Social Justice Books and Resources
Titles to Promote Kindness, Understanding and Rights for All
Students' feelings of safety and learning outcomes go hand in hand. So much of our work at the beginning of the school year is to create a culture of trust and community to promote students’ willingness to take learning risks and live a growth mindset. The images and language many children witnessed in news reports about the Charlottesville protests create an added layer of complexity to this crucial process of community building.
To support teachers engaged in this delicate work of starting a dialogue with students about recent events, Denver Public Schools Library Services created this list of social justice books which promote kindness and rights for all.
While such discussions may seem political in today's climate, consider the words of education writer Valerie Strauss in her August 13th Washington Post article:
"...these discussions are about fundamental American values, and age-appropriate ways of discussing hatred and tolerance in a diverse and vibrant democracy are as important as anything young people can learn in school."
LOWER ELEMENTARY
Across the Alley by Richard Michelson
RACISM; ANTISEMITISM
Two young boys, one African-American and one Jewish-American, forge a secret friendship in post World War II Brooklyn. They discover how racism has affected both their families, and their story of overcoming prejudice is both endearing and hopeful.
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
Based on a true story, two male penguins at New York City's Central Park Zoo court, build a nest, and (with the help of an observant zookeeper), hatch and raise their adopted daughter Tango.
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
RACISM
Grace's classmates tell her she cannot play the lead role of Peter Pan because she is black, but her family inspires her to follow her dreams.
UPPER ELEMENTARY
Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh
RACISM; SEGREGATION
Based on the 1947 California court ruling and told through the eyes of third grader Sylvia Mendez, this thoughtful book tells the story of the struggle to desegregate California schools.
Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman
RELIGION; ETHNICITY
Thirteen different voices weave a tale of a Cleveland community garden that brings local residents together to reconsider their attitudes, prejudices and opinions of one another. The result is a beautiful harvest of compassion and understanding.
Skating with the Statue of Liberty by Susan Lynn Meyer
RACISM; ANTISEMITISM
The sequel to Black Radishes, the story of a young Jewish boy Gustave and his family's escape from Nazi-occupied France. Now safely in America, Gustave befriends African American September Rose, who similarly experiences discrimination in school.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Seeing Red by Kathryn Erskine
RACISM
This story of twelve-year-old Red Porter is a powerful exploration of death and grieving, racism, religious bias, and the difference one person can make in the pursuit of justice.
Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
ANTISEMITISM
Based on a true story, this Holocaust narrative follows adolescent Yanek Gruener and his heroic struggle to survive the horrors of ten different concentration camps.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
RACISM
Written in verse, this memoir of Jacqueline Woodson describes her childhood journey of growing up in a racially divided country and discovering her passion for writing.
HIGH SCHOOL
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter navigates two starkly different worlds, her black neighborhood and mostly white high school. After she witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend Khalil by a white police officer, she finds the courage to speak out and seek justice.
Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit
ANTISEMITISM
A deeply moving story of seven-year-old Anna and the mysterious stranger she depends on for survival in World War II Poland.
The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates
RACISM
A beautifully written memoir of growing up in a tough Baltimore neighborhood with a loving father determined to raise proud, successful sons.
Looking for more resources?
NNSTOY Social Justice Book List provides a comprehensive list of books for ECE-12 students which cover social justice themes including racism, inclusion, immigration, classism, religious intolerance, and discrimination of the LGBTQ community.Raising Race Conscious Children is an online resource for leading young children in discussions about race, with the goals of dismantling the color-blind framework and preparing young people to work toward racial justice.
For a growing list of web sites, book lists, and curriculum for teaching social justice, follow
#CharlottesvilleCurriculum on Twitter.