Books that Teach Empathy

Gain a fresh perspective with a selection from the Books that Teach Empathy Collection. The titles in this thematic Collection each focus on the ability to understand the feelings of another. With coming-of-age stories, autobiographies, graphic novels, and suspenseful thrillers, this diverse Collection includes selections to appeal to any reader seeking to better understand others.

The Chocolate Touch

by Patrick Skene Catling

Publication year 1952

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Self Discovery, Power & Greed, Childhood & Youth, Conflict, Friendship, Family, Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Humor, Symbolic Narrative, Children`s Literature, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Bullying, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

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The Circuit

by Francisco Jiménez

Publication year 1997

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Family, Justice, Immigration, Perseverance, Education, Childhood & Youth

Tags Historical Fiction, Poverty, Immigration & Refugeeism, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Arts & Culture

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The Cricket In Times Square

by George Selden

Publication year 1960

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Equality, Music, Nostalgia, Beauty, Truth & Lies, Self Discovery, Animals, Place

Tags Children`s Literature, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Animals, Diversity, Science & Nature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

Trapped in a picnic basket, Chester Cricket travels from his peaceful Connecticut home to the bustling Times Square subway station in George Selden’s classic children’s novel, The Cricket in Times Square (1960). There, Chester makes three good friends who help him navigate—and enjoy—his new city life: Mario Bellini, a young boy whose parents run a struggling newsstand; Tucker, a sociable mouse; and Tucker’s best friend, the cultured Harry Cat. Mishaps in the newsstand set Mama... Read The Cricket In Times Square Summary

The Door of No Return

by Kwame Alexander

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Guilt, Place, Family, Siblings, Grandparents, Friendship, Mothers, Equality, Power & Greed, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Good & Evil, Literature, Safety & Danger, Order & Chaos, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses, Language, Masculinity, Race, Love, Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Colonialism, Community, Death, Nation, Education, Self Discovery, Fathers

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Free Verse, Coming of Age, Race & Racism, History: African , African American Literature, World History

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The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Friendship, Community, Safety & Danger, Fate, Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Good & Evil, Appearance & Reality, Conflict, Loneliness

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Horror & Suspense, Children`s Literature

In The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, an orphan boy is raised by ghosts in a cemetery, where he learns how to become invisible, haunt people’s dreams, and face his destiny. Published in 2008, this fantasy-adventure novel for middle-grade and young-adult readers became a #1 New York Times bestseller. It won the Newbery and Carnegie medals for best children’s book, the first time a work has received both awards. It also garnered a Hugo Award... Read The Graveyard Book Summary

The Hundred Dresses

by Eleanor Estes

Publication year 1944

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes Childhood & Youth, Forgiveness, Guilt

Tags Classic Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Bullying

The Hundred Dresses is a children’s book by Eleanor Estes that was originally published in 1944. It includes pen-and-ink illustrations by Louis Slobodkin. In 1945, it was awarded the Newbery Honor, and it continues to be a popular book in elementary schools. A 2004 survey of third-grade teachers found that the book was a popular choice for reading aloud in the classroom, and a 2007 survey by the National Education Association named it one of... Read The Hundred Dresses Summary

The Indian in the Cupboard

by Lynne Reid Banks

Publication year 1980

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, War, Friendship

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, British Literature, Race & Racism, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

Published in 1980, the fantasy novel The Indian in the Cupboard tells the story of a small cabinet that converts a boy’s plastic toy figures into real, if tiny, people, and the misadventures the boy and his best friend have with those visitors. The first of five novels about the magic cabinet, The Indian in the Cupboard has sold more than 10 million copies and been made into a motion picture. Author Lynne Reid Banks... Read The Indian in the Cupboard Summary

The Magic Fish

by Trung Le Nguyen

Publication year 2020

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Love, Shame & Pride, Fear, Perseverance, Conflict, Hope, Sexual Identity

Tags LGBTQ+, Fantasy, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Asian Literature, Life-Inspired Fiction, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

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The Story of King Arthur and His Knights

by Howard Pyle

Publication year 1903

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Masculinity, Place, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Good & Evil, Wins & Losses

Tags Mythology, Medieval, World History, Classic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age, Fairy Tale & Folklore

The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, written and illustrated by Howard Pyle, was originally published in 1903. Pyle’s Book 1s part of the Arthurian romance genre, which begins with Geoffrey of Monmouth’s introduction of the Arthur character in The History of the Kings of Britain, written in the twelfth century. The Arthurian, or chivalric, romance genre includes texts from many different eras and in many different languages. Pyle’s novel offers an American perspective... Read The Story of King Arthur and His Knights Summary

The Unteachables

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Shame & Pride, Education

Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Education, Diversity, Bullying, Relationships, American Literature, Children`s Literature, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

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The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

by Karina Yan Glaser

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Guilt, Grief, Joy, Loneliness, Love, Nostalgia, Regret, Hope, Art, Music, Literature, Order & Chaos, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Daughters & Sons, Family, Friendship, Fathers, Mothers, Siblings, Community, Environment, Animals, Food, Place

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age, Urban Development, Special Occasions, Modern Classic Fiction

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The View From Saturday

by E. L. Konigsburg

Publication year 1996

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Teamwork, Loneliness, Friendship, Animals

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Disability, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

The View From Saturday by American author Elaine Lobl Konigsburg was published in 1996 and won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children’s literature in 1997—Konigsburg’s second Newbery Medal. She is one of only six writers to win the award twice (her first was awarded for From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler in 1968). Prior to becoming a writer of children’s and young adult fiction and publishing over 20 works from... Read The View From Saturday Summary

The War I Finally Won

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Fear, Love, Mothers

Tags Historical Fiction, World War II, Military & War, Children`s Literature, World History

The War I Finally Won is a work of historical fiction written by Kimberley Brubaker Bradley. The novel is intended for middle grade readers. It was published in 2017, and has won numerous awards, including qualifying for the New York Times Best Seller list, winning the California Young Reader’s Medal, and being named one of the Washington Post’s Best Children’s Books of the Year. The War I Finally Won is a sequel to Bradley’s highly... Read The War I Finally Won Summary

The Wind in the Willows

by Kenneth Grahame

Publication year 1908

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Beauty, Good & Evil, Literature, Friendship, Animals, Plants

Tags Fantasy, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, Animals, British Literature, Classic Fiction

First published in 1908, The Wind in the Willows by Scottish writer Kenneth Grahame is a story for young readers that recounts the adventures of three animals: Mole, Rat, and Badger. In the woodlands where they live, the trio must deal with various problems—which include frequently rescuing their friend Mr. Toad, who loves thrills and often causes trouble.Widely considered one of the greatest literary works for children, The Wind in the Willows has been reprinted... Read The Wind in the Willows Summary

The Writing Retreat

by Julia Bartz

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity, Femininity, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Religion & Spirituality, Fame, Loyalty & Betrayal, Literature

Tags Horror & Suspense, LGBTQ+, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

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To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

Publication year 1960

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction, Coming of Age, American Literature, Southern Gothic, Education, Education, World History, Historical Fiction

To Kill a Mockingbird is a Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel written by Harper Lee and originally published in 1960. The book is widely regarded as an American classic and, until recently, was the only novel Lee had published. To Kill a Mockingbird was inspired by events and observations that took place in Lee’s hometown. Set in the Great Depression, from 1932 to 1935, the novel is narrated by a young girl named Scout, whose coming-of-age experiences closely mirror... Read To Kill a Mockingbird Summary