DSJ Booklist - Affinity Group Recommendations

Welcome to the DSJ Booklist! The recommendations on this list were nominated by the NSCD Affinity Groups. Affinity Group Leaders contributed their own descriptions for their recommendations. Hard copies of each book will be available in the Hall Library and can be found in the DSJ display. Enjoy!

Latin X Affinity: “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros

This story follows the life of Esperanza, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago. The book features many lyrical vignettes making it very engaging. It is the type of book that will have you thinking about the story beyond the writing. 

Muslim Affinity: “Kareem Between” by Shifa Saltagi Safadi

This story does a great job providing Muslim kids a character with whom they can relate and connect. It tells the story of a Muslim boy who is navigating his own challenges, and has a passion for Chicago Bears football. It shows Muslim children that they have people like them all over the world and that they are never alone in their practice of their religion. 

Black Students Union: “Noughts + Crosses” by Malorie Blackman

Two young people are forced to make a stand in this thought-provoking look at racism and prejudice in an alternate society. Sephy is a Cross — a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a Nought — a “colorless” member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood, but that’s as far as it can go. In their world, Noughts and Crosses simply don’t mix, against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity.

LGBTQAI+ Affinity: “The Princess and the Grilled Cheese” by Deya Muniz

Lady Camembert hates the idea of marrying a man. So, she does what any lady in her position would do, leaves town and disguises herself as a wealthy lord, Count Camembert / Cam. When Cam arrives in town, she snatches the attention of the princess and they become close friends, maybe even something more. This graphic novel is silly, but still asks an important question: What are we willing to do to be with the person we love?

Jewish Affinity: “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak

In this novel, the narrator, Death, tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a young German girl living in Germany during the Holocaust.  As the novel unfolds, Liesel steals books, which she shares with her neighbors and with the Jewish man living in hiding with her family.  This novel presents a captivating story, raises thought-provoking ethical questions and emphasizes the importance of books and stories. 

Neurodivergent Affinity: Queens of Geek 

Charlie likes to stand out. She’s promoting her first movie at SupaCon, and when actress Alyssa Huntington arrives as a surprise guest, it seems Charlie’s longtime crush on her isn’t as one-sided as she thought. Taylor likes to blend in. Her brain is wired differently, making her fear change, and there’s one thing in her life she knows will never change: her friendship with her best guy friend Jamie - no matter how much she may secretly want it to.

Asian Affinity: “When You Wish Upon A Lantern” by Gloria Chao

Liya discovers her family's wishing lantern store is struggling, and she decides to resume a tradition she had with her beloved late grandmother: secretly fulfilling the wishes people write on the lanterns they send into the sky. It may boost sales and save the store, but she can't do it alone … and Kai is the only one who cares enough to help. While working on their covert missions, Liya and Kai rekindle their friendship — and maybe more. But when their feuding families and changing futures threaten to tear them apart again, can they find a way to make their own wishes come true?