"We practice empathy every time we lose ourselves in a good book."

"Try thinking of empathy as a muscle that gets stronger every time you’re transported through stories into a life not your own. Jamil Zaki, a psychologist and neuroscientist explains, 'stories helped our ancestors imagine other lives, plan for possible futures, and agree on cultural codes...In the modern world, they help in a new way: flattening our empathic landscape, making distant others feel less distant and caring for them less difficult."

--Angela Duckworth

In addition to the book titles on each of the "skills" pages (Grit & Persistence, Empathy & Friendship, Mindfulness, Self-Advocacy), I've created a more extensive book list as part of my educational research project sabbatical, looking at the relationship between school libraries and social and emotional learning.

These titles are sorted into middle grades and high school titles. (For K-8 titles, I suggest looking at Margaret Tice's CCD collection available here. There are also tons of excellent picture books that surely could be used in a MS or HS setting. I did not include those). Wherever possible, I included relevant tags and tried to select a SEL theme that was the strongest one present in the book. Most books are fiction novels, although there are a few nonfiction and poetry titles.

Included are titles that were published in the last 10 years, well-reviewed, high quality titles, include diverse characters, with a range of races, sexual orientations and genders represented and wherever possible, included authors of color writing about characters of color (#ownvoices).

The list is neither perfect nor comprehensive. However, there should be some helpful titles to promote or use for guided book clubs.

Bolded titles are featured on each "skills" page of this site. Please reach out to me if you have questions or suggestions for other titles to include.

LINK: Book list for Middle Grades and High School

Better with Books, by Melissa Hart (2019)

As young people are diagnosed with anxiety and depression in increasing numbers or dealing with other issues that can isolate them from family and friends--such as bullying, learning disabilities, racism, or homophobia--characters in books can help them feel less isolated. And just as important, reading books that feature a diverse range of real-life topics helps generate openness, empathy, and compassion in all kids. Better with Books is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, librarians, therapists, and all caregivers who recognize the power of literature to improve young readers' lives.

Each chapter explores a particular issue affecting preteens and teens today and includes a list of recommended related books--all published within the last decade. Recommendations are grouped by age--those appropriate for middle school-aged readers and those for older teens. Reading lists are organized around: Racial and ethnic diversity, Nature and ecology, Immigration, LGBTQI, Adoption and foster care, Learning differences, Physical disabilities, Religion and spirituality, Body image, Anxiety and depression, and Poverty and homelessness.