Diverse books dominate First Book’s year-to-date bestseller list–seven of the top 10 best-selling books from the First Book Marketplace come from our Stories for All Project™– the largest worldwide collection of curated inclusive content that makes the best books representing diverse characters, voices, and life circumstances available and affordable to educators supporting kids in need.

In addition to being bestsellers, the feedback from educators demonstrate just how important diverse books are in the classroom.

Of Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give,” which tells the story of sixteen-year-old Starr Carter navigating between two worlds—the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends—after she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer, educator Rebecca E. said, “This book has sparked even my most reluctant readers…The teens talk like teens. The student problems mirror many of my student’s lives…This comment is from a student who proclaimed she hated reading. She was the FIRST one to finish ‘The Hate U Give.’ ‘Miss, you made me love reading.'”

Diverse books and inclusive stories make a difference. They also demonstrate that addressing the problem of book deserts — the areas in the United States that are devoid of libraries and bookstores — has to be done with quality, relevant, inclusive books.

First Books Best Sellers (listed in order of popularity)

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid #13: The Meltdown (First Book Special Edition),” by Jeff Kinney

 

 

 

 

 

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar (First Book Special Edition Board Book),” by Eric Carle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Wonder,” by R.J. Palacio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Ish (First Book Special Edition),” by Peter H. Reynolds

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Hate U Give,” by Angie Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Lola Plants a Garden/Lola planta un jardín (Bilingual, English/Spanish, First Book Special Edition),” by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Jabari Jumps (First Book Special Edition),” by Gaia Cornwall

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar / La oruga muy hambrienta (First Book Special Edition Bilingual Board Book),” by Eric Carle

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Green Pants (First Book Special Edition),” by Kenneth Kraegel

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Big Dog… Little Dog / Perro grande… perro pequeño (Bilingual, English/Spanish),” by E.D. Eastman

 

 

 

 

 

Visit the First Book Marketplace to read more about what educators have to say about our best sellers and check out the title raves list to read more about books that make an impact.