Social Justice YA

Updated November 25, 2024
C
CU Catalog Champaign Teen Team
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Social Justice YA

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This book won't burn
Ahmed, Samira
Paper Book
★ "[Ahmed] employs high stakes, increasing tensions, romantic near-misses, and adult hypocrisy to powerful effect." -Publisher's Weekly, starred review From the New York Times bestselling author of Internment<...
Pretty furious
Johnston, E. K.
Paper Book
#1 NYT Bestseller E.K. Johnston returns to contemporary feminist YA. This story of a small town, fierce friendships, and revenge served cold is a perfect companion to Exit, Pursued by a Bear. In the small town of Eganston, Ontario, five good girls have had enough....
Does my body offend you?
Cuevas, Mayra
Paper Book
A timely story of two teenagers who discover the power of friendship, feminism, and standing up for what you believe in, no matter where you come from. A collaboration between two gifted authors writing from alternating perspectives, this compelling novel shines with authenticity, courage, and...
We are mayhem
Rourke-Mooney, Beck
Paper Book
Filled with messy, complicated characters, We Are Mayhem is a debut YA novel about finding your strength, embracing your weird, and being who you truly are - no matter what. When Birdie's parents move the family from their gated New Jersey community to the Catskills,...
Cancelled
Penn, Farrah
Paper Book
With its clever snark and searing perspective, Cancelled is a funny, fearless novel about the realistic pitfalls and unforgettable moments high school has to offer, perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Emma Lord. Not to brag, but Brynn Whittaker is basically killing her...
Red
Cardi, Annie
Paper Book
A Christian girl is stigmatized by her peers after seeking an abortion in this modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter for the #MeToo era.   Moving to Hawthorne was something Tess and her mom never anticipated, but after Tess's mom loses her job, it's...
The reckoning
Hudson, Wade
Paper Book
A powerful contemporary novel about an aspiring 12 year-old filmmaker whose world is turned upside down when his grandfather is slain in a senseless and racist act of violence. From the author of the award-winning memoir, Defiant- Growing Up in the Jim Crow South and co-editor of...
Diary of a confused feminist
Weston, Kate
Paper Book
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager meets Derry Girls in this hilarious and relatable young adult novel in diary entries about a British teen determined to be a good feminist and her charming, embarrassing, and inspiring journey to figuring out how. At...
Mascot
Waters, Charles
Paper Book
What if a school's mascot is seen as racist, but not by everyone? In this compelling middle-grade novel in verse, two best-selling BIPOC authors tackle this hot-button issue. A perfect book for future changemakers and activists seeking contemporary stories about systematic racism and...
This town is on fire
Harris, Pamela N.
Paper Book
Featured title in Shake Up Your Shelves, a campaign to promote inclusive texts in curriculum, library collections, and bookstores 
All you have to do
Allen, Autumn
Paper Book
Powerful, thought-provoking, and heartfelt, this debut YA novel by author Autumn Allen is a gripping look at what it takes (and takes and takes) for two Black students to succeed in prestigious academic institutions in America. In ALL YOU HAVE TO DO, two Black young men attend...
The Luis Ortega Survival Club
Reyes, Sonora
Paper Book
Advertising in key school & library media Announcement Advertising, SLJ, March Featured title/author at preview events and conferences S23 Librarian Preview with Booklist (March) Walter Awards/WNDB event (March) ALA Annual (June) ...
Wings in the wild
Engle, Margarita
Paper Book
This gorgeously romantic contemporary novel-in-verse from award-winning author Margarita Engle tells the "inspiring and hopeful" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) love story of two teens fighting for climate action and human rights. Winged beings are meant to be free. And...
True true
Hooper, Don P.
Paper Book
In this powerful and fast-paced YA contemporary debut, a Black teen from Brooklyn struggles to fit in at his almost entirely-white Manhattan prep school, resulting in a fight and a plan for vengeance. This is not how seventeen-year-old Gil imagined beginning his senior year-on...
Something like possible
Moreland, Miel
Paper Book
In this compelling YA contemporary from author Miel Moreland, a bisexual teen's path to political staffer stardom is in jeopardy, until she convinces a cute new candidate to team up with her on the campaign trail. On the worst day of her life, Madison is dumped by her...
Your plantation prom is not okay
McWilliams, Kelly
Paper Book
This sharp-witted, timely novel explores cancel culture, anger, and grief, and challenges the romanticization of America's racist past with humor and heart--for readers of Dear Martin by Nic Stone and Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson.   Harriet Douglass...
There goes the neighborhood
Adia, Jade
Paper Book
Winner of the 2024 Coretta Scott King John Steptoe New Talent Award A raised fist against the destructive forces of gentrification and a love letter to communities of color everywhere, Jade Adia's unforgettable debut tells the darkly hilarious story of three best friends willing to...
The making of Yolanda la bruja
Avila, Lorraine
Paper Book
COMMON SENSE MEDIA SELECTION FOR TEENS BOOKLIST BEST OF THE YEAR NYPL TOP 10 OF THE YEAR HIPLATINA BEST OF THE YEAR Elizabeth Acevedo has said that reading Lorraine Avila feels like an "UPPERCUT to the senses." You've never...
What happened to Rachel Riley?
Swinarski, Claire
Paper Book
Featured title at school & library conferences and preview events (virtual and in-person)  Featured title on HarperStacks, the school & library marketing digital hub  State and national award mailing 
Indigo and Ida
Capps, Heather Murphy
Paper Book
When eighth grader and aspiring journalist Indigo breaks an important story, exposing an unfair school policy, she's suddenly popular for the first time. The friends who've recently drifted away from her want to hang out again. Then Indigo notices that the school's disciplinary policies...
Fight back
Dassu, A. M.
Paper Book
Amina's Voice meets A Good Kind of Trouble in this story about 13-year-old Aaliyah, who feels alone after putting on a hijab for the first time, but finds friends and allies through organizing a protest at her school. Thirteen-year-old Aaliyah can't wait for a concert...
Front country
St. Antoine, Sara
Paper Book
"This is a story about the ache and promise of our world, and it begs us to pay attention to both. A terrific and important read."―Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honoree, Printz Honoree, and National Book Award Finalist for Okay for Now "Give this novel to every...
Thirst
Bajaj, Varsha
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller The riveting story of a heroic girl who fights for her belief that water should be for everyone. Minni lives in the poorest part of Mumbai, where access to water is limited to a few hours a day and the communal taps have long lines....
TJ Powar has something to prove
Deo, Jesmeen Kaur
Paper Book
"With an iconic heroine, delightful banter and a deeply felt message, this debut proves many times over that Jesmeen Kaur Deo is an invaluable new voice. TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is rife with insight and rich with rom-com joy, often on the same page." -- Emily Wibberley and...
This may end badly
Markum, Samantha
Paper Book
"The bitingly hilarious, heartfelt This May End Badly takes your favorite fake dating trope and adds plenty of downright delightful shenanigans that'll have readers tearing through the pages." - Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of You Have a Match <...
I rise
Arnold, Marie
Paper Book
"A love letter to Harlem and hope. I Rise is smart and funny and full of heart.*" Fourteen-year-old Ayo who has to decide whether to take on her mother's activist role when her mom is shot by police. As she tries to find answers, Ayo looks to the wisdom of her ancestors and her Harlem...
Hollow fires
Ahmed, Samira (Fiction writer)
Paper Book
This powerful, gripping thriller from a New York Times bestselling author shows the insidious nature of racism, the terrible costs of unearthing hidden truths--and the undeniable power of hope.   Safiya Mirza dreams of becoming a journalist. And one...
The truth about white lies
Cole, Olivia A.
Paper Book
For fans of I'm Not Dying with You Tonight, this gripping YA novel digs into the historical and present-day effects of white supremacy and the depths of privilege.  Shania never thinks much about being white. But after her beloved grandmother passes...
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