Kindness and community book recommendations for children (chapter books &graphic novels)

If you're working on our February SweetBean challenge and looking for related reading recommendations, look no further! Here are some books that center kindness and community for children.

Looking for recommendation lists for other age groups?

See the list for adults here.

See the list for teens here.

See the list for picture books here.

Updated February 1, 2024
C
Cabarrus County Public Library
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Book Uncle and me
Krishnaswami, Uma
Paper Book
Winner of the International Literacy Association Social Justice Literature Award An award-winning middle-grade novel about the power of grassroots activism and how kids can make a difference. Every day, nine-year-old Yasmin borrows a book from Book Uncle, a retired teacher who...
Dictionary for a better world : poems, quotes, and anecdotes from A to Z
Latham, Irene
Paper Book
How can we make the world a better place? This inspiring resource for middle-grade readers is organized as a dictionary; each entry presents a word related to creating a better world, such as ally, empathy, or respect. For each word, there is a poem, a quote from an inspiring person, a...
Kind like Fred Rogers
Esposito, Nick
Paper Book
"A mix of prose and colorful comic panels make for a fast-moving story affirming the power of kindness and empathy."--Kirkus Reviews A 2023 CBC Librarian Favorites Winner The first book in the Good Guys Agency series! Determined to better the world by inspiring...
Non-random acts of kindness
Myracle, Lauren
Paper Book
  Ty Perry's second-grade life is crazier than ever.   He's trying hard not to worry too much, but that's not easy when his brain is filled with so many thoughts, like finally finding a pet for Baby Maggie, his sometimes-crazy classmates, and the dreaded neck-pinch...
Rica Baptista : llamas, iguanas, and my very best friend
Bates, Janet Costa
Paper Book
Rica's very best friend is moving away. How can she convince her parents to let her get a pet so she won't be lonely? Friendship and family shine in this engaging young chapter book. Rica Baptista wants--no, needs--a pet. A llama, a kinkajou, or maybe an iguana? She even...
Ways to grow love
Watson, Reně
Paper Book
Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson continues her charming young middle grade series starring Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit and sunshine. Ryan Hart loves her family and friends. She's looking forward to summer vacation, spending time...
Wishtree
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
An oak tree and a crow help their neighbors embrace their differences in this beautiful, nuanced, New York Times-bestselling middle-grade novel from Newbery Medalist author Katherine Applegate. Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .
Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face--who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.