Stories of Activism for Kids Happy summer reading, everyone! Our theme this year, as may be readily apparent from the artwork on our newsletters, is Imagine Your Story—a celebration of the limitless nature of the human imagination! While I am a big fan of the wild flights of fantasy, time-honored folk tales, and genre-stories with a twist contained in that theme, I recently came across a quote from one of my favorite fantasy authors (also a fantastic essayist), Ursula K. Le Guin, about the relationship between storytelling, justice, and meaningful social change:
“We will not know our own injustice if we cannot imagine justice. We will not be free if we do not imagine freedom. We cannot demand that anyone try to attain justice and freedom who has not had a chance to imagine them as attainable.” (Quoted from The Wave In The Mind: Talks and Essays On The Writer, The Reader, and The Imagination.) In essence—and in context--stories can serve as windows into places, real or imaginary, where things are done differently, inspiring readers to fight for change. With that thought in mind, and given the protests and marches for racial justice that continue across the country, here are a few books for young readers about people who imagine and work for a better world! A is for Activist and Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara—Presented as board books with alphabet, counting, and find-the-animal challenges, this pair of books also introduce concepts like peaceful protest and collective, community action to young readers, making it scalable for children of different ages. Best for kids age 2 and up. We March by Shane W. Evans—The story of the March on Washington, presented for the youngest readers. For kids age 3 and up. I Walk With Vanessa by Kerascoet—One child walking with another to protect her from bullying and ostracization models solidarity, empathy, and everyday kindness for readers—and demonstrates how it can inspire a community. For kids age 3 and up.
Say Something by Peter Rynolds—Whether you have a great an idea to share or see injustice happening, your voice is powerful—speak up and say something! For kids age 4 and up. Enough! 20 Protests That Changed America by Emily Easton—From historical protests to the present day, this book introduces a wide variety of movements and their impact in age-appropriate terms. For kids age 4 and up.
A Boy And A Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz—The true story of a little boy who, through his connection with one jaguar, grew up to be a passionate wildlife conservation activist. For kids age 6 and up.
Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson—A young boy born with a deformed leg grows up to be a renowned athlete and disability rights activist. For kids age 6 and up.
Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song by Andrea Davis Pinkney—The lives of Martin Luther King, Jr. and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson told side-by-side, demonstrating that activism can also be art. For kids age 6 and up.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel—A young woman leads a walkout of factory workers in the name of fair pay and safer working conditions. For kids age 6 and up.
Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh—10 years before Brown v. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez and her parents help to end school segregation in California. For kids age 6 and up.
Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education by Aurelia Fronty & Raphael Frier—The story of Malala Yousafzai’s fight for all girls’ right to an education, and later her activism for children’s education worldwide. For kids age 7 and up. Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers—This history of the Statue of Liberty offers a frank, important message about the nature of justice. For kids age 7 and up. Kid Activists by Robin Stevenson—A new entry in the popular Kid Legends series that features true stories and trivia about famous figures when they were kids! For kids age 7 and up. We Rise We Resist We Raise Our Voices edited by Wade Hudson & Cheryl Willis Hudson—Poems, essays, art, and letters from a diverse selection of children’s authors and illustrators on the subject of activism, resistance, and social change for young people. For kids age 8 and up.
Need help getting your hands on a book, want additional recommendations, or want to let us know what you thought? Email us at childrenslibrary@einetwork.net! (And stay tuned for the second half of this list—where I bring the imaginative fiction. Hope you like dragons!) |
