Thanks for your interest in learning more about racial equality. Please be aware that I have not read all of these books, but that they have been recommended by friends and teachers. Know also that several of the young adult books may contain violence and strong language. I’ve included them because of the power of their stories. You might want to read the reviews before purchasing. Please email me at jill@jillkwillis.com with additional book recommendations.
Preschool:
- All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold (ages 4-8)
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry (ages 4-8)
- Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin (ages 4-6)
- Henry’s Freedom Box: A Story of the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine (ages 4-8)
- I Am Enough by Keturah A. Bobo (ages 4-8)
- I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoet (ages 4-8)
- The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles (ages 4-8)
- We’re Different, We’re the Same (Sesame Street) by Bobbi Kates (ages 3-7)
- When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner (ages 3-7)
Elementary School:
- All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold (ages 4-8)
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry (ages 4-8)
- Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin (ages 4-6)
- Henry’s Freedom Box: A Story of the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine (ages 4-8)
- I Am Enough by Keturah A. Bobo (ages 4-8)
- I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoet (ages 4-8)
- Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School by Janet Halfmann (ages 7-11)
- One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (ages 8-12)
- The Story of Harriet Tubman by Christine Platt (ages 6-8)
- The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles (ages 4-8)
- We’re Different, We’re the Same (Sesame Street) by Bobbi Kates (ages 3-7)
- When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner (ages 3-7)
Middle Grades:
- Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (age 10 and up)
- Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (age 12 and up)
- One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (ages 8-12)
- Soprano Trouble by Victoria Kimble (ages 9-11)
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (age 12 and up)
- The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine (ages 10-13)
- The Watsons go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis (age 12 and up)
- Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer by Carol Boston Weatherford (age 10 and up)
Young Adult:
- All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
- Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (age 10 and up)
- Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
- Dear Martin by Nic Stone
- I’m Not Dying with You Tonight by Gilly Segal
- Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (age 12 and up)
- On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
- Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (age 12 and up)
- The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
- The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
- The Watsons go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis (age 12 and up)
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer by Carol Boston Weatherford (age 10 and up)