To ensure that your kids are reading books that reflect real people in our world, our friends at Common Sense Media have rounded up some great reads.
Books have a way of sparking empathy, drawing readers into the lives of characters who may be different from themselves — or different from other characters in the story. Kids and teens walk in others' shoes as these characters navigate the school bus, deal with bullies, fall in love, face physical or mental challenges, or have fantastical adventures in another time or galaxy. It's a diverse world, and these books reflect the view that we're all in it together.
Age 3+
Tender story of Nana showing grandson city beauty via bus.
Age 4+
Boy embraces his uniqueness in exuberant identity tale.
Age 6+
Kind tale of empathy shows how to reach out to left-out kid.
Age 8+
Sweet tale of biracial girl in search of lost family.
Age 8+
Pedal-to-the-metal graphic novel celebrates Latino culture.
Age 8+
Action-packed mystery teaches kids detective skills.
Age 8+
Fun, gentle story about kids gaining confidence and empathy.
Age 9+
Complex adventure mixes immigration issues, space travel.
Age 9+
Super relatable heroine, lots of middle school drama.
Age 9+
Girl beats stereotypes in powerful free-verse novel.
Age 9+
Tween coming-of-age set amid shifting family, '60s dynamics.
Age 9+
Compelling, nuanced tale of loving family under segregation.
Age 10+
Terrific tale of misfit taking bold step to remake his life.
Age 10+
Excellent poems depict coming of age in tumultuous 1960s.
Age 10+
Striking tale of quirky girl connecting after parental loss.
Age 10+
Haunting look at killing of unarmed African-American teen.
Age 10+
Middle school humor mixes with moving disability subplot.
Age 10+
Inspiring, educational immigrant story told in free verse.
Age 10+
Girl faces racism, sister's cancer in touching tale.
Age 10+
Poignant story of a shy girl who speaks for social justice.
Age 11+
Little-known disaster gets overdue, in-depth treatment.
Age 11+
Moving, uplifting tale of disfigured boy with inner beauty.
Age 12+
Haunting tale of two boys' lives changed by police assault.
Age 12+
Gripping, heartfelt coming-of-age tale sure to hook teens.
Age 12+
Relatable story of music-loving Native American boy in '70s.
Age 12+
Powerful graphic novel captures spirit of desegregation.
Age 12+
Fascinating story of Alaskan kids growing up in the 1960s.
Age 12+
Stunning classic examines racism — and justice.
Age 13+
First graphic novel to win major child lit awards.
Age 14+
Moving autobiography reveals brutality of Jim Crow South.
Age 14+
Intense '80s romance is a fabulous pick for mature teens.
Age 14+
Transgender teen finds first love in moving coming-of-ager.
Age 14+
Mesmerizing, gritty story of bullied Latina teen in NYC.