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.
Publication year 2016
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Grief, Race, Community, Family
Tags Historical Fiction, Race & Racism, Relationships, Grief & Death, Diversity, American Literature, 9/11, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, World History
Publication year 2010
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Family, Conflict, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Fear, Apathy, Memory, Regret, Childhood & Youth, Environment, Plants, Food, Community, Economics, Appearance & Reality, Social Class, Literature, Art, Music, Loyalty & Betrayal, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Daughters & Sons, Fathers, Friendship, Grandparents, Mothers
Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Great Depression, Animals, Realistic Fiction, World History
Turtle in Paradise is a 2010 historical fiction children’s novel by Jennifer L. Holm. Set in the Florida Keys during the Great Depression, the novel follows an 11-year-old girl’s struggles and successes as she visits her aunt and cousins in the town where her mother grew up. The novel won the Golden Kite Award and is a Newbery Honor Book as well as a Junior Library Guild selection. Other works by this author include The... Read Turtle in Paradise Summary
Publication year 2022
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Environment, Apathy, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Hope, Grief, Indigenous Identity, Justice, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Fathers, Friendship, Teamwork, Mothers, Animals, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Death, Plants, Place, Politics & Government, Community
Tags Action & Adventure, Survival Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Natural Disaster, Climate Change, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publication year 1986
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Friendship, Shame & Pride, Family, Death
Tags Horror & Suspense, Grief & Death, Science Fiction, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality
Mary Downing Hahn’s eerie middle grade novel Wait Till Helen Comes (1986) is a ghost story that explores themes of family, friendship, and the emotional toll of death and guilt. Wait Till Helen Comes received a starred review from Booklist and was awarded the Texas Bluebonnet Award in 1989. The novel was also adapted into a Lifetime movie titled Little Girl’s Secret (2016), with Hahn making a cameo appearance in the film as the town... Read Wait Till Helen Comes Summary
Publication year 2018
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Immigration, War, Community, Safety & Danger, Femininity, Politics & Government, Family, Education, Gender Identity, Fear, Grief, Memory, Perseverance, Conflict
Tags Politics & Government, Social Justice, World History, Immigration & Refugeeism, Gender & Feminism, Education, Biography
Publication year 2020
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Nonfiction
Themes Family, Perseverance, Hope
Tags Immigration & Refugeeism, Life-Inspired Fiction, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Biography
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Mental Health, Family, Friendship, Community, Guilt, Conflict, Childhood & Youth
Tags Mental Illness, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 2019
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction
Themes Disability, Death, Safety & Danger, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Friendship, Memory, The Past, Fear, Family, War, Grief, Conflict, Fathers, Justice, Good & Evil, Power & Greed, Politics & Government, Trust & Doubt, Hope, Gratitude, Loneliness, Loyalty & Betrayal, Appearance & Reality, Nation
Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Dramatic Literature, World War II, Holocaust, Military & War, World History
Publication year 1926
Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction
Themes Friendship, Joy, Order & Chaos, Appearance & Reality, Place, Community
Tags Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Fantasy, Animals, Food, Relationships, Science & Nature
Publication year 2016
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Family, Friendship, Community, Childhood & Youth, Disability
Tags Realistic Fiction, Animals, Bullying, Children`s Literature
Publication year 2012
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Disability, Family
Tags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Children`s Literature, Disability, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction
Wonder is a middle-grade novel written by R.J. Palacio and published in 2012 by Alfred A. Knopf. The novel is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and also a major motion picture. Though multiple narrators tell the tale, the plot centers around August “Auggie” Pullman, a 10-year-old kid who has a genetic condition called mandibulofacial dysostosis that has left his face misshapen. People stare and judge him by his looks, but Auggie tries not to... Read Wonder Summary
Publication year 1990
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Animals, Environment, Perseverance
Tags Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Life-Inspired Fiction, Sports, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Science & Nature
Published in 1991, the adventure biography Woodsong recounts novelist Gary Paulsen’s experiences as a dogsled driver, including his participation in the Iditarod race across Alaska. He describes the hard-won lessons he learns, the strange and wondrous things he witnesses, and the love and admiration he feels for the dogs he trains with. Three-time Newbury Honor winner Paulsen wrote more than 200 works, most of them for middle-grade and young adult readers. His books often tell... Read Woodsong Summary