'Huckleberry Finn' and Company: 9 Books About Identity, Racism, and Life-Changing Journeys

Mark Twain's books have been a part of U.S. American literary canon since their inception. Here are nine YA books that tackle similar themes, presenting stories full of tenacity. perseverance, and self-awareness. 


 

Mark Twain's books have been a part of U.S. American literary canon since their inception. Here are nine YA books that tackle similar themes, presenting stories full of tenacity. perseverance, and self-awareness. 


Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy. ISBN 9781534444959.

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez. Algonquin. ISBN 9781616209919.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. Houghton Harcourt. ISBN 9780544107717.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. First Second. ISBN 9781596433731.

READ: Challenging the Classics to Create an Inclusive Curriculum | SLJ Summit 2020

 

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen. ISBN 9780399252518.

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall. Tu Bks. ISBN 9781600604294.

The Seeds of America Trilogy: Chains; Forge; Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Book.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award–Winning Stamped from the Beginning by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Little, Brown. ISBN 9780316453691.

 

 

 

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