Teen books have a popular and well loved fiction genre – action because of injustice. Main characters in this genre may take action within their community or within themselves. Readers will find themselves emerged into a community where the main character’s passion is contagious and you want to voice what is right and take action as much as they do. These are the books that make a lasting impact. While this genre is contains a variety of social issues where teen characters take action, this list is a compilation of recommended books based on social action from racial violence.
The Hate U Give was the most borrowed teen fiction book of 2019. After witnessing her friend’s death at the hands of a police officer, Starr Carter’s life is complicated when the police and a local drug lord try to intimidate her in an effort to learn what happened the night Kahlil died. The book is as excellent as the audiobook is and the movie – two thumbs up.
Recommended for grades 9-12.
Park City Librarians read the book and then watched this movie. We give it a rave review! As it did the book justice, we loved seeing Starr Carter on the big screen.
Rated PG-13.
When sixteen-year-old Rashad is mistakenly accused of stealing, classmate Quinn witnesses his brutal beating at the hands of a police officer who happens to be the older brother of his best friend. Told through Rashad and Quinn’s alternating viewpoints. Author Jason Reynolds is currently the Library of Congress’ National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. He encourages young people to tell their own personal story.
Recommended for grades 8-12.
When Marvin Johnson’s twin brother, Tyler, is shot and killed by a police officer, Marvin must fight injustice to learn the true meaning of freedom. This book was chosen as a top recommended book for reluctant readers by the Young Adult Library Services Association in 2019.
Recommended for grades 9-12.
In Dear Martin, seventeen-year-old college-bound Justyce McAllister writes letters to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he struggles to face the reality of race relations today and how they are shaping him. This book was chosen as a top recommended book for reluctant readers by the Young Adult Library Services Association in 2019. This book also won the Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers and YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults.
Recommended for ages 9-12.
In Dear Justyce, Quan Banks, an incarcerated teen, writes letters to Justyce McCallister, with whom he bonded years before over family issues, about his experiences in the American juvenile justice system. This book’s main character is a background character from Dear Martin.
Recommended for ages 9-12.
This blog post was created by librarians from Park City Library with help of information found in NoveList – a database which is free with your library card. NoveList is a comprehensive reading recommendation resource.