10 Kids Books About Activism & Community
We’re finding inspiration in activism and community leadership. Lean about brave ballerinas, elementary school activists and the details of our election process.
Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, professor of history and international studies and the Director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research, introduces our youngest readers to be antiracist. Through this board book, babies (and their caregivers) learn to celebrate racial differences and envision a more equitable world.
You Matter by Christian Robinson. You Matter is a response to the question: “What do I most want to say to young readers, to anyone who picks up this book?” Author and illustrator Christian Robinson conveys his message by representing many different types of kids, showing life through different perspectives and highlighting our connections.
I Will Be Fierce by Bea Birdsong. Our main character is ready to explore new worlds, but first she must find her voice and face her monsters ( dogs walking in the street and the school bus). Luckily, she is ready to be both kind and strong. She forms friendships, finds joy and discovers her own superpower
Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins by Michelle Meadows. As a child, Janet Collins loved her ballet lessons. As a teenager, she was told she could only join the ballet company if she lightened her skin to look like the other ballerinas. Janet refused. Instead, she persisted, becoming the first African American prima ballerina in the Metropolitan Opera House.
Vote for Our Future by Margaret McNamara. Why does Stanton Elementary close every two years on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November? For repairs? Nope! It’ s Election Day, where many schools become polling stations: places for all people to vote.
Nya’s Long Walk by Linda Sue Park. Nya and her little sister Akeer walk two hours to fetch water in the jug. Soon, Nya realizes Akeer is sick from the water. How will she make the impossible trip back? How can she take one more step? It’ s too heavy to carry her sister and the jug back home. It will require determination, persistence and compassion.
The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson. Meet the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1963, when people were kept apart in because of the color of their skin color, young children like Audrey Faye Hendricks were brave enough to stand up, march and even go to jail to help their community.
Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh. Picture the year 1940 in California. Why must Sylvia Mendes, an American citizen, attend a “Mexican school” with no playground, flies, an electric fence and limited books? Why was she denied enrollment at the “All White ” school located right near her house?
The Fierce 44 by The Staff of The Undefeated. Discover forty-four black achievers who shook up the world and blazed a trail for generations to come. From politicians to authors to entrepreneurs, these household names (Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama) and lesser-known figures (Robert Abbott and Gordon Parks) will mesmerize and inspire readers
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks. Meet Joe Sylvester, a boy who has lived in the same town his whole life. He is tall and quiet and struggles when there’s too much noise in his classroom. His mom works in the school cafeteria and his classmates pick him last for softball. Meet Ravi Suryanarayanan, who has moved from India. In India, Ravi was at the top of his class, played cricket and was a math wiz. In the US, however, he is teased for his accent, his homemade curry and his manners.