Race, Class and Gender Book List for Children

Students in Ms. Wanosky’s history class, Race, Class and Gender, read and recommended these children’s books. You may find a book here to share with a child in your life.

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

A picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within. Sulwe has skin the color of midnight, darker than everyone in her family and school. She just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. A magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.

Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind, illustrated by Paul Zelinksky

Inspired by a true story, this is a tale of a community that banded together to spread light.

It's a holiday season that both Isaac, whose family is Jewish, and Teresa, whose family is Christian, have looked forward to for months! They've been counting the days, playing in the snow, making cookies, drawing (Teresa) and writing poems (Isaac). They enjoy all the things they share, as well as the things that make them different.

But when Isaac's window is smashed in the middle of the night, it seems like maybe not everyone appreciates "difference."

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Maker’s Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

When Clara Lemlich arrived in America, she couldn't speak English.

She went to night school, spent hours studying English, and helped support her family by sewing in a factory. Clara never quit. And she never accepted that girls should be treated poorly and paid little.

So Clara fought back. Fed up with the mistreatment of her fellow laborers, Clara led the largest walkout of women workers in the country's history.

Clara had learned a lot from her short time in America. She learned that everyone deserved a fair chance. That you had to stand together and fight for what you wanted. And, most importantly, that you could do anything you put your mind to.

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Edel Rodriquez

The inspiring and timely story of Sonia Sotomayor, who rose up from a childhood of poverty and prejudice to become the first Latino to be nominated to the US Supreme Court.

Before Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor took her seat in our nation's highest court, she was just a little girl in the South Bronx. Justice Sotomayor didn't have a lot growing up, but she had what she needed -- her mother's love, a will to learn, and her own determination. With bravery she became the person she wanted to be. With hard work she succeeded. With little sunlight and only a modest plot from which to grow, Justice Sotomayor bloomed for the whole world to see.

I Am Enough by Grace Byers, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

A list of reminders for all of us, reminders that we are good enough just as we are. The text is a lovely mix of prose and rhyme to satisfy, with enough similes to work as an ideal read aloud for any simile lesson.

My Teacher for President by Kay Winters, illustrated by Denise Brunkus

When Oliver, a savvy second-grader, learns about the president's job he decides that his teacher would make a perfect commander-in-chief.

The class is writing a letter to a television station explaining why they think their teacher should be president. Humorous illustrations show the similarities between the president and a teacher. This would be a great read aloud to show children the qualities of a president and how to write a letter.

The Name Jar by written and illustrated by Yangsook Choi

The new kid in school needs a new name! Or does she?

Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week.

Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning.

On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it—Yoon-Hey.

Punky Aloha by Shar Tuiasoa

Punky loves to do a lot of things—except meeting new friends. She doesn’t feel brave enough. So when her grandmother asks her to go out and grab butter for her famous banana bread, Punky hesitates. But with the help of her grandmother’s magical sunglasses, and with a lot of aloha in her heart, Punky sets off on a BIG adventure for the very first time.

Punky Aloha is a Polynesian girl who carries her culture in her heart and in everything she does. Kids will love to follow this fun character all over the island of O’ahu.

Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jody Patterson and Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

Penelope knows that he's a boy. (And a ninja.) The problem is getting everyone else to realize it.

In this exuberant companion to Jodie Patterson's adult memoir, The Bold World, Patterson shares her son Penelope's frustrations and triumphs on his journey to share himself with the world. Penelope's experiences show children that it always makes you stronger when you are true to yourself and who you really are.

Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano

Follows two families—one White, one Black—as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children's questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives.

Includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing race and racism with children, child-friendly definitions, and sample dialogues.

Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden

When Bessie Coleman was a child, she wanted to be in school -- not in the cotton fields of Texas, helping her family earn money. She wanted to be somebody significant in the world. So Bessie did everything she could to learn under the most challenging of circumstances. At the end of every day in the fields she checked the foreman's numbers -- made sure his math was correct. And this was just the beginning of a life of hard work and dedication that really paid Bessie became the first African-American to earn a pilot's license. She was somebody.

Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji by Farhana Zia and Ken Min

Aneel's grandparents have come to stay, all the way from India. Aneel loves the sweet smell of his grandmothe’ s incense, and his grandfather, Dada-ji, tells the world s best stories. When he was a boy, adventurous, energetic Dada-ji had the power of a tiger. Hunh-ji! Yes, sir! He could shake mangoes off trees and wrangle wild cobras. And what gave him his power? Fluffy-puffy hot, hot roti, with a bit of tongue-burning mango pickle. Does Dada-ji still have the power? Aneel wants to find out but first he has to figure out how to whip up a batch of hot, hot roti Overflowing with family, food, and a tall stack of fun, Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji is sure to warm the heart and tickle the tummy. Hunh-ji! Yes, sir!

Weston High School Library. March 11, 2024