Books About Race And Identity

The Best Race And Identity Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about race and identity? 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.

Lu
X
Zeely
EllRay Jakes Rocks the Holidays!
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Race And Identity

Lu
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2018

Lu

By Jason Reynolds · Book #4 in the Track series

Lu faces unexpected hurdles on and off the track to discover what true victory means.

240 pages· 43,551 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 7,414 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Summary: Lu, born to lead the Defenders, must confront unexpected challenges as he guides his team to the championships. With swagger and talent, he faces literal and metaphorical hurdles, questioning what true victory entails. Can Lu overcome his ego and connect with his teammates, or will his ambitions trip him up? In this thrilling conclusion to the Track series, the stakes are high, and the finish line is just the beginning of Lu's journey.
Dragon Hoops
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$3134
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2020

Dragon Hoops

By Gene Luen Yang

A teacher discovers the thrill of basketball as his school's team chases a historic championship.

446 pages· 23,617 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 9,486 ratings
$32.99Save 5%
Summary: Gene, a comic book enthusiast and teacher, never understood sports. But when his school's basketball team, the Dragons, embarks on a historic season, he finds himself drawn into their journey. As the team inches closer to the California State Championships, Gene realizes their story rivals any comic book epic. This season promises not only to transform the players' lives but also to redefine Gene's own understanding of victory and passion. Will the Dragons achieve their ultimate goal, and how will this journey change Gene forever?
Blood in the Water
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2025

Blood in the Water

By Tiffany D Jackson

A summer on Martha's Vineyard turns deadly. Was it an accident or murder?

255 pages· 41,641 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 10,853 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Summary: Kaylani McKinnon, a Brooklyn girl, feels out of place on Martha's Vineyard. Her summer takes a dark turn when a local teen's death shocks the community. Was it an accident or murder? As Kaylani digs deeper, she unravels secrets that could change everything, but will she survive the truth?
Child of the Dream
Sale price
$2374
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2019

Child of the Dream

By Sharon Robinson

Enhanced readability transforms young readers' experiences.

311 pages· 48,855 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,068 ratings
$24.99Save 5%
Summary: Discover how increased font size and wider spacing in Large Print books can revolutionize reading for young readers. Boost comprehension, fluency, and engagement while reducing eye strain, especially for those who struggle.
X
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2015

X

By Ilyasah Shabazz, Kekla Magoon

A young man's escape into nightlife leads to a dangerous path and a transformative faith.

384 pages· 78,943 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 3,669 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Summary: Malcolm Little, disillusioned by life's promises, dives into the vibrant yet perilous nightlife of Boston and New York. As he navigates a world of jazz and temptation, his journey spirals into danger, culminating in imprisonment. In confinement, Malcolm discovers a faith that reshapes his destiny, setting him on a path to become the influential figure known as Malcolm X. Will his newfound beliefs guide him to change the world, or will his past continue to haunt him? Explore the pivotal moments that forged a voice that still echoes today.
Zeely
Sale price
$1335
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1967

Zeely

By Virginia Hamilton

A summer on a farm leads to an unexpected friendship.

25,307 words· Est. 3 hour read
3.7/5 Goodreads · 314 ratings
$14.05Save 5%
Summary: Elizabeth's summer at her uncle's farm takes an unexpected turn when she befriends a striking woman who raises hogs and resembles a queen. What secrets does this enigmatic figure hold?
Simon B. Rhymin' Takes a Stand
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Simon B. Rhymin' Takes a Stand

By Dwayne Reed · Book #2 in the Simon B. Rhymin' series

A young rapper fights school inequality with rhymes and courage.

256 pages· 33,739 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 53 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Summary: Eleven-year-old Simon faces a challenge when his school cuts funding for extracurriculars. With his friends, he starts a petition to save the debate team. As the school board takes notice, Simon must overcome his fears and use his rhymes to stand up for equality. Can Simon and his crew prove they deserve the same opportunities as everyone else?
Indigo & Ida
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2023

Indigo & Ida

By Heather Murphy Capps

An aspiring journalist uncovers a school's racial bias, facing a choice between truth and friendship.

302 pages· 52,413 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 166 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: Eighth-grader Indigo, a budding journalist, exposes an unfair school policy, gaining unexpected popularity. But when she discovers racial bias in the school's discipline, her friends dismiss her concerns. Indigo's world shifts when she finds letters from Ida B. Wells, a Black journalist and activist, inspiring her to confront the injustice. Will she risk her newfound friendships to fight for what's right, or stay silent? As Indigo delves deeper, she must decide if she can stand alone in her quest for justice, echoing Ida's legacy. The stakes are high, and Indigo's courage will be tested.
EllRay Jakes Rocks the Holidays!
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2014

EllRay Jakes Rocks the Holidays!

By Sally Warner, Brian Biggs (Illustrator) · EllRay Jakes series

EllRay must choose between saving a friendship or ruining the school assembly.

160 pages· 21,487 words· Est. 4 hour read
3.6/5 Goodreads · 21 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Summary: EllRay is excited for Christmas, but first, he must lead the Winter Wonderland assembly at Oak Glen Primary. Tasked with memorizing lines, his challenge intensifies when a friend dares him to perform a risky stunt onstage. Completing it could save their friendship but at the cost of the assembly's success. Will EllRay risk it all for friendship, or will he find a way to balance both? As the pressure mounts, EllRay faces a not-so-merry dilemma that could change everything.
The Cruisers
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2011

The Cruisers

By Walter Dean Myers · Book #1 in the The News Crew series

Middle schoolers face a mock Civil War, testing their beliefs and the cost of standing up for a cause.

144 pages· 21,269 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
3.1/5 Goodreads · 570 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Summary: Zander and his friends at DaVinci Academy start 'The Cruiser,' a newspaper to voice their beliefs. When a mock Civil War erupts, they must navigate the complexities of democracy and the cost of standing up for their ideals. As tensions rise, will their efforts to maintain peace succeed, or will they face unexpected consequences? Discover the challenges and triumphs of these young crusaders as they learn what it truly means to fight for a cause.
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