We have written often about raising activist kids and what we can do to encourage them to get involved with whatever cause inspires them. One of the first place we turn are books, and in this case, wonderful children’s books about activism. With the looming election, political upheaval, war, and issues like climate change and gun violence foremost on our kids’ minds, the fear of the future (if not the present) is weighing heavy on a lot of our kids. So we’re resharing this post from several years ago with a few updates, with the hope that it gives you some tools to help your kids feel more empowered — and even helps renew hope in us parents.

How wonderful it is to “look for the helpers” in times of trouble — and see that they just may be our own kids.  – Liz

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Gen Z, and increasingly Gen Alpha, are a group of digitally savvy, smart, thoughtful, and caring kids. Many have already figured out how to mobilize across the country to stand up for issues that they believe in. And a lot of us hope that they will in fact change the world in the areas where we adults have failed them.

While it’s great to read children’s books about inspiring activists, we’re highlighting books about activism written specifically for kids who want to participate themselves. This way, we can help give our children more of a roadmap to bring their ideas to life.

Whether they’re concerned about the health of the planet, paying for college, access to education, sports injuries, their local parks and communities, clean oceans, or equal opportunities for all, it’s wonderful to help kids see that they can actually do something about these issues.

Related: Kids and activism: 10 smart things kids can do to put their passions to good use.

7 Books About Activism for Kids That Help Them Become Activists For Causes They Care About

All of us here see our jobs as giving our kids all the tools we can, whatever their passions and concerns, so they can grow up with the courage and confidence to speak up against injustice, and to be brave enough to try to make a difference. We hope these children’s books about activism for elementary students and middle-schoolers include one or two that will work best for your own family.

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You Are Mighty: A Guide to Changing the World

What I love about You Are Mighty: A Guide to Changing the World by Caroline Paul and Lauren Tamaki is that it gives kids ideas for ways to make a difference, ranging from small changes at the family level (like, use fewer plastic bags) to creative inventions that could actually make massive change. The book helps them hone their ideas, and I like that the book includes tons of DIY projects to try out along the way.

 

The Anti-Racist Kid:A Book About Identity, Justice, And Activism

Best-selling author Tiffany Jewell and illustrator Nicole Miles have created a terrific primer on anti-racism in The Anti-Racist Kid:A Book About Identity, Justice, And Activism. Racial discrimination and bigotry are issues so many of our kids are concerned about — or want to know more about — and this highly acclaimed 2022 book offers a path to understanding understanding and identifying issues around identity, justice, and activism, as well as celebrating our differences. The language is age-appropriate and accessible for middle-graders and tweens, and they’ll get plenty of resources for being “the best antiracist kid you can be.” Kirkus Reviews lauded the lessons that highlight youth agency and autonomy, and add “Adults might just learn something, too.”

It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired, and Get Going! 

If your kid is a data nerd like Liz [Editor’s note: It’s true!], then they’ll want to grab a copy of Chelsea Clinton’s 2018 book, It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired, and Get Going! Rather than simply coming up with an idea and running with it, this book teaches tweens 10 and up to look at data to make an informed decision about the best way they can apply their energy toward something that really will make a difference. She also gives kids suggestions for actions that they can follow up on, no matter how young they are. This is excellent reading for older kids, or for parents of younger kids so you can work together.

PS if you haven’t heard Liz’s inspiring Chelsea Clinton anecdote about kids and activism on the Spawned podcast, and how it’s impacted how Liz talks to her own kids about the issues they care about, it’s definitely worth a listen!

Start Now: You Can Make a Difference

In 2020, Chelsea Clinton penned another book for even younger readers who want to make change in their worlds. Written for kids ages 7-10, Start Now: You Can Make a Difference is an encouraging, informative book full of fascinating facts, stories, and tips for, well…changing the world. No matter how young you are. She covers issues that most young kids think a lot about, like endangered animals, healthy eating, keeping others healthy, and bullying, which is so appealing. Comic drawings coupled with photos of actual kid activists bring it to life.

Related: “Kids are born to be kind”:  A chat with Jaclyn Lindsey, founder of Kindness.org

 

Be the Change: The Future Is in Your Hands

Be the Change: The Future Is in Your Hands by Eunice Moyle and Sabrina Moyle is a helpful resource for creative kids who aren’t quite sure what they want to do to make a difference in their community — but know they want to do something. There’s great info here about embracing diversity and respecting other opinions, which is a good life lesson for every kid. (Civil discourse for the win!) Once kids have learned to develop an open mind, they can move on to making change happen thanks to practical tips and interesting ideas for action suggested in the book.

 

Marley Dias Gets It Done! And So Can You 

In my family, we’re all big fans off Marley Dias, who at 11, became the force behind the #1000BlackGirlBooks movement. And seeing as she reached her goal 10 times over, having collected over 10,000 Back girl books, she is a great role model to help others find their own way to activate. While now she’s a young adult attending Harvard (no surprise), it’s still worth picking up Marley Dias Gets It Done! And So Can You, I just love that this particular book about activism for kids comes from a kid’s own perspective, with a focus on how best to use social media for good.

 

Everyone Can Be a Changemaker: The Ashoka Effect

Christine Welldon’s book, Everyone Can Be a Changemaker: The Ashoka Effect is grounded in the practices of the Ashoka Network, a non-profit that provides mentorship and financial support to those who have a dreams of making the world a better place. The book covers the stories of 16 changemakers, complete with in-depth looks at how each created meaningful change. For kids looking for a larger-scale project to tackle, this is great inspiration.