Diverse Book Lists for Today's Classrooms

Lee & Low's popular downloadable diverse book lists are curated by literacy experts and offer recommended books for social emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed education, social activism, summer reading, and more. Each list is broken down by age range and updated regularly to support ongoing learning. Want more customization? Get in touch. 

Social and Emotional Learning Diverse Reading List

Discover our educator favorites for SEL read-alouds to pair with your curriculum! These exemplar texts will help you model and explore strategies for tackling challenges and building community.

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Social Activism Diverse Reading List

Read-alouds are wonderful ways to model proactive behaviors through determined characters and their respective cause(s). The mentor texts provided in the Social Activism list can inspire students to address an issue that they are passionate about, whether it’s a similar cause presented in the text or another cause that’s relevant to their own lives.

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Trauma-Informed Education Diverse Reading List

Trauma has the ability to impact children’s learning, social interactions and relationships, and overall well-being. The books in our Trauma-Informed Diverse Reading List showcase child protagonists who cope with trauma in a variety of ways and provide students the opportunity to discuss trauma through the lens of a relatable and engaging character.

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Anti-Racism Diverse Reading List

Are you looking to add anti-racist books to your library but don't know where to start? Have you been thinking about how to have meaningful conversations with young people about race, but lack confidence in how to begin? The books in this collection will help you take the first steps or continue the critical discussions about anti-racism work relevant to your setting.

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Native American & Indigenous Reading List

Here at Lee & Low Books, we publish a range of Native American, Indigenous, and First Nations children’s books, including many #ownvoices titles by Native authors and illustrators. Find leveled readers and award-winning picture books as well as middle grade and YA novels highlighting Native American cultures. We are proud to showcase stories that celebrate Native voices and experiences of Native communities historically underrepresented or misrepresented in children’s literature.

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LGBTQ+ Reading List

The following books capture the celebration of the gender spectrum, family structures, sexuality, identity, and more through engaging storylines featuring relatable children and young people. Promote awareness and advocacy with these children’s books featuring LGBTQ+ voices and perspectives while also addressing universal themes in any relevant setting.

LGBTQ+ Reading List and Resources | Watch the Webinar

Authentic Spanish Reading List

We pride ourselves on publishing culturally and linguistically authentic books that all children can enjoy. We are proud to showcase stories that celebrate cultures, voices, and experiences of communities historically underrepresented or misrepresented in children’s literature. High-quality bilingual and Spanish books help build a solid foundation to achieve Spanish literacy or bilingualism while also affirming and validating a child’s identity, culture, and home language.

Authentic Spanish Reading List

Women's Empowerment Text Sets

Discover text sets that feature female historical figures and girl characters who exhibit independence and determination as they solve problems, strive for their dreams, and achieve their goals. These mentor texts star women and girls who are thinkers and role models to inspire all children. Discussion questions and activities to use in the classroom follow each text set.

Women's Empowerment Text Sets

Diverse Summer Reading List

Diversify your school or library's summer reading program with our curated summer reading list. This list provides engaging and entertaining suggestions by age range to encourage a great summer of nonstop reading. 

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