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...
Stand up! Speak up! : a story inspired by the Climate Change Revolution
Joyner, Andrew (Illustrator)
Paper Book
Awarded as a 2021 Malka Penn Award Honor Book, here is a timely picture book about a young girl's mission to inspire others to help the planet. The meaningful message of climate change activism is perfect for Earth Day and every day! Celebrate young climate change activists in...
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.
Nous sommes les protecteurs de l'eau
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,...
Your name is a song
Thompkins-Bigelow, Jamilah
Paper Book
Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their...
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.
Generation brave : the Gen Z kids who are changing the world
Alexander, Kate
Paper Book
An illustrated celebration of Gen Z activists fighting to make our world a better place. Gen Z is populated--and defined--by activists. They are bold and original thinkers and not afraid to stand up to authority and conventional wisdom. From the March for Our Lives to the...
Pride : the celebration and the struggle
Stevenson, Robin
Paper Book
Key Selling Points Pride: The Celebration and the Struggleexamines the history, identity, celebration and future of Pride. The first edition of Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Communityhas sold over 25,000 copies. This updated and expanded edition of Pridecelebrates...
Canadian author.
The rainbow parade
Neilson, Emily
Paper Book
A sweet and celebratory story of a family's first time at Pride One day in June, Mommy, Mama, and Emily take the train into the city to watch the Rainbow Parade. The three of them love how all the people in the street are so loud, proud, and colorful, but when Mama suggests they...

Also available in eBook format.

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 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.

How to become an accidental activist
MacLeod, Elizabeth
Paper Book
Key Selling Points From the climate crisis to Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, activism is an important issue today and regularly features at the top of the news agenda. This book has many curriculum applications, including human rights, environmental science, personal...
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 one of the most important years of the civil rights movement. In January 1963, Sharon Robinson turns thirteen the night before George Wallace declares on national television "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" in his...
Troublemaker
Cho, John
Paper Book
An instant New York Times bestselller! An Indiebound bestseller! 12-year-old Jordan feels like he can't live up to the example his older sister set, or his parent's expectations. When he returns home from school one day hoping to hide his suspension, Los Angeles...
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...
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 /
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.
As long as the lemon trees grow
Katouh, Zoulfa
Paper Book
A love letter to Syria and its people, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a speculative novel set amid the Syrian Revolution, burning with the fires of hope, love, and possibility. Perfect for fans of The Book Thief and Salt to the Sea.
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...
Also available in eBook format.
Punching the Air
Ibi Zoboi
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.

You too?
Gurtler, Janet
Paper Book
A timely and heartfelt collection of essays inspired by the #MeToo movement, edited by acclaimed author Janet Gurtler. Featuring Beth Revis, Mackenzi Lee, Ellen Hopkins, Saundra Mitchell, Jennifer Brown, Cheryl Rainfield and many more. When #MeToo went viral, Janet Gurtler was among the...
A few red drops : the Chicago Race Riots of 1919
Hartfield, Claire
Paper Book
This mesmerizing narrative nonfiction draws on contemporary accounts as it traces the roots of an explosion that had been building for decades in race relations, politics, business, and clashes of culture. Coretta Scott King Award winner * Carter G. Woodson Book Award from the National...
Also available in eBook and eAudiobook formats.
We are power : how nonviolent activism changes the world
Hasak-Lowy, Todd
Paper Book
A stirring look at nonviolent activism, from American suffragists to Civil Rights to the Climate Change Movement. Todd Hasak-Lowy's We Are Power brings to light the incredible individuals who have used nonviolent activism to change the world. The book...
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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