2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Books
Book recommendations from social studies educators for librarians, booksellers, educators, parents, and guardians of the best children’s books with social studies content in 2023.
Ajay and the Mumbai Sun
By: Varsha Shah
ISBN: 9781338875461
Fiction, 7-12, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
All Aboard the Schooltrain
By: Glenda Armand
Illustrated by:
Keisha Morris
Keisha Morris
ISBN: 9781338766899
Fiction, 7-12, BIPOC Characters and Creators
All Rise
By: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by:
Ashley Evans
Ashley Evans
ISBN: 9780593650165
Nonfiction, 3-5, Biography / Memoir
All You Have To Do
By: Autumn Allen
ISBN: 9780593619049
Fiction, Teen, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Amazing
By: Maia Shibutani, Alex Shibutani, Dane Liu
Illustrated by:
Aaliya Jaleel
Aaliya Jaleel
ISBN: 9780593525432
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
America Redux
By: Ariel Aberg-Riger
Illustrated by:
Ariel Aberg-Riger
Ariel Aberg-Riger
ISBN: 9780063057531
Nonfiction, Teen, History
An American Story
By: Kwame Alexander
Illustrated by:
Dare Coulter
Dare Coulter
ISBN: 9780316473125
Fiction, 4-6, Historical Fiction
Ancestory
By: Hannah Salyer
Illustrated by:
Hannah Salyer
Hannah Salyer
ISBN: 9780358469841
Nonfiction, 4-6, History
The Artivist
By: Nikkolas Smith
ISBN: 9780593619650
Fiction, 4-6, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
The Ashe Brothers
By: Judy Allen Dodson
Illustrated by:
David Wilkerson
David Wilkerson
ISBN: 9781684465361
Nonfiction, 7-12, Sports / Games / Recreation
Boundless (Scholastic Focus)
By: Chaunté Lowe
ISBN: 9781338741520
Nonfiction, 7-12, Biography / Memoir
Brave Volodymyr
By: Linda Elovitz Marshall
Illustrated by:
Grasya Oliyko
Grasya Oliyko
ISBN: 9780063294141
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Calling the Moon
By: Aida Salazar, Yamile Saied Méndez
ISBN: 9781536216349
Fiction, 7-12, Teen, Coming of Age
Cantora
By: Melisa Fernández Nitsche
ISBN: 9780593645970
Nonfiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Carpet
By: Dezh Azaad
Illustrated by:
Nan Cao
Nan Cao
ISBN: 9781419763618
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Contenders
By: Traci Sorell
Illustrated by:
Arigon Starr
Arigon Starr
ISBN: 9780593406472
Nonfiction, 7-12, Sports / Games / Recreation
Cut!
By: C. E. Winters
Illustrated by:
Matt Schu
Matt Schu
ISBN: 9780063067394
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Dark Testament
By: Crystal Simone Smith
ISBN: 9781250854360
Fiction, Teen, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Dear Yesteryear
By: Kimberly Annece Henderson
ISBN: 9780593529249
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Door by Door
By: Meeg Pincus
Illustrated by:
Meridth McKean Gimbel
Meridth McKean Gimbel
ISBN: 9780593484654
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
A Dupatta Is . . .
By: Marzieh Abbas
Illustrated by:
Anu Chouhan
Anu Chouhan
ISBN: 9781250820945
Nonfiction, 4-6, Cultural Diversity
Eagle Drums
By: Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson
ISBN: 9781250750655
Fiction, 7-12, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths
Finding Papa
By: Angela Pham Krans
Illustrated by:
Thi Bui
Thi Bui
ISBN: 9780063060968
Fiction, 4-6, Immigrant Experience
The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale
By: Aya Khalil
Illustrated by:
Anait Semirdzhyan
Anait Semirdzhyan
ISBN: 9780884489672
Fiction, 7-12, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Hanukkah Upside Down
By: Elissa Brent Weissman
Illustrated by:
Omer Hoffman
Omer Hoffman
ISBN: 9781419762963
Fiction, 4-6, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations
A Hero Like Me
By: Jen Reid, Angela Joy
Illustrated by:
Leire Salaberria
Leire Salaberria
ISBN: 9780711286313
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Hispanic Star
By: Claudia Romo Edelman, Nathalie Alonso
Illustrated by:
Alexandra Beguez
Alexandra Beguez
ISBN: 9781250828224
Nonfiction, 7-12, Biography / Memoir
History Comics
By: Tracey Baptiste
Illustrated by:
Shauna J. Grant
Shauna J. Grant
ISBN: 9781250174215
Nonfiction, 7-12, History
History Smashers
By: Kate Messner, Jose Barreiro
Illustrated by:
Falynn Koch
Falynn Koch
ISBN: 9780593564264
Nonfiction, 7-12, BIPOC Characters and Creators
How Do You Spell Unfair?
By: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by:
Frank Morrison
Frank Morrison
ISBN: 9781536215540
Nonfiction, 7-12, BIPOC Characters and Creators
I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams
By: Tanisia Moore
Illustrated by:
Robert Paul Jr.
Robert Paul Jr.
ISBN: 9781338776171
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
I’m an American
By: Darshana Khiani
Illustrated by:
Laura Freeman
Laura Freeman
ISBN: 9780593464724
Fiction, 4-6, Cultural Diversity
Jackie Ormes Draws the Future
By: Liz Montague
ISBN: 9780593426548
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Jovita Wore Pants
By: Aida Salazar
Illustrated by:
Molly Mendoza
Molly Mendoza
ISBN: 9781338283419
Nonfiction, 7-12, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Kati’s Tiny Messengers
By: Megan Hoyt
Illustrated by:
Vivien Mildenberger
Vivien Mildenberger
ISBN: 9780063216624
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Ketanji
By: Kekla Magoon
Illustrated by:
Laura Freeman
Laura Freeman
ISBN: 9780063296169
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Ketanji Brown Jackson
By: Tami Charles
Illustrated by:
Jemma Skidmore
Jemma Skidmore
ISBN: 9781665935265
Nonfiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Kin
By: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by:
Jeffery Weatherford
Jeffery Weatherford
ISBN: 9781665913621
Fiction, 7-12, Teen, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Last Flight
By: Kristen Mai Giang
Illustrated by:
Dow Phumiruk
Dow Phumiruk
ISBN: 9781646140862
Fiction, 7-12, Immigrant Experience
Lift Every Voice and Change
By: Charnaie Gordon
Illustrated by:
Aeron Cargill
Aeron Cargill
ISBN: 9780760374597
Nonfiction, 7-12, BIPOC Characters and Creators
The Light She Feels Inside
By: Gwendolyn Wallace
Illustrated by:
Olivia Duchess
Olivia Duchess
ISBN: 9781728239798
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
The Little Match Girl Strikes Back
By: Emma Carroll
Illustrated by:
Lauren Child
Lauren Child
ISBN: 9781536233353
Fiction, 7-12, Historical Fiction
Little People, BIG DREAMS
By: Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara
Illustrated by:
Lisbeth Kaiser
Lisbeth Kaiser
ISBN: 9780711285576
Nonfiction, 3-5, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Lolo’s Sari-sari Store
By: Sophia N. Lee
Illustrated by:
Christine Almeda
Christine Almeda
ISBN: 9781534494473
Fiction, 4-6, Cultural Diversity
A Long Time Coming
By: Ray Anthony Shepard
Illustrated by:
R. Gregory Christie
R. Gregory Christie
ISBN: 9781662680663
Nonfiction, Teen, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Loud and Proud
By: Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrated by:
Kaylani Juanita
Kaylani Juanita
ISBN: 9781534463523
Nonfiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Love Makes a Garden Grow
By: Taeeun Yoo
Illustrated by:
Taeeun Yoo
Taeeun Yoo
ISBN: 9781534442863
Fiction, 4-6, Science / Nature
Major Taylor
By: Charles R. Smith
Illustrated by:
Leo Espinosa
Leo Espinosa
ISBN: 9781536214987
Nonfiction, 7-12, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Make Way
By: Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrated by:
Claire Keane
Claire Keane
ISBN: 9780593373354
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar
By: Mojdeh Hassani, Samira Iravani
Illustrated by:
Maya Fidawi
Maya Fidawi
ISBN: 9780593110614
Fiction, 4-6, Family / Community
Marvelous Maps
By: Simon Kuestenmacher
Illustrated by:
Margarida Esteves
Margarida Esteves
ISBN: 9781803380421
Nonfiction, 7-12, Facts / Trivia
Mascot
By: Charles Waters, Traci Sorell
ISBN: 9781623543808
Fiction, 7-12, Teen, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Masked Hero
By: Shan Woo Liu
Illustrated by:
Lisa Wee
Lisa Wee
ISBN: 9781536228984
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Milloo’s Mind
By: Reem Faruqi
Illustrated by:
Hoda Hadadi
Hoda Hadadi
ISBN: 9780063056619
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
More Than a Dream
By: Yohuru Williams, Michael G. Long
ISBN: 9780374391744
Nonfiction, 7-12, Teen, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Muzoon
By: Muzoon Almellehan with Wendy Pearlman
Illustrated by:
ISBN: 9781984851987
Nonfiction, 7-12, Teen, Biography / Memoir
My Name
By: Supriya Kelkar
Illustrated by:
Sandhya Prabhat
Sandhya Prabhat
ISBN: 9780374314637
Fiction, 4-6, Cultural Diversity
My Red, White, and Blue
By: Alana Tyson, London Ladd
Illustrated by:
London Ladd
London Ladd
ISBN: 9780593525708
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
The Presidents Decoded
By: Katie Kennedy
Illustrated by:
Monique Steele
Monique Steele
ISBN: 9781523515868
Nonfiction, 7-12, Teen, History
Put Your Shoes On & Get Ready!
By: Raphael G. Warnock
Illustrated by:
Temika Grooms
Temika Grooms
ISBN: 9780593528877
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Race to the Truth
By: Linda Coombs
ISBN: 9780593480434
Nonfiction, 7-12, Teen, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Race to the Truth
By: Patricia Williams Dockery
ISBN: 9780593480465
Nonfiction, 7-12, Teen, Biography / Memoir
Rise Up and Sing!
By: Andrea Warner
Illustrated by:
Louise Reimer
Louise Reimer
ISBN: 9781771648981
Nonfiction, Teen, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Salat in Secret
By: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
ISBN: 9781984848093
Fiction, 4-6, Religion / Spirituality
The Secret Pocket
By: Peggy Janicki
Illustrated by:
Carrielynn Victor
Carrielynn Victor
ISBN: 9781459833722
Nonfiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
She Kept Dancing
By: Sydney Mesher, Catherine Laudone
Illustrated by:
Natelle Quek
Natelle Quek
ISBN: 9781250842671
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Something, Someday
By: Amanda Gorman
Illustrated by:
Christian Robinson
Christian Robinson
ISBN: 9780593203255
Fiction, 4-6, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Stand as Tall as the Trees
By: Patricia Gualinga, Laura Resau
Illustrated by:
Vanessa Jaramillo
Vanessa Jaramillo
ISBN: 9781623542368
Nonfiction, 7-12, Environment / Sustainability / Recycling
Stand Up and Speak Out Against Racism
By: Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Illustrated by:
Aleesha Nandhra
Aleesha Nandhra
ISBN: 9781536231335
Nonfiction, 7-12, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Stars of the Night
By: Caren Stelson
Illustrated by:
Selina Alko
Selina Alko
ISBN: 9781541598683
Nonfiction, 7-12, Immigrant Experience
Swimming Toward a Dream
By: Reem Faruqi
Illustrated by:
Asma Enayeh
Asma Enayeh
ISBN: 9781645679837
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
That Flag
By: Tameka Fryer Brown
Illustrated by:
Nikkolas Smith
Nikkolas Smith
ISBN: 9780063093447
Fiction, 7-12, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Too Small Tola Gets Tough
By: Atinuke
Illustrated by:
Onyinye Iwu
Onyinye Iwu
ISBN: 9781536229462
Fiction, 7-12, BIPOC Characters and Creators
The Trail Blazing Life of Viola Desmond
By: Rachel Kehoe with Wanda Robson
Illustrated by:
Chelsea Charles
Chelsea Charles
ISBN: 9781459833975
Nonfiction, 7-12, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Voices of the People
By: Joseph Bruchac
Illustrated by:
17 tribally enrolled artists
17 tribally enrolled artists
ISBN: 9781478875161
Nonfiction, 7-12, Teen, BIPOC Characters and Creators
The Walk (A Stroll to the Poll)
By: Winsome Bingham
Illustrated by:
E.B. Lewis
E.B. Lewis
ISBN: 9781419747724
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
The Walking School Bus
By: Aaron Friedland, Ndileka Mandela
Illustrated by:
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
ISBN: 9781771644693
Fiction, 4-6, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
Warrior Girl Unearthed
By: Angeline Boulley
ISBN: 9781250766588
Fiction, Teen, BIPOC Characters and Creators
We Are Your Children Too
By: P. O'connell Pearson
ISBN: 9781665901390
Nonfiction, 7-12, Teen, BIPOC Characters and Creators
What Was the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921?
By: Caleb Gayle, Who HQ
Illustrated by:
Tim Foley
Tim Foley
ISBN: 9780593521700
Nonfiction, 7-12, History
What Your Ribbon Skirt Means to Me
By: Alexis Bunten
Illustrated by:
Nicole Neidhardt
Nicole Neidhardt
ISBN: 9780316430036
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
When the Stars Came Home
By: Brittany Luby
Illustrated by:
Natasha Donovan
Natasha Donovan
ISBN: 9780316592499
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
The Witness Trees
By: Ryan G. Van Cleave
Illustrated by:
Đốm Đốm
Đốm Đốm
ISBN: 9781638191254
Nonfiction, 7-12, History
A Year of Black Joy
By: Jamia Wilson
Illustrated by:
Jade Orlando
Jade Orlando
ISBN: 9781419767784
Nonfiction, 7-12, BIPOC Characters and Creators
The Yellow Áo Dài
By: Hanh Bui
Illustrated by:
Minnie Phan
Minnie Phan
ISBN: 9781250842060
Fiction, 4+6, Cultural Diversity
Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay
By: Kelly McWilliams
ISBN: 9780316449939
Fiction, Teen, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Yukie’s Island
By: Yukie Kimura, Kodo Kimura, Steve Sheinkin
Illustrated by:
Kodo Kimura
Kodo Kimura
ISBN: 9781250206503
Nonfiction, 4-6, History
