Best Prejudice Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2025

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You is a powerful exploration of racism and antiracism in America. Using a fast-paced and engaging narrative, award-winning author Jason Reynolds reimagines Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning, revealing the history of racist ideas in America and inspiring hope for an antiracist future. This book is an essential read for anyone looking to better understand the construct of race and how it has been used to gain and maintain power throughout American history.

It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (Adapted for Young Readers) is a remarkable memoir that offers a fascinating perspective on South Africa’s tumultuous racial history. Trevor Noah shares his personal story of growing up half black, half white in South Africa under and after apartheid, and the injustices he faced. Despite the staggering obstacles he encountered, Trevor used his keen smarts and humor to navigate a harsh life under a racist government. This honest and poignant memoir will astound and inspire readers, providing a piercing reminder that every mad life could end up a masterpiece.

Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice is a powerful graphic memoir that tells the story of Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, and his iconic protest against racial injustice. The book, co-written with Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile, offers a stirring portrait of Smith's athletic career and his activism, highlighting the professional repercussions he faced for taking a stand. This book is a must-read for sports fans and anyone interested in social justice movements.

The Sum of Us (Adapted for Young Readers): How Racism Hurts Everyone is a call to action that examines how racism affects and harms all of us and how we need to face it head-on, together. Heather McGhee believes that all people need to rethink their attitude toward race and strive together to create opportunities that benefit everyone. She draws lessons both from her work at a think tank and from her travels around the country talking to everyday Americans fighting for a more just and inclusive society. This book provides hope that with understanding and open-mindedness, the world can be more united and equitable than it is today.

How to Be a (Young) Antiracist is a book for young adults based on the adult bestseller by Ibram X. Kendi, and co-authored by bestselling author Nic Stone. The book serves as a guide for teens seeking a way forward in acknowledging, identifying, and dismantling racism and injustice. Kendi and Stone have revised this work to provide anecdotes and data that speaks directly to the experiences and concerns of younger readers, encouraging them to think critically and build a more equitable world in doing so. This book is a must-read for young adults who want to help create a more just society.

Warriors Don't Cry is a compelling memoir by Melba Pattillo Beals, one of the Little Rock Nine who integrated Little Rock's Central High School in 1957. Through her harrowing ordeal, Beals acted with courage and dignity, refusing to back down in the face of racism, violence, and death threats. The book is a powerful reminder of the Civil Rights Movement's struggles and the bravery of young black students who used their voices to influence change. This Simon Pulse publication is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of America's past and present racial tensions.

A Young People's History of the United States is an exceptional book that sheds light on the stories of workers, slaves, immigrants, women, Native Americans, and other marginalized groups that are often left out of traditional history books. Howard Zinn's approach to history is radical, and he tells the untold stories of the oppressed and the poor. This book is a must-read for young adults who want to have a better understanding of America's history. The book is precise enough to satisfy specialists but also accessible to any adult reader. Overall, this book is an excellent antidote to establishment history and a reminder that America's true greatness is shaped by its dissident voices.

The Endless Steppe: Growing Up in Siberia is a remarkable true story of a family during one of the bleakest periods in history. The Rudomin family is accused of being capitalists and forced from their home and friends in Vilna, Poland, to live in exile in Siberia. For five years, Esther and her family struggle to stay alive in the endless steppe. The strength of their small family sustains them and gives them hope for the future. This book radiates optimism and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a powerful classic that deserves to be read by all.

Badass Black Girl: Quotes, Questions, and Affirmations for Teens is a celebration of Black joy and an affirmation of Black girls' strength. Written by M.J. Fievre, this book provides powerful affirmations and insightful journaling prompts to boost self-esteem and promote positive self-awareness. The book also features quotes from Black female trailblazers who accomplished remarkable things in literature, entertainment, STEM, politics, and law, sports, and more. Overall, this book is a must-read for teenage girls who want to embrace authenticity and celebrate who they are.

This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work (Volume 1) is a #1 New York Times bestseller that has been recommended by Oprah's Book Club, among others. Written by Tiffany Jewell, an anti-bias, anti-racist educator and activist, and illustrated by Aurélia Durand, the book provides readers with a deeper understanding of their anti-racist selves. It explores social identities, the history of racism and resistance against it, and how readers can use their anti-racist lens and voice to move the world toward equity and liberation. The book is unique in its approach, with 20 activities that encourage introspection and growth. The book is an essential read for teens and young adults who seek to understand and combat racism.