I was reading a review of my book, HOPE IN THE HOLLER, recently. Spoiler alert: Authors shouldn’t read their reviews. LOL. The woman gave my book 4 stars and was full of praise for the story and characters. She then went on to say that she would have given it 5 stars, but she wasn’t sure if her “very, very sheltered and privileged nieces and nephews could really understand the depictions of the life of a child in poverty without some input from a parent or teacher.”
Interesting.
How else will “very privileged children” learn empathy unless they encounter it?
When Shepherd contacted me to provide a Best Books List, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. My list:
These are some of my favorite books to introduce middle-grade readers to characters that are short on material things, but long on heart and courage. To see my review on ONCE YOU KNOW THIS, THE SAME STUFF AS STARS, HOW TO STEAL A DOG, FRONT DESK, AND THE BRIDGE HOME, and why I chose each one, click here!
I don’t know about you, but the world feels like it that could use a bit more empathy, amright? If you’re interested in more lists, beyond just middle-school books, check out these authors and their favorites on the subject.
Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Pass it along.
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