January is Poverty in America Awareness Month. 13.4% of the national population lives below the poverty line. That's approximately 42.5 million Americans - including children.
Here are some librarian-approved chapter books for kids that address difficult topics like poverty, hunger, and homelessness.
After Jeff’s mom loses her job and they both lose their apartment, he’s determined to keep it a secret. That means pushing away anyone who might be able to help — if he can.
After Jeff’s mom loses her job and they both lose their apartment, he’s determined to keep it a secret. That means pushing away anyone who might be able to help — if he can.
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After Jeff’s mom loses her job and they both lose their apartment, he’s determined to keep it a secret. That means pushing away anyone who might be able to help — if he can.
After Jeff’s mom loses her job and they both lose their apartment, he’s determined to keep it a secret. That means pushing away anyone who might be able to help — if he can.
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Isaiah Dunn’s life is on the upswing. While his family doesn’t have a home of their own, they are living someplace safe and stable. But when he joins a mentoring program at school, the kid Isaiah's mentoring might need more help than he can provide.
Isaiah Dunn’s life is on the upswing. While his family doesn’t have a home of their own, they are living someplace safe and stable. But when he joins a mentoring program at school, the kid Isaiah's mentoring might need more help than he can provide.
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Isaiah Dunn’s life is on the upswing. While his family doesn’t have a home of their own, they are living someplace safe and stable. But when he joins a mentoring program at school, the kid Isaiah's mentoring might need more help than he can provide.
Isaiah Dunn’s life is on the upswing. While his family doesn’t have a home of their own, they are living someplace safe and stable. But when he joins a mentoring program at school, the kid Isaiah's mentoring might need more help than he can provide.
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Welcome to Nowhere, Arizona: the least livable town in the United States. When Bo tries to force Gus to eat a dangerously spiny cactus, one of the best ra...Show more
Welcome to Nowhere, Arizona: the least livable town in the United States. When Bo tries to force Gus to eat a dangerously spiny cactus, one of the best racers in Nowhere comes to his rescue — but in return she has to give Bo her prized dirt bike. Determined to buy it back, Gus agrees to go searching for gold in Dead Frenchman Mine.
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Welcome to Nowhere, Arizona: the least livable town in the United States. When Bo tries to force Gus to eat a dangerously spiny cactus, one of the best ra...Show more
Welcome to Nowhere, Arizona: the least livable town in the United States. When Bo tries to force Gus to eat a dangerously spiny cactus, one of the best racers in Nowhere comes to his rescue — but in return she has to give Bo her prized dirt bike. Determined to buy it back, Gus agrees to go searching for gold in Dead Frenchman Mine.
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Punk rocker JJ moves to Brooklyn after his dad loses his job. Aspiring graffiti artist Pie has always called Brooklyn home. Their creative spirits make them friends — but outside forces might pull them apart.
Punk rocker JJ moves to Brooklyn after his dad loses his job. Aspiring graffiti artist Pie has always called Brooklyn home. Their creative spirits make them friends — but outside forces might pull them apart.
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Punk rocker JJ moves to Brooklyn after his dad loses his job. Aspiring graffiti artist Pie has always called Brooklyn home. Their creative spirits make them friends — but outside forces might pull them apart.
Punk rocker JJ moves to Brooklyn after his dad loses his job. Aspiring graffiti artist Pie has always called Brooklyn home. Their creative spirits make them friends — but outside forces might pull them apart.
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When the Yangs move to a family shelter in the South Bronx, June’s not allowed to bring her viola — but she’s not about to leave it behind. With the help of a new friend, Tyrell, she’s determined to keep making music despite the changes in her life.
When the Yangs move to a family shelter in the South Bronx, June’s not allowed to bring her viola — but she’s not about to leave it behind. With the help of a new friend, Tyrell, she’s determined to keep making music despite the changes in her life.
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When the Yangs move to a family shelter in the South Bronx, June’s not allowed to bring her viola — but she’s not about to leave it behind. With the help of a new friend, Tyrell, she’s determined to keep making music despite the changes in her life.
When the Yangs move to a family shelter in the South Bronx, June’s not allowed to bring her viola — but she’s not about to leave it behind. With the help of a new friend, Tyrell, she’s determined to keep making music despite the changes in her life.
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After a family buys a house in a struggling town for just one dollar, they're hoping to start over. But have they traded one set of problems for another?
After a family buys a house in a struggling town for just one dollar, they're hoping to start over. But have they traded one set of problems for another?
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After a family buys a house in a struggling town for just one dollar, they're hoping to start over. But have they traded one set of problems for another?
After a family buys a house in a struggling town for just one dollar, they're hoping to start over. But have they traded one set of problems for another?
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Eight-year-old Ivy loves her new apartment. It’s hard to understand why her big sister is so unhappy that they had to move out of their old house, or why her parents are worried about having enough money.
Eight-year-old Ivy loves her new apartment. It’s hard to understand why her big sister is so unhappy that they had to move out of their old house, or why her parents are worried about having enough money.
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Eight-year-old Ivy loves her new apartment. It’s hard to understand why her big sister is so unhappy that they had to move out of their old house, or why her parents are worried about having enough money.
Eight-year-old Ivy loves her new apartment. It’s hard to understand why her big sister is so unhappy that they had to move out of their old house, or why her parents are worried about having enough money.
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When Ai Shi moves from Taiwan to “the beautiful country,” America, the reality of her new home doesn’t live up to what she’d imagined. Can she find beauty...Show more
When Ai Shi moves from Taiwan to “the beautiful country,” America, the reality of her new home doesn’t live up to what she’d imagined. Can she find beauty in California despite bullies and money troubles? This novel in verse is inspired by the author’s childhood.
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When Ai Shi moves from Taiwan to “the beautiful country,” America, the reality of her new home doesn’t live up to what she’d imagined. Can she find beauty...Show more
When Ai Shi moves from Taiwan to “the beautiful country,” America, the reality of her new home doesn’t live up to what she’d imagined. Can she find beauty in California despite bullies and money troubles? This novel in verse is inspired by the author’s childhood.
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Sixth grade started out bad when Rex’s best friends dropped him in favor of the football team. When his mom signs him up for a free lunch program — and all his classmates find out he’s poor — things go from bad to worse.
Sixth grade started out bad when Rex’s best friends dropped him in favor of the football team. When his mom signs him up for a free lunch program — and all his classmates find out he’s poor — things go from bad to worse.
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Sixth grade started out bad when Rex’s best friends dropped him in favor of the football team. When his mom signs him up for a free lunch program — and all his classmates find out he’s poor — things go from bad to worse.
Sixth grade started out bad when Rex’s best friends dropped him in favor of the football team. When his mom signs him up for a free lunch program — and all his classmates find out he’s poor — things go from bad to worse.
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Cora feels like she might be the only thing keeping her family’s life together:. She takes care of her little sister and gets them both to school — no mat...Show more
Cora feels like she might be the only thing keeping her family’s life together:. She takes care of her little sister and gets them both to school — no matter where they are — while her mother tries to find them someplace safe to live. It’s a lot of responsibility for a 12-year-old, especially when what she really wants is to study trees.
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Cora feels like she might be the only thing keeping her family’s life together:. She takes care of her little sister and gets them both to school — no mat...Show more
Cora feels like she might be the only thing keeping her family’s life together:. She takes care of her little sister and gets them both to school — no matter where they are — while her mother tries to find them someplace safe to live. It’s a lot of responsibility for a 12-year-old, especially when what she really wants is to study trees.
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Nothing about Gloria’s life has gone right since Oklahoma dried up into dust, and moving west to California doesn’t seem like it’ll change anything for th...Show more
Nothing about Gloria’s life has gone right since Oklahoma dried up into dust, and moving west to California doesn’t seem like it’ll change anything for the better — until she finds out about a secret baseball team on the peach farm she’s working on. The Grapes of Wrath meets the movie Sandlot in this spirited story.
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Nothing about Gloria’s life has gone right since Oklahoma dried up into dust, and moving west to California doesn’t seem like it’ll change anything for th...Show more
Nothing about Gloria’s life has gone right since Oklahoma dried up into dust, and moving west to California doesn’t seem like it’ll change anything for the better — until she finds out about a secret baseball team on the peach farm she’s working on. The Grapes of Wrath meets the movie Sandlot in this spirited story.
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What is poverty? Why do some people go hungry when others don’t? This nonfiction book provides gentle, truthful answers to big questions kids have.
What is poverty? Why do some people go hungry when others don’t? This nonfiction book provides gentle, truthful answers to big questions kids have.
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What is poverty? Why do some people go hungry when others don’t? This nonfiction book provides gentle, truthful answers to big questions kids have.
What is poverty? Why do some people go hungry when others don’t? This nonfiction book provides gentle, truthful answers to big questions kids have.
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