YA Novels Exploring Social Justice Themes

The Hate U Give is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Starr Carter, a young black girl who witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend by a white police officer.

Will is a young black boy who is struggling to cope with the death of his brother, Shawn, who was killed by gun violence.

The Sun Is Also a Star is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about Natasha, a Jamaican immigrant who is facing deportation, and Daniel, a Korean-American boy who falls in love with her.

Aaron is a young gay boy who is struggling with his sexuality and his relationship with his family.

American Street is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Fabiola Toussaint, a dark-skinned Haitian-American girl who is struggling to find her place in the world.

Xiomara is a young Latina girl who is struggling with her identity, her family, and her dreams of becoming a poet.

All American Boys is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Rashad, a black boy who is wrongly accused of stealing by a white police officer.

Warcross is a virtual reality game that allows players to experience life in a futuristic city called New York 2142.

Instructions for Dancing is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about Evie, a young girl who is struggling with bipolar disorder.

The Last Message is an app that allows users to find out when they are going to die.

Punching the Air is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Amal, a black boy who is wrongly convicted of a crime and sent to prison.

Emoni is a young Latina girl who is struggling to raise her daughter while pursuing her dream of becoming a chef.

Ghost is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Castle Crenshaw, a young boy who is struggling to survive in a dangerous and violent neighborhood.

Republic City is a dystopian city where the government controls everything.

The Opposite of Always is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about Jack and Kate, an interracial couple who are struggling to overcome the prejudices of their families and society.