Kindness, compassion and empathy: middle grade
Help your child develop kindness and empathy with these middle grade books that inspire compassion: whether that’s towards animals, friends, or people in very different situations to your own.
They're a great way to feel gratitude for the things you do have whilst putting yourself into the shoes of another person.
So share these books as a family, and let’s spread a little kindness in the world…
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Clean Getaway
Author: Nic Stone
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 9+One day, Scoob's Grandma turns up at his house and invites him on a road trip - retracing the steps of a trip she took with his late grandpa. This is a satisfying, timeless read about a family’s history which intersects with the American civil rights movement, and reminds readers of the impact of racism and intolerance.
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No Ballet Shoes in Syria
Author: Catherine Bruton
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Aya is a Syrian asylum seeker, looking after her mother and baby brother in the cold, unfamiliar city of Manchester – but she is also a talented ballet dancer. Children who love stories of performance and friendship will enjoy this book.
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The Boy at the Back of the Class
Author: Onjali Q Raúf
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 10+This is the story about how four classmates have a massive impact on the life of Ahmet, a boy that comes to their school as a refugee from Syria. An inspiring and sweet tale that should help children be the best they can be and realise the power of kindness.
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Can You See Me?
Author: Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Starting secondary school is a daunting time for any 11 year old – and Natalia is no exception. This is a powerful, readable and relatable story about trying to fit in. Along the way, a host of assumptions and stereotypes about autism are smashed.
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Two Sides
Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Binny Talib
Publisher: Stripes
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Lula and Lenka are the best of friends until they have an argument and neither will say sorry. Will they ever manage to make up? Polly Ho-Yen beautifully explores the complexity of friendships and learning that there are always two sides of a story.
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A Drop of Golden Sun
Author: Kate Saunders
Publisher: Faber
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A classic-feeling storyset in the 1970s about filming a Hollywood movie.
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Boy 87
Author: Ele Fountain
Publisher: Pushkin Children’s
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 10+This is a timely and important book which illuminates the realities of life as a refugee. The horrors that 14-year-old Shif is escaping are all too real, but this is ultimately a story about the power of kindness and the strength of the human spirit.
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Stitch
Author: Pádraig Kenny Illustrator: Steve McCarthy
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A powerful re-imagining of Frankenstein that provokes empathy and compassion. Compelling and thrilling.
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Give Me Shelter
Author: Editor: Tony Bradman
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+Told through the eyes of children, this moving collection of short stories focuses on the experiences of asylum seekers from all over the world.
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Girl with a White Dog
Author: Anne Booth
Publisher: Catnip Publishing
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 10+Jessie is delighted when she finds a beautiful white puppy at Gran's house. But then Gran starts becoming confused, and saying strange things about their new pet.
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Red Leaves
Author: Sita Brahmachari
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 12+Sita Brahmachari has created a beautiful tale of modern multicultural Britain. Her characters come from diverse backgrounds but are brought together by the common theme - they all feel they have been abandoned by someone they love.
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I am Malala
Author: Malala Yousafzai
Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
Interest age: 13+
Reading age: 13+This is the real life story of one of the most incredible and inspirational young people in the world. Reading this book might just change the way you think and feel.
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The Lion Above the Door
Author: Onjali Q Raúf
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Leo and his best friend often feel like the odd ones out at school and in the small village they live in, where everyone else is white. Another sensitive, thoughtful book from Onjali Q Rauf that highlights racism and bullying in children’s lives today.
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The Cooking Club Detectives
Author: Ewa Jozefkowicz
Publisher: Zephyr
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+This delightful detective story has an engaging plot and likable characters. It subtly explores new friendships, the importance of community and issues of food poverty and online bullying, plus includes some easy-to-follow recipes.
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The Soup Movement
Author: Ben Davies
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 10+Jordan is in remission from cancer but finding it difficult to make friends at his new school. One day, he gives a homeless man some soup and then, in the spirit of doing kind things, ends up secretly running a soup kitchen. Very funny and deeply moving.
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The Night Bus Hero
Author: Onjali Q. Raúf
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Hector is a bully who reports an innocent homeless man to the police because he thinks he's probably responsible for a spate of thefts - but when Hector discovers he's got it wrong, he must race to restore justice.
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Nothing Ever Happens Here
Author: Sarah Hagger-Holt
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 9+Nothing ever happens in Littlehaven... at least, that is, until Izzy's Dad comes out as trans. A gentle, timely and warm story about identity, friendship and standing up for what's right.
