10 BooksT hat Matter GREAT READS WITH THOUGHTFUL THEMES
These imaginative and age-appropriate tomes teach young readers literary
lessons that set the foundation for a lifetime of ethical decision making.
“The Prince and
the Pauper,”
by Mark Twain.
Penguin Classics.
Twain’s classic story
of switched identities
puts a child of royalty
in the position of one
of the most destitute
people in his society,
and the pauper in lavish
surroundings. Both
children’s illusions are
shattered as they are
challenged to act with
courage and conviction
in a world of enormous
cruelty and privilege.
“The Bad Seed,” by
Jory John, art by Pete
Oswald. HarperCollins
Children.
This charming and simple
picture book paints a picture
a seed with bad manners
and a bad attitude—and the
potential to change.
52 South Bay Accent
“The Empty Pot,”
by Demi. Macmillan/
Square Fish.
A young boy admits that
he’s the only child who can’t
grow a seed distributed by
the Emperor of China, and is
rewarded for his honesty.
“One,” “Two,” and
“'Zero,” by Kathryn
Otoshi. Ko Kids Books.
Not just a series of counting
books—these classics also
address bullying, cooperation
and acceptance.
“What Should Danny
Do?” and “What Should
Danny Do? School Day,”
by Ganit and Adir Levy.
Elon Books.
In the classic style of a chooseyour
own-adventure book, the
authors enable readers to decide
how young Danny resolves the
dilemmas he encounters. The
element of autonomy opens up
an opportunity to discuss the
consequences of the choices
we make.
“Powers,” “Voices”
and “Gifts,” by
Ursula K. Le Guin.
Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt.
The YA trilogy from Le
Guin, one of the great
American writers, won
the PEN/USA and Nebula
awards. The books put
young protagonists
in the thick of lifechanging
confrontations
with slavery, inheritance
and military occupation,
all set in the richly
imagined fantasy
landscape of the
Western Shore. Like
her beloved “A Wizard
of Earthsea” novels,
these books raise basic
questions about living
an ethical life and weave
them into a vivid and
compelling narrative.
“The Recess Queen,”
by Alexis O'Neill.
Scholastic. Mean Jean the
Recess Queen is the reigning
bully on the playground,
until a newcomer who isn’t
intimidated invites her to play.
“The Terminals,”
by Royce Scott
Buckingham.
Thomas Dunne/
Macmillan.
This thought-provoking
tale addresses mortality,
weaving an intriguing
plot of teens with
terminal illnesses
who are recruited
as superspies for an
agency that may not be
all that it seems.
“God Loves, Man
Kills,” by Chris
Claremont.
Marvel Graphic
Novel #5.
The Uncanny X-Men are
known worldwide as
outcasts and misfits
who fight evil—and
persecution. This
is a breakthrough
graphic narrative for
its depiction of the
marvelous mutants’
struggle to do good
amidst growing societal
hatred.
“Some Girls Are,”
by Courtney
Summers.
St. Martin’s/
Macmillan.
A teenage mean girl is
forced to reconsider
her position at the top
of the bullying food
chain after experiencing
relentless persecution
following a rape
attempt.
“Feed,” by
M.T. Anderson.
Candlewick Press.
Everyone in this world
is living in a hyperstimulated
miasma of
multimedia, product
placement and
customized shopping
opportunities delivered
via The Feed. Anderson
explores what happens
when the party-tillyou
puke protagonist is
given the opportunity to
grow a conscience and
engage with a different
world.
Advanced
Readers
Young
Readers