Today’s kids and teens have to wrestle with many weighty topics. The following books may be useful in sparking conversations about current events. Of all the book recommendations at Modern Classics for Kids, parents may want to preview these ahead of time to determine if the content is appropriate for their families.

Picture Books and Early Readers (listed in order of author’s last name)

• The Undefeated written by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (a celebration of black Americans)
• Rhino in the House: The True Story of Saving Samia by Daniel Kirk (a story of animal preservation)
• Stepping Stones by Margriet Ruurs, illustrated by Nizar Ali Badr (a story of the refugee plight)
• Still a Family by Brenda Reeves Sturgis (a story of homelessness)
• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López (a story of diversity)

Chapter Books and Middle Grade Novels (listed in order of author’s last name)

• Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (a story of tolerance, bullying, and community)
• Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson (a story of diversity, immigration, parent incarceration, parent death, bullying, and belonging)

For Older Readers

• The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown (a graphic novel)
• Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini, illustrated by Dan Williams (a story of the refugee plight)
• Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (the protagonist has depression)
• Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (a graphic novel dealing with family drug addiction)
• Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (a novel-in-verse dealing with violence and revenge)