Radical Book List

Not sure what to read? Here are some community recommendations to spark inspiration.

    • A Is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
      A rhyming ABC book with themes of social justice and activism.

    • ABC for Me: ABC Everyday Heroes Like Me by Jessie Ford
      A celebration of heroes, from A to Z, teaching kids to spot the hidden superheroes all around us.

    • ABC for Me: ABC What Can I Be? by Jessie Ford
      An ABC book showcasing a world full of career possibilities for all genders.

    • Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder
      A celebration of the diversity of the human form and affirmation that bodies of all sizes, colors, gender identities, disability statuses, and ages are cool! This book comes suggested by two community members.

    • Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack with Stevie Lewis
      Queer fairy tale! Need we say more?

    • A Is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World by Eva Chen
      An alphabet book celebrating inspiring women who changed the world.

    • Be Brave Little One by Marianne Richmond
      A heartfelt story about bravery and courage for young readers.

    • Best Day Ever! by Leah Nixon
      A sweet story celebrating friendship, imagination, and everyday joy.

    • Books Make Good Friends by Janet Mount
      A sweet story celebrating the power of books and imagination.

    • The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
      A celebration of creativity and resilience, showing how mistakes can spark imagination and lead to unexpected beauty.

    • Brave Ninja: A Children's Book About Courage by Mary Nhin
      An empowering story teaching children how to face their fears with courage and confidence.

    • The Girl Who Figured It Out by Minda Dentler, Stephanie Dehennin
      An inspiring story about resilience, determination, and overcoming challenges to achieve greatness.

    • The Girl Who Thought in Pictures shares by Julia Finley Mosca and Daniel Rieley
      Dr. Temple Grandin's journey of embracing autism and transforming animal science.

    • I Am Mighty by Kelly Greenawalt, Amariah Rauscher
      An empowering story about self-confidence and bravery.

    • Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
      A young boy explores his imagination and identity in a loving, supportive environment.

    • Life Doesn't Frighten Me by Maya Angelou and Jean-Michel Basquiat
      A bold and empowering poem celebrating resilience and fearlessness in the face of life's challenges.

    • Magic School Bus Series by Joanna Cole
      A beloved series where Ms. Frizzle and her students embark on scientific adventures.

    • My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
      A heartfelt story celebrating family, love, and the vibrant community of a small town.

    • Shark Lady by Jess Keating, Marta Álvarez Miguéns
      A biography of Eugenie Clark, a woman who studied sharks and broke barriers in science.

    • The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S. K. Ali, et al.
      A powerful story of identity, family, and the beauty of being unapologetically yourself.

    • The Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller, Frank Morrison
      A story of competition, teamwork, and determination set in Clarksville, Tennessee.

    • This Is How We Do It by Matt Lamothe
      A fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of seven children from around the world, celebrating cultural diversity and connection.

    • This Little: This Little Trailblazer by Joan Holub, Daniel Roode
      An introduction to inspiring trailblazing women throughout history.

    • Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie, Yuyi Morales
      A boy explores his identity and his own unique name.

    • Tomorrow I'll Be Brave by Jessica Hische
      A beautifully illustrated book encouraging kids to be brave, creative, and kind tomorrow.

    • We All Play by Julie Flett
      A joyful story celebrating play and connection between children and animals.

    • What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom
      A whimsical tale about nurturing ideas and finding the courage to bring them to life.

    • Why Not?: A Story about Discovering Our Bright Possibilities by Kobi Yamada
      An inspiring tale about believing in possibilities and dreams.

    • Front Desk by Kelly Yang
      A determined young girl named Mia Tang helps run her family's motel while navigating challenges as a Chinese immigrant, learning to stand up for what’s right and chase her dreams.

    • Hamster Princess seriesby Ursula Vernon
      A humorous and adventurous take on fairy tales featuring a strong-willed princess hamster.

    • Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
      The story of Pippi, an adventurous and strong-willed girl who lives life on her terms.

    • Rasmus and the Vagabondby Astrid Lindgren
      An orphan boy finds adventure and friendship on the road with a kind vagabond.

    • The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd
      A magical story about a boy who discovers a dragon plant and learns wonder, responsibility, and kindness.

    • The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
      A young prince from a distant asteroid shares timeless lessons about love, friendship, and the essence of life during his journey through the universe.

    • The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
      Siblings Jack and Annie travel through time and space on adventures.

    • The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters by Kara LaReau
      Two sisters unexpectedly leave their dull lives for swashbuckling, quirky adventures.

    • Ways to Make Sunshineby Renée Watson
      The story of a determined girl finding ways to stay positive amidst challenges.

    • Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun by Hena Khan
      Zara creates her own adventures and fun while taking charge of her neighborhood games.

    • A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
      A girl with autism campaigns to honor the lives of witches in her small town.

    • Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
      A girl discovers a magical world while searching for her missing brother.

    • The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
      A story about a girl in Afghanistan who disguises herself as a boy to support her family.

    • City Spies by James Ponti
      A diverse group of kids joins a secret spy organization and embarks on global missions.

    • Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
      A princess refuses traditional roles and befriends dragons on her own terms.

    • El Deafo by Cece Bell
      A graphic memoir about a girl navigating childhood with a hearing aid and finding her inner superhero.

    • The Frostheart series by Jamie Littler
      An adventurous fantasy series about a boy navigating a snow-covered world.

    • Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen by Sarah Kapit
      A girl pursues her love of baseball despite challenges.

    • How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
      The adventures of Hiccup and his dragon Toothless in the Viking world.

    • How to Win a Slime War by Mae Respicio
      A boy navigates school and cultural expectations while running a slime business.

    • The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
      An inspiring story about creativity, mechanics, and self-discovery in magical 1930s Paris.

    • The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles
      Two cousins accidentally freeze time, leading to a fantastical and fun-filled adventure.

    • Max and the Midknightsby Lincoln Peirce
      A graphic novel about a kid dreaming of becoming a knight in medieval times.

    • The Magic Misfits series by Neil Patrick Harris
      A group of misfit kids uses magic and teamwork to solve mysteries.

    • The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
      Siblings Jack and Annie travel through time and space on adventures.

    • The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
      A young mouse named Ralph discovers adventure and independence when he befriends a boy and learns to ride a toy motorcycle.

    • New Kid by Jerry Craft
      A humorous graphic novel about a boy navigating a new school and staying true to himself.

    • Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
      The story of Pippi, an adventurous and strong-willed girl who lives life on her terms.

    • Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
      A boy uses his magical abilities to deal with family and school challenges.

    • Stories for Rebel Girls: Rebel Girls (Explore) by Elena Favilli, Francesca Cavallo
      An inspiring collection of real-life stories about adventurous and trailblazing women.

    • The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
      A small mouse embarks on a big adventure of courage and love.

    • Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff
      A ghost story and coming-of-age tale about a trans boy discovering his identity.

    • The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
      A stranded robot discovers connection, kindness, and her place in the natural world.

    • Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
      A girl discovers her magical powers and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

    • The Boggart by Susan Cooper
      A delightful tale about a mischievous Scottish spirit adjusting to life in modern Canada.

    • Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
      A spirited young girl cursed with obedience embarks on a journey of self-discovery, breaking her curse and finding her own voice.

    • Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
      A graphic novel about friendship, love, and coming-of-age between two boys.

    • Matilda by Roald Dahl
      A brilliant young girl with extraordinary intelligence and a touch of magic overcomes neglectful parents and a cruel headmistress, proving the power of courage and kindness.

    • Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds
      An action-packed adventure featuring Miles Morales, a Black and Puerto Rican Spider-Man.

    • Spy x Family manga by Tatsuya Endo
      A comedic manga series about a spy, an assassin, and a telepath in a found family.

    • Seven Daughters & Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy
      A clever young woman disguises herself as a man to seek fortune and outwit her family's enemies, proving her resourcefulness and challenging societal norms.

    • Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
      A classic adventure tale of children exploring the outdoors through sailing and camping.

    • Redwall by Brian Jacques
      A young mouse named Matthias discovers his courage as he defends Redwall Abbey from a villainous rat and uncovers the legacy of a legendary warrior.

Some of Anna’s Childhood Favorites

    • The Tale of Two Bad Mice, by Beatrix Potter.
      Two adventurous mice wreak havoc in a dollhouse. Hilarious scenes of the mice trying to adopt human possessions and habits. 

    • Pierre’s (Nutshell Library) by Maurice Sendak
      One of four books in The Nutshell Library, Pierre tells the story of a boy who responds. “I don’t care,” to all his parents’ warnings. He learns to care when a lion takes him at his word and swallows him—requiring a rescue. 

    • Katie Morag Delivers the Mail, by Mairi Hedderwick (the first of several Katie Morag books). On the island of Struay, Katie Morag's parents send her off to deliver the mail. There are five packages, including one for her grandmother, which bears a red tag. But, when the labels on the other four get wet and smeared, Katie Morag goes ahead and haphazardly delivers them. She later confesses to her grandmother, who helps her get the correct package to each recipient and doesn’t tattle about the mishap to Katie’s parents. 

    • The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
      When the fiercest dragon in the whole world smashes Princess Elizabeth’s castle, burns all her clothes, and captures her fiancé, Prince Ronald, Elizabeth takes matters into her own hands. With her wits alone and nothing but a paper bag to wear, the princess challenges the dragon to show his strength in the hopes of saving the prince. 

    • Keep the Lights Burning Abbie, by Peter & Connie Roop
      This is the exciting true story of Abbie Burgess, who in 1856 single-handedly kept the lighthouse lamps lit during a tremendous storm off the coast of Maine.

    • The Big Balloon Race by Eleanor Coerr.
      Ariel’s mother, Carlotta the Great, is the best lady balloonist in America. Ariel would love to be in the basket of Lucky Star on the day of the big balloon race against Bernard the Brave, and she becomes an unwitting stowaway on the day of the race. The thrills of Ariel's first ride in a hydrogen balloon come to life in this story based on a real ballooning family of the late 1800's.

    • The Everlasting Story of Nory by Nicholson Baker
      Nine-year-old Nory Winslow wants to be a dentist or a designer of pop-up books. She has nightmares about cows with teeth and fantasizes about death-watch beetles. She lives to tell stories. Her American family is temporarily living in England where Nory is mocked for her accent and her friendship with an unpopular girl, but she has made it through the year without crying. Quirky and charming.

    • Matilda by Roald Dahl Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it! Note: Our whole family agrees this would have been Anna.

    • From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg. Claudia, feeling unappreciated, decides to run away to a place of luxury and comfort—the Metropolitan Museum of Art—and brings her brother Jamie for his money. They live secretly in the museum, bathing in public fountains and sleeping in historic beds, until they discover a mysterious statue and seek to learn its secrets. Their quest leads them to Mrs. Frankweiler who helps Claudia find her way home. 

    • The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabethby George Speare. The Witch of Blackbird Pond, set in 17th-century New England, follows Kit Tyler, a 16-year-old girl who leaves her home in Barbados to live with Puritan relatives in Connecticut. She finds much-needed friendship with an elderly woman who is suspected of witchcraft, and is eventually suspected of witchcraft herself.

    • Dealing with Dragons (3 sequels) by Patricia Wrede.
      This novel follows the headstrong and intelligent Cimorene as she escapes her tedious royal duties to live with the powerful dragon Kazul, organizing his library and treasure, and getting entangled with wizards, witches, and other magical creatures. It's known for its humor, witty protagonist, and clever take on fantasy conventions. 

    • Wise Child (prequel: Junioer), by Monica Furlong.
      In a remote Scottish village, nine-year-old Wise Child is taken in by Juniper, a healer and sorceress. Then Wise Child's mother, Maeve, a black witch, reappears. In choosing between Maeve and Juniper, Wise Child discovers the extent of her supernatural powers--and her true loyalties.

Suggestion Box

Suggest a book to be included on the Radical Book List.

The Origin of The Radical Book List

Last year, when I launched the fundraiser, I invited my community to visit the library and pick an empowering book to read to their kids or themselves in Anna's honor. Along with sharing photos and messages about the books they chose, many people also asked me for recommendations! This year, I’ve gathered book suggestions from my community to share with you.

A special thank you to my friend Elizabeth, who named the day and recommends Books Make Good Friends by Jane Mount.