As a parent and an educator, I want my students and my own kids to become critical thinkers, engaged citizens, and empathetic humans. Books can have a profound influence on their journey to develop these traits. In particular, exposing them to stories that address social justice or other topics pertinent to their lives can broaden their perspectives and instill in them the capacity to navigate complex societal issues with insight and compassion, equipping them to become conscientious and empowered individuals.
But, finding the right books that are also appealing to kids can be difficult. To help other educators and parents, here is a curated list of favorite books according to Bookopolis readers on four topics that young people care about: Identity & Belonging, Anti-Racism, Overcoming Anxiety, Body Image & Body Positivity.
These books are recommended for ‘middle grade’ readers, that is typically 4th-8th graders. They span various formats (e.g. graphic novels, verse novels, longer prose novels) and feature protagonists with diverse identities and lived experiences.
Download this PDF and click on the covers to read full summaries and see reviews from Bookopolis kid readers. Or, see list of books below.
12 Book Recs on Social Justice Topics 4th-8th Graders Care About
Identity & Belonging
- MexiKid by Martín, Pedro (Graphic Novel)
- Cross My Heart & Never Lie by Dåsnes, Nora (Diary Format)
- Other Words For Home by Warga, Jasmine (Verse Novel)
- Hands by Maldonado, Torrey (Shorter Prose Novel)
Anti-Racism
- New Kid by Craft, Jerry (Graphic Novel)
- Clean Getaway by Stone, Nic (Shorter Prose Novel)
- Brown Girl Dreaming by Woodson, Jacqueline (Verse Novel)
- Blended by Draper, Sharon M. (Prose)
Overcoming Anxiety
- Guts by Telgemeier, Raina (Graphic Novel)
- Stanley Will Probably Be Fine by Pla, Sally J. (Shorter Prose/Illustrated)
- Mirror to Mirror by Larocca, Rajani (Verse Novel)
- Drawing Deena by Khan, Hena (Prose)
Body Image & Body Positivity
- Chunky by Mercado, Yehudi (Graphic Novel)
- A Work in Progress by Lerner, Jarrett (Diary Format)
- Garvey’s Choice by Grimes, Nikki (Verse Novel)
- Starfish by Fipps, Lisa (Verse Novel)
Need more book recommendations? Check out our AI-Powered Book Bot search, or visit the Bookopolis Picks lists organized by grade level and genre. Click on covers to read summaries and explore reviews written by kids, for kids.
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