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iChange Middle Levels Book List

A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey 10-14 Iman's hectic days in Ailey's dance school

Student Valerie Gladstone years show the life of a young dancer. Race and culture Jason Reynolds 13 A story of a police shooting is told from the and Brendan and perspectives of a black boy and a white

All American Boys Kiely up boy. Race and culture 10 Sixth-grader Sugar and her mother lose and their beloved house and experience the

Almost Home Joan Baur up harsh world of homelessness. Social class 10 A Pakistani girl faces injustice along gender and and class lines. She looks to the promise of

Amal Unbound Aisha Saeed up education to change her fate. Race and culture Jin, the only Chinese American at his school, wants to be an all-American boy. American Born 12-18 He learns that it's better to be who you

Chinese Gene Luen Yang years are. Graphic novel. Race and culture A Pakistani Muslim girl struggles to stay true to her culture and belend in at school. 8-12 After tragedy stikes, she may have to take

Amina's Voice Hena Khan years a stand. Race and culture Spanning 400 years and 500 Peoples, an An Indigenous 12 exploration of U.S. history through an People's History of Roxanne Dunbar- and Indigenous lens. Good classroom reference Race and culture:

the United States Ortiz up book. History Two brothers from Brooklyn spend the summer with their grandfather in rural 10 Virginia. They decide to prove how brave and they are but end up questioning what

As Brave as You Jason Reynolds up bravery means. Race (Incidental) A fictionalized account of the life of Betty 10-14 Shabazz, the wife of Malcolm X. Written by Race; Historical

Betty Before X Ilyashah Shabazz years her daughter. fiction A biracial 10-year-old, applies his scientific problem-solving ability and newfound interest in rocks and minerals to connect with his white grandfather, the president Brendan Buckley's 8-12 of Puyallup Rock Club, and to learn why he

Universe Sundee T. Frazier years and Brendan's mother are estranged. Race and culture 13 Students in a high school English class Race and culture; and share their writing with each other in Ethnicity; Gender

Bronx Masquerade Nikki Giovani up weekly poetry slam. Stories of identity and Sexuality

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www.ichangecollaborative.com issues are woven togetheras they learn to appreciate and respect each other. 10 A poetic journey through the author's early Brown Girl Jacquelyn and years growing up black in the 1960s and Race and culture;

Dreaming Woodson up 70s. Historical fiction Coraline steps through a door to find 8-12 another house and another family much

Coraline Neil Gaiman years like her own, but maybe better. Family identity Twelve-year-old Cass meets her new African-American neighbor, Jemmie, and despite their families' prejudices, they build a strong friendship around their 8-12 mutual talent for running and a pact to

Crossing Jordan Adrian Fogelin years read Jane Eyre. Race and culture 13 Justin is a good kid, but that doesn't and matter to the police who just put him in

Dear Martin Nic Stone up handcuffs. Race and culture Graphic novel memoir. Newberry Honor. Chronicles a girls hearing loss, awkward 8-12 experience with a hearing aid, and search

El Deafo Cece Bell years for a friend. Ability In a poetic memoir, Engle tells of growing Enchanted Air: Two 12 up between Cuba and Los Angeles during Cultures, Two and the time of hostility between the U.S. and Race and culture;

Wings: A Memoir Margarita Engle up Cuba. Ethnicity 12 Maddy is a girl who is allergic to Everything and everything. But when a boy moves in next

Everything Nicola Yoon up door, she knows she has to take a risk. Ability A middle school boy's life is changed when Jessica, a girl disfigured by burns, starts 10-13 attending his Catholic school while

Fire Girl Tony Abbott years receiving treatment at a local hospital. Ability Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and 12 Made Aviation and Stories of five young women who fought

History Keith Obrien up for the right to fly. Gender An anthology of stories by 10 of the most Flying Lessons and 8-12 popular diverse authors of the day. Oh is

Other Stories Ellen Oh, editor years the editor of We Need Diverse Books. Race and culture When people look at George, they think they see a boy, but that's not really the 8-12 case. How can she let people know who

George Alex Gino years she really is? Gender identity 10 and Running is all Ghost has every known, but

Ghost Jason Reynolds up when he gets an opportunity to run on an Race 2

www.ichangecollaborative.com elite track team, he has to prove himself, to his teammates and to himself. Jewell Parker 10-14 Moving story about a black boy killed by

Ghost Boys Rhodes years police, draws parallels to history. Race 12 Go Tell It on the and James Baldwin's classic first novel, a

Mountain James Baldwin up coming of age story set in Harlem. Race 8 years Good Night Stories and Bedtime stories of fierce and colorful

for Rebel Girls Elena Favili up women. Gender 11 and An introverted 6th grader begins to come

Gracefully Grayson Amy Polonsky up into her own as she transitions. Gender identity 10 Six friends share their stories and realize Intersectionality; Jacquelyn and that together they are braver and ready to Race: Gender: Social

Harbor Me Woodson up face life's challenges. Class Disaster leads to friendship between four diverse middle schoolers who come 8-12 together for a dramatic rescue and to put a Intersectionality;

Hello, Universe Erin Entrada Kelly years bully in his place. Race, Gender 12 Margot Lee and The story of black women mathmeticians

Hidden Figures Shetterly up at NASA. Race and culture I, Rigoberta True story of a Guatemalen peasant Menchú: An Indian 14 woman who decided to take action. Called Woman in Rigoberta and "a gruesome account of repression, gut-

Guatemala Menchú up wrenching poverty and vicous racism." Race and ethnicity. If I Ever Get out of Story of a cross racial friendship set on the

Here Eric Gansworth YA Tuscarora Indian Reservation in 1975. Race Ebo sets out to find his brother who has disappeared. He leaves Ghana and follows 10-14 his brother to Europe in search of a better

Illegal Elon Colfer years life. Immigration When his mother takes in a twelve-year- 8-12 old foster boy, Jarrett is forced to share his

Kinda Like Brothers Coe Booth years room and his friends with the new boy. Family identity 12 Two outsider characters, a transgender girl and and a bipolar boy, drive this compelling Gender identity;

Lily and Dunkin Donna Gephart up story. Ability Little Fires Exploration of the impact of race on Race, alternative

Everywhere Celeste Ng YA friendships and much more. families 10 A young Cuban-Jewish girl adjusts to her and new life in New York City when her

Lucky Broken Girl Ruth Behar up American dream is derailed. Race and ethnicity.

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www.ichangecollaborative.com Mango must make tough choices about Fracaswell 9-13 the kind of friend she wants to have and

Mango Delight Hyman years the kind of friend she wants to be. Race (Incidental) Twin narratives of two Syrian girls, both 13 coming of age, yet 800 years apart. Immigration; Race Map of Salt and and Captures the courage of those who persist and ethnicity;

Stars Zeyn Joukhadar up through exile. Gender and Sexuality 12 Graphic novel trilogy that chronicles the John Lewis and and early life and civil rights work of the

March Andrew Aydin up legendary Georgia congressman. Race 12-year old Maddie is cast as Juliet in the school play and her social status is looking up. When she finds out she has a brain Mustaches for Chad Morris and 8-11 tumor, she must find courage and

Maddie Shelly Brown years compassion. Ability Inspiring sory of an African girl sold into 13 slavery. Shows the horrors of slavery, but and also the process of making life and culture

My Copper Sun Sharon Draper up through love of family and community. Race and culture Narrative of the Life 12 of Frederick Frederick and Douglass's 1845 memoir and treatise

Douglass Douglass up against abolition. Race; History Valli has always been afraid of the lepers living on the other side of the train tracks in the coal town of Jharia, India, so when a chance encounter with a doctor reveals 9-12 she also has leprosy, Valli rejects help and Race and culture;

No Ordinary Day Deborah Ellis years begins an uncertain life on the streets. Ability Not My Idea: A Book about Anastashia 8-12 A book for white parents and children

Whiteness Higginbotham years about the impact of racism. Race One Last Word: Wisdom from the 10-14 A poetic and artisitic homage to the artists

Harlem Renaissance Nikki Grimes years of the Harlem Renaissance. Race; History 11-year-old Melody has cerebal palsy. Her genius isn't recognized. In fact, she's seen 10 as mentally challenged by her doctors, and teachers and classmates. How can she let

Out of My Mind Sharon Draper up them know who she really is? Ability 12 Jade want to get out of her poor Pieceing Me and neighborhood so she goes to a private

Together Renee Watson up school where she feels like an outsider. Race; Social Class Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed 8-12 A heart-warming portrayal by Jackie Race and culture;

America Sharon Robinson years Robinson's daughter History

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www.ichangecollaborative.com After spending the summer with her mother and the Black Panthers, Delphine comes home to a year of turbulent Rita Williams- 8-12 changes. She learns not to grow up too Race and culture;

PS Be Eleven Garcia years fast. Historical fiction 13 Race; Ethnicity; Chimamanda and Explores the impact of colonialism through Colonialism; Gender

Purple Hibiscus Ngozi Adiche up the eyes of a Nigerian teenager. and Sexuality Weaves together the stories of 3 children: a Jewish boy fleeing Nazi Germany; a 9-12 Cuban girl in 1994; and a Syrian boy in Immigration and

Refugee Alan Gratz years 2015. exile 11 A black family struggles to maintain their Roll of Thunder, and dignity against racism and social injustice Race; Historical

Hear My Cry Mildred D. Taylor up in depression era Mississippi. Fiction A twelve-year-old Indian immigrant in New York City and a Kentucky coal miner's son become pen pals, and eventually best friends, through a series of revealing letters exploring such topics as Silas House and 9-12 environmental activism, immigration, and Immigration; Race

Same Sun Here Neela Vaswani years racism. and ethnicity 12 The story of a young white girl in the late and sixties. Lily runs away from her abusive Race; Historical

Secret Life of Bees Suu Monk Kidd up father and takes refuge with 3 black sister. fiction Serafina's adventures requires that she Historical fiction; Serafina and the 10-13 face her darkest enemy and delve into the Strong female

Black Cloak Robert Beatty years mystery of her own identity. character Simon vs. The 12 Simon loves theater, but when the drama Homo Sapiens and concerns his not-so-open gay identity, he's

Agenda Becky Albertelli up pushed way out of his comfort zone. Gender and sexuality Sit In: How Four Describes the historic sit-ins at the Friends Stood up by Andrea Davis 7-12 Woolworth lunch counter by 4 college

Sittiing Down Pickney years students. Race; History Melinda becomes increasingly isolated Laurie Halse 12-18 until, through her artwork, she is able to

Speak Anderson years face what happened to her. Gender and sexuality 13 A revised versions of Kenid's brilliant Stamped: Racism, Jason Reynolds, and Stamped from the Beginning. Great for

Antiracism and You Ibram Kendi up teens and parents. Race 12 Sunrise over Walter Dean and Birdy, a young recruit from Harlem, find Race; Ethnicity;

Fallujah Myers up himself in the middle of a war. Social class Riley struggles with normal high school 12 issues, but Riley is gender fluid and not Symptoms of Being and exactly out. A blog creates an outlet and a

Human Jeff Garvin up way to find acceptance. Gender and sexuality 5

www.ichangecollaborative.com The Absolutely True 12 Junior is coming of age on a reservation. Diary of a Part-Time and His life is changed when he enrolls in a Race; Social class;

Indian Sherman Alexie up private school. Gender and sexuality A wordless graphic novel that captures the 12 immigrant experience through the journey and of one man. Recipient of numerous

The Arrival Shaun Tan up awards. Immigration 11-year-old Liesel, a foster girl living in 12 Germany during the Holocaust, encounters and a Jewish man living in a basement. They

The Book Thief Markus Zusak up share a love of books and stories. Cultural identity Told in rhyme this story of 2 middle school 10-12 aged brothers on and off the court packs

The Crossover Kwame Alexaner years an emotional punch. Race A fictionalized biography of the Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who grew up a painfully shy child, ridiculed by his overbearing father, but who became 9 and one of the most widely-read poets in the

The Dreamer Pam Munoz Ryan up world. Race and culture 16-year-old Starr moves between the world of her neighborhood and her elite 12 private school. She struggles to reconcile and her worlds when her friend is killed by a

The Hate U Give Angie Thomas up police officer. Race Growing up in Chicago, Esperanza tries to 13 discover who she is and how she fits into The House on and the world around her. Told through short

Mango Street Sandra Cisneros up vignettes. Race and culture Fifth grader Jack finds himself the target of ridicule at school when it becomes known 8-12 that his father is one of the janitors, and he

The Janitor's Boy Andrew Clements years turns his anger onto his father. Social class Jacqueline 6-12 Classic book about an interracial friendship

The Other Side Woodson years back in the day. Race The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Sampson Davis, 12 The true story of three inner city men from Promise and Fulfill a George Jenkins, and New Jersey who made a pact and followed

Dream Rameck Hunt up it to fulfill their dreams of a better life. Race; Social class An exploration an analysis of personal, social and potlical power and how to use it The Power Book: for the good. Features stories of historical What it Is, Who Has Claire Saunders, 8-11 change makers such as Ghandi, King, and Intersectionality;

It and Why et al years others. History; Politics 10 A boy tries to steer a safe path through the The Stars beneath David Barclay and projects in Harlem in the wake of his

Our Feet Moore up brother’s death in this outstanding debut Race

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www.ichangecollaborative.com novel that celebrates community and creativity. A learning-disabled 7th grader deals with The Truth as Told 8-12 with the complexity of heartbreak and

by Mason Butte Leslie Connor years hope after the death of his friend. Ability When two immigrant brothers declare Julie to be their "Good Guide," which means she is responsible for welcoming Immigration; Social The Unforgotten Frank Cotrell 8-12 the brothers to their new home, life gets class; Gender and

Coat Boyce years complicated. sexuality In this work of historical fiction (WWII), Ada finds that freedom is not only the The War I Finally Kimberly 9-12 ability to choose, but the courage to make

Won Brubaker Bradley years the right choice. Historical fiction A young disabled girl and her brother are evacuated from London to the English countryside during World War II, where The War that Saved Kimberly 9-12 they find life to be much sweeter away

My Life Brubaker Bradley years from their abusive mother. Ability 10 The classic story of 10-year-old Kenny and The Watson's Go to Christopher Paul and his family who moves to Birmingham and Race; Historical

Birmingham Curtis up land in the middle of a movement. fiction 12 A diverse set of characters is called and together to compete to win the

The Westing Game Ellen Raskin up inheritance of an eccentric millionaire. Race; Gender The Women Who Caught the Babies: A blend of prose, poetry, archival A Story of African 9-12 photographs that documents and Race; Gender and

American Midwives Eloise Greenfield years celebrates the work of midwives. Sexuality 12 characters from Native communities 12 travel to a powwow. They're connected to and one another in ways they may not yet

There There Tommy Orange up realize. Race and culture Tilly and the Crazy Monique Gray Tilly drives eight elders on a road trip and Race and culture;

Eights Smith embarks on a transformative journey. Gender and sexuality 11 and Joe knows he's gay, and he wants to be

Totally Joe James Howe up respected. Gender and sexuality Jasmine and Chelsea start a women's 12 rights club at their progressive high school. Race and Culture; Renee Watson and When the club gets shut down, they have Intersectionality:

Watch Us Rise and Ellen Hagan up to take action. Gender and sexuality Anderson examines 5 watershed moments in civil rights history in which the nation squandered opportunities for social justice We Are Not Yet 12-18 and instead re-institutionalized white

Equal Carol Anderson years supremacy. Race; History; Politics 7

www.ichangecollaborative.com 50 foremost authors of diverse chidren's books answer the question, "In this divisive world, what shall we tell our children?" In We Rise, We Resist, Wade Hudson poetry, prose, letters, personal essays and We Raise Our and Cheryl 8-12 more, this book empowers children to Race, Gender,

Voices Hudson years build a better world. History, Politics After falling out with her best friend, When You Reach 8-12 Miranda starts getting mysterious notes

Me Rebecca Stead years that seeem to predict the future. Gender; Friendships When the KKK moves into a small Vermont town in 1924, 12-year-old Leanora, an African American girls, and 6-year -old 8-12 Esther, a Jewish girl, are no longer safe.

Witness Karen Hess years Who will bear witness? Race and culture A 10-year-old boy with a facial deformity 7-12 heads to school for the first time seeking

Wonder R. J. Palacio years friendship and the freedom to be himself. Ability Zoe feels she can never measure up to her perfect older sister. When she makes an 8-12 unlikely friend, she finds unexpected

Zoe in Wonderland Brenda Woods years adventure. Race (Incidental)

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