Call it challenging, sensitive, or serious. The subject matter that has propelled youth literature over the past decade simply reflects reality. In the past year alone, books for children and teens have dealt with middle school period equity, the history of Indigenous erasure, Muslim travel bans, generational trauma among immigrant families, and personal struggles with racism and identity—all very real issues shaping life in the U.S.
For kids grappling with such complexity while also trying to find their place in the world, a richly told story can ease the journey. Reading about a character facing unfamiliar struggles can encourage self-reflection among young readers, helping them build empathy and develop their internal compass. Tales that reflect a child’s own circumstances may relieve feelings of alienation that they experience at school, at home, or in society. Narratives tackling issues such as gender or disability often introduce language that enables self-expression and promotes conversation among younger readers.
Books on tough topics also help adults reach youth who are struggling to process difficult emotions or hard realities. Roughly 69% of parents of teens have used a book to help their child deal with their experiences, and 54% of parents of young children said books have helped their children understand feelings and emotions.
“Literature targeting youth is a great vehicle for promoting family communication about challenging topics,” says Dr. Marietta Collins, a licensed clinical psychologist. Collins, who has worked with children and teens for two decades, coauthored a series of books for younger readers addressing racism and social injustice, gun violence, and climate change. Reading stories about these issues can help young readers develop a point of view and learn to speak out for what they believe in. “Engaged children and teens can spark adult energy, encourage civic involvement, and provide strong messages encouraging positive action and advocacy,” Collins says.
Moreover, the myriad perspectives found in books for young readers today can help them feel less alone. Whether they have a differently abled body, an incarcerated parent, or a mental health condition, such as depression or ADHD, children and teens can probably find a story that speaks to them, according to Dea Lavoie, owner of Second Star to the Right, a children’s and young adult book and toy store in Denver. “There are also more books being published about, for, and by LGBTQ+ people,” Lavoie says. “Not enough, but the number is growing.”
The proliferation of these books can’t be taken for granted. A spate of new laws and state policies enacted during the past year are being used to ban books in public schools. PEN America tallied more than 10,000 instances of book banning during the 2023–2024 school year, more than double the previous year’s total. The vast majority of banned books feature people of color and/or LGBTQ+ people. Restrictions on books by and about women and girls, including depictions of rape or sexual abuse, have also increased.
Despite how those issues may resonate with adults, young readers are hungry to see them represented in literature. “Many topics that adults see as challenging for young people are subjects that kid readers find essential and engaging because they are already part of their daily lives,” says Brein Lopez, general manager of Children's Book World in Los Angeles and an American Booksellers Association board member. That’s why, Lopez says, “it is vital for every community to have books on topics such as these that are accessible and read with understanding.”
Below, we spotlight a selection of books on tough topics for children and teens. Click through to read for each topic.
