Best Books for Kids 2023

15 Books Found

Filtered by 'Activism & Social Justice'
  • An American Story

    Art by Dare Coulter | A teacher struggles to tell the story of American slavery in a society reluctant to grapple with its past atrocities. Mixed media illustrations and potent text convey the story of a people's strength, struggle, and resilience.

    Cover of An American Story
  • Con la cabeza en alto

    Arte de Vanessa Jaramillo | Únase a Paty y la comunidad de Sarayaku mientras luchan contra viento y marea para defender sus bosques sagrados de las compañías petroleras. Basada en una historia real de organización comunitaria y protesta.

    Cover of Con la cabeza en alto
  • Contenders

    Art by Arigon Starr | It's the 1911 World Series! For the first time, two Native American players, John Meyers and Charles Bender, are facing off on the field. Hand-drawn illustrations inspired by Cahuilla and Ojibwe art and archival photos recount their lives and the racism they experienced.

    Cover of Contenders
  • Hoops

    When Title IX creates funding for a girls' basketball team, Judi gives up her spot on the cheer squad to join the Lady Bears. With enough determination and hard work, can the team earn their rights to equal treatment and climb their way to the championship?

    Cover of Hoops
  • Mascot

    A broad range of emotions, opinions, and cultures are on display when seventh graders at Rye Middle School debate the implications of their school's racially charged mascot.

    Cover of Mascot
  • The Monkey Trial

    Meet John Scopes, arrested in 1925 for daring to teach about evolution. A narrative rich in primary sources vividly portrays the clash between science and religion, the intense media scrutiny, and the bravery of a teacher who challenged convention.

    Cover of The Monkey Trial
  • Saving Sunshine

    Muslim twins Zara and Zeeshan can't seem to get along! While on a family trip, they find an ailing sea turtle and realize they must work together to save its life and unite against the prejudice they face.

    Cover of Saving Sunshine
  • Stars of the Night

    Art by Selina Alko | Follow the perilous journey of a group of children at the outset of World War II in Czechoslovakia to safety in England and their relentless search for family in the aftermath. Poignant and layered art illustrates a gripping tale of survival and defiance.

    Cover of Stars of the Night
  • That Flag

    Art by Nikkolas Smith | Keira and Bianca are best friends, but only at school. At home, Bianca's family flies a Confederate flag, and their differing perspectives on the flag's meaning cause conflict. When a tragedy occurs in their community, they must grapple with the flag's impact and racist history.

    Cover of That Flag
  • Total Garbage

    Art by John Hendrix | Where does the garbage we make go and what happens to it once it gets there? Learn how our choices and those of the people and companies around us contribute to global waste and what we can do to lessen our impact.

    Cover of Total Garbage
  • The Walk

    Art by E.B. Lewis | A young girl and her neighbors walk together to participate in an important act of democracy: voting! Photorealistic illustrations modeled after a real-life town highlight how the difficult journey to the polls can be made easier through the power of community.

    Cover of The Walk
  • What Happened to Rachel Riley?

    Aspiring investigative journalist Anna Hunt wants to figure out her new school dynamics and why no one talks to Rachel Riley. Anna dives in and uncovers an iceberg of issues, including Rachel's ostracization, pressure to remain silent, and sexual harassment disguised as a game.

    Cover of What Happened to Rachel Riley?
  • Where the Lockwood Grows

    In this skillfully spun futuristic story, two sisters set out to uncover the sinister truth behind the vines that keep their town in never-ending darkness.

    Cover of Where the Lockwood Grows
  • You Are Here: Connecting Flights

    In this series of interwoven short stories by AAPI authors, Asian American families find themselves stranded in an airport during a storm. While they wait it out, these characters resist, resolve, and find solidarity against racism to show the world that they belong.

    Cover of You Are Here: Connecting Flights
  • You So Black

    Art by London Ladd | A racially charged insult is reclaimed for Black pride and power through bold mixed-media collage and affirming text.

    Cover of You So Black