Politics, freedom of choice, and the big issues

Alpha: Abidjan to Gare du Nord

These books are a great way to get secondary school aged children engaged with issues of politics and human rights.

From historical fiction and non-fiction addressing times of great political upheveal and human tragedy, to contemporary stories examining the issues of today, all of these books can be read individually or as a class.

  • Watch Us Rise

    Author: Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan

    Interest level: 13-16

    Reading age: 10+

    Flip
  • Watch Us Rise

    Author: Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan

    Interest level: 13-16

    Reading age: 10+

    Jasmine and her friends are fed up with casual discrimination and being pigeonholed as stereotypes. So they start a school blog ad…

    ; Flip
  • White Eagles

    Author: Elizabeth Wein

    Interest level: 12-15

    Reading age: 8+

    Flip
  • White Eagles

    Author: Elizabeth Wein

    Interest level: 12-15

    Reading age: 8+

    It’s the summer of 1939. Germany’s troops have gathered near Poland’s borders and their air force is making increasingly daring fo…

    ; Flip
  • How High the Moon

    Author: Karyn Parsons

    Interest level: 9-14

    Reading age: 9+

    Flip
  • How High the Moon

    Author: Karyn Parsons

    Interest level: 9-14

    Reading age: 9+

    Inspired by the tragic true story of the youngest American ever to be executed, this ambitious novel weaves together family drama …

    ; Flip
  • Inheritance

    Author: Balli Kaur Jaswal

    Interest level: 14-18

    Reading age: 10+

    Flip
  • Inheritance

    Author: Balli Kaur Jaswal

    Interest level: 14-18

    Reading age: 10+

    As a newly-independent Singapore struggles to establish its own identity and economic stability, a single father in the Punjabi Si…

    ; Flip
  • Here I Stand

    Author: Various Illustrator: Chris Riddell

    Interest level: 12-18

    Reading age: 12+

    Flip
  • Here I Stand

    Author: Various Illustrator: Chris Riddell

    Interest level: 12-18

    Reading age: 12+

    These short stories by writers such as Sita Brahmachari, Matt Haig and Frances Harding, with illustration by Chris Riddell, put cu…

    ; Flip
  • The Road of Bones

    Author: Anne Fine

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 11+

    Flip
  • The Road of Bones

    Author: Anne Fine

    Interest level: 11+

    Reading age: 11+

    Anne Fine subtly but accessibly explores the nature of state repression, personal freedom and responsibility in this thrilling, da…

    ; Flip
  • Noughts and Crosses

    Author: Malorie Blackman

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 12+

    Flip
  • Noughts and Crosses

    Author: Malorie Blackman

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 12+

    Callum is a Nought but his best friend Sephy is a Cross - the daughter of one of the most influential politicians in the country.

    ; Flip
  • Illegal

    Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano

    Interest level: 10-16

    Reading age: 10+

    Flip
  • Illegal

    Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano

    Interest level: 10-16

    Reading age: 10+

    Illegal tells the story of Ebo, a 12-year-old boy who flees grinding poverty, zero opportunities and a drunken uncle in his s…

    ; Flip
  • Until We Win

    Author: Linda Newbery

    Interest level: 12-16

    Reading age: 7+

    Flip
  • Until We Win

    Author: Linda Newbery

    Interest level: 12-16

    Reading age: 7+

    This dyslexia friendly book looks at feminism and friendship, set against the looming backdrop of the First World War. Lizzy is a …

    ; Flip
  • Child I

    Author: Steve Tasane

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Flip
  • Child I

    Author: Steve Tasane

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    This heartbreaking tale of a group of children living in a refugee camp is based on real events, and will make readers both young …

    ; Flip
  • The Hate U Give

    Author: Angie Thomas

    Interest level: 12-18

    Reading age: 12+

    Flip
  • The Hate U Give

    Author: Angie Thomas

    Interest level: 12-18

    Reading age: 12+

    The Hate U Give is rightly named by many critics as one of the most important books of 2017. It's a profound, deeply compelling mo…

    ; Flip
  • The Other Side of Truth

    Author: Beverley Naidoo

    Interest level: 11-16

    Reading age: 10+

    Flip
  • The Other Side of Truth

    Author: Beverley Naidoo

    Interest level: 11-16

    Reading age: 10+

    The family knew that Papa’s journalism might put them at risk. But now Mama is dead, their passports are seized and Papa must try …

    ; Flip
  • Terror Kid

    Author: Benjamin Zephaniah

    Interest level: 13-14

    Reading age: 13+

    Flip
  • Terror Kid

    Author: Benjamin Zephaniah

    Interest level: 13-14

    Reading age: 13+

    A powerful, accessible and revelatory novel with its finger firmly on the pulse of contemporary social and political issues.

    ; Flip
  • Welcome to Nowhere

    Author: Elizabeth Laird

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Flip
  • Welcome to Nowhere

    Author: Elizabeth Laird

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Omar doesn't know much about politics, nor does he care, however, when his older brother, Musa, throws his lot in with the student…

    ; Flip
  • Alpha: Abidjan to Gare du Nord

    Author: Bessora & Barroux Translator: Sarah Ardizzone

    Interest level: 14-16

    Reading age: 14+

    Flip
  • Alpha: Abidjan to Gare du Nord

    Author: Bessora & Barroux Translator: Sarah Ardizzone

    Interest level: 14-16

    Reading age: 14+

    A powerful, terrible and essential story, Alpha should be required reading for everyone. The graphic novel highlights the terror a…

    ; Flip
  • Politics for Beginners

    Author: Alex Frith and Rosie Hore and Louie Stowell Illustrator: Kellan Stover

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10-12

    Flip
  • Politics for Beginners

    Author: Alex Frith and Rosie Hore and Louie Stowell Illustrator: Kellan Stover

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 10-12

    It's increasingly important for young people to learn about politics and how they can get involved. This engaging book introduces …

    ; Flip