Research
from Harvard University suggests that children as young as three years
old, when exposed to racism and prejudice, tend to embrace and accept
it, even though they might not understand the feelings. By age 5, white
children are strongly biased towards whiteness. To counter this bias,
experts recommend acknowledging and naming race and racism with children
as early and as often as possible. Children’s books are one of the most
effective and practical tools for initiating these critical
conversations; and they can also be used to model what it means to
resist and dismantle oppression
Beyond
addressing issues of race and racism, this children’s reading list
focuses on taking action. It highlights resistance, resilience and
activism; and seeks to empower youth to participate in the ongoing
movement for racial justice. These books showcase the diverse ways
people of all ages and races have engaged in anti-racist activism, and
highlight how race intersects with other issues, such as capitalism,
class and colonization. The majority of books center activists of color,
whose lives and bodies have been on the front lines of racial justice
work, yet whose stories often go untold. The essential work of white
activists is also included — to underscore that anti-racist work is not
the responsibility of people of color; and exemplify the ways white
allies have stood up against racial injustice. This list was curated by The Conscious Kid Library and American Indians in Children’s Literature, in partnership with Raising Race Conscious Children.
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Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters:
Rosa
Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus and sparked a boycott that
changed America. Harriet Tubman helped hundreds of slaves escape the
South on the Underground Railroad. The lives of ten Black women
activists are featured in an incredible story about courage in the face
of oppression; about the challenges and triumphs of the battle for civil
rights; and about speaking out for what you believe in — even when it
feels like no one is listening. Ages 6–9.
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Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation:
Almost 10 years before Brown v. Board of Education,
Sylvia Mendez and her parents helped end school segregation in
California. Mendez, an American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican
heritage, was denied enrollment to a “Whites only” school. Her parents
took action by organizing the Latinx community and filing a lawsuit in
federal district court. Their success eventually brought an end to the
era of segregated education in California. Ages 6–9.
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When We Were Alone:
When
a young girl helps tend to her grandmother’s garden, she begins to
notice things that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long
braided hair and beautifully colored clothing? Why does she speak
another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her
grandmother about these things, she is told about life in a residential
school a long time ago, where all of these things were taken away. When We Were Alone is a story about a difficult time in history and, ultimately, one of resilience, empowerment and strength. Ages 4–8.
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The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, A Young Civil Rights Activist:
Meet
the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in
Birmingham, Alabama, 1963. This moving picture book proves you’re never
too little to make a difference. When nine-year-old Audrey Faye
Hendricks heard grown-ups talk about wiping out Birmingham’s segregation
laws, she volunteered to get arrested, even though it meant she would
have to go to jail. This is the remarkable and inspiring story of one
child’s role in the Civil Rights Movement. Ages 5–10.
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Fred Korematsu Speaks Up:
Fred
Korematsu liked listening to music on the radio, playing tennis, and
hanging around with his friends — just like lots of other Americans. But
everything changed when the United States went to war with Japan in
1941. The government forced all people of Japanese descent to leave
their homes on the West Coast and move to concentration camps. This
included Fred, whose parents had immigrated to the United States from
Japan many years before. But Fred refused to go. He knew that what the
government was doing was unfair. And when he got put in jail for
resisting, he knew he couldn’t give up. Ages 6–10.
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Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song:
The
audience was completely silent the first time Billie Holiday performed a
song called “Strange Fruit.” In the 1930s, Billie was known as a
performer of jazz and blues music, but this song wasn’t either of those
things. It was a song about injustice, and it would change her life
forever. Discover how two outsiders — Billie Holiday, a young Black
woman raised in poverty, and Abel Meeropol, the son of Jewish
immigrants — combined their talents to create a song that challenged
racism and paved the way for the Civil Rights movement. Ages 8–12.
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Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom:
Martha
Tom, a young Choctaw girl, knows better than to cross the river, but
one day — in search of blackberries — she disobeys her mother and finds
herself on the other side. Thus begins the story about seven slaves who
cross the big river to freedom, led by a Choctaw girl. It documents a
part of history that is little-known: the relationship between the
Choctaws — members of a sovereign nation — and
the slaves who lived in Mississippi during that time before the Civil
War, before the Choctaws were forced out of Mississippi to Oklahoma on
the Trail of Tears. Author Tim Tingle says: “Crossing
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Bok Chitto is a tribute to the Indians of every nation who aided the runaway people of bondage. Crossing Bok Chitto is
an Indian book and documented the Indian way. We Indians need to know
and embrace our past. Non-Indians should know the sweet and secret fire,
as secret as the stones, that drives the Indian heart and keeps us so
determined that our way, a way of respect for others and the land we
live on, will prevail.” Ages 7–13.
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Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X:
Malcolm
X grew to be one of America’s most influential figures. But first, he
was a boy named Malcolm Little. Written by his daughter, this inspiring
picture book biography celebrates a vision of freedom and justice.
Bolstered by the love and wisdom of his large, warm family, young
Malcolm Little was a natural born leader. But when confronted with
intolerance and a series of tragedies, Malcolm’s optimism and faith were
threatened. He had to learn how to be strong and how to hold on to his
individuality. He had to learn self-reliance. Ilyasah Shabazz gives us a
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unique
glimpse into the childhood of her father, Malcolm X, with a lyrical
story that carries a message that resonates still today — that we must
all strive to live to our highest potential. Ages 6–10.
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Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis:
John
wants to be a preacher when he grows up — a leader whose words stir
hearts to change, minds to think, and bodies to take action. But why
wait? When John is put in charge of the family farm’s flock of chickens,
he discovers that they make a wonderful congregation! So he preaches to
his flock, and they listen, content under his watchful care, riveted by
the rhythm of his voice. Celebrating ingenuity and dreaming big, this
inspirational story includes an author’s note about John Lewis, who grew
up to be a member of the Freedom Riders; chairman of the Student
Nonviolent Coordinating
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Committee;
demonstrator on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama; and Georgia
congressman, who is still an activist today. Ages 4–8.
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She Stood for Freedom: The Untold Story of a Civil Rights Hero, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland:
Joan
was a white teenager in the South during Segregation who put herself on
the front lines of the Civil Rights struggle. She attended
demonstrations and sit-ins and was one of the Freedom Riders in 1961 who
was arrested and put on death row for months at the notorious Parchman
Penitentiary. She was the first white person to join in the 1963
Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-ins in Jackson, Mississippi; and that same
year, participated in the March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther
King and the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965 which contributed to the
passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act that year. Ages 8–10.
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Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez:
Cesar
Chavez is known as one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders. When
he led a 340-mile peaceful protest march through California, he ignited
a cause and improved the lives of thousands of migrant farm workers.
But Cesar wasn’t always a leader. As a boy, he was shy and teased at
school. His family worked in the fields for
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barely
enough money to survive. Cesar knew things had to change, and he
thought that — maybe — he could help change them. So he took charge. He
spoke up. And an entire country listened. Ages 4–7.
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Nelson Mandela:
Award-winning
author-illustrator Kadir Nelson tells the story of global icon and
Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela. It is the story of a young
boy’s determination to change South Africa, and of the struggles of a
man who eventually became the president of his country. Mandela believed
in equality for all people, no matter the color of their skin. Readers
will be inspired by Mandela’s triumph and his lifelong quest to create a
more just world. Ages 4–8.
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Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America:
His
white teacher tells her all-Black class, “You’ll all wind up porters
and waiters”. What did she know? Gordon Parks is most famous for being
the first Black director in Hollywood. But before he made movies and
wrote books, he was poor and looking for work. When he bought a camera,
his life changed forever. He taught himself how to take pictures and
before long, people noticed. His success as a fashion photographer
landed him a job working for the government. In Washington DC, Gordon
went looking for a subject, but what he found was segregation. He and
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others
were treated differently because of the color of their skin. Gordon
wanted to take a stand against the racism he observed. With his camera
in hand, he found a way. Told through lyrical verse and atmospheric art,
this is the story of how, with a single photograph, a self-taught
artist got America to take notice. Ages 4–8.
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Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story:
Born
in 1905, Anna May Wong spent her childhood working in her family’s
laundry in Los Angeles’s Chinatown. Anna May struggled to pursue an
acting career in Hollywood in the 1930s. There were very few roles for
Asian Americans, and many were demeaning and stereotypical. Finally,
after years of unfulfilling roles, Anna May began crusading for more
meaningful
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opportunities
for herself and other Asian American actors and refused to play
stereotypical roles. As the first Chinese American movie star, she took a
stand against racial discrimination in the film industry and was a
pioneer of the cinema. Ages 6–11.
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As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr., and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Toward Freedom:
Their
names stand for the quest for justice and equality. Martin grew up in a
loving family in the American South, with the country plagued by racial
discrimination. He aimed to put a stop to it. He became a minister like
his father, and he preached and marched for the cause. Abraham grew up
in a loving Jewish family in Germany. In 1938, he was arrested and
deported by the Gestapo and his mother and sisters were killed by
Nazi’s. He found a new home in America, where he became a respected
rabbi like his father, carrying a message of peace and acceptance.
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This
is the story of two icons for social justice, how they formed a
remarkable friendship, and turned their personal experiences of
oppression into a message of love and equality for all. Ages 6–9.
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We March:
On
August 28, 1963, a remarkable event took place — more than 250,000
people gathered in our nation’s capital to participate in the March on
Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The march began at the Washington
Monument and ended with a rally at the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin
Luther King Jr. delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech,
advocating racial harmony. The thrill of the day is brought to life for
even the youngest reader to experience.
Ages 2–7.
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That’s Not Fair! Emma Tenayuca’s Struggle for Justice: A
vivid depiction of the early injustices encountered by a young
Mexican-American girl in San Antonio in the 1920’s. Emma Tenayuca learns
to care deeply about poverty and hunger during a time when many Mexican
Americans were starving to death and working unreasonably long hours
for 3 cents/hour in the city’s pecan-shelling factories. Through
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astute
perception, caring, and personal action, Emma begins to get involved,
and eventually, at the age of 21, leads 12,000 workers in the first
significant historical action in the Mexican-American struggle for
justice. Emma’s story serves as a model for young and old alike about
courage, compassion, and the role everyone can play in making the world
more fair. Ages 5–7.
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Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom:
Carole
Boston Weatherford depicts Harriet Tubman’s initial escape from slavery
and her mission to lead others to freedom as divinely inspired, and
achieved by steadfast faith and prayer. On the eve of her being sold and
torn from her family, Tubman prays in her despair. In response, “God
speaks in a whip-poor-will’s song. ‘I set the North Star in the heavens
and I mean for you to be free.’ The twinkling star encourages Tubman:
“My mind is made up. Tomorrow, I flee.” A foreword introduces the
concept of slavery for children and an author’s note includes a brief
biography of Tubman. Ages 5–8.
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Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills:
Born
to parents who were both former slaves, Florence Mills knew at an early
age that she loved to sing, and that her sweet, bird-like voice,
resonated with those who heard her. Performing catapulted her all the
way to the stages of 1920s Broadway where she inspired everyone from
songwriters to playwrights. Yet with all her success, she knew firsthand
how prejudice shaped her world and the world of those around her. As a
result, Florence chose to support and promote works by fellow Black
performers while heralding a call for their civil rights. Harlem’s
Little Blackbird is a timeless story
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about justice, equality, and the importance of following one’s heart and dreams. Ages 3–7.
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Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement:
Despite
fierce prejudice and abuse, even being beaten to within an inch of her
life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil rights from the 1950s
until her death in 1977. Integral to the Freedom Summer of 1964, Ms.
Hamer gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention that, despite
President Johnson’s interference, aired on national TV news and spurred
the nation to support the Freedom
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Democrats.
Voice of Freedom celebrates Fannie Lou Hamer’s life and legacy with a
message of hope, determination, and strength. Ages 9–12.
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Josephine:
Patricia
Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait
for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate
Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St.
Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Josephine used her platform
to fight for racial equality and civil rights, and refused to dance in
segregated American dance halls. Josephine is a powerful story of
struggle and triumph. Ages 10–13.
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Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History:
Frederick
Douglass was a self-educated slave in the South who grew up to become
an icon. He was a leader of the abolitionist movement, a celebrated
writer, an esteemed speaker, and a social reformer, proving that, as he
said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” Ages 6–10.
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Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers:
Dolores
wants to know why her students are too hungry to listen, why they don’t
have shoes to wear to school. When she finds out that the farm workers
in her community are poorly paid and working under dangerous conditions,
she stands up for their rights. This is the story of Dolores Huerta and
the extraordinary battle she waged to ensure fair and safe workplaces
for Mexican and Mexican American migrant workers. Ages 6–8.
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Rosa:
Fifty
years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama,
city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in
the American civil rights movement. This tribute to Mrs. Parks is a
celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed. Ages
4–8.
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Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride:
Born
into slavery, Belle had to endure the cruelty of several masters before
she escaped to freedom. But she knew she wouldn’t really be free unless
she was helping to end injustice. That’s when she changed her name to
Sojourner and began traveling across the country, demanding equal rights
for Black people and for women. Many people weren’t ready for her
message, but Sojourner was brave, and her truth was powerful. Ages 5–9.
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Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down:This
picture book is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the momentous
Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-in, when four college students staged a
peaceful protest that became a defining moment in the struggle for
racial equality and the growing civil rights movement. Andrea Davis
Pinkney uses poetic, powerful prose to tell the story of these four
young men, who followed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words of peaceful
protest and dared to sit at the “whites only” Woolworth’s lunch counter.
Ages 7–10.
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The Conscious Kid Library
The Conscious Kid Library is
an education, research, and policy organization dedicated to reducing
bias, promoting positive identity development, and empowering youth to
engage in social justice activism. They promote access to diverse
children’s books that center and celebrate empowered images and
narratives of underrepresented and oppressed groups.
American indians in children's literature
Raising Race-Conscious children
Raising Race Conscious Children is
an education organization that provides direct supports to parents and
teachers who are trying to talk about race and diversity with children.
They provide resources and trainings to support adults and are committed
to preparing young people to work toward racial justice.
EmbraceRace is
a multiracial community of people supporting each other to help nurture
kids who are thoughtful, informed, and brave about race.
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