0+
AntiRacist Baby
by Ibram X. Kendi
illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
With bold art and thoughtful yet playful text this picture book empowers parents and children to uproot racism in our society and in ourselves.
Dreamers
by Yuyi Morales
A picture book memoir with lyrical text and sumptuously-detailed illustrations, Dreamers is a celebration of making your home with the things you always carry: your resilience, your dreams, your hopes and history. It’s the story of finding your way in a new place, of navigating an unfamiliar world, and finding the best parts of it. In dark times, it’s a promise that tomorrow can be better.
4+
The Story of Ruby Bridges
by Robert Coles
illustrated by George Ford
This illustrated book tells the story of Ruby Bridges, the brave little 6-year-old who famously desegregated a previously all-white school in New Orleans.
Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey
by Margriet Ruurs and Falah Raheem (translator)
illustrated by Nizar Ali Badr
This unique picture book was inspired by the stone artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr. The book tells the story of Rama and her family, who are forced to flee their once-peaceful village with only what they can carry on their backs.
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad
by Ellen Levine
illustrated by Kadir Nelson
A stirring, dramatic story of a man who mailed himself to freedom.
The Day You Begin
by Jacqueline Woodson
illustrated by Rafael López
A look at otherness and some encouraging advice for kids who feel excluded or diminished.
All Are Welcome
by Alexandra Penfold
illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other’s traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be.
Sulwe
by Lupita Nyong’o
illustrated by Vashti Harrison
A powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
by Kathleen Krull
illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Cesar Chavez is known as one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders. But Cesar wasn’t always a leader. As a boy, he was shy and teased at school, and his family toiled in the fields for barely enough money to survive.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909
by Michelle Markel
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
The true story of the young immigrant who led the largest strike of women workers in U.S. history.
Tàta Storytime
created by Okezie Morro
Children’s books by African, Caribbean & African American authors read by BIPOC actors. “It’s really important that children can see themselves reflected on the page and on the screen as they begin to develop and navigate the world.”
5+
Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
illustrated by James E. Ransome
The inspirational, true story of how Frederick Douglass found his way to freedom one word at a time.
6+
Coloring Without Borders
compiled by Families Belong Together
A collection of work from artists all over the world who contributed pieces of art for children to complete. The intent of this activity book is to help children who have been separated from their families at the border expand their imaginations beyond the walls that confine them, and to be a source of empathy and compassion for families that live free of the struggles that migrant families are enduring. All proceeds go directly to Families Belong Together.
7+
Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers
by Sarah Warren
illustrated by Robert Casilla
This is the story of Dolores Huerta and the extraordinary battle she waged to ensure fair and safe workplaces for migrant workers.
9+
The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family as they embark on a road-trip at one of the most important times in America’s history.
10+
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
by Mildred D. Taylor
In the deep south of the 1930s and early 40s, Cassie Logan and her family stand together and stand proud to defy racial prejudice and violence.
Wonder Girls: Changing Our World
by Paola Gianturco and Alex Sangster
Photojournalist Paola Gianturco and her eleven-year-old granddaughter document the work of fifteen girl-led nonprofit groups around the world. These girls aren’t just the future; they are changing our world right now. Each chapter ends with a call to action so you can too!
Life in Prison
by Stanley “Tookie” William
Co-founder of the notorious Crips gang and nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, author Stanley “Tookie” Williams’ words are a frank challenge to adolescent readers to educate themselves, make intelligent decisions, and above all, not to follow in his footsteps.
12+
March (Books 1-3)
by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin
illustrated by Nate Powell
Graphic novel series chronicling the life of Congressman John Lewis, from a young boy in rural Alabama to the “conscience of the congress.”
The Power of Half: One Family’s Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back
by Hannah and Kevin Salwen
The story of how one family grew closer as they discovered that half could be so much more. Written by father and daughter to chronicle their family’ decision to dramatically change their lives.
YA
I’m Not Dying with You Tonight
by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal
The story of one explosive night told through the alternating perspectives of two teens with dramatically different life experiences.
Dear Martin
by Nic Stone
A young teen straddling the world between his old neighborhood and his new school grapples with the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the harsh realities of how he is seen in the world despite the decades since King rose to prominence.
The Hate U Give
by Angie Thomas
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
When They Call You a Terrorist (Young Adult Edition): A Story of Black Lives Matter and the Power to Change the World
by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele
In this meaningful, empowering account of survival, strength, and resilience, Cullors and bandele seek to change the culture that declares that innocent Black lives are expendable.
Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice
by Bryan Stevenson
Bryan Stevenson’s incredible fight to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial inequality comes to life in this young adult adaptation.
Stamped (Adapted for Young Adults): The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
by Ibram X. Kendi
Kendi’s historical overview of “race” in America.