Summary: A Guatemalan girl learns about family traditions as well as trust and personal fortitude from her grandmother, a skilled weaver.

Summary: A terrifying tidal wave destroys Jiya''s fishing village and sweeps his entire family away. In the aftermath, he goes to live with the family of his best friend Kino, where he finds love, hope and the courage to face another wave, should it come.

Summary: A young Chinese woman, abandoned by her family after her father dies, befriends an old woman with whom she finds she has much in common.

Summary: A young Chinese woman abandoned by her family after her father dies befriends an old woman with whom she finds she has much in common.

Summary: Discouragement, poverty, and race weigh heavily on Jacob as he seeks his identity. The symbolic black snowman helps Jacob find strength and courage as he rescues his little brother. “Restore,” the snowman tells Jacob. “Fight off the flames of all those bad feelings you carry inside. Believe in your strength.” Jacob responds to the message of hope and joy.

Summary: The Native American rite known as the spirit quest is beautifully presented in this story about Chinook boys who seek knowledge of their inner gifts and talents. The message of hope lies in the words of the wise man: “To each a different gift is given, and to each a different dream does come.”

Summary: When Jake and his family come to America, Jake carries with him a gift from his beloved Grandpa: a tin box of "butterfly seeds." He gathers the necessary items from his tenement neighborhood and Jake builds a window box for his special seeds. Before long, greenery sprouts, just the right kind to attract plenty of beautiful butterflies. This image brings hope to all who see it.

Summary: It''s not an easy journey when Zoe and her family move West to settle in Nebraska territory. They sometimes feel lonely and isolated in their new home (especially Mama) but learn to rely on each other and soon foster some hope for a better future.

Summary: Just ahead of a violent dust storm, Drylongso arrives at the home of Lindy and her family. Despite the horrible drought conditions, Drylongso helps his new friends find hope and the water they need to plant new crops.

Summary: The hammer that once allowed Grandpa’s dreams to take form, now lies silently on the tool bench. Grandpa’s loneliness and grief is finally lessened when he begins to build houses with Habitat for Humanity. By helping other’s dreams come true, he again finds meaning and satisfaction in life.

Summary: The great activist/folk tune that celebrates world peace and the brotherhood of all peoples is illustrated with rich abstract paintings.

Summary: This picture book explores the little-known experiences of African American pioneers who settled in Oklahoma during the late 1800s. Land in the Oklahoma territory was free to everyone: Whites, Blacks, men and women alike. All one needed to stake a claim was hope and courage, strength and perseverance.

Summary: Immigrants from a variety of countries describe, in their own words, their arrival at Ellis Island between the years 1897 and 1924.

Summary: Night Golf is a story of hope and perseverance that reveals a little-known aspect of American sports history. In the late 1950’s African Americans weren’t welcomed on the all-white golf courses. In this story, James models many admirable character traits as he pursues his dream to become a professional golfer.

Summary: The peace crane, folded by Sadako, a survivor of the bombing of Hiroshima, embodied hope for peace, which grows in everyone’s heart. This beautiful poem is dedicated to the children of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to all the children everywhere who long for peace.

Summary: The childhood of jazz great Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong springs to life in this picture book biography. Luminous portrait-like paintings vividly recreate New Orleans in the early 1900s.

Summary: Every summer, Tomas and his family make the long hot trip from their home in Texas to the fields of Iowa, where they will work harvesting crops. One day, Tomas has a break from work and discovers the public library--a new and exciting world of endless books and stories that he can share with his family, offering them some entertainment.