Hiranandani, Veera. The Night Diary. Kokila, 2018.

The Night Diary tells the story of a young girl named Nisha, who is half-Hindu and half-Muslim. Nisha tries to make sense of the world in 1947, when India is split into India and Pakistan after years of devastating British colonization. The Night Diary is a heartbreaking and empowering story of what tears us apart and how to put those pieces back together again. Told through Nisha’s letters to her mother, The Night Diary is a heartfelt story of one girl’s search for home, for her own identity…and for a hopeful future.

Uwiringiyimana, Sandra and Pesta, Abigail. How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child. HarperCollins Books, 2017.

This profoundly moving memoir is the remarkable and inspiring true story of Sandra Uwiringiyimana, a girl from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who tells the tale of how she survived a massacre, immigrated to America, and overcame her trauma through art and activism. Uwiringiyimana tells the story of her survival, of finding her place in a new country, of her hope for the future, and how she found a way to give voice to her people.

Merberg, Julie. My First Book of Feminism (for Boys).Simon and Schuster, 2018.

Simple illustrations paired with meaningful aphorisms make the compelling, age-appropriate argument that women are strong and smart and deserve respect. Humorous, familiar scenarios are treated as teachable moments for little boys, who will ideally grow up without ever questioning women’s equality. From “no means no,” to “women’s rights are human rights,” important, grown-up ideas are simplified for young, impressionable minds.

Kamps, Louisa, Susanna Daniel and Michelle Wildgen. Girl Activist. Downtown Bookworks, 2019.

Mini-biographies of unstoppable women and non-binary activists—from Malala Yousafzai to Susan B. Anthony, Emma Gonzalez to Gloria Steinem, Wangari Maathai to Amythest Schaber—offer windows into what it takes to stand up for a cause, rally others together, and even ignite a movement. The book features activists from around the world and throughout history, spotlighting impressive women who have fought for women's rights, racial equality, animal welfare, democracy, environmental causes, and more. Each story reminds readers that they really can make a difference in the world and inspires today's young activists to stand up for what they believe in.