33 Books That Promote Tolerance and Diversity
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.