Books are a valuable resource in the fight against hunger. Not only do they help one understand the issue from different angles, but empathy is developed for those experiencing hunger. The following book list has been developed by Second Harvest Food Bank to reach readers of all ages. For your convenience, the titles are linked to their corresponding page on Amazon.com.
Elementary Level:
Where's Home? by Jonathan London
Aaron used to have everything, but that soon comes crumbling down after his mother left and his father lost his house and business. Aaron and his father become homeless and make their way from Chicago to California.
Someplace to Go by Maria Testa
Davey describes how he spends his time after school trying to keep safe and warm until he can meet his mom and brother at the local shelter.
Homeless by Bernard Wolf
A photo essay of an 8-year-old and family and their stay at a transitional housing project for the homeless.
December by Eve Bunting
A homeless family's luck changes after they help an old woman who has even less than they do.
A Chance to Grow by E. Sandy Powell
Joe, his sister, and his mother are evicted from their apartment and are forced to live in shelters and on the streets.
Home is Where We Live by Bonnie Lee Groth
A photo essay of a 7 year old's first experience at a shelter in Chicago.
Middle School Level:
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth in Mexico to work in the labor camps of Southern California during the Great Depression.
Darnell Rock Reporting by Walter Dean Myers
Things change when Darnell joins the school paper and writes an editorial suggesting the school use its empty parking lot as a garden for the local homeless.
Leaves in October by Karen Ackerman
Nine year old Livvy tries to understand the turn of recent events that have occurred: her father loses his job, her mother leaves the family, and they are forced to live in a shelter.
Ivy: A Tale of a Homeless Girl in San Francisco by Summer Brenner
Ivy finds herself homeless on the streets of San Francisco when she and her father are evicted from his loft. They soon are living out doors because there are no adequate shelters for single fathers.
Young Adult and Adult Level:
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Author Barbara Ehrenreich goes "undercover" by taking jobs normally held by the "working poor" to determine how hard is it really to get by in America. Her discovery will astound you.
The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shepler
Author David Shepler provides readers with a glimpse of the life of the "working poor" in America. Shepler not only dissects the issue affecting these individuals, but offers suggestions for change.
The New Poverty: Homeless Families in America by Ralph da Costa Nunez
The description of a family-based system of comprehensive residential, education, and employment centers as a response to poverty.
Children in Poverty: Child Development and Public Policy by Aletha C. Huston, ed.
A focus on the role of public policy on the issue of poverty and how poverty affects a child's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being.
Books about Community Service:
The Kid's Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference by Barbara A. Lewis and Pamela Espeland.
This book provides children a variety of topics and projects to help make a difference in their community.
160 Ways to Help the World: Community Service Projects for Young People by Linda Leeb Duper.
Using the motto, "Think globally, act locally," this book provides young adults with a variety of projects and volunteer opportunities.
Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul: Stories to Celebrate the Spirit of Courage, Caring, and Community by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Arline McGraw Oberst, John T. Boal, and Tom and Laura Lagana.
Inspiring stories of everyday people who want to make a difference in the lives of others.
Books about Advocacy:
The Kid's Guide to Social Action: How to Solve the Social Problems You Choose—and Turn Creative Thinking into Positive Action by Barbara A. Lewis, Pamela Espeland, and Caryn Perner.
This book provides youth (age 10 and up) with inspiring stories of youth who made a difference in their community by taking action and the tools to take action, including step-by-step instructions for writing letters, making speeches, conducting interviews, and much more!
Generation Fix: Young Ideas for a Better World by Elizabeth Rusch and Pamela Hobbs.
An anthology of true stories about youth taking action to making their community a better place.
Community Building: What Makes It Work: A Review of Factors Influencing Successful Community Builders by Paul Mattessich, and Barbara Monsey.
Twenty-eight suggestions on how to build your own community initiatives successfully. Includes examples, research and a detailed bibliography.
Curricula:
Hunger by The Center for Learning
Lesson plans and activities that teach children about hunger in Ohio. Information is general enough to use in other states.
www.centerforlearning.org
Kids Can Make a Difference
The Teacher's Guide (Finding Solutions to Hunger: Kids Can Make a Difference) contains 25 lessons that provide valuable background and creative suggestions to help students answer the difficult questions dealing with hunger and poverty. The book helps students move beyond negative feelings into constructive actions that show that they can make a difference in their community, country and world. Book includes fund-raising ideas, organizations to contact, and a listing of available videos and books for use with lessons.