Ravi recently arrived in the United States from India. He has a penchant for Indian food and loves his mother Amma's cooking. Amma cooks with love, and love is what Ravi needs at his new elementary school, as he deals with the pernicious effects of culture shock.

Other kids do not exactly understand Ravi's dress, customs, or behavior. He wears neat dress clothes at school with polished, white shoes. He calls the teachers "ma'am" and "sir," and hopes to make friends like those he had in India. But some of the kids make a concerted effort to make Ravi's life miserable at school. 

Joe is as American as they come. He loves French fries and burgers, sneakers and T-shirts. Due to his learning disability, he finds himself in the school's resource room with the new kid, Ravi. Although Joe tries to befriend him, Ravi is not too sure about Joe, and seems to be wary of him. Joe's father does not like immigrants, and Joe is befuddled by his offensive commentary.

Dillon is Indian, born in the United States, and is one of the kids who avails himself of every possible opportunity to torment Ravi. He strikes him with a baseball in gym class, trips him as he finds a seat in class, and says cruel things to the young boy's face. Seeing Ravi's hurt and pain does nothing to dissuade Dillon from his problematic behavior. Something about Ravi's being different ignites a deep, ugly hatred in this schoolyard bully.

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan, 2016

I love the cover art of this book, which illustrates the story's cultural differences at play. The structure of the book, framed like a school week of lunches, is also interesting and unique.

Sarah Weeks' website

Books on immigrant kids
 

Amina is targeted by the other kids for being Pakistani and Muslim. They taunt her, saying that she eats dog food. People have difficulty with her name, including a teacher who calls her "anemia." Amina's brother, Mustafa, lives in his own world of basketball and does not want much to do with her. Her parents demand respect and bemoan the fact that their kids are American. 

Amina's best friend, Soojin, decides to change her name. She is tired of everyone butchering her name on a daily basis, and wants to fit in. The name "Susan" seems like a terrific solution to this issue since it sounds so similar to her current name. Amina is not thrilled with her friend's choice, nor does she love the fact that Soojin is so close to Emily all of a sudden. Soojin had not told Amina that she was becoming friends with Emily.

Teenaged Amina struggles with Urdu, which her uncle attempts to teach her using immersion. She eats the food her mama cooks, yet she adores burgers and fries, which are more American in style. She struggles to find meaning in her identity as a Muslim American girl, and has deep anxiety about how her life is changing and what the future will be.

Amina's Voice by Hena Khan, 2017

I love the portrayal of Muslim immigrants in this book, and the generational struggle between parents and children.

Books about Muslim immigrants

Hena Khan's website
 

Sara is enjoying the summer prior to seventh grade with her BFF, Nadine. They do everything they adore during the season: running through sprinklers in their swimsuits, getting ice cream cones from vendors, engaging in all sorts of girl talk. They swim, read teen magazines, and talk on the phone. Everything seems great until Nadine drops a bombshell in late August: She is not returning to the same school as her friend. Instead, she is going to high school. 

Sara is shocked and dumbfounded, angry that Nadine did not tell her sooner. This news upends her world. To go back to her education sans her best friend seems unimaginable. Sara spends time with other kids, yet resolutely attempts to keep a grasp on Nadine. Unfortunately for her, Nadine has moved on to other kids and activities. She has a new life in high school. 

Sara tries another tactic to reach her former best friend. She studies diligently in an attempt to ace every class and convince the vice principal of the school that she, too, must be accelerated into high school. Her efforts are not exactly rewarded in the manner in which she envisioned. But there is a concession: Nadine's younger sister, Jen, seems to enjoy spending time with Sara. When she visits the Andos' humble abode, it is Jen that she hangs with. Nadine spends the time in her bedroom or engaging in other activities. 

Running Through Sprinklers by Michelle Kim, 2018

I love the discussion of Korean culture and food in this work.

Books about being gifted