11 Captivating Diverse Books, According to a 10-Year-Old
Or as she calls them, “books for a better world”.
My oldest — we’ll call her “E” — is ten years old, a voracious reader, and has a whole lotta justice-seeking energy packed into a 4’10” body. (“Little RBG”, we call her.) On a recent trip to the bookstore (yes, we love our local libraries, but sometimes you just need a good whiff of that new book smell, too, you know?) I asked her about her favorite reads.
She rattled off twenty. Insert a trope about an apple and a tree here.
As we were discussing these books, she vividly re-lived enjoying each story. At one point, she stopped mid-description to say: “ — gosh, can you imagine if everyone had to read something like this? Like, if you couldn’t not know about these experiences? I just think it would be really impossible for some of the stuff that happens in our country and in the world to still happen. These are books for a better world.”
When I then asked her to narrow it down to ten, she agonized over the last two. She couldn’t bring herself to make that last cut. And so, I bring you an alphabetized list of not ten — eleven — favorite diverse stories, from the perspective and quick-recall memory of a ten-year-old. I’ve also included a few sentences in her own words that describe each book or shares insight into why she chose it.
(A disclaimer: she really needs you to know that arbitrary limits are stupid and all twenty of her faves should be listed. Alas, ten-year-olds understand that attention spans are short.)
A (Woefully Incomplete) List of Books For A Better World
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
E says: “A sad and painful story. I loved it because it taught me more about having empathy for people.”
Allies by DK
E says: “So many wonderful small stories about finding and accepting who you are!”
Blended by Sharon M. Draper
E says: “Blended gave me more insight into what it’s like to grow up in this country as a Black person. And especially made me think more about the experiences of my friends and family members who are biracial or have mixed race homes.”
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
E says: “I love how this book told me about discovering your community, and I learned more about people who fought for happier, better lives. Kids don’t hear much about the Black Panthers; it was good to learn about them.”
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
E says: “I loved this book because it was a wonderful story about leaving your old life behind and having the bravery to begin a new one. I have so much respect for immigrants as I read books like this.”
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
E says: “Out of My Mind let me into the life and mind of a person with disabilities and taught me not to judge someone by appearance.”
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
E says: “I felt SO much for the main character. I felt the uncertainty and fear she felt, and she gave me an example of finding hope in every moment.”
Refugee by Alan Gratz
E says: “An account of suffering and pain that made me cry, but taught me the importance of having courage.”
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
E says: “Such a wonderful novel about finding hope in the hardest of journeys.”
This is Our Rainbow, edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby
E says: “I loved reading all of the stories about people embracing their true selves and loving others around you without conditions.”
When Stars are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson
E says: This is a great graphic novel about discovering how to find family wherever you go.
Why Do Diverse Books Matter?
My biggest takeaway from adulthood so far? WOW, the lack of perspective I had until I deliberately went looking for it!
I’m a cis-gendered, heterosexual, neurotypical, and able-bodied white woman raised in a quaint, predominantly white midwestern town. The bubble (that I didn’t know I lived in) burst when I witnessed racially-motivated police brutality — live and in traumatic color — at 19.
Away at college, I stuck my foot in my unwittingly offensive mouth more times than I can count. I came face-to-face over and over — and in so many ways — with what I didn’t know that I didn’t know. And I made friends with people who came from wildly different backgrounds from my own.
To say I have experienced a lot of unlearning, relearning, and horizon expansion over the last decade or so would be an epic understatement.
As a mom desiring to offer a fuller reality to my kids, I actively seek out ways to cultivate their understanding of the world and of others through daily conversation and big and small life decisions.
And I turn to my love for books for help.
Sadly, It’s been widely reported that children’s books feature animals more often than they feature BIPOC people, according to data from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. In contrast, the CCBC found that nearly half of all children’s books have white characters. And yet, population data from the most recent census says the only demographic predicted to shrink over the next 30 years is those of us who identify as non-Hispanic white. File that under “obviously, highly problematic”.
We must also remember that “diversity” encompasses more than race and ethnicity.
In my non-scientific, purely anecdotal noticings, people with disabilities also still largely exist in the shadows of literature, despite the fact that more than 1 in 4 Americans have a disability. And you don’t have to go far on the interwebs to see the backlash against LGBTQIA+ inclusion in all forms of media. It’s downright vitriolic.
How do we do better?
We let the kids lead us.
Let’s give our children the opportunity to live alongside, be friends with, listen to, watch, and read the stories of all of the unique humans they share our planet with. Ignorance makes way for fear and contempt. Proximity and understanding foster compassion and connection.
There’s been a lot said about representation for children who don’t get to see themselves as the star of a story. That cannot be understated or overemphasized. And for the kids who get plenty of that? They need to see others centered, too. And not only the accounts of major historical traumas or tragedies for the sake of formal “education”. They need full exposure to others’ cultures, struggles, joys, and everyday experiences.
The same kind of variety we find in children’s books featuring white families.
Our kids need to be able to honor the humanity of someone who doesn’t look like them, live like them, worship like them…
All of it deeply matters to a more connected, just, peaceful society.
If we show a more substantial interest in others by buying, borrowing, and talking about diverse books in the public square–with each other and with our kids–more people from marginalized backgrounds will get the opportunity to share their perspectives. More publishers will be looking for the next great narrative. It’s Econ 101: we create the demand, and they open the gates for more supply.
As parents and caregivers, we have the power to reshape our ill-informed “us vs. them” social climate with the enjoyable, enriching expansion of our bedtime stories and adolescent book club content.
Raising compassionate, aware (and well-read) kids can change the world.
And now, one final disclaimer from mom: While everyone’s story is worthy of being told, kids need a level of maturity to process certain ones. Some of the books listed do deal with heavy and hard stuff. You know your children and what they’re ready for. Check out reviews on Common Sense Media, and consider reading a book together if you’re on the fence. If you start and find it’s too much or they won’t fully understand the content yet, another year or two of development could make a world of difference when you pick it back up! Next week I’ll share some favorites from my 7- and 9-year-olds for kiddos not quite ready to take on middle-grade reads.
Interested in seeking out more diverse literature for yourself and your kids? Check out We Need Diverse Books for more great lists and other resources.
Lastly, it’s always a good idea to support your local library. If you’re also interested in filling out your home shelves, consider giving your business to a store on this list of diverse bookshops.
