Books in this category address a wide range of historical and current forms of bigotry, prejudice that is both intentional and systemic and prejudice that is unintentional, but just as hurtful. In some books prejudice is the primary focus of the story; in others it is part of the fabric of the book but not its central theme.
This is whichCatvalue: 6
All Books in the Prejudice & Discrimination Category
Tar Beach Written and Illustrated by Faith Ringgold Based on the author's quilt painting of the same name, a young girl dreams of flying above her Harlem home claiming all she sees for herself and her family. [Grade Level: Pre-K - 3]
Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust Eve Bunting (Author), Stephen Gammell (Illustrator) Terrible Things tells the story of a young rabbit who watches as time after time the "terrible things" swoop in and take away different groups of animals living in the forest, until the rabbits are last to remain. It is only when the rabbits are subsequently taken away by the terrible things that the reader learns that if all the animals of the forest had initially stood together against the terrible things, perhaps they would have all survived. This picture book models for young minds what can happen when people (or animals) do not stand up and help one another in the face of evil. [Grade Level: K - 3]
Thank You, Mr. Falker Written and Illustrated by Patricia Polacco Trisha is overjoyed at the thought of starting school and learning how to read, but right from the start all the letters and numbers get jumbled up. Her classmates make matters worse by calling her “dummy” and “toad.” Then, in fifth grade, a new teacher sees right through the sad little girl to the artist she really is. When he discovers Trisha’s secret—that she can’t read—he sets out to help her prove to herself that she can. This autobiographical story is a personal song of thanks and praise to teachers who change the lives of the children they teach. [Grade Level: 1 - 5]
This Land Is My Land Written and Illustrated by George Littlechild Through his own words and paintings, acclaimed Native artist George Littlechild takes us back in time to the first meeting between his Plains Cree ancestors and the first European settlers in North America. [Grade Level: 2 - 6]
Those Shoes Maribeth Boelts (Author), Noah Z. Jones (Illustrator) "I have dreams about those shoes. Black high-tops. Two white stripes." All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. But Jeremy’s grandma tells him they don’t have room for "want," just "need," and what Jeremy needs are new boots for winter. When Jeremy’s shoes fall apart at school, and the guidance counselor gives him a hand-me-down pair, the boy is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy comes to realize that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants. [Grade Level: K - 3]
The Tin Heart Karen Ackerman (Author), Michael Hays (Illustrator) Two girls find a way to preserve their friendship even though the Civil War has torn their families apart. [Grade Level: K - 3]
To Be A Drum Evelyn Coleman (Author), Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson (Illustrator) A father tells his children how Africans were brought to America as slaves, but promises his children that as long as they can hear the rhythm of the earth, they will be free. [Grade Level: K - 3]
Totally Joe Written by James Howe Howe continues the story of 13-year-old Joe, one of the protagonists from The Misfits, in this "alphabiography." As an English assignment, Joe is told to write about his life from A to Z, with each alphabetical chapter ending in a "Life Lesson.” Joe reveals his life in short vignettes, discussing with humor his struggles as a gay adolescent, including his relationship with his athletic brother, his first boyfriend, and dealing with bullying at school. [Grade Level: 4 - 6]
Triumphs and Struggles for Latino Civil Rights Written by Bárbara C. Cruz Over 42 million Latinos live in the United States, making up America's largest ethnic minority group. As their population grows, Latino people and organizations continue to fight for improved education, equal employment opportunities, and fair immigration laws. Author Barbara C. Cruz describes the long journey of Latinos in the United States, from the founding of the oldest city on the American mainland at St. Augustine, Florida, to the continued struggle for civil rights today.
[Grade Level: 4 & Up]
