Human Rights

Books for children and teens that show peoples' differences and the importance of respecting human rights.

Updated April 8, 2024
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The oldest student : how Mary Walker learned to read
Hubbard, Rita L.
Paper Book
Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Discover the true story of Mary Walker, the nation's oldest student who did just that, in this picture book from a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and a rising star author. In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she...
If you're a kid like Gavin
Grimm, Gavin
Paper Book
A celebratory and empowering story from young trans activist Gavin Grimm, two-time Stonewall Award-winning and Newbery Honor-winning author Kyle Lukoff, and illustrator J Yang follows the true story of how a young boy stood up for himself--and made history along the way.  A Publishers...
We are water protectors
Lindstrom, Carole
Paper Book
From author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Michaela Goade comes a New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal winning picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements across the world. Powerfully written and gorgeously illustrated, We Are Water Protectors,...
Also available in eBook format.
A few red drops the Chicago Race Riots of 1919
Hartfield, Claire.
Stand-alone player
Also available in eBook and eAudiobook formats.
We are water protectors
Lindstrom, Carole
Paper Book
From author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Michaela Goade comes a New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal winning picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements across the world. Powerfully written and gorgeously illustrated, We Are Water Protectors,...
On our street : our first talk about poverty
Roberts, Jillian
Paper Book
The World Around Us series introduces children to complex cultural, social and environmental issues that they may encounter outside their homes, in a way that is accessible. Sidebars offer further reading for older children or care providers who have bigger questions. For younger children just...
Canadian author.
The International Day of the Girl : celebrating girls around the world
Humphreys, Jessica Dee
Paper Book
The UN designated October the 11th as the International Day of the Girl, a day to increase awareness of problems that affect girls around the world and to encourage progress toward gender equality. 9 stories inspired by the real-life experiences of girls from all over the globe bring to light the...
The antiracist kid : a book about identity, justice, and activism
Jewell, Tiffany
Other
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Book Is Anti-Racist, Tiffany Jewell, with art by Eisner-nominated illustrator Nicole Miles, The Antiracist Kid is the essential illustrated guide to antiracism for empowering the young readers in your life! What is racism...
The disability experience : working toward belonging
Leavitt, Hannalora
Paper Book
People with disabilities (PWDs) have the same aspirations for their lives as you do for yours. The difference is that PWDs don't have the same access to education, employment, housing, transportation and healthcare in order to achieve their goals. In The Disability Experienceyou'll meet...

Canadian author.

Also available in eBook format.

Fresh air, clean water : our right to a healthy environment
Clendenan, Megan
Paper Book
Everyone depends on clean air to breathe, safe water to drink and healthy soil for growing food. But what if your drinking water is dangerous, your air is polluted and your soil is toxic? What can you do about that? Do you have the right to demand change? Fresh Air, Clean Water:...

Canadian author.

Child of the dream : a memoir of 1963
Robinson, Sharon
Paper Book
An incredible memoir from Sharon Robinson about the pivotal year of the civil rights movement -- and her unique role in it alongside her father, baseball legend and activist Jackie Robinson.In January 1963, Sharon Robinson turns thirteen the night before George Wallace declares on national...
Martin Luther King Jr.
Sánchez Vegara, Ma Isabel
Paper Book
In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Martin Luther King Jr., the inspiring minister and civil rights activist. Little Martin grew up in a family of preachers: his dad was a...

Little Martin grew up in a family of preachers: his dad was a preacher, his uncle was a preacher, his grandfather was a preacher…so maybe he’d become a great preacher too. One day, a friend invited him to play at his house. Martin was shocked when his mother wouldn’t let him in because he was black. That day he realized there was something terribly unfair going on. Martin believed that no one should remain silent and accept something if it's wrong. And he promised himself that—when he grew up—he’d fight injustice with the most powerful weapon of all: words.

I have the right to culture
Serres, Alain
Paper Book
From the author and illustrator duo who created the award-winning I Have the Right to Be a Child and I Have the Right to Save My Planet comes this beautifully illustrated third book in the series.  I Have the Right to Culture explores a child's right to be curious and to experience...
Amal unbound
Saeed, Aisha
Paper Book
"Saeed's timely and stirring middle-grade debut is a celebration of resistance and justice."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review The compelling story of a girl's fight to regain her life and dreams after being forced into indentured servitude. Life is quiet and...
Punching the air
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
Paper Book
New York Times and USA Today bestseller * Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor * Walter Award Winner * Goodreads Finalist for Best Teen Book of the Year * Time Magazine Best Book of the Year * Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * Shelf Awareness Best Book of...
Also available in eBook format.
When stars are scattered
Jamieson, Victoria
Paper Book
A National Book Award Finalist, this remarkable graphic novel is about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a former Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl. Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab,...
Also available in eBook format.
Amal unbound : a novel
Saeed, Aisha
Paper Book
"Saeed's timely and stirring middle-grade debut is a celebration of resistance and justice."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review The compelling story of a girl's fight to regain her life and dreams after being forced into indentured servitude. Life is quiet and...

Amal, 12 ans, reve de devenir institutrice. Mais dans son village du Pakistan, tout le monde s'y oppose, surtout les hommes. Le combat d'une jeune fille pour son emancipation et la reconnaissance de ses desirs.

Aussi disponible en format numerique.

Small town pride
Stamper, Phil
Paper Book
From acclaimed author Phil Stamper (The Gravity of Us and As Far as You'll Take Me) comes a poignant coming-of-age, contemporary middle grade debut novel about finding your place, using your voice, and the true meaning of pride. Perfect for fans of Rick by Alex Gino and The...
Also available in eBook format.
Anne Frank's diary : the graphic adaptation
Folman, Ari
Paper Book
A timeless story rediscovered by each new generation, The Diary of a Young Girl stands without peer. This graphic edition remains faithful to the original, while the stunning illustrations interpret and add layers of visual meaning and immediacy to this classic work of Holocaust...
Also available in eBook format.
Surviving the city
Spillett, Tasha
Paper Book
Miikwan and Dez are best friends. Miikwan is Anishinaabe; Dez is Inninew. Together, the teens navigate the challenges of growing up in an urban landscape--they're so close, they even completed their Berry Fast together. However, when Dez's grandmother becomes too sick, Dez is told she can't stay...

Canadian author.

Also available in eBook format.

Punching the air
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
Paper Book
New York Times and USA Today bestseller * Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor * Walter Award Winner * Goodreads Finalist for Best Teen Book of the Year * Time Magazine Best Book of the Year * Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * Shelf Awareness Best Book of...

L'existence d'Amal, lyceen afro-americain passionne d'art, est bouleversee le jour ou une simple bagarre entre garcons le conduit en prison pour un crime qu'il n'a pas commis, l'affaire de la joggeuse de Central Park.

Aussi disponible en format numerique.

If I go missing
Jonnie, Brianna
Paper Book
Combining graphic fiction and non-fiction, this young adult graphic novel serves as a window into one of the unique dangers of being an Indigenous teen in Canada today. The text of the book is derived from excerpts of a letter written to the Winnipeg Chief of Police by fourteen-year-old...
Canadian author.
If I go missing
Jonnie, Brianna
Paper Book
Combining graphic fiction and non-fiction, this young adult graphic novel serves as a window into one of the unique dangers of being an Indigenous teen in Canada today. The text of the book is derived from excerpts of a letter written to the Winnipeg Chief of Police by fourteen-year-old...

En 2016, Brianna a ecrit une lettre ouverte de denonciation pour sensibiliser le public a la negligence des services de police dans la recherche des femmes autochtones disparues. Si je disparais est un roman graphique coup de poing, base sur une histoire vraie, ou plutot sur trop d'histoires vraies. La disparition et le meurtre de femmes et de filles autochtones ne sont PAS uniquement des problemes autochtones canadiens. Ce sont des tragedies qui relevent des droits humains partout dans le monde.

Auteure canadienne

We are power : how nonviolent activism changes the world
Hasak-Lowy, Todd
Paper Book
A stirring look at nonviolent activism, from the fight for women's rights to the civil rights and climate change movements. This inspiring 320-page book is a resource for exploration and learning for middle grade and YA readers. It includes endnotes, a bibliography,...
When they call you a terrorist : a Black Lives Matter memoir
Khan-Cullors, Patrisse
Paper Book
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. New York Times Editor's Pick. Library Journal Best Books of 2019. TIME Magazine's "Best Memoirs of 2018 So Far." O, Oprah's Magazine's "10 Titles to Pick Up Now." Politics &...
Heroines, rescuers, rabbis, spies : unsung women of the Holocaust
Swartz, Sarah Silberstein
Paper Book
Discover nine ordinary women who took extraordinary measures to save lives during the Holocaust, resisting terror and torture while undercover or in hiding, in concentration camps, in forests, and in exile. With compassion and admiration, author Sarah Silberstein Swartz paints portraits of...
Canadian author.

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