A few years ago, I began giving books as holiday gifts to the sweet kids in my life.
The first year I did this, my youngest nieces opened up their gifts, looked the books over, then quickly put them down and moved on to the next present in hopes of a toy. I’m not gonna lie. My bookworm heart was a little crushed. BUT, on a recent visit, I noticed the books I gave them still lived on their shelves. Their mom told me they read them together pretty frequently. After this it became clear that children may tire of toys, but a book on the shelf lasts forever.
If you’re not sure of what to give the young ones in your life this holiday season, I’ve got you. Here are some book recommendations that highlight feminism and related themes for the young readers of all ages on your shopping list.
Picture Books
F is For Feminism: An Alphabet book of Empowerment by Carolyn Suzuki
This book breaks down big concepts like diversity, equality, and feminism for children, and is complete with bright illustrations.
Miles is the Boss of His Body by Abbie Schiller
A great teaching tool to introduce consent to children. A boy experiences unwanted contact with family members on his 6th birthday, and shares his angry feelings about it with them.
We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
A young girl stands up to defend her community’s source of water when it becomes threatened by poison. This book is inspired by Indigenous-led movements across North America.
Middle Grade Books
The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert
In Alberta’s town, Black families are very few and far in between. When Edie and her mother move in across the street, Alberta is thankful to have a Black girl to befriend and they become best buds fast. They encounter a mystery together that catapults them into an adventure that will test their friendship.
A Tale of Magic by Chris Colfer
In a magical world where women and girls are not allowed to read and are only given domestic roles, young Bristol Evergreen fights against the patriarchy to establish equality and order. She is also on a quest to learn more about herself.
The Distance Between Us: Young Reader’s Edition by Reyna Grande
This memoir for middle graders depicts the author’s experiences of the impact of immigration as a child in a new country.
Young Adult Books
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
A magical, spooky, and heartfelt young adult novel that focuses on a trans Latinx brujo who wishes to be accepted by his very traditional family.
This Book is Feminist: An Intersectional Primer for Next-Gen Changemakers by Jamia Wilson
An introduction to intersectional feminism for preteens and teens. This is definitely on my list for the young women in my family.
Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
This non-fiction title about the history of racism is adapted from Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning, and makes big concepts more accessible to young adult readers.
