Build empathy and understanding about complicated issues.
These beautiful stories will destigmatize the experience of people living in poverty by giving children of all socioeconomic backgrounds a glimpse into the lives of others.
Well-told stories are the best tools for teaching empathy and inspiring your next volunteer project.
You may also want to check out our collection of picture books about hunger, poverty, and homelessness.
Talk about the issue.
How would you feel if you had to rely on a stranger to provide your lunch every day?
How do you feel when you are hungry and have to wait to eat? How would it feel to experience that sort of hunger every day?
What do you think would be the hardest part of not having a home?
If you did not have a place to live, what things would be most important to you? Where would you sleep? How would you stay clean?
What things are you grateful for? Are these things you need to live or things that are simply nice to have?
Watch for opportunities to discuss the topic of poverty beyond these books, perhaps when you see someone on the street asking for a handout, or when you're dropping off a donation at the neighborhood food pantry.
Challenge stereotypes and myths about people who are poor. Educate yourself and your children. For example, did you know that 21% of American children live in poverty? To learn more, take the Poverty Quiz with your kids created by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
Featured Title
Just Under the Clouds by Melissa Sarno
This heart-breaking yet hopeful middle-grade book features Cora and her family as they struggle to find a new place to call home.
More DGT Favorites
A Kids' Guide to Hunger & Homelessness by Cathryn Berger Kaye
This workbook contains a motivating combination of eye-opening information, thought-provoking questions, and straightforward suggestions about how to make change. Empowered by this book, your child is sure to begin leading family acts of kindness.
Almost Home by John Bauer
Twelve-year-old Sugar is losing everybody. Her grandfather passed away. Her father ran off with his gambling addiction. Thankfully, with the help of a rescue dog named Shush, an amazing teacher, and her own love of poetry, Sugar manages to stay calm in the stormy chaos of her life.
Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly
All middle-grade readers will relate to the feeling of being a misfit, of being “not good enough,” and the resentment Apple Yengko sometimes shows toward her mother while she tries to fit in.
Changing Places: A Kids View of Shelter Living by Judy Wallace and Glen Finland
Eight homeless children talk share true, poignant stories about life in a shelter. This is a wonderful resource for helping children see the human experience behind the issues of homelessness and poverty. Ages 6 - 12.
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
When Jackson and his family fall on hard times, he turns to Crenshaw for help. Crenshaw, the humongous imaginary cat that tells it like it is, teaches us all how imagination and creativity — and a good friend -- can help us cope with difficult situations. Ages 8 and up.
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
This book captures the challenges and obligations of active citizenship in an amazing fictional adventure. Both funny and thought-provoking, The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora is the captivating story of a family, their town, and one boy's quest to step up and save them both. Ages 10 and up.
Esperenza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Set during the Great Depression, Esperenza is forced to give up her materialistic ways and work to help support her family.
Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
This book offers a glimpse into the life of a sweet boy who perseveres in spite of poverty. Heartbreaking and honest, this book offers incredible perspective and an opportunity for empathy. Ages 12 and up.
Food Fight: Poets Join the Fight Against Hunger with Poems to Favorite Food edited and illustrated by Michael J. Rosen
Thirty-three children’s poets contribute to the fight against hunger by penning poems about food. Read odes to pies, pizzas, and matzo ball soup.
The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage
This Newbery Honor book makes it clear that family and friends are greater treasures than any objects. The story introduces us to Armand, a homeless, solitary man. He discovers a family with children living under a bridge. He cherishes what they bring to his life, yet knows he must work to find them a better home.
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
When Wanda, a poor immigrant girl from Poland who always wears the same blue faded dress tells her classmates that she has one hundred dresses at home, the other children in class taunt her. After Wanda leaves the school because of the teasing, two of her classmates must deal with their guilt.
Invisible Lives by Mary Amato
An inspiring novel about a poverty-stricken kid with grit and his attempt to “rise above it."
I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives by Caitlin Alifirenka, Martin Ganda, and Liz Welch
In this unique non-fiction story, Caitlin, an upper middle class Ohio teen, is assigned a pen pal from Africa. When she and Martin first begin writing to each other, she doesn’t even know where Zimbabwe is. The two ultimately become best friends, and better people, and inspire readers to ask big questions about their place in the world.
New Kid by Jerry Craft
This graphic novel has the distinction of winning both the Newbery and Corretta Scott King in 2019. This honest, engaging story is all about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the stress of living in between two cultures is high.
Rufus M. by Eleanor Estes
Even though his family doesn’t have much, Rufus always finds ways to overcome any obstacles he faces.
Serefina’s Promise by Anne Burg
Told in verse, this first person story of a young girl’s life in Haiti is filled with the harsh realities of poverty even as it reveals a poetic undercurrent of hope and promise.
What the World Eats by Faith D’Aluisio
Through colorful photos, maps and recipes, this book profiles families and the foods they eat while raising important questions about world hunger.
Young Adult
The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
This semi-autobiographical tale of a teen growing up on a reservation tells the story of Indian identity, both tribal and personal. It's also a laugh-out-loud account of a richly drawn, resilient young man coming of age. Ages 12 and up.
Breaking Night by Liz Murray
Liz Murray ends up on the streets at age fifteen after fleeing a broken home, and made her way to Harvard University by her sheer will and determination.
No Place to Be: Voices of Homeless Children by Judith Berck
Weaves together commentary on homelessness with photos and the words of homeless kids.
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
This dark, dystopian series features a society so imbalanced that communities are forced to send their teenagers to fight to the death, their battle turned into televised entertainment. Though too disturbing for sensitive readers, there are many good ideas in this trilogy that illuminate the experience of poverty and promote empathy.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
The author of The Hate You Give is back with the relatable and inspiring story of Bri, the daughter of a deceased underground rapper who hopes to make it out of the hood and reach rap stardom herself. Her trials and triumphs make this a book that’s hard to put down.
This Side of Home by Renee Watson
Maya Younger and her identical twin sister, Nikki, have always agreed on the important things. But when their Portland neighborhood goes from rough-and-tumble to up-and-coming, Maya feels her connection to Nikki and their community slipping away. What do you do when home doesn’t feel like home anymore?
Back to Read Together for more book lists.
Haven't found what you're looking for? Visit our Complete Resource List.
Want to take the lessons further on this important subject?
Order the DGT™ Hunger Curriculum which uses stories and discussions to empower kids to help!
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