Below is a list of literature that is accessible to all students, not only physically, but also through its content. Accessible literature incorporates a diversity of topics, allowing students to see themselves reflected within the text or become aware and knowledgeable of the different lives people experience. With access to these stories, students become critical thinkers with wordly knowledge, becoming aware of each other's differences and similarities.
Embedded Files
A novel written in verse about a neurodivergent 13 year-old girl who comes to understand and celebrate her being.
Schneider Family Book Award
Grades 5-8
Following two teenagers from different backgrounds, the novel touches on immigration, race, and the American Dream.
John Steptoe New Talent Award, Michael L. Printz Award, National Book Award Finalist, Time 100 Best Young Adult novel of all time
Grades 7-8
The novel follows a young boy who turns into a mouse and must fight for the safety of young children. The boy experiences the loss of parents, a varied living situation, and discrimination.
The New York Times Outstanding Books Award, The Federation of Children's Book Groups Award, The Whitbread Award
Grades 5-6
A a 13 year-old Polish girl who hides 13 Jews in her attic during World War II, highlighting courage through adversity and oppression.
Reese Witherspoon Book Club, Barnes & Noble Book of the Year
Grades 7-8
A graphic novel true story of two brothers who are living in a refuge camp in Kenya. Through their experiences, the reader engages with topics of disability, refuge experiences, displacement, and the privilege of education.
Walter Dean Myers Award for young children, Josette Frank Award
Grades 5-8
The story of 16 year-old Aza who struggles with mental illness and grief as she attempts to uncover a murder.
Named a best book of the year by: The New York Times, NPR, TIME, Wall Street Journal, and much more.
Grade 8 mature*
The readers follow 10 year-old Lina Gao as she moves to Los Angeles from China after not being with her parents for 5 years. The novel explores themes of immigration, language learning, socio-economic inequalities, and even climate change.
CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best, SLJ Best Book of the Year
Grades 5-7
A retelling of Shakespeare's famous plays from the female characters perspective, highlighting female autonomy, the idea of patriarchy, and trauma.
No awards to date
Grade 8 mature*
10 year-old Augie has a rare genetic condition that causes a facial deformity. This novel highlights topics of individuality, disability, and bullying.
ALA Notable Children's Book, New York Times Best Seller list for over 500 weeks, Beehive Book Award, Charlotte Award, and much more.
Grades 5-8
A love story following two high school outsiders who experience discrimination, financial differences, varying households, and bullying.
Goodreads Choice Awards Best Young Adult Fiction
Grade 8 mature*
A biographical graphic novel that follows Cece who becomes deaf after contracting meningitis. The readers follow her experiences of disability, navigating a new school, friendships, and courage.
John Newberry Medal, Judy Lopez Memorial Award, Odyssey Award
Grades 5-8
This novel follows 13 year-old Amari as she experiences a hidden world of magic and attempts to locate her missing brother. Themes of racism, prejudice, empowerment, and socio-economic differences are prevalent throughout the story.
Barnes & Noble Children's and YA Book Award, New York Times and indie bestseller
Grades 5-7
A bildungsroman that follows Ponyboy Curtis, a 14 year-old boy who experiences gang rivalry. This novel highlights found family, crisis, finical difference, loss of innocence, and identity discovery.
Margret Edwards Award, ALA Best Books for Young Adults
Grades 7-8
A bildungsroman that follows Kaya as she navigates living in the marshes of North Carolina coupled with the mystery of a murder. This novel covers topics of trauma, alienation, and resilience.
New York Times Best Seller List, British Book of the Year: Page Turner Award, Booksellers Award in Japan, Reese Witherspoon Book Club
Grade 8 mature*
A play that follows two opposing gangs and the forbidden love between two teens. Throughout the play, there is discussion of immigration, gang affiliation, racial discrimination, violence, and identity.
Awards specific to performance rather than written play
Grades 7-8
A 17 year-old boy who has just been released from juvenile detention and must navigate the COVID-19 pandemic during the Black Lives Matter Movement. The novel has themes of racial injustice, systematic racism, marginalized communities, gentrification, and friendship.
Pacific Northwest Book Award, Malka Penn Human Rights Award for Children's Literature
Grade 8
*Mature is placed beside the grade 8 recommendation as the novel does have stronger uses of language, themes, experiences, and subjects; these would typically be taught in a grade 9 classroom, however, they can be taught to grade 8. This is normally the divide between middle-grade and young adult novels. Please research, read, and consult with your district before moving forward with these books in the classroom.
Page updated
Report abuse