children / young adult social justice book lists

when a hungry alligator moves to their town, the residents want him out . . . until they get to know him (and learn what he's actually hungry for!). a timely tale about empathy, acceptance and a community's response to injustice. though he's scared at first, a boy who encounters an alligator in the woods soon realizes that all the alligator wants is companionship --- and leftovers --- and the two become good friends. but the mayor of the boy's town simply won't allow it. he even makes an official proclamation, "no alligators! blah, blah, blah." the townspeople agree with the mayor. at first. but once they see how kind and helpful the alligator is (and how nice it is to have someone to eat all their leftovers!), they decide the alligator should be allowed to stay. they help the alligator avoid the mayor, for a while. but it's becoming harder to find a place for him to hide. can they all come together and find a way to keep the alligator in their town? judith henderson's funny, whimsical and heartwarming picture book tale offers a playful way to engage children with issues of injustice and civil disobedience. in this timely story, a boy and then an entire community move beyond their fear of the "other" and respond with acceptance; then they movingly take it a step further to make change. it highlights the positive character education attributes of empathy, kindness, caring and courage. andrea stegmaier's illustrations include loads of charming details that are not in the text, making them a perfect complement to the story's warm and quirky style. this is a terrific book for lessons on communities and social justice.

ellie mcsnelly and carrie o'toole were running and laughing-their first day of school was today! and they wondered just what was in store. would this be a good year? would school be a bore? everyone remembers feeling excited and nervous each fall on the first day of school. it's no different for ellie mcsnelly and carrie o'toole. but this year, there's not only a new teacher to meet, but a brand new kid as well. lazlo s. gasky doesn't look or speak quite like the other kids, and no one is sure what to make of him. in fact, they respond to his arrival at brookhaven school by taunting and teasing him. but when ellie realizes how tough it is for lazlo, she reaches out, and after school one day they share an afternoon of soccer, strudel, and chess. besides making a new friend, she and lazlo teach their classmates an important lesson-one that isn't in their schoolbooks-about accepting people who are different...and in getting to know lazlo, the kids learn that people aren't that different from each other after all. from one of america's most respected journalists, the brand new kid is a heartwarming story about tolerance and the need to give others a chance that will entertain and inspire children and adults alike.

to thank miss eula for her wonderful sunday chicken dinners, three children sell decorated eggs to buy her a beautiful easter hat.

in a cozy 1920s chocolate shop, the special ingredients in each perfect treat are empathy, generosity, and thoughtful acts of kindness. eight-year-old daniel cherishes the hour he spends every morning helping his great-uncle lewis in his chocolate shop. they mix, temper, pour, and mold. "it's magic, my boy," uncle lewis says. and daniel agrees. when a new girl named sarah joins his class, daniel sees how lonely she is and begins sneaking chocolates into her desk. seeing sarah light up after each treat is wonderful...but then daniel starts noticing other classmates with troubles. soon he is hiding more and more chocolates until the exciting day when everyone in class receives one, even the teacher! the best part is, no one knows it's him. but then, when daniel is the one feeling sad and alone, who will know to comfort him? in cocoa magic, gabrielle grimard's rich and nostalgic illustrations transport readers to a cozy 1920s chocolate shop and a stiff brick schoolhouse that somehow learns to be warm as well. in her text and her closing author's note, clinical social worker sandra bradley celebrates the wonders that happen when someone meets another person's need to be seen and understood--even through the smallest act of kindness.

"there are only three cookies and four hungry friends to share them with. this is not good. this is not equal!"--

in the 1800s, a choctaw girl becomes friends with a slave boy from a plantation across the great river, and when she learns that his family is in trouble, she helps them cross to freedom.

"all giraffe and bird do is bicker and make fun of each other. but for dignified giraffe, it's a different thing altogether when the other animals laugh at him, too. now it's up to bird to make things right for his friend. giraffe and bird make the oddest pair. all they do is spat, squabble and get on each other's nerves. in the morning, bird uses his loudest outdoor voice, so giraffe makes a disgusting noise as he clears his phlegmy throat, so bird tickles his neck, and...well, you get the picture. there's nothing bird likes more than to have a laugh at the expense of his lanky friend, and one dry day at the pond, he gets his chance. giraffe's awkward attempt to reach the water without getting his hooves wet raises a cackle from a flamingo, a chortle from the zebra, then a howl from the hippo. soon everyone is having a good laugh...especially bird. in fact, bird is having a ball until he realizes that his mortified friend has left the pond without quenching his thirst. now bird is sorry. how will he get giraffe back? author/illustrator rebecca bender's hilarious illustrations accompany a story about empathy and the trials of friendship that will persuade young readers that it's okay to look goofy and laugh at yourself once in a while, especially when you have a good friend by your side."

fox help squirrel see that they don't have to be the same to the best of friends? when fox and squirrel get together, squirrel can only see their differences. squirrel is small and fox is big; squirrel lives in a nest and fox in a burrow; squirrel likes the day and fox, the night. but as they carry on - and fox points out that their differences are good, they both see that they have many more important things in common too. even squirrel begins to see that maybe they are not so different after all. this irresistible story about the adventures of two lovable friends is told through spare text and expressive watercolour illustrations full of energy, humour and warmth.

a picture book based on the author's own immigration story, the infinite impact of friendship, and passing on love and kindness around the world. on a snowy lunar new year's eve in northeastern china, it's dandan's last night with yueyue. tomorrow, she moves to america. the two best friends have a favorite wintertime tradition: crafting paper-cut snowflakes, freezing them outside, and hanging them as ornaments. as they say goodbye, yueyue presses red paper and a spool of thread into dandan's hands so that she can carry on their tradition. but in her new home, dandan has no one to enjoy the gift with--until a friend comes along.

this is the next book for fans of mapping sam and my map book! told exclusively through charts and graphic illustrations, infographics designer lalena fisher explores the touching friendship of ana and harwin and how they work through their emotions when one friend learns the other is moving far away. friends beyond measure explores the world of infographics, including maps, diagrams, charts, timelines, and so much more! from the chart showing how to make fairy tea to the venn diagram of the friends' personalities, every page is filled with delicious details for the reader to pore over. ana and harwin's friendship has been off the charts since day one! but when harwin learns her family is going to move far away, the duo isn't sure how their friendship can survive the move. see how their friend-o-meters calibrate in this imaginative, heartwarming story by beloved picture book creator and infographic designer lalena fisher.  an ideal read-aloud for classrooms, libraries, and homeschooling, this book includes backmatter that explains all about the different types of charts and graphics in the book and gives suggestions for readers to create charts of their own.   readers will love all the fun details in this rich and visual story! and they'll engage in critical thinking while analyzing and evaluating the images.

when a storm sweeps emi's beloved stuffed fox away from their mountain home, he ends up tattered and alone on a distant shore. a kind old man finds the fox and gives it to his granddaughter, kiko. as she recovers from an injury of her own, kiko mends the fox lovingly with golden thread. as the seasons pass, kiko cares for the fox as her own. but after discovering his origins, she sets out, with her grandfather's help, to bring the fox back to its original home. once together, emi and kiko piece together the fox's journey and find delight in their newly forged connections. golden threads is inspired by the japanese art form of kintsugi, or golden joinery, where broken pottery is repaired with resin painted gold. kintsugivalues repairing, rather than replacing, believing that the cracks give the broken item its story. this book is also a warm celebration of wabi-sabi, the japanese idea that there is beauty in things that may be incomplete or imperfect.

as further evidence of his family's bad fortune which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, stanley yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional camp in the texas desert where he finds his first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself.

i'm here. and you're there. and that's okay. but... maybe there will be a gentle wind that pulls us together. and then i'll be here and you'll be here, too. pure, powerful and deceptively simple, bestselling author and illustrator peter h. reynolds reminds us that children--and the friendships they make--can take flight in unexpected ways.

when elephant accidentally breaks piggie's new toy, they both experience intense feelings before coming to realize how important their friendship is.

discover all the forms kindness can take! fifty unique games, crafts and mindfulness activities help kids develop empathy and respect for themselves, their loved ones and the wider world. written by preschool mindfulness experts dr. helen maffini and whitney stewart, the cards include hands-on solo and group activities perfect for home or classroom use and beyond.

"a fun story about the power to choose kindness! from saying please to sharing toys, your child will learn how to spread kindness in everyday situations at school and at home!"--amazon

"with its warm palette and gentle scenes of the worried child being comforted, this book could function as a sequel to sanna's astounding debut picture book, the journey, which recounted a family's dangerous flight from their home in a war zone. sanna provides an empathetic exploration of the adjustment to a new land that all migrants experience."--new york times book review "authentic and immediate, the first-person narration draws in readers and reveals just how easily fear can become overwhelming and isolating, but can also be controlled when feelings are shared and through comfort found in friendship. ­like sanna's the journey, this book about an immigrant's experiences tackles a tough topic with honesty, empathy, and a sense of hopefulness."--school library journal, starred review "this follow-up to the journey about a refugee family fleeing a war-torn homeland, focuses on the young daughter's apprehension as she adjusts to life in a new country and a new school."--the horn book review "[...] this creative depiction shows how friendship, empathy, and connection can help bring the overwhelming down to size for all." --publishers weekly, starred review "a universal book that can be used to explain fear to readers and give empathy to those in a new environment." --kirkus reviews "it will be a familiar story for many children, but the girl's specific fears about language and difference might make this useful for discussions about newcomers as well."  --booklist when a young immigrant girl has to travel to a new country and start at a new school, she is accompanied by her fear who tells her to be alone and afraid, growing bigger and bigger every day with questions like "how can you hope to make new friends if you don't understand their language?" but this little girl is stronger than her fear. a heart-warming and timely tale from the bestselling author and illustrator of the journey, this book shows us the importance of sharing your fear with others--after all, everyone carries a fear with them, even if it's small enough to fit into their pocket!

mina is worried about starting a kindergarten in her new country where the only word she can understand is her name. a warm and emotive story that explores how sharing a language can encourage a sense of belonging through a gentle story and lively illustrations. at mina's kindergarten she listens to stories, songs and chatter in an unfamiliar language. she tries out sounds that roar in her throat and tickle her tongue until the new words feel like her own. then one day, mina realises that this language now belongs to her, and she belongs to this new world. mina belongs here is a heartfelt and uplifting story of a migrant experience and discovering a sense of belonging through shared words. the expressive illustrations begin in muted monochrome, slowly transforming to vibrant color as mina's understanding grows.

a joyful celebration of self-expression and uniqueness a group of kids is stuck inside on a rainy day, and they're feeling gloomy ... until they discover a pink treasure chest! inside they find a collection of items that turn their gray day into a playground of pink. pink is for painters and palace-dwellers, aliens and astronauts, dancers and dragons! in a parade of exuberance that celebrates all things pink, one surly cat stands apart and teaches the kids a gentle lesson about choosing what you love, no matter who you are, while respecting the unique preferences of everybody around you. this uplifting ode to self-expression goes beyond the binary expectations of gender to emphasize the importance of creativity and acceptance. it invites readers into a welcoming space where different clothing, toys, and colors are enjoyed by all. with a diverse cast of kids and inclusive, gender-neutral language, this book encourages children to embrace their true colors.

when something sad happens, taylor doesn't know where to turn. all the animals are sure they have the answer. the chicken wants to talk it out, but taylor doesn't feel like chatting. the bear thinks taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either. one by one, the animals try to tell taylor how to act, and one by one they fail to offer comfort. then the rabbit arrives. all the rabbit does is listen . . . which is just what taylor needs. with its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustration, the rabbit listened is about how to comfort and heal the people in your life, by taking the time to carefully, lovingly, gently listen. 

when emily asks her big sister what the word empathy means, emily has no idea that knowing the answer will change how she looks at people. but does it really matter to others if emily notices how they're feeling? stand in my shoes shows kids how easy it is to develop empathy toward those around them. empathy is the ability to notice what other people feel. empathy leads to the social skills and personal relationships which make our lives rich and beautiful, and it is something we can help our children learn. this book teaches young children the value of noticing how other people feel. we're hoping that many parents read it along with their children.

a story about a young girl who patiently awaits the arrival of a friend who is meant for her. while she waits she encounters many of the well-known characters of children's literature.

sixteen-year-old aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire russell pickett, but there's a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her best and most fearless friend, daisy, is eager to investigate. so together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from russell pickett's son, davis. aza is trying. she is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. in his long-awaited return, john green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of looking for alaska and the fault in our stars, shares aza's story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.--book cover.

the grass is always greener on the unicorn's side of the fence--or is it?--in this clever, bestselling favorite that publishers weekly called a "nonstop giggle generator"! ever since unicorn moved into the neighborhood, goat has been feeling out of sorts. goat thought his bike was cool--until he saw that unicorn could fly to school! goat made marshmallow squares that almost came out right, but unicorn made it rain cupcakes! unicorn is such a show-off, how can goat compete? when goat and unicorn share a piece of pizza, goat learns that being a unicorn might not be all it's cracked up to be. and when unicorn shows his admiration for goat, it looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship. don't miss some of these favorite bob shea titles: unicorn is maybe not so great after all chez bob dinosaur vs. bedtime the scariest book ever who wet my pants?

sonny and arthur couldn't be more different, but when arthur is not on the school bus one day, sonny realizes it's pretty boring without his usual seatmate.

everyone has a gift. every gift is different, and every gift is special. our world needs you to share your gift. what is your gift? how can you use your gift to help others? we need everyone empowers children to identify their gifts and use them to overcome challenges, achieve goals, and strengthen communities. inspiring and uplifting, this interactive picture book celebrates diverse cultures, perspectives, and abilities through playful illustrations. perfect for reading aloud.

there are many ways children can show kindness to others--human, animal, young, and old. with art from twelve celebrated children's book illustrators including rebecca bender, suzanne del rizzo, and wallace edwards, this lavishly illustrated book will invite frequent re-reads to examine the joyful and inspiring illustrations. in a series of thoughtful questions, the text reminds readers of the impact they can have through everyday actions and words. from simply saying "please" and "thank-you" to helping, comforting, and protecting others, a world of kindness goes beyond mere platitudes and politeness to examine, in a kid-friendly way, the most powerful of social interactions.

"the last person zac expects in the room next door is a girl like mia, angry and feisty with questionable taste in music. in the real world, he wouldn't--couldn't--be friends with her. in hospital different rules apply, and what begins as a knock on the wall leads to a note--then a friendship neither of them sees coming"