The catalyst for change is often found among the youth, and it’s possible that a spark may be ignited by immersing oneself in powerful social justice literature geared towards young adult and middle grade readers. A curated selection of 20 books, with half catering to YA enthusiasts and the other half appealing to fans of middle grade fiction, offers a potent blend of thought-provoking messages and captivating narratives.
These stories feature complex characters and compelling storylines that transcend age boundaries, making them just as relatable and enjoyable for readers who have outgrown their teenage years.
Young Adult Social Justice Books
You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner
Julia’s journey takes an unexpected turn when she’s forced to leave Kingston School for the Deaf after covering up a hurtful slur about her best friend with a vibrant graffiti mural. The consequences are severe, leading to her expulsion from the only educational environment where she felt truly understood and included. Now, Julia finds herself in a new ‘mainstream’ school in the suburbs, surrounded by students who can’t sign or understand her experiences as a deaf individual.
As an outsider, Julia struggles to find her place and assert her identity. It’s in this challenging environment that she discovers graffiti art becomes her primary means of self-expression, allowing her voice to be heard.
How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon
The sudden and tragic death of Tariq Johnson, a Black teenager, at the hands of a white shooter sent shockwaves through his community. As the news spread, a maelstrom of conflicting accounts and opinions emerged, each one further straining the fragile fabric of truth.
While Tariq’s loved ones struggled to come to terms with the senseless tragedy and find solace in their grief, the question lingering like a ghostly presence was: can anyone truly claim to know exactly what happened that fateful day?
Internment by Samira Ahmed
In a not-so-distant future, the United States finds itself grappling with the consequences of forced internment camps for Muslim American citizens. Against this backdrop, Layla Amin’s story unfolds as she navigates the treacherous landscape of Camp Liberty, where her parents are being held alongside countless others. Meanwhile, her boyfriend remains on the outside, struggling to find a way to reach and rescue those trapped within the camp’s walls.
As Layla forges unexpected bonds with fellow prisoners, she begins to envision a revolution – one that will require her to challenge the authoritarian grip of Camp Liberty’s director and fight tooth-and-nail for freedom. Despite being a work of fiction, this novel offers a searing commentary on the state of America today, its themes and scenarios eerily resonating with our current reality.
Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan
In a captivating tale, two teenage girls, Jasmine and Chelsea, take the initiative to establish an online Women’s Rights Club, where they share diverse content such as poems, essays, and videos, passionately fighting against sexism and racism. However, their sudden rise in popularity attracts unwanted attention from online trolls. As the situation spirals out of control, their high school principal intervenes, forcing the girls to disband the club.
The Women’s Rights Club serves as a vital platform for Jasmine and Chelsea to express themselves and amplify their voices amidst the negativity they face. Will they be willing to take bold steps to protect their club and continue its impactful mission?
UnBroken: 13 Stories Starring disabled Teens Edited by Marieke Nijkamp
In a groundbreaking anthology, 13 talented authors who identify as disabled bring to life the stories of young teenagers with diverse disabilities. This collection features a range of characters, all navigating their own unique experiences of physical, mental, or neurodiverse disability. The esteemed contributors include Kody Keplinger, Kristine Wyllys, Francisco X.
Stork, William Alexander, Corinne Duyvis, Marieke Nijkamp, Dhonielle Clayton, Heidi Heilig, Katherine Locke, Karuna Riazi, Kayla Whaley, Keah Brown, and Fox Benwell.
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
In McGinnis’s YA novel, a gripping tale of revenge unfolds as Alex seeks justice for her sister Anna’s tragic death three years prior. The culprit was allowed to walk free, leaving Alex with an overwhelming desire for retribution. Now, she’s torn between her need for vengeance and the fear that she may not be able to break the cycle of violence.
As she navigates a world plagued by toxic masculinity, slut shaming, and rape culture, will she find a way to overcome these societal ills or continue down a path of violent retribution? The question hangs in the balance as Alex’s character is put to the test.
Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard
Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles
This particular novel has earned its spot as my top pick for the year thus far. The way Giles masterfully blends explorations of social issues with complex character development and captivating storylines is nothing short of impressive. Del has harbored a crush on Kiera Westing since they were just kids in kindergarten. Now that she’s finally single in their junior year, he’ll stop at nothing to win her over – even if it means inadvertently joining the Purity Pledge.
This book tackles tough topics like toxic masculinity, purity culture, and slut shaming, among many others, with thought-provoking insight.
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
In a thought-provoking sci-fi novel, teenager Henry Denton finds himself repeatedly abducted by aliens. The extraterrestrial visitors present him with an extraordinary ultimatum: the world has only 144 days left before its demise, and to prevent this catastrophic event, all Henry needs to do is press a prominent red button. However, as he contemplates his role in shaping humanity’s fate, Henry begins to question whether the world is truly worth saving.
This gripping narrative delves into both the harsh realities that make life challenging and the redeeming qualities that make it endearing.
Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake
The narrative delves into complex themes of consent, victim blaming, and sexual assault, weaving together the intricate relationships between Mara, her twin brother Owen, and their friend Hannah. The catalyst for this exploration is Hannah’s accusation against Owen, which Mara finds both jarring and disorienting due to their close bond.
As Mara struggles to reconcile her loyalty to her family with her own moral compass, she is forced to confront the possibility that her loved one may be capable of committing such a heinous act. The implications of this revelation send shockwaves throughout the narrative, challenging Mara’s perceptions and forcing her to reexamine her relationships and sense of self.
Middle Grade Social Justice Books
Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes
The narrative of this coming-of-age story revolves around two brothers, Donte and Trey, who present themselves as Black and white respectively. As one of the few black boys in his high school, Donte faces a peculiar situation where his classmates and teachers tend to idealize his brother Trey, who appears white. The already challenging circumstances for Donte take an unfortunate turn when he’s arrested and suspended from school following an altercation with a bully.
Faced with adversity, Donte chooses an unconventional route to reclaim his narrative: by joining the fencing team and turning the tables on his educational institution.
Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
As Amina entered middle school, everything felt like a new chapter. Her best friend Soojin’s sudden shift towards the popular crowd and contemplation of changing her name to something ‘more American’ left Amina questioning whether she too should conform to fit in. The more she thought about it, however, the more it seemed like hiding who she truly was might not be the solution.
Complications mounted when she discovered that their local mosque had been vandalized – a stark reminder that identity and belonging are complex issues, especially for someone caught between two cultures.
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
In a world where fortunes can change in an instant, one young girl’s journey begins with a seemingly innocuous encounter that sets off a chain of events. For Amal, the dream of becoming a teacher is within reach, but it’s short-lived. After an unexpected collision with the son of her village’s landlord, she finds herself bound to the Khan family as indentured servants in exchange for her family’s debt.
As Amal navigates the complexities of life under the Khan’s roof, she gains insight into the corrupt dealings of the powerful landlord. To reclaim control over her own destiny and make her dreams a reality, Amal must muster the courage to confront the cruel norms that have held her back, paving the way for a brighter future.
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
Iris, a 12-year-old girl who is the only deaf student in her school, has often been misunderstood by her peers. Despite being an exceptional tech whiz, they perceive her as not very intelligent. Feeling like an outcast among her classmates, Iris finds solace in learning about Blue 55, a whale unable to communicate with his own kind. The parallels between Blue 55’s isolation and her own experiences resonate deeply with Iris.
She decides to express her empathy through music, writing a song for the distant whale. But how can she share her creation with someone thousands of miles away?
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
The #MeToo movement has shed light on the pervasive issue of harassment and unwanted attention in middle grade schools. A new book delves into this phenomenon, exploring its impact on students like seventh grader Mila. When a boy unexpectedly hugs her on the school bus, Mila feels uneasy, but her friend Zara dismisses her concerns, suggesting that maybe he’s just trying to show affection.
However, the unwanted attention becomes relentless, making Mila feel belittled and misunderstood by her peers. As she struggles to find support from those around her, Mila must venture beyond her usual social circle to discover a sense of security and validation.
Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
The complexities of adolescence can be overwhelming, especially when compounded with the challenges of navigating one’s own identity. Lily Jo McGrother, who was initially assigned male at birth but later identified as female, has firsthand experience with this struggle. Meanwhile, Dunkin Dorfman is grappling with the daily realities of living with bipolar disorder and the disruption caused by a recent move away from his long-time home.
The serendipitous meeting of these two individuals sets in motion a profound friendship that will forever alter their lives. This poignant dual narrative delves into a multitude of weighty topics, including gender identity, mental health, grief, and sexuality, offering a powerful exploration of the human experience.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
In this powerful verse autobiography, Jacqueline Woodson delves into her experiences growing up as an African American in the tumultuous 1960s and ’70s. Through the eyes of her younger self, Woodson’s poetry masterfully captures the dawning awareness of racism and civil rights issues that began to shape her worldview as she matured.
Beyond its exploration of historical context, this book is also a heartfelt ode to the transformative power of writing and storytelling, as Woodson celebrates discovering her own unique voice and passion for narrative.
The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz
Inspired by true events, this novel delves into the harsh realities faced by many in Guatemala. The protagonist, Jaime, is deeply troubled after his cousin Miguel’s brutal murder at the hands of the notorious Alphas, a ruthless drug-trafficking gang that operates with impunity. With Miguel’s death, Jaime is left fearing for his own life, knowing that the Alphas will stop at nothing to silence anyone who dares to defy them.
Desperate for a way out, Jaime turns to his only hope: leaving Guatemala and embarking on a perilous journey with his cousin Ángela to New Mexico, where they hope to find solace and a new start under the protection of Jaime’s older brother. Through this powerful narrative, the novel sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of undocumented immigrants, who risk everything to escape the violence and poverty that has ravaged their homelands and seek a better life in a foreign land.
George by Alex Gino
George has always been aware that people perceive him as a boy when they look at him. Yet, he knows that his true identity is that of a girl. This internal conflict led George to develop an intense desire to play the role of Charlotte in this year’s class play, which would be a perfect opportunity for her to reveal her inner self to the world. However, there was one major obstacle: her teacher refused to even consider George for the part due to his gender.
Fortunately, with the support of her closest friend Kelly, George came up with an innovative plan that enabled her to audition for Charlotte and ultimately showcase her authentic self to everyone.
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
