A book to show my 10 year old DD that racism exists

[Ohgoodness34]

Apologies in advance if my words are clunky here:

Recent events have made me realise that although we’ve always been very clear with 10 year old DD that everyone in this world is (should be treated as) equal, we need to start talking more about the fact that racism and inequality/disadvantage exists and should be more active in educating her in this area.

We watch and discuss the news (she also gets The Week Junior) but we need to start focusing more on what it’s like to be a person of colour who is not treated equally and who experiences racism and our role (hers too) in actively stamping out racism.

She read When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and loved it, so we’ve discussed the persecution of jews in the war in an age appropriate way.

Looking for recommendations of children’s books to get the message across that it’s not enough to “not be racist”, but that we need to be active. That people of colour and minorities (not only black) are disadvantaged and what it’s like for them.

Ideally from a child’s perspective. Suitable for 10-12 years.

Any recommendations? Nothing so heavy that it puts her off reading it, so an enjoyable story with a thread or element of the subject.

So conscious that I may have phrased this badly, which is not my intention but hopefully this being the book thread you’ll go easy on me.

That people of colour and minorities (not only black) are disadvantaged and what it’s like for them.

OP I'm merely suggesting that you avoid discussing the groups you mention only through the prism of disadvantage.

Not a book - but there is probably a lot of stuff on the newsround pages of the bbc site. I know there is also a good explanation video from the Blue Peter team.

My DDs really enjoyed Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls - about influential women in history including Rosa Parkes. DD2 (age 9) in particular was really taken with her, watched the bbc learning video about her (and other people) and even wrote about her for school as a person she admires.

The Boy at the Back of the Class is a good story about a refugee child who has come to the UK, so not directly about racism but certainly about people being treated differently because of where they are from.

Most of the books I am aware of are probably in the slightly older age range. The Lies We Tell Ourselves is really good but more suitable for teens. It partners really well with Noughts and Crosses.

I think Noughts and Crosses might be a bit YA for your DD, there is murder and sex. But Malorie Blackman has written a number of books for younger children which are good - check the ones under 'older readers' here www.malorieblackman.co.uk/category/books/.
I know the title may put you/her off, but 'Boys who dare to be different' has lots of amazing stories about, well, just that, including lots about people who are not white heterosexuals and who've had to fight prejudice to achieve things.

A bit different but "Number 99" by Patrick Cave is told from the perspective of a Traveller girl and and her struggles with school and the foster system. It's set in the present day. It's not focused on discrimination - the heart of the book is her making friends and solving a mystery - but it has a lot of moments that could make a teen think about how it feels to be an outsider at school or part of a group who do things differently - she experiences bullying for instance.

Seconding the recommendation for Refugee Boy!