Racial Justice Reading List: Resources For Young Readers (And Caregivers)

“This list is meant to be a point of departure — a compilation of resources that you can use to guide critical conversations in your home or broader community.”

Many of us at SFMOMA have turned to books and articles to keep us productive and mindful during this pivotal moment. Written by experts, academics, and parents, the following titles were recommended by museum staff and are meant to start a dialogue with young children around issues of race and equity. Like the texts featured in our reading list for adults and young adults, these works give needed perspective as we grapple with long-standing inequities in our institution, our city, and our country.

This list is meant to be a point of departure — a compilation of resources that you can use to guide critical conversations in your home or broader community. We’ve been inspired by other institutions’ reading lists, some of which you’ll find at the bottom of this page. We welcome your suggestions via social media @sfmoma, or through email at digital@sfmoma.org. When submitting, please send over a brief sentence about why the book, article, or resource is important to include.

Books For Young Readers and Their Caregivers

  • Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi (ages up to 3)
  • M Is for Melanin: A Celebration of the Black Child by Tiffany Rose (ages 3-6)
  • A Is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara (ages 3-7)
  • We March by Shane W. Evans (ages 4-8)
  • Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison (ages 4-8)
  • The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (ages 6-9)
  • Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison (ages 8-12)
  • Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison (ages 8-12)
  • Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (10 and up)
  • This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work by Tiffany Jewell, illus. by Aurelia Durand (ages 11-15)
  • Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi (ages 12 and up)
  • Say Her Name (Poems to Empower) by Zetta Elliott, illus. by Loveis Wise (ages 12 and up)
  • March (Books 1-3) by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, illus. by Nate Powell (ages 13-16)
  • The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (ages 14 and up)

Additional Reading Lists

Additional Resources