...

Best-Selling Fiction Books about Racism – Part 1: USA

What to Read

Casual racism refers to unfavorable attitudes and beliefs about race or ethnicity that are interconnected, held by a variety of individuals and groups there, and that have manifested...

Five Indian Historical Fiction Must-Reads

What to Read

In your quest to broaden your horizons, Indian literature should have a prominent place on your reading list. Reading the best historical fiction India has to offer will give you...

Science Fiction 101

About Literary Genres

Stories in the science fiction genre focus on how technology and science, currently unknown or unrealized in the real world, impact imagined civilizations and characters. They frequently...

The Real Meaning of a Reading Slump

Joy of Reading

You settle down at the end of a long day with a cup of your favorite beverage, some fluffy socks, and a great book. You lean back, open the pages, and… nothing. Even though the book...

The Dangerous Art of Blending In, Book Cover
Teens & Young Adults

The Dangerous Art of Blending In

by Angelo Surmelis

Evan Panos's strict immigrant Greek mother sees him as a disappointment. His workaholic father is a staunch believer in avoiding any kind of conflict. And his best friend, Henry, has somehow become distractingly attractive over the summer....

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Book Cover
Adults

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou

Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world...

Things Fall Apart (African Trilogy), Book Cover
Adults

Things Fall Apart (African Trilogy)

by Chinua Achebe

Translated into 57 languages Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy...

Fish in a Tree, Book Cover
Children 8-12

Fish in a Tree

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you...

When Charley Met Emma, Book Cover
Children 3-6 Children 6-10

When Charley Met Emma

by Amy Webb (Author), Merrilee Liddiard (Illustrator)

When Charley goes to the playground and sees Emma, a girl with limb differences who gets around in a wheelchair, he doesn't know how to react at first. But after he and Emma start talking, he learns that different isn't bad, sad, or strange--different...

American War, Book Cover
Teens & Young Adults

American War

by Omar El Akkad

Sarat Chestnut, born in Louisiana, is only six when the Second American Civil War breaks out in 2074. But even she knows that oil is outlawed, that Louisiana is half underwater, and that unmanned drones fill the sky. When her father is killed...

A Girl Like Me, Book Cover
Children 3-6 Children 6-10

A Girl Like Me

by Angela Johnson (Author), Nina Crews (Illustrator)

Inspiring words by acclaimed author Angela Johnson and vibrant photo collage illustrations by Nina Crews come together in a joyful celebration of girls that encourages everyone to reject limitations and follow their dreams.

Angela...

Like Water for Chocolate, Book Cover
Adults

Like Water for Chocolate

by Laura Esquivel

International bestseller. Earthy, magical, and utterly charming, this tale of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico blends poignant romance, bittersweet wit, and delicious recipes.

This classic love story takes place on the De la...

Akata Witch (The Nsibidi Scripts), Book Cover
Teens & Young Adults

Akata Witch (The Nsibidi Scripts)

by Nnedi Okorafor

Sunny Nwazue lives in Nigeria, but she was born in New York City. Her features are West African, but she's albino. She's a terrific athlete, but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits in. And then...