Dear New Friend

* NEA Read Across America 2025-2026 selection
* NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Recommended
* A Center for Multicultural Literature Best Book of the Year

A young Persian boy extends a welcoming invitation to a friend to visit his home in the hopes of finding friendship and acceptance

A young boy invites a new friend to visit his house by writing a letter describing what to expect during the visit. As readers, we learn of the customs, foods, and traditions of this Persian family. The boy is clearly hoping for friendship and acceptance in this charming story in which he describes his family, games they will play, crafts they will do, and foods they will eat. This welcoming picture book provides a wonderful opportunity for reflection about our own lives and the lives of others we may know and promote friendship between people with different cultural backgrounds.