Book suggestions for 12-year olds.

Hi everyone,

I’m a 6th grade English teacher and we have been tasked with choosing new supplementary readers for our classroom libraries.

I’m really looking for book suggestions that feature characters of colour that DON’T focus only on racism and the difficulties experienced due to it. I know this is an incredibly important and relevant topic, however I want my learners to know that stories can be written with characters of colour without the focus only being on the colour of their skin. I hope this makes sense and that it doesn’t come across as offensive.

I work in a school in Africa and have many learners from different cultures and religions in my classes so I would like them to see themselves in the books on my shelves.

Any help on where to look or what to get would be appreciated

TIA