Incorporating diverse perspectives and experiences in the classroom is essential for fostering empathy, understanding, and respect among students. One way to achieve this is through #OwnVoices nonfiction books – books written by authors who share the same marginalization as the characters they write about. Here’s a list of 20 #OwnVoices nonfiction books that could be great additions to your classroom library.
1. “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
2. “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
3. “Becoming” by Michelle Obama
4. “Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi
5. “I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban” by Malala Yousafzai
6. “March” trilogy by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
7. “The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives” by Dashka Slater
8. “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi
9. “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” by Trevor Noah
10. “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover
11. “Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body” by Roxane Gay
12. “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption” by Bryan Stevenson
13. “The Glass Castle: A Memoir” by Jeannette Walls
14. “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren
15. “We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
16. “The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present” by David Treuer
17. “In the Dream House: A Memoir” by Carmen Maria Machado
18. “Know My Name: A Memoir” by Chanel Miller
19. “The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border” by Francisco Cantú
20. “The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou” by Maya Angelou
These 20 #OwnVoices nonfiction books offer various points-of-view and experiences that can provoke meaningful discussions and enhance students’ understanding of different cultures and histories. Incorporating these titles into your classroom can promote inclusivity and diversity, and help in developing well-rounded and empathetic young learners.
