Books on Justice & Injustice

James Baldwin said, "It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have." In this collection, we've compiled texts that explore the idea of what justice is — and how it can thrive.

How to Cheat Your Own Death

by Kristen Perrin

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Memory, Revenge, The Past, Family, Social Class, Justice

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction

The novel opens with a 1968 prologue in Soho, London. Vera Huntington, a young socialite and Frances's London acquaintance, finds Frances Adams—Annie Adams's great-aunt—at Ronnie Scott's jazz club and tells Frances she is in danger, whispering of her brother, "He'll kill me" (4). Frances asks what would happen if Vera got to him first, a question that visibly ignites something in Vera's mind.In the present day, Annie Adams, a 25-year-old aspiring writer who inherited the... Read How to Cheat Your Own Death Summary

How To Eat Fried Worms

by Thomas Rockwell

Publication year 1973

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Justice, Friendship, Childhood & Youth

Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

In the novel How to Eat Fried Worms, a boy accepts a $50 bet from a friend to eat 15 worms in 15 days, but as he nears victory, he faces a flurry of nasty tricks and traps that go wildly out of control. Written by Thomas Rockwell, son of the famous American illustrator Norman Rockwell, and published in 1973, the book sold over three million copies, won several awards, was a target of censors... Read How To Eat Fried Worms Summary

How To Hang A Witch

by Adriana Mather

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Guilt, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Coming of Age, Death, Appearance & Reality, Family, Mothers, Self Discovery, Community, Good & Evil, Justice, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

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How to Seal Your Own Fate

by Kristen Perrin

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Memory, Revenge, Death, Family, Social Class, Justice

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction

Kristen Perrin’s How to Seal Your Own Fate (2025) is the second installment in the Castle Knoll Files cozy mystery series. After inheriting the sprawling Gravesdown estate, Annie is drawn into investigating the mysterious 1961 car crash that killed three members of the aristocratic Gravesdown family. Guided by a cryptic fortune-teller, Annie uses her great-aunt’s extensive archives of village secrets to unravel a conspiracy of murder and betrayal, solving a 60-year-old cold case. The novel... Read How to Seal Your Own Fate Summary

How to Stand Up to a Dictator

by Maria Ressa

Publication year 2022

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Sexual Identity, Teamwork, Colonialism, Community, Economics, Education, Globalization, Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Literature, Power & Greed, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Politics & Government, Asian History, Journalism, Social Justice, World History, Biography

... Read How to Stand Up to a Dictator Summary

Human Acts

by Han Kang

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Justice, Politics & Government, Community, Memory

Tags Historical Fiction, Grief & Death, Social Justice, Korean Literature, Trauma & Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction, Asian Literature, World History

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Hum If You Don't Know the Words

by Bianca Marais

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Hate & Anger, Hope, Love, Revenge, Race, Coming of Age, Death, Future, The Past, Friendship, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags World History, Arts & Culture, Historical Fiction, Race & Racism

... Read Hum If You Don't Know the Words Summary

Hungerstone

by Kat Dunn

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Revenge, Femininity, Gender Identity, Appearance & Reality, Social Class, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Fantasy, Gothic Literature, LGBTQ+, Historical Fiction

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Hush

by Jacqueline Woodson

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Perseverance, Justice, Hope, Loneliness, Mental Health, Race, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Realistic Fiction, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Hush Summary

I Am Not Your Negro

by James Baldwin

Publication year 2017

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Race, Justice

Tags Race & Racism, Black Arts Movement, Existentialism, World History, Social Justice, Classic Fiction, Politics & Government, Biography

I Am Not Your Negro by James Baldwin and Raoul Peck is an accompanying text to the 2016 documentary of the same name, directed by Peck. The documentary was released to critical acclaim. It won Best Documentary award at the BAFTA Film Awards and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The text is essentially a transcript of the film, incorporating excerpts of interviews, television features, and films.I Am Not Your Negro... Read I Am Not Your Negro Summary