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Topic Guide

Social Justice Books for Teens

By:

ChiPubLib_Teens

Chicago Public Library

Staff-created list

If you're interested in social justice, check out these titles that explore how race, class, gender, size, sexuality and other factors can affect our lives. Picked by Chicago Public Library's Teen Services librarians.

By:

ChiPubLib_Teens

Chicago Public Library

1-25 of 31 items

1-25 of 31 items

All American Boys

All American Boys

by Reynolds, Jason

Book - 2015

Rashad was attacked by a white police officer at a convenience store and Quinn saw the whole thing. As community outrage builds, two teens-- one black and one white-- must each make difficult choices. Rashad was attacked by a white police officer at a convenience store and Quinn saw the whole thing. As community outrage builds, two teens-- one black and one white-- must each make difficult choices. Show less

Rashad was attacked by a white police officer at a convenience store and Quinn saw the whole thing. As community outrage builds, two teens-- one black and one white-- must each make difficult choices. Rashad was attacked by a white police officer at a convenience store and Quinn saw the whole thing. As community outrage builds, two teens-- one black and one white-- must each make difficult choices. Show less

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Allegedly

Allegedly

A Novel

by Jackson, Tiffany D.

Paperback - 2017

When Mary was nine years old, she killed an infant her mother was babysitting. Allegedly. After several years in "baby jail," at the age of fifteen, she is living in a group home in Brooklyn. When Mary was nine years old, she killed an infant her mother was babysitting. Allegedly. After several years in "baby jail," at the age of fifteen, she is living in a group home in Brooklyn. Show less

When Mary was nine years old, she killed an infant her mother was babysitting. Allegedly. After several years in "baby jail," at the age of fifteen, she is living in a group home in Brooklyn. When Mary was nine years old, she killed an infant her mother was babysitting. Allegedly. After several years in "baby jail," at the age of fifteen, she is living in a group home in Brooklyn. Show less

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American Street

American Street

by Zoboi, Ibi Aanu

Book - 2017

When her mother is detained by immigration, Haitian-born Fabiola begins a new life in Detroit that doesn’t resemble her American Dream. This debut novel incorporates magical realism into a contemporary urban tale. When her mother is detained by immigration, Haitian-born Fabiola begins a new life in Detroit that doesn’t resemble her American Dream. This debut novel incorporates magical realism into a contemporary urban tale. Show less

When her mother is detained by immigration, Haitian-born Fabiola begins a new life in Detroit that doesn’t resemble her American Dream. This debut novel incorporates magical realism into a contemporary urban tale. When her mother is detained by immigration, Haitian-born Fabiola begins a new life in Detroit that doesn’t resemble her American Dream. This debut novel incorporates magical realism into a contemporary urban tale. Show less

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Beyond Magenta

Beyond Magenta

Transgender Teens Speak Out

by Kuklin, Susan

Book - 2014

Six transgender and gender non-conforming teens tell their real-life stories of discovery and transformation, coupled with beautiful photographs. Six transgender and gender non-conforming teens tell their real-life stories of discovery and transformation, coupled with beautiful photographs. Show less

Six transgender and gender non-conforming teens tell their real-life stories of discovery and transformation, coupled with beautiful photographs. Six transgender and gender non-conforming teens tell their real-life stories of discovery and transformation, coupled with beautiful photographs. Show less

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Being Jazz

Being Jazz

My Life as A (transgender Teen)

by Jennings, Jazz

Book - 2016

15-year-old transgender activist Jazz Jennings recounts her journey from childhood transition to public advocacy work and reality television stardom. 15-year-old transgender activist Jazz Jennings recounts her journey from childhood transition to public advocacy work and reality television stardom. Show less

15-year-old transgender activist Jazz Jennings recounts her journey from childhood transition to public advocacy work and reality television stardom. 15-year-old transgender activist Jazz Jennings recounts her journey from childhood transition to public advocacy work and reality television stardom. Show less

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Dreamland Burning

Dreamland Burning

by Latham, Jennifer

Book - 2017

After a skeleton is found on her family's property, Rowan investigates the murder of William, a teen involved in the 1921 Tulsa race riot. After a skeleton is found on her family's property, Rowan investigates the murder of William, a teen involved in the 1921 Tulsa race riot. Show less

After a skeleton is found on her family's property, Rowan investigates the murder of William, a teen involved in the 1921 Tulsa race riot. After a skeleton is found on her family's property, Rowan investigates the murder of William, a teen involved in the 1921 Tulsa race riot. Show less

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Dumplin'

Dumplin'

by Murphy, Julie

Book - 2015

Willowdean is fat and proud, but when she starts to doubt herself, she decides to reclaim her confidence by entering a local beauty pageant. Willowdean is fat and proud, but when she starts to doubt herself, she decides to reclaim her confidence by entering a local beauty pageant. Show less

Willowdean is fat and proud, but when she starts to doubt herself, she decides to reclaim her confidence by entering a local beauty pageant. Willowdean is fat and proud, but when she starts to doubt herself, she decides to reclaim her confidence by entering a local beauty pageant. Show less

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Fat Angie

Fat Angie

by Charlton-Trujillo, e. E.

Book - 2013

After years of torment by bullies at school, it feels like nothing will ever get better for "Fat Angie," but everything changes when new girl K.C. moves to town. After years of torment by bullies at school, it feels like nothing will ever get better for "Fat Angie," but everything changes when new girl K.C. moves to town. Show less

After years of torment by bullies at school, it feels like nothing will ever get better for "Fat Angie," but everything changes when new girl K.C. moves to town. After years of torment by bullies at school, it feels like nothing will ever get better for "Fat Angie," but everything changes when new girl K.C. moves to town. Show less

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Feminism

Feminism

Reinventing the F-word

by Higgins, Nadia Abushanab

Book - 2016

Feminism is a simple word with a complicated definition. Explore the history of feminism in the U.S. from its earliest influences to the women who are still fighting for equal rights today. Feminism is a simple word with a complicated definition. Explore the history of feminism in the U.S. from its earliest influences to the women who are still fighting for equal rights today. Show less

Feminism is a simple word with a complicated definition. Explore the history of feminism in the U.S. from its earliest influences to the women who are still fighting for equal rights today. Feminism is a simple word with a complicated definition. Explore the history of feminism in the U.S. from its earliest influences to the women who are still fighting for equal rights today. Show less

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Fight Like A Girl

Fight Like A Girl

50 Feminists Who Changed the World

by Barcella, Laura

Paperback - 2016

Learn about 50 influential women from Mary Wollstonecraft to Malala Yousafzai in this intersectional feminist collection of mini-biographies. Learn about 50 influential women from Mary Wollstonecraft to Malala Yousafzai in this intersectional feminist collection of mini-biographies. Show less

Learn about 50 influential women from Mary Wollstonecraft to Malala Yousafzai in this intersectional feminist collection of mini-biographies. Learn about 50 influential women from Mary Wollstonecraft to Malala Yousafzai in this intersectional feminist collection of mini-biographies. Show less

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Gabi, A Girl in Pieces

Gabi, A Girl in Pieces

by Quintero, Isabel

Paperback - 2014

Latina poet Gabi Hernandez chronicles her senior year in high school as she copes with her friends' personal lives, her father's meth habit and the writing that helps her forge her identity. Latina poet Gabi Hernandez chronicles her senior year in high school as she copes with her friends' personal lives, her father's meth habit and the writing that helps her forge her identity. Show less

Latina poet Gabi Hernandez chronicles her senior year in high school as she copes with her friends' personal lives, her father's meth habit and the writing that helps her forge her identity. Latina poet Gabi Hernandez chronicles her senior year in high school as she copes with her friends' personal lives, her father's meth habit and the writing that helps her forge her identity. Show less

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Girl Rising

Girl Rising

Changing the World One Girl at A Time

by Stone, Tanya Lee

Book - 2017

Nine girls in the developing world overcame the barriers to getting an education, including early child marriage, motherhood, slavery, sexual trafficking, sexism, and poverty, and used their knowledge to improve their communities. Nine girls in the developing world overcame the barriers to getting an education, including early child marriage, motherhood, slavery, sexual trafficking, sexism, and poverty, and used their knowledge to improve their communities. Show less

Nine girls in the developing world overcame the barriers to getting an education, including early child marriage, motherhood, slavery, sexual trafficking, sexism, and poverty, and used their knowledge to improve their communities. Nine girls in the developing world overcame the barriers to getting an education, including early child marriage, motherhood, slavery, sexual trafficking, sexism, and poverty, and used their knowledge to improve their communities. Show less

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The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give

by Thomas, Angie

Book - 2017

Already caught between her poor neighborhood and her posh prep school, Starr finds herself at the center of racial tension after she witnesses the shooting of her childhood best friend by a white police officer. Already caught between her poor neighborhood and her posh prep school, Starr finds herself at the center of racial tension after she witnesses the shooting of her childhood best friend by a white police officer. Show less

Already caught between her poor neighborhood and her posh prep school, Starr finds herself at the center of racial tension after she witnesses the shooting of her childhood best friend by a white police officer. Already caught between her poor neighborhood and her posh prep school, Starr finds herself at the center of racial tension after she witnesses the shooting of her childhood best friend by a white police officer. Show less

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How Dare the Sun Rise

How Dare the Sun Rise

Memoirs of A War Child

by Uwiringiyimana, Sandra

Paperback - 2017

In this powerful memoir, the author relives her escape from a bloody massacre in the Democratic Republic of Congo and her experience as a young refugee in the United States. She provides a unique perspective on racism in present-day America. In this powerful memoir, the author relives her escape from a bloody massacre in the Democratic Republic of Congo and her experience as a young refugee in the United States. She provides a unique perspective on racism in present-day America. Show less

In this powerful memoir, the author relives her escape from a bloody massacre in the Democratic Republic of Congo and her experience as a young refugee in the United States. She provides a unique perspective on racism in present-day America. In this powerful memoir, the author relives her escape from a bloody massacre in the Democratic Republic of Congo and her experience as a young refugee in the United States. She provides a unique perspective on racism in present-day America. Show less

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How It Went Down

How It Went Down

by Magoon, Kekla

Book - 2015

In the aftermath of a shooting in which a 16-year-old black boy was gunned down by a white man, conflicting accounts obscure the truth as racial tensions bubble to the surface of the community. In the aftermath of a shooting in which a 16-year-old black boy was gunned down by a white man, conflicting accounts obscure the truth as racial tensions bubble to the surface of the community. Show less

In the aftermath of a shooting in which a 16-year-old black boy was gunned down by a white man, conflicting accounts obscure the truth as racial tensions bubble to the surface of the community. In the aftermath of a shooting in which a 16-year-old black boy was gunned down by a white man, conflicting accounts obscure the truth as racial tensions bubble to the surface of the community. Show less

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March

March

Book One

by Lewis, John

Book - 2013

Congressman John Lewis recounts his lifelong involvement with the civil rights movement in this graphic novel series. Book One focuses on Lewis' early years as the son of an Alabama sharecropper who went on to discover nonviolent activism in college. Congressman John Lewis recounts his lifelong involvement with the civil rights movement in this graphic novel series. Book One focuses on Lewis' early years as the son of an Alabama sharecropper who went on to discover nonviolent activism in college. Show less

Congressman John Lewis recounts his lifelong involvement with the civil rights movement in this graphic novel series. Book One focuses on Lewis' early years as the son of an Alabama sharecropper who went on to discover nonviolent activism in college. Congressman John Lewis recounts his lifelong involvement with the civil rights movement in this graphic novel series. Book One focuses on Lewis' early years as the son of an Alabama sharecropper who went on to discover nonviolent activism in college. Show less

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March

March

Book Two

by Lewis, John

Book - 2015

Congressman Lewis' story continues in Book Two, which focuses on the events that led him to become one of the "Big Six" leaders of the civil rights movement and the 1963 March on Washington. Congressman Lewis' story continues in Book Two, which focuses on the events that led him to become one of the "Big Six" leaders of the civil rights movement and the 1963 March on Washington. Show less

Congressman Lewis' story continues in Book Two, which focuses on the events that led him to become one of the "Big Six" leaders of the civil rights movement and the 1963 March on Washington. Congressman Lewis' story continues in Book Two, which focuses on the events that led him to become one of the "Big Six" leaders of the civil rights movement and the 1963 March on Washington. Show less

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March

March

Book Three

by Lewis, John

Book - 2016

In the final volume of the March trilogy, Congressman Lewis examines pivotal events in the civil rights movement from Bloody Sunday to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. In the final volume of the March trilogy, Congressman Lewis examines pivotal events in the civil rights movement from Bloody Sunday to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Show less

In the final volume of the March trilogy, Congressman Lewis examines pivotal events in the civil rights movement from Bloody Sunday to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. In the final volume of the March trilogy, Congressman Lewis examines pivotal events in the civil rights movement from Bloody Sunday to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Show less

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The Miseducation of Cameron Post

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

by Danforth, Emily M.

Book - 2012

In the early 1990s, Cameron Post rebels against her conservative Montana ranch town and her family sends her to a gay conversion therapy center. In the early 1990s, Cameron Post rebels against her conservative Montana ranch town and her family sends her to a gay conversion therapy center. Show less

In the early 1990s, Cameron Post rebels against her conservative Montana ranch town and her family sends her to a gay conversion therapy center. In the early 1990s, Cameron Post rebels against her conservative Montana ranch town and her family sends her to a gay conversion therapy center. Show less

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Monster

Monster

by Myers, Walter Dean

Book - 2008

While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken. While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken. Show less

While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken. While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken. Show less

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More Happy Than Not

More Happy Than Not

by Silvera, Adam

Book - 2015

After a difficult life in the Bronx projects, Aaron Soto considers the Leteo Institute's memory-alteration procedure when his new friendship with Thomas turns to unrequited love. After a difficult life in the Bronx projects, Aaron Soto considers the Leteo Institute's memory-alteration procedure when his new friendship with Thomas turns to unrequited love. Show less

After a difficult life in the Bronx projects, Aaron Soto considers the Leteo Institute's memory-alteration procedure when his new friendship with Thomas turns to unrequited love. After a difficult life in the Bronx projects, Aaron Soto considers the Leteo Institute's memory-alteration procedure when his new friendship with Thomas turns to unrequited love. Show less

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No Choirboy

No Choirboy

Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row

by Kuklin, Susan

Book - 2008

Exploring the inequalities of the U.S. prison system, Susan Kuklin interviews inmates sentenced to death as teenagers, who talk about their lives in prison and how they ended up there. Exploring the inequalities of the U.S. prison system, Susan Kuklin interviews inmates sentenced to death as teenagers, who talk about their lives in prison and how they ended up there. Show less

Exploring the inequalities of the U.S. prison system, Susan Kuklin interviews inmates sentenced to death as teenagers, who talk about their lives in prison and how they ended up there. Exploring the inequalities of the U.S. prison system, Susan Kuklin interviews inmates sentenced to death as teenagers, who talk about their lives in prison and how they ended up there. Show less

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Piecing Me Together

Piecing Me Together

by Watson, Renée

Book - 2017

Jade attends St. Francis, an elite prep school in Portland, on scholarship. She’s one of the only black students and feels like she doesn’t fit in at school, but things improve when she is accepted into Woman to Woman, a mentorship program. Jade attends St. Francis, an elite prep school in Portland, on scholarship. She’s one of the only black students and feels like she doesn’t fit in at school, but things improve when she is accepted into Woman to Woman, a mentorship program. Show less

Jade attends St. Francis, an elite prep school in Portland, on scholarship. She’s one of the only black students and feels like she doesn’t fit in at school, but things improve when she is accepted into Woman to Woman, a mentorship program. Jade attends St. Francis, an elite prep school in Portland, on scholarship. She’s one of the only black students and feels like she doesn’t fit in at school, but things improve when she is accepted into Woman to Woman, a mentorship program. Show less

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Queer, There, and Everywhere

Queer, There, and Everywhere

23 People Who Changed the World

by Prager, Sarah

Book - 2017

Spanning different eras and cultures, this anthology profiles 23 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, both famous and ones you've never heard of until now. Spanning different eras and cultures, this anthology profiles 23 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, both famous and ones you've never heard of until now. Show less

Spanning different eras and cultures, this anthology profiles 23 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, both famous and ones you've never heard of until now. Spanning different eras and cultures, this anthology profiles 23 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, both famous and ones you've never heard of until now. Show less

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Racial Profiling

Racial Profiling

Everyday Inequality

by Behnke, Alison

Book - 2017

Covering the history of racism in the U.S. from the time of slavery until just before President Trump's election, this book succinctly provides examples o...Show more Covering the history of racism in the U.S. from the time of slavery until just before President Trump's election, this book succinctly provides examples of racial profiling in law enforcement, education and business, as well as the current increase in xenophobia and Islamophobia. Show less

Covering the history of racism in the U.S. from the time of slavery until just before President Trump's election, this book succinctly provides examples o...Show more Covering the history of racism in the U.S. from the time of slavery until just before President Trump's election, this book succinctly provides examples of racial profiling in law enforcement, education and business, as well as the current increase in xenophobia and Islamophobia. Show less

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