The Cot in the Living Room centers on a Dominican-American family in Washington Heights who often host neighborhood children while their parents work nights. Most evenings, a guest child sleeps on the cot in the living room, which makes the youngest daughter of the family jealous. After spending a night on the cot herself, the daughter realizes that it’s not as great as she thought—her jealousy turns to empathy. This lovely book explores culture, class, and envy within a realistic story—its lessons are perfect for every child. Recommended by Mary