If you’re reading this site you probably agree that books are magical. They can transport us to mythical lands and allow us to escape the humdrum of everyday life. They can be “windows” that show us real places we haven’t yet visited, or introduce us to new ways of thinking and living through characters that are different than we are. They can also be “mirrors” to help us feel less alone in the world by reading about people who struggle with the same issues we do.
As a white girl growing up in a white, suburban neighborhood, I didn’t experience a lot of diversity on a daily basis. Books were one way I could learn about the challenges, joys, and journeys of people who were different than me. As a parent, I am always looking for books that provide that same opportunity for my suburban children, who are living in a multi-racial community and an even more diverse world.
Here are eight books that the young readers on Bookopolis.com highly recommend as books that build empathy and understanding of our diverse world by allowing kids to walk in someone else’s shoes for a while.
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