Books That Deal With Important Social Issues

In this tumultuous world, books can serve as a much-needed escape by allowing us to delve into an alternate reality with distinct issues, thereby helping us forget about our own problems for a while. However, it is equally important and therapeutic to read books that accurately reflect our realities. Such books take into account what we are going through, what we are feeling, and puts it all down on paper so that we can see a reflection of ourselves.

Updated May 2, 2024
Nashua Public Library
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All boys aren't blue : a memoir-manifesto
Johnson, George M.
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller and the #1 Most Challenged Book in America according to the American Library Association In a series of personal essays, award-winning author and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson's All Boys Aren't Blue explores their childhood,...
All my rage
Tahir, Sabaa
Paper Book
National Book Award WINNER Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature WINNER An INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! An INSTANT INDIE BESTSELLER! A Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Century "All My Rage is a love story,...
Butterfly yellow
Lai, Thanhha
Paper Book
Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction! Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Ibi Zoboi, and Erika L. Sánchez, this gorgeously written and deeply moving novel is the YA debut from the award-winning author of Inside Out & Back Again. 4 starred reviews! In the...
Dear Justyce
Stone, Nic
Paper Book
An NPR Best Book of the Year * The stunning sequel to the critically acclaimed,  #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Martin. An incarcerated teen writes letters to his best friend about his experiences in the American juvenile justice system. An...
An emotion of great delight
Mafi, Tahereh
Paper Book
Big Mouth galley mailing to 150 librarians, teachers, and other national tastemakers Advertising in key school & library media, such as School Library Journal and Booklist Teens' Top 10/YALSA ARE mailing to 15 teen reading groups across the country ...
Every body looking
Iloh, Candice
Paper Book
A Finalist for the National Book Award When Ada leaves home for her freshmanyear at a Historically Black College, it's the first time she's ever been so far from her family-and the first time that she's been able to make her own choices and to seek her place in this new world. As...
Grown : a novel
Jackson, Tiffany D.
Paper Book
An instant New York Times bestseller! "Grown exposes the underbelly of a tough conversation, providing a searing examination of misogynoir, rape culture, and the vulnerability of young black girls. Groundbreaking, heart-wrenching, and essential reading for all in the #MeToo era." -...
Nigeria Jones
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
Paper Book
Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner! "An unwavering proclamation of Black girlhood." --Candice Iloh, author of National Book Award finalist Every Body Looking From Ibi Zoboi, bestselling, award-winning author of American Street and coauthor of Punching the Air,...
Not here to be liked
Quach, Michelle
Paper Book
Featured title in Shake Up Your Shelves, a campaign to promote inclusive texts in curriculum, library collections, and bookstores
Only this beautiful moment
Nazemian, Abdi
Paper Book
Advertising in key school & library media, such as School Library Journal, The Horn Book and Booklist  Featured title in Pride on Every Page, the HarperStacks Pride Month promotion  Featured title in Shake Up Your Shelves, a campaign to promote inclusive texts in...
Punching the air
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
Paper Book
Lead promotion at conferences and events Targeted outreach to college professors, teachers, and librarians Featured author at 2021 Walter Awards Featured author at Harris County Library Battle of the Books Featured author at Troy Athens High...
The queens of New York
Shen, E. L.
Paper Book
Big Mouth ARE mailing to a curated list of influential librarians and educators Teens' Top 10/YALSA ARE mailing to 15 teen reading groups across the country  Featured title in Shake Up Your Shelves, a campaign to promote inclusive texts in curriculum, library collections, and...
The sharp edge of silence
Rosenblum, Cameron Kelly
Paper Book
Featured title at librarian previews and events  Featured title on HarperStacks, the school & library marketing digital hub   Author post 
The silence that binds us
Ho, Joanna
Paper Book
Announcement Advertising, School Library Journal and Booklist (March) Big Mouth ARE mailing to a curated list of influential librarians and educators (March) Teens' Top 10/YALSA ARE mailing to 15 teen reading groups across the country (April) ...
Stamped : racism, antiracism, and you
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
Don't miss this "fresh and conversational" (TIME Magazine), "potent and provocative" (The San Francisco Chronicle), #1 New York Times bestselling exploration of racism--and antiracism--in America. ...
The summer of bitter and sweet
Ferguson, Jenny
Paper Book
In this complex and emotionally resonant novel about a Métis girl living on the Canadian prairies, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person--and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest...
This is my America
Johnson, Kim
Paper Book
"Incredible and searing." --Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin The Hate U Give meets Just Mercy in this unflinching yet uplifting first novel that explores the racist injustices in the American justice system....
This place is still beautiful
Tian, Xixi
Paper Book
Big Mouth ARE mailing to a curated list of influential librarians and educators Teens' Top 10/YALSA ARE mailing to 15 teen reading groups across the country Advertising in key school & library media, such as School Library Journal, The Horn Book and Booklist ...

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