Books About Human Rights

The Best Human Rights Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about human rights? 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.

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Human Rights

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2011

Between Shades of Gray

By Ruta Sepetys

A girl uses art to survive a Siberian work camp and reunite her family.

Golden Kite Award (2012)

344 pages· 64,129 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 286,202 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Lina's life shatters when Soviet officers tear her family apart, sending them to a Siberian work camp. Amidst the harsh conditions, Lina clings to her art, embedding secret messages in her drawings, hoping to reach her imprisoned father. As she battles for survival, Lina's courage and creativity become her lifeline. Will her art be enough to reunite her family and keep hope alive? Discover a gripping tale of resilience and the power of love in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2020

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

By Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi

Uncover the roots of racism and the path to an antiracist future.

Odyssey Honor (2021)

294 pages· 36,733 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 55,131 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Explore the journey of race in America with Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. This gripping narrative reveals how racist ideas have shaped society and offers hope for an antiracist future. Discover how these ideas began, spread, and can be dismantled. Can we change the narrative and build a better tomorrow?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2013

Heroes for All Times

By Mary Pope Osborne, Natalie Pope Boyce, Sal Murdocca (Illustrator) · Magic Tree House: Fact Tracker series

Uncover the real stories behind history's heroes with Jack and Annie.

128 pages· 4,814 words· Est. 54 min read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 266 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Join Jack and Annie as they unravel the true stories of history's greatest heroes. From Florence Nightingale's nursing revolution to Gandhi's world-changing impact, discover the facts behind six legendary figures. What dreams drove Martin Luther King, Jr.? How did Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony fight for freedom and rights? Dive into a world of fascinating facts and uncover the truth behind the legends. Perfect for curious minds eager to explore the real-life adventures that shaped our world.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–17 · 2013

Golden Boy

By Tara Sullivan

A boy hunted for his difference must find courage and self-acceptance to survive.

384 pages· 89,475 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,305 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In Tanzania, thirteen-year-old Habo is different—his light skin makes him a target. Forced from his village, he discovers the terrifying truth: albinos are hunted for their body parts. As a fearsome man with a machete pursues him, Habo must flee across the Serengeti. Can he find safety and learn to embrace his identity in a world that sees him as a curse? Habo's journey is one of survival, self-discovery, and the search for dignity in a society that fears him.

Sale price

$1498

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2021

Malala Yousafzai

By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Manal Mirza (Illustrator) · Little People, BIG DREAMS series

A young girl defies a regime to fight for education, risking everything.

32 pages· 535 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.4/5 Goodreads · 540 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Born in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai cherished education, but a regime's ban on girls' schooling turned her into a target. Surviving a brutal attack, she emerged stronger, advocating globally for girls' education. Her journey from a hospital bed in England to an Oxford graduate is a testament to resilience and courage. This book, part of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series, captures her inspiring story with vivid illustrations and insightful facts, encouraging young readers to dream big and change the world. Discover how one girl's voice became a powerful force for equality and education.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2015

Who Is Malala Yousafzai?

By Dinah Brown, Who HQ, Andrew Thomson (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A young girl fights for her right to an education in a war-torn country.

112 pages· 7,354 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,648 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In a world where girls are banned from school, Malala Yousafzai dares to speak out. Her blog becomes a beacon of hope, challenging oppression in Pakistan. As her words echo worldwide, she fights for every child's right to learn, ultimately earning the Nobel Peace Prize. Can one voice truly change the world?

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2020

V Is for Voting

By Kate Farrell, Caitlin Kuhwald (Illustrator)

Discover the ABCs of democracy and why every vote matters.

40 pages· 251 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud

5.3/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 430 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Explore the ABCs of democracy with 'V Is for Voting.' This vibrant book introduces young readers to social justice and civil rights through rhymes and art. From active participation to embracing differences, each letter reveals the power of voting and activism. Will you join the journey to build a more equal nation?

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop

By Alice Faye Duncan, R Gregory Christie (Illustrator)

A young girl witnesses a pivotal civil rights protest and Dr. King's final stand.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2019)

40 pages· 2,974 words· Est. 23 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 777 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1968 Memphis, nine-year-old Lorraine sees her father join a historic sanitation strike. As Dr. King arrives to support the cause, Lorraine's world changes forever. Will justice prevail before tragedy strikes?

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 · 619 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.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2009

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

By Phillip Hoose

A teenager defies segregation, sparking a pivotal legal battle in the civil rights movement.

Newbery Honor (2010)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2009)ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults Honor (2010)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2010)

160 pages· 32,536 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 6,374 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In 1955 Montgomery, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refuses to surrender her bus seat, igniting a storm of controversy. Shunned by peers and dismissed by leaders, she becomes a key figure in a landmark case challenging segregation laws. Her courageous stand, woven into the historic Montgomery bus boycott, reshapes the fight for justice. Discover the untold story of a young hero who dared to defy the status quo and changed history. What drives a teenager to stand alone against injustice, and what are the consequences of her bravery? Explore the riveting journey of Claudette Colvin.

The Bookroo Book Club