YA does a fantastic job of covering and exploring difficult and sensitive topics. There are so many books that are really powerful and incredibly important, to the point where I think they should be compulsory reading in schools. Today, I thought I would discuss with you those YA novels/non-fiction books I believe should be compulsory reading in some capacity, probably in PSHE lessons. Click on the covers to be taken to their page on Goodreads.
Trigger Warning: This discussion will discuss racism, police brutality, rape, rape culture, victim blaming, homophobia, and bisexual erasure.
ETA: Although I gave trigger warnings above, and so understand that a number of these books could be triggering for some people, making some of these books required reading would probably be really harmful to some teens. So instead of making them required reading, I'm now saying these books should be studied in school with teens who feel they would be ok reading them.
My review.
The Hate U Give is a really hard hitting books that looks at racism and police brutality. It's such an incredible read. This book isn't only important for the light it shines on police brutality, but also racism in other forms, and just how it affects Black Peoples lives - how racism can leave Black people with very few choices. I really think this book will open the eyes of white people, as well as providing representation to Black girls, which is why I think it should be compulsory reading. It's so important, and think it could change for the future.
