Election day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Do you have a plan to vote? Are you sharing information about the election process and citizenship with young readers in your life? One great way to discuss the importance of civic engagement is through books! Through books, readers can meet real-life activists like Stacey Abrams and Harvey Milk, as well as imagined characters such as Nibi, a young Indigenous water activist, or Aaliyah, a young Muslim girl fighting back against Islamophobia—all of which will inspire the next generation of voters!
Stacey Abrams: Lift Every Voice
By Sarah Warren
Illustrated by Monica Mikai
How do we move our country forward? Stacey Abrams has an answer in this bright and stirring biography, perfect for discussions of voting rights and how people working together can make a difference.
She Was the First!: The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm
By Katheryn Russell-Brown
Illustrated by Eric Velasquez
A timely, inspiring picture book biography of the dynamic twentieth-century educator, activist, and politician Shirley Chisholm.
By Kari Krakow
Illustrated by David Gardner
A hopeful and inspiring biography of the historic gay activist Harvey Milk, who gave people the courage to be proud of who they are.
Martí’s Song for Freedom/Martí y sus versos por la libertad
By Emma Otheguy
Illustrated by Beatriz Vidal
A bilingual biography of José Martí, who dedicated his life to the promotion of liberty-abolishment of slavery, political independence for Cuba, and intellectual independence from colonialism for all Latinos. Written in verse with excerpts from Martí’s seminal work, Versos sencillos.
By Sunshine Tenasco
Illustrated by Chief Lady Bird
This bright and vivacious book from two Native creators celebrates the energy, moxie, and determination of water activists of all ages.
How We Can Live: Principles of Black Lives Matter
By Laleña Garcia
Illustrated by Caryn Davidson
The first children’s book to feature material from the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, this beautiful picture book will engage hearts and minds as it introduces children to the guiding principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.
By Samantha Thornhill
Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez
In this book from the popular Confetti Kids series, Lily and her friends organize a protest in order to save their neighborhood public garden from being demolished.
By Supriya Kelkar
In this historical middle-grade novel, Gandhi asks for one member of each family to join the fight for independence from the British, and when Anjali’s mother is jailed for doing so, Anjali must step out of her comfort zone to take over her mother’s work.
By A. M. Dassu
Amina’s Voice meets A Good Kind of Trouble in this story about 13-year-old Aaliyah, who feels alone after putting on a hijab for the first time, but finds friends and allies through organizing a protest at her school.
Further Reading:
Social Activism Books Collection
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