Books About Race Relations · 123 titles considered

The Best Race Relations Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about race relations? 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.

The Hate U Give
#1 in Series
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
The Black Kids
Paperboy
#1 in Series
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Race Relations

To Kill a Mockingbird
Sale price
$1900
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1960

To Kill a Mockingbird

By Harper Lee · Book #1 in the To Kill a Mockingbird series

A lawyer defends an innocent man in a town gripped by prejudice.

323 pages· 99,820 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 7,071,177 ratings
$20.00Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In a Southern town seething with prejudice, a young girl witnesses her father's courageous stand as he defends a black man falsely accused of a heinous crime. As tensions rise, will justice prevail, or will hatred triumph? This poignant tale explores the depths of human morality and the innocence of youth amidst societal turmoil.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1976

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

By Mildred D. Taylor · Logan Family Saga series

A family's land is their lifeblood amidst racism and turmoil.

Newbery Medal (1977)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1977)Coretta Scott King Honor (1977)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (1977)
276 pages· 65,468 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 131,528 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In Depression-era Mississippi, young Cassie Logan learns the true value of her family's land amidst racial tensions and social injustice. As night riders threaten and humiliation looms, the Logans' land becomes their source of pride and resilience. Can Cassie find strength in her heritage and dignity in herself to face the challenges ahead? Discover the power of family and the unyielding spirit of independence in this gripping tale of courage and identity.
The Hate U Give
Sale price
$2089
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2017

The Hate U Give

By Angie Thomas · Book #1 in the The Hate U Give series

A teen witnesses a friend's shooting, facing a choice that could change her community and risk her life.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2017)Coretta Scott King Honor (2018)Michael L. Printz Honor (2018)Odyssey Award (2018)
454 pages· 95,550 words· Est. 9 hour read
4.5/5 Goodreads · 1,036,978 ratings
$21.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Starr Carter navigates life between her poor neighborhood and elite prep school. Her world shatters when she witnesses her unarmed friend Khalil's fatal shooting by a police officer. As Khalil's death becomes a national headline, Starr faces pressure from all sides. What she reveals about that night could ignite change or put her in danger. Will she speak out or stay silent?
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
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 · 55,118 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?
The Land
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2001

The Land

By Mildred D. Taylor · Logan Family Saga series

A boy of mixed heritage seeks his own land in a divided post-Civil War world.

Coretta Scott King Award (2002)Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (2002)
416 pages· 118,586 words· Est. 13 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 7,765 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In post-Civil War Georgia, Paul-Edward Logan, born to a white landowner and a former slave, faces a world that sees him as neither black nor white. Distrusted by both communities and betrayed by family, he embarks on a quest at fourteen to claim land as rich as his father's. Can he overcome the barriers of race and heritage to fulfill his dream? Discover a powerful tale of identity and resilience in a divided world.
Blended
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Blended

By Sharon M. Draper

Isabella navigates a divided family and racial identity, facing a life-altering encounter with police.

308 pages· 49,032 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 20,268 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Isabella, an eleven-year-old piano prodigy, juggles life between her divorced parents' contrasting worlds. Her father's black, her mother's white, and she's caught in their escalating conflicts. As both parents announce engagements, Isabella grapples with her mixed identity, feeling torn between two halves. Her world shatters when a routine day with her stepbrother Darren turns dangerous—a cell phone mistaken for a gun leads to a police confrontation. Can Isabella find unity in her fractured life, or will the divisions define her forever? Discover the heart-wrenching journey of a girl seeking wholeness in a divided world.
The Black Kids
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2020

The Black Kids

By Christina Hammonds Reed

A teen's life unravels amid the chaos of the 1992 LA riots.

400 pages· 91,156 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 11,375 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In 1992 Los Angeles, Ashley Bennett's privileged life shatters when the Rodney King verdict ignites citywide riots. As violence erupts, Ashley grapples with identity, family secrets, and a rumor threatening a classmate's future. Can she navigate a world divided by race and class, or will the chaos consume her? As her sister spirals into danger and her family's facade crumbles, Ashley must confront the harsh realities of her world. Who is the 'us' and who is the 'them' in a city on fire?
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1994
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2007

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

By Sherman Alexie

A Native American teen seeks a new future at an all-white high school.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2008)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2007)Odyssey Award (2009)
320 pages· 44,681 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 288,124 ratings
$20.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Junior, a young cartoonist from the Spokane Indian Reservation, defies expectations by transferring to an all-white high school. As he navigates this new world, he faces cultural clashes and personal challenges. Will he find his place or be torn between two worlds? With humor and heart, Junior's journey explores identity, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams.
My Year in the Middle
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

My Year in the Middle

By Lila Quintero Weaver

In 1970 Alabama, Lu's running talent challenges racial divides and tests her friendships.

288 pages· 51,110 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 817 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1970 Alabama, sixth-grader Lu Olivera navigates a racially divided classroom where her talent for running track sparks tension. As her old friends change and new friendships with fellow runner Belinda Gresham seem impossible due to racial barriers, Lu faces a choice. With political tensions rising, Lu must decide whether to stand up against the racial divide or remain neutral. Can she find the courage to choose friends who share her values and challenge the status quo? Discover Lu's journey as she races against more than just time.
Paperboy
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Paperboy

By Vince Vawter · Book #1 in the Paperboy series

A boy's stutter challenges him during a life-changing summer paper route in the segregated South.

Newbery Honor (2014)
224 pages· 50,333 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 11,215 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1959 Memphis, an 11-year-old boy known as Little Man takes on his friend's paper route, facing the daunting task of speaking to customers despite his severe stutter. As he navigates the challenges of communication, he encounters a neighborhood bully who threatens to upend his world. This summer becomes a pivotal journey of self-discovery and courage, as Little Man strives to find his voice in a society marked by segregation and prejudice. Will he overcome his fears and stand up to the threats that loom over him?
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Race Relations Picture Books

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

The Story of Ruby Bridges
Sale price
$899

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Ages 4–8 · 1995

A young girl integrates a white elementary school in New Orleans in the 1960s.

Rosa Parks
Series
Sale price
$1599

Rosa Parks

Ages 4–8 · 2017

A brave act on a bus ignites a movement for equality.

A Ride to Remember
Sale price
$1999

A Ride to Remember

Ages 6–9 · 2020

A carousel ride becomes a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement.

I am Rosa Parks
Series
Sale price
$1699

I am Rosa Parks

Ages 5–8 · 2014

Discover how one woman's courage sparked a movement for equality.

They Call Me Teach
Sale price
$1899

They Call Me Teach

Ages 5–8 · 2024

An enslaved young man secretly teaches others to read, sparking hope for freedom.

Rosa
Sale price
$899

Rosa

Ages 4–8 · 2005

A woman's quiet defiance ignites a movement for justice.

To Boldly Go
Sale price
$1899

To Boldly Go

Ages 4–8 · 2023

A TV icon inspires a new generation of diverse astronauts and dreamers.

Freedom on the Menu
Sale price
$799

Freedom on the Menu

Ages 4–8 · 2004

A young girl witnesses a pivotal stand for equality, sparking hope for change.

All Aboard the Schooltrain
Sale price
$1999

All Aboard the Schooltrain

Ages 6–9 · 2023

A young girl faces the harsh realities of Jim Crow as her town changes during the Great Migration.

I Am Ruby Bridges
Sale price
$1899

I Am Ruby Bridges

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A six-year-old girl bravely integrates a school, changing history forever.

Unspeakable
Sale price
$1799

Unspeakable

Ages 8–12 · 2021

A thriving community faces devastation in a forgotten tragedy of racial violence.

Freedom Summer
Sale price
$1899

Freedom Summer

Ages 4–8 · 2001

Two friends face racism when a new law challenges old prejudices.

View all race relations picture books
Browse by age

Race Relations Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about race relations for developing and independent readers.

Black Birds in the Sky
Sale price
$1999

Black Birds in the Sky

Ages 14–+ · 2021

Uncover the hidden history of the Tulsa Race Massacre and its enduring impact.

The Color of a Lie
Sale price
$1999

The Color of a Lie

Ages 13–17 · 2024

A teen risks everything to expose dark secrets in a racially divided town.

The Lions of Little Rock
Sale price
$899

The Lions of Little Rock

Ages 10–+ · 2012

In 1958 Little Rock, two friends defy segregation to reclaim their bond.

Fast Break
Sale price
$899

Fast Break

Ages 10–+ · 2015

A boy's journey from survival to state finals tests his trust and dreams.

Gone Wolf
Sale price
$1799

Gone Wolf

Ages 10–14 · 2023

A girl confined for a future purpose seeks freedom and identity beyond her small room.

Armstrong & Charlie
Sale price
$1699

Armstrong & Charlie

Ages 10–12 · 2017

Two boys from different worlds face sixth grade's challenges, forging an unexpected bond amidst rivalry and change.

Promises to Keep
Sale price
$1799

Promises to Keep

Ages 9–12 · 2004

A daughter's intimate look at Jackie Robinson's groundbreaking legacy on and off the field.

An American Story
Sale price
$1899

An American Story

Ages 4–8 · 2023

A teacher unveils the haunting history of slavery, igniting a journey of understanding and resilience.

The Road to Memphis
#8 in Series
Sale price
$999

The Road to Memphis

Ages 10–+ · 1992

Cassie must help her friend escape danger in a racially tense Mississippi on the brink of war.

Dear Martin
#1 in Series
Sale price
$999

Dear Martin

Ages 13–18 · 2017

A young man's life unravels after a violent encounter with an off-duty cop.

All American Boys
Sale price
$2585

All American Boys

Ages 12–18 · 2015

A violent act divides a community, forcing two teens to confront harsh truths.

Being Clem
Series
Sale price
$899

Being Clem

Ages 8–12 · 2021

Clem's world unravels after his father's death. Can he uphold his legacy?

View all race relations chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about prejudice and racismBooks about identityBooks about blended familiesBooks about civil rightsBooks about communicationBooks about death, grief, and bereavementBooks about economic depressionsBooks about family history

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