33 Books That Promote Tolerance and Diversity

Published on 6/18/2016 at 7:34 AM

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.

Last Stop on Market Street

Age 3+

Tender story of Nana showing grandson city beauty via bus.

Mixed Me!

Age 4+

Boy embraces his uniqueness in exuberant identity tale.

The Invisible Boy

Age 6+

Kind tale of empathy shows how to reach out to left-out kid.

The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond

Age 8+

Sweet tale of biracial girl in search of lost family.

Lowriders in Space, Book 1

Age 8+

Pedal-to-the-metal graphic novel celebrates Latino culture.

Randi Rhodes Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit

Age 8+

Action-packed mystery teaches kids detective skills.

A Whole New Ballgame: Rip and Red, Book 1

Age 8+

Fun, gentle story about kids gaining confidence and empathy.

Ambassador

Age 9+

Complex adventure mixes immigration issues, space travel.

Blackbird Fly

Age 9+

Super relatable heroine, lots of middle school drama.

Full Cicada Moon

Age 9+

Girl beats stereotypes in powerful free-verse novel.

P.S. Be Eleven

Age 9+

Tween coming-of-age set amid shifting family, '60s dynamics.

Stella by Starlight

Age 9+

Compelling, nuanced tale of loving family under segregation.

Better Nate Than Ever

Age 10+

Terrific tale of misfit taking bold step to remake his life.

Brown Girl Dreaming

Age 10+

Excellent poems depict coming of age in tumultuous 1960s.

Counting by 7s

Age 10+

Striking tale of quirky girl connecting after parental loss.

How It Went Down

Age 10+

Haunting look at killing of unarmed African-American teen.

I Funny: A Middle School Story

Age 10+

Middle school humor mixes with moving disability subplot.

Inside Out and Back Again

Age 10+

Inspiring, educational immigrant story told in free verse.

Kira-Kira

Age 10+

Girl faces racism, sister's cancer in touching tale.

The Lions of Little Rock

Age 10+

Poignant story of a shy girl who speaks for social justice.

The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights

Age 11+

Little-known disaster gets overdue, in-depth treatment.

Wonder

Age 11+

Moving, uplifting tale of disfigured boy with inner beauty.

All American Boys

Age 12+

Haunting tale of two boys' lives changed by police assault.

Boy21

Age 12+

Gripping, heartfelt coming-of-age tale sure to hook teens.

If I Ever Get Out of Here

Age 12+

Relatable story of music-loving Native American boy in '70s.

March: Book One

Age 12+

Powerful graphic novel captures spirit of desegregation.

My Name Is Not Easy

Age 12+

Fascinating story of Alaskan kids growing up in the 1960s.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Age 12+

Stunning classic examines racism — and justice.

American Born Chinese

Age 13+

First graphic novel to win major child lit awards.

Black Boy

Age 14+

Moving autobiography reveals brutality of Jim Crow South.

Eleanor & Park

Age 14+

Intense '80s romance is a fabulous pick for mature teens.

If I Was Your Girl

Age 14+

Transgender teen finds first love in moving coming-of-ager.

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass

Age 14+

Mesmerizing, gritty story of bullied Latina teen in NYC.