Books About Discrimination

The Best Discrimination Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about discrimination? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Discrimination

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2020

Furia

By Yamile Saied Méndez

A young soccer star must defy family expectations to chase her dreams and navigate a complicated love.

Americas Honor (2021)

368 pages· 74,369 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 15,619 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan leads a double life. At home, she's a dutiful daughter under her father's strict rule. On the soccer field, she's La Furia, a rising star. When her team qualifies for a major tournament, Camila faces a dilemma: pursue her dreams or adhere to her family's expectations. Complicating matters, her former love, now an international soccer sensation, returns. As Camila battles for her future, she must confront secrets and decide if love or ambition will guide her path. Will she break free and claim her destiny, or will her dreams remain out of reach?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Bea Is for Blended

By Lindsey Stoddard

A girl fights for an all-girls soccer team amidst family changes.

320 pages· 64,693 words· Est. 9 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 327 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Bea's life is changing with a new stepfamily, but her biggest challenge is off the field. Her school might not get the promised all-girls soccer team. As Bea rallies her friends to fight for their right to play, she learns the power of teamwork and discovers that building a new life doesn't mean leaving her old one behind. Will Bea and her squad score a victory both on and off the field?

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2014

New Shoes

By Susan Lynn Meyer, Eric Velasquez (Illustrator)

A girl faces discrimination at a shoe store and plans to change her community's future.

Jane Addams Children's Book Award (2016)

32 pages· 1,144 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,262 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Ella Mae eagerly anticipates new shoes, but faces racial discrimination at the store. Denied the chance to try them on, she and her cousin Charlotte devise a plan to ensure others in their community can shop with dignity. As they challenge the status quo, their determination sparks hope and change. Will their efforts succeed in overcoming the injustice they face?

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Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Cicada

By Shaun Tan

An unappreciated cicada transforms into something extraordinary.

32 pages· 151 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 6,348 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a world that overlooks him, a diligent cicada toils tirelessly, unrecognized and undervalued. Just when hope seems lost, he undergoes a breathtaking transformation. What beauty lies beyond perseverance? Discover the unexpected journey of this humble insect and find inspiration in his metamorphosis.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Emmy in the Key of Code

By Aimee Lucido

New girl Emmy finds harmony in coding and music, but secrets threaten her newfound rhythm.

432 pages· 25,823 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,272 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Twelve-year-old Emmy feels out of place in a new school until she discovers a passion for coding and music. Her bond with Abigail, a fellow music lover, offers hope, but secrets and a teacher's bad news threaten her harmony. Can Emmy find her true note in this symphony of challenges?

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

Swish!

By Suzanne Slade, Don Tate (Illustrator)

Discover the team that revolutionized basketball with dazzling skills and unmatched showmanship.

40 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 557 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Explore the thrilling journey of the Harlem Globetrotters, a team that transformed basketball with their extraordinary skills and showmanship. From one-finger ball-spinning to rapid-fire dribbling, these athletes redefined the game, captivating audiences worldwide. Witness their groundbreaking performances and relentless spirit as they pushed the limits of what was possible on the court. Swish! celebrates their legacy of greatness and grit, inviting you to experience the magic of a team that changed the sport forever. What made them unstoppable, and how did they leave an indelible mark on basketball history? Dive into their story to find out.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2016

The First Step

By Susan E. Goodman, E. B. Lewis (Illustrator), E.B. Lewis (Illustrator)

A young girl challenges school segregation, sparking a historic fight for equality.

Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2017)Orbis Pictus Honor (2017)

40 pages· 1,411 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 590 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1847 Boston, young Sarah Roberts is barred from a white-only school, igniting her family's historic legal battle against segregation. Though they lose, their fight inspires a movement for change. Discover the first steps toward desegregation in this powerful story of courage and unity, beautifully illustrated by E. B. Lewis.

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2019

Girls with Guts!

By Debbie Gonzales, Rebecca Gibbon (Illustrator)

Discover the untold stories of women athletes who defied the odds before Title IX.

32 pages· 1,092 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 179 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Before Title IX, women athletes faced strict rules: no chasing, no sweating. Meet trailblazers like Melpomene and Althea Gibson, who defied these limitations. Their determination paved the way for a law that changed the game, allowing women to compete freely. How did they challenge the status quo and inspire a movement? Explore the stories of these fearless women who refused to take no for an answer, shaping the future of sports for generations to come.

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

Chicks Rule!

By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Renee Kurilla · Chicks series

A group of girls from different backgrounds come together to form a rocket club.

34 pages· 257 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud

5.3/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 314 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Nerdy Chick eagerly anticipates the Rocket Club meeting, only to find a sign barring her entry. Undeterred, she bands together with Soccer Chick, Science Chick, and others, determined to challenge the rules. As they face resistance, these spirited chicks rally, proving that together, they can soar beyond any limits. Will their unity and determination be enough to change the game? Discover how these chicks chart a new course, celebrating girl power and the strength of community action in a playful, uplifting tale.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2015

Malala

By Raphaele Frier, Aurelia Fronty (Illustrator)

A young girl defies the Taliban to champion education for all, risking everything.

45 pages· 1,721 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud

4.4/5 Goodreads · 620 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In Taliban-controlled Pakistan, a courageous girl named Malala defies oppression to fight for girls' education. Surviving a brutal attack at fifteen, she becomes a global symbol of resilience. By eighteen, she earns the Nobel Peace Prize, inspiring a generation. How far will her bravery take her in a world that seeks to silence her voice? This beautifully illustrated biography captures her unwavering spirit and relentless pursuit of justice, offering young readers a powerful story of hope and determination.

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Discrimination Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about discrimination for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Series

Sale price

$999

I am Jackie Robinson

Ages 5–8 · 2015

A young boy grows up to become a baseball legend and a civil rights icon, breaking barriers and inspiring a nation

Sale price

$1699

Charlie Takes His Shot

Ages 4–8 · 2018

A golfer challenges racial barriers to change the game forever.

Sale price

$1899

Without Separation

Ages 7–10 · 2021

A student challenges school segregation in a groundbreaking 1931 court case.

Sale price

$1699

Waiting for Pumpsie

Ages 5–8 · 2017

A young fan witnesses history as the Red Sox integrate in 1959.

Sale price

$1799

A Dance Like Starlight

Ages 4–8 · 2014

In 1950s Harlem, a young ballerina dreams of stardom against all odds.

Series

Sale price

$2199

Jackie Robinson

Ages 4–8 · 2000

Break barriers and change history on the baseball field.

Series

Sale price

$899

The Skin I'm In

Ages 4–7 · 2003

Empower children to embrace differences and confront racism with understanding.

Sale price

$1699

Follow Chester!

Ages 6–9 · 2019

A groundbreaking football game challenges racial barriers in 1947 America.

Series

Sale price

$1995

On the Playground

Ages 6–8 · 2019

A child learns to question and combat prejudice in everyday life.

Sale price

$1695

Twice as Good

Ages 6–10 · 2012

A young boy defies racial barriers to pursue his golf dreams.

View all discrimination picture books

Browse by age

Discrimination Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about discrimination for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$1699

Wizardmatch

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A magical competition turns into sabotage as Lennie fights for power and family loyalty.

Series

Sale price

$1699

Ice Breaker

Ages 5–7 · 2019

Defy the odds and break barriers on the ice.

Sale price

$799

Mississippi Bridge

Ages 10–13 · 1990

In 1930s Mississippi, a bus ride turns tragic, revealing deep-seated injustices.

Sale price

$799

The Aurora County All-Stars

Ages 10–13 · 2007

A sidelined pitcher must choose between baseball and a town pageant, uncovering secrets along the way.

Series

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Sale price

$1699

Satchel Paige

Ages 10–11 · 2007

A legendary pitcher blurs fact and fiction, redefining baseball in a divided America.

Series

Sale price

$699

The Basket Counts

Ages 8–11 · 1991

New player faces racial tension on the basketball team. Will he fight or unite?

Sale price

$1099

Farewell to Manzanar

Ages 8–12 · 1973

A child navigates life in a WWII Japanese American incarceration camp.

Sale price

$1299

The Glory Field

Ages 12–17 · 1994

A family's journey from enslavement to freedom, bound by history and love.

Series

Sale price

$899

Stories of Bravery! (American Girl)

Ages 4–8 · 2023

Girls face history's challenges with courage and determination.

Series

Sale price

$699

The Story of Malala Yousafzai

Ages 6–8 · 2020

A young girl defies a ban on education, sparking a global movement for equal rights.

Series

Sale price

$595

Snowboard Duel

Ages 8–11 · 2007

Brian must choose between friendship and joining a boys-only snowboard team.

Series

Sale price

$1499

The New Switcheroo

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A new mystery threatens a school election. Can Rube solve it in time?

View all discrimination chapter books

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Books about athletes Books about basketball Books about Black history Books about family life

Our 10 Favorite Books About Discrimination

Great books, picked for their age.

Discrimination Picture Books

Discrimination Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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