Recommendations for Books about Racism, Anti-racism and Resistance

We find ourselves in troubling times with a familiar problem that frankly, feels like it's getting worse. Racism is not an abstract idea tucked away in history books. It is unfortunately still alive and it is everywhere. It is a large systemic problem that won’t be solved overnight. But it is something we do need to confront head-on if we want to make a difference, and a lasting change.

One thing we can do now is to read books to open our minds and to educate ourselves about our biases and issues at stake. We can also diversify our bookshelves, and amplify the voices of writers and illustrators of color. That's where we can help.

We'd like to share some of our favorite titles with themes of racism, antirasicm and resistance to help you get started on your journey to helping make a better world.

Special Note:
Many of these titles are currently sold out and on back-order due to recent high demand. You can still call us up (503-954-2354) and place an order with us and we will get them to you as soon as they are available again. Please be patient and know that they are worth the wait!

Board Books

Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara
Anti-Racist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi and illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
Woke Baby by Mahogany L. Browne and illustrated by Theodore Taylor, III

Picture Books

Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh
We March by Shane W. Evans
Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano and Marietta Collins and illustrated by Ann Hazzard
Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester and illustrated by Karen Barbour
You Matter by Christian Robinson
Skin Again by Bell Hooks and illustrated by Chris Raschka
​All Because You Matter ​by Tami Charles and illustrated by Bryan Collier
Not My Idea by Anastasia Higginbotham
Say Something! by Peter H. Reynolds
The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler and illustrated by David Lee Csicsko

Middle Grade Novels

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper
Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Young Adult Titles

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham
This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell and illustrated by Aurelia Durand
Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

Graphic Novels

New Kid by Jerry Craft
I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina and illustrated by Stacey Robinson & John Jennings
March: Book One by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin and illustrated by Nate Powell

For Grown-Ups

Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein

Below are links to other pages with more book recommendations:

Resources for Race, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Inclusion
from We Need Diverse Books

How to Talk to Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help
from Brightly

Anti-Racist Reading List from Ibram X. Kendi
from The Atlantic

What Can You Do?

Read books that will open your mind and educate yourself.

Discuss what you’ve read and learned with others.

Act. Do something and make a difference.

If you are in position of privilege, help those who aren’t.

Don’t forget. Don’t stop fighting to change things. Don’t give up.

History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.

-Maya Angelou