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Original poster

Books with diverse lead characters

33 replies

BookRecsPleaseAndThankYou · 21/01/2025 15:04

Looking for recommendations for favourites books please with diverse characters, particularly boy lead characters.

I've found lots with diverse girl characters but much less with boys.

Any suggestions please?

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 08/02/2025 20:26

Also the No 1 Car Spotters series by Atinuke. Set in an unnamed (I think!) African country about a boy from a poor background who loves cars. Probably a good idea to search Atinuke as they are a prolific author eg the Anna Hibiscus books and many more.

GretchenWienersHair · 08/02/2025 20:19

BookRecsPleaseAndThankYou · 21/01/2025 15:33

All of the above, (except different for the sake of being different).

Teacher, looking to diversify my classroom bookshelf to better represent the children I teach so they see themselves in the books in our classroom. We currently have more animal books than those with children main characters representing different cultures, nationalities, skin colours, physical impairments and so on.

I have spoken to my leadership team, they're supportive, but I need to tell them a list of books.

Show quote history

There’s a school in east London, Maryland Primary, which has done amazing things with their library in terms of diversity. The headteacher, Lorna Jackson, has been awarded an MBE for all of the things she has done. I visited there once to get ideas for my school and she was very accommodating. You might be too far away to visit, but I think it might be worth getting in touch with them!

GretchenWienersHair · 08/02/2025 20:17

What age range?

Togetheragain45 · 08/02/2025 20:16

How about 'Lord of the Rings?'

Leeds2 · 08/02/2025 20:14

The Boy In The Bubble by Stewart Forster. This is about a boy who has to live in a germ free bubble in hospital.
The Boy At The Back of the Class by Onjali Rauf. Main character is about a boy whose family are asylum seekers. I believe she has written other books covering similar issues, but I don’t know them.
No Ballet Shoes in Syria by Catherine Bruton. MC is a girl though.
Hacker by Malorie Blackman.
Joey Pigza Swallowed The Key by Jack Gantos. I think there are about 5 books in the series. The MC has severe ADD.
The above are all probably more suitable for ages 10-12.

Original poster
BookRecsPleaseAndThankYou · 21/01/2025 15:33

ThisGoldTraybake · 21/01/2025 15:17

When you say ‘diverse’ what are you actually looking for? Different for the sake of different? A black MC? A disabled MC? A story set in Asia or Africa??

All of the above, (except different for the sake of being different).

Teacher, looking to diversify my classroom bookshelf to better represent the children I teach so they see themselves in the books in our classroom. We currently have more animal books than those with children main characters representing different cultures, nationalities, skin colours, physical impairments and so on.

I have spoken to my leadership team, they're supportive, but I need to tell them a list of books.

OP posts:
ThisGoldTraybake · 21/01/2025 15:17

When you say ‘diverse’ what are you actually looking for? Different for the sake of different? A black MC? A disabled MC? A story set in Asia or Africa??

Zombella · 21/01/2025 15:16

Wonder by RJ Palacio, about a young boy with a facial difference. Lovely book.