Welcome to our new blog | This page is still under construction; check out our most recent posts!

Words That Matter: 36 authors whose books empower students every day

These 36 authors are the voices behind the empowering stories kids can’t stop talking about!

Share:

There’s something magical about the moment a book resonates with a student. It’s more than just enjoying a good story. It’s feeling connected. Finding courage. Realizing that words can be powerful and life-changing. 

These 36 authors are the voices behind the stories kids can’t stop talking about; over 280,000 copies of their books have been requested by teachers and delivered through DonorsChoose. Whether they’re sparking joy, building empathy, or helping young readers discover their own strength, these authors prove that the right book can make all the difference.

Authors who tell us to take the leap

Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson writes with a lyrical honesty that encourages young readers to see the beauty in their own stories. Her books invite children to recognize their worth, even in moments of uncertainty or difference. In The Day You Begin, Woodson gently reminds readers that opening up can be the first step toward connection and confidence. Thanks to Woodson’s words, students learn to feel seen, valued, and brave enough to take up space in the world. 

Thanhhà Lai

It took Thanhhà Lai fifteen years to transform her own experiences at the end of the Vietnam War into her character Hà’s journey from Vietnam to the United States. With delicate strength Lai writes in free verse of displacement, hope, and home. Her award-winning novel Inside Out and Back Again invites readers into a deeply personal journey, helping students build empathy and recognize the quiet bravery of starting over

Gaia Cornwall

Author-illustrator Gaia Cornwall captures the small but mighty moments of bravery in childhood. In her debut picture book, a young boy faces his fears and takes a big leap off the diving board and into the pool, with support from his patient and encouraging father. Part pep talk, part parenting guide, Jabari Jumps helps readers see that courage doesn’t always mean not being scared — it means trying anyway.

Gary Paulsen

Drawing from his own experiences with nature, adventure, and a challenging childhood, Gary Paulsen wrote dozens of books that resonate with readers who crave action and resilience. A timeless favorite, Hatchet is a survival story that captures the transformational power of solitude and the wilderness, reminding every reader that courage often comes from within. Paulsen's legacy lives on in the generations who have embraced his writing — and in his ability to help kids see that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.

Kwame Alexander

Award-winning author Kwame Alexander brings poetry to life and shows young readers that language can be as dynamic and powerful as their own experiences. When the author visited Sugarland Elementary School in Virginia, he sang, rapped, and serenaded students through the highs and lows of becoming a published author. According to Sugarland teacher Mrs. Rushing, “Kwame informed my students that he was told ‘no’ multiple times when attempting to publish his first book. He never gave up, eventually becoming his own ‘yes’ when he decided to publish his own book.” That drive and bravery is the heart of each of Alexander’s novels. 

Angie Thomas

Angie Thomas gives young people the language and courage to speak truth to power. Thomas’s books challenge readers to confront injustice and remind them that their voice is a force for change. Her debut novel The Hate U Give follows Starr Carter, a Black teenager who finds her voice after witnessing the police shooting of her unarmed friend — a story inspired by Thomas’s own experience growing up in Jackson, Mississippi. Through Starr’s journey, Thomas shows students that speaking out can be both painful and powerful, and that identity and community are deeply intertwined. 

Jory John

Jory John, a former newspaper columnist and creative writing teacher, uses relatable characters and exaggerated situations to spark important conversations. With witty narration and expressive illustrations by Pete Oswald, The Bad Seed helps children understand that everyone can make mistakes and that anyone can choose a new path. 

Authors who celebrate what makes us unique

R.J. Palacio

R.J. Palacio’s characters face real challenges with honesty and bravery, showing readers that kindness and self-acceptance can lead to meaningful change. Fifth grader teacher Mrs. Bloom said of Palacio’s bestselling book Wonder, “Every once in a while a book comes along that really changes who you are, how you think, feel, react to the world around you.” Palacio’s books don’t just make better readers — they help shape thoughtful, confident young people. 

Matthew A. Cherry

Matthew A. Cherry (film director, writer, producer, author, former professional football player!) created the most successful Kickstarter ever for a short film for his project, Hair Love, which he later published as a gorgeously-illustrated children’s book. Hair Love celebrates love, pride, and family while encouraging kids to embrace who they are — especially what makes them unique. His tender story of a father who learns to style his daughter’s natural hair empowers children to see beauty in their identity and joy in self-expression. 

Kevin Noble Maillard

A member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and professor of law and journalism, Kevin Noble Maillard brings a rich cultural and academic framework to his heartfelt book Fry Bread. Paired with Juana Martinez-Neal’s illustrations, Fry Bread is both an empowering read for indigenous students and a beautiful window into a facet of Native American life for readers who are new to the subject. 

Jason Reynolds

A former reluctant reader himself, Jason Reynolds became a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and now connects deeply with students who may not see themselves in more traditional texts. His work Long Way Down, told in powerful free verse, explores grief, revenge, and the weight of generational trauma. Reynolds’ voice tells young readers: your story matters, and there is always more than one path forward. 

Grace Byers

In 2018, actress and author Grace Byers published I Am Enough, based on her experiences being bullied as a child for having deaf parents. Her goal was to empower children to love and accept themselves just as they are — and it’s working. Third grade teacher Mrs. Wiggins kicked off her bew student book club with I Am Enough: “One of the students who absolutely loves coming to [book club] each week is Bella. When asked why the group means so much to her, Bella said, “I am learning to be happy about my differences.” 

Pam Muñoz Ryan

Pam Muñoz Ryan is the 2026 U.S. nominee for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award, recognizing her significant and lasting contributions to literature — more than 40 books for children and young adults. The best place to start might be her beloved novel Esperanza Rising, which shows young readers that courage and dignity can persist through loss and change.

Lynda Mullaly Hunt

There’s a place for every student who’s ever felt misunderstood in Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s books. Her acclaimed novel Fish in a Tree reminds young readers that everyone learns in their own way and that great minds don’t always think alike. Fish in a Tree tells the story of a young girl with dyslexia and the teacher who helps her find her strength — inspired by the author’s own academic challenges and Mr. Christy, the teacher she says saved her. 

Authors that show us we belong

Rita Williams-Garcia

A three-time Coretta Scott King Award-winner, Rita Williams-Garcia draws from her own background as a Brooklyn-born storyteller and longtime advocate for culturally authentic children’s literature. Set during the rise of the Black Panther movement, her book One Crazy Summer encourages readers to ask questions, seek understanding, and take pride in their heritage and history

Matt de la Peña

A first-generation Mexican American and Newbery Medal winner, Matt de la Peña writes stories that reflect the richness of working-class life and the dignity of diverse communities. His novel Last Stop on Market Street helps readers appreciate what they have, connect across differences, and see the world through a lens of gratitude and empathy. His characters often learn that joy and connection don’t depend on material wealth but on perspective and presence. 

Ibtihaj Muhammad & S.K. Ali

Before her career as an author, Ibtihaj Muhammad was a professional fencer and the first Muslim American woman in hijab to compete and win a medal for the United States in the Olympic Games. With co-author S.K. Ali, Muhammad offers graceful, powerful affirmations of identity and pride in her series of children’s books about wearing the hijab, beginning with The Proudest Blue. Their stories encourage young readers to stand tall in who they are and find strength in their culture and community

Sonia Sotomayor & Rafael López

Reflecting on her life growing up with diabetes, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor offers a personal and empowering message of inclusion. Paired with López’s dynamic illustrations, their book Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You introduces young characters with various challenges and gifts, modeling how openness and acceptance create stronger communities. Together, the authors encourage kids to celebrate differences and ask questions with curiosity and kindness.

Nic Stone

Nic Stone’s challenge to readers? Examine the world around you and your place in it. Stone’s Dear Martin offers a powerful, thoughtful exploration of life and identity as its protagonist grapples with the aftermath of a police shooting of a friend. High School teacher Mrs. Krieger from New York adds her endorsement:  “Dear Martin gives students a voice and a means of seeing that their experiences in the world matter. I love the book and plan on teaching it until forever.”

Authors telling true stories that inspire

Linda Sue Park

Linda Sue Park crafts stories that illuminate persistence and inspire young readers to think beyond their own experiences. In A Long Walk to Water, based on the true story of Park’s family friend in war-torn Sudan, she brings to life the courage and determination of children facing extraordinary challenges. Her storytelling encourages students to value their own strength while developing empathy for others across time and geography. 

Duncan Tonatiuh

Born in Mexico City and raised in both Mexico and the U.S., Duncan Tonatiuh brings a bicultural perspective and unique illustration style to his stories. In Separate Is Never Equal,  the true story of Sylvia Mendez who fought for the desegregation of schools in California, he shows students that young people can help create structural change. By drawing on his own background and blending art, history, and activism, Tonatiuh empowers young readers to know their history, question inequality, and take pride in where they come from. 

Margot Lee Shetterly

In Hidden Figures: Young Readers Edition, Margot Lee Shetterly highlights the extraordinary contributions of three Black women mathematicians at NASA, giving students powerful female role models who changed history through determination, skill, and mind-boggling intellect. As Baltimore high school teacher Ms. Chambers says, “Our students should no longer be the hidden figures, but be on the front lines for evoking change in our society.” Thanks to Shetterly, Ms. Chambers’ students (and readers everywhere!) now know and revere the names of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. 

Andrea Beaty

Andrea Beaty studied Biology and Computer Science, worked for a software company, then turned to writing children’s books. Her stories empower curious minds through true histories that celebrate perseverance and the power of questions. In Rosie Revere, Engineer and Ada Twist, Scientist, she encourages students — especially girls — to dream big, fail boldly, and keep exploring. 

Katherine Applegate

Katherine Applegate writes with deep empathy and a rare ability to connect young readers to the hearts of her characters — both human and animal. In the Newbery Medal-winning The One and Only Ivan, she tells the inspired-by-real-events story of a captive silverback gorilla with such honesty and tenderness that students begin to see courage, friendship, and freedom in a whole new light. Applegate, and the characters she writes, are proof that even one voice (no matter what size) can create change. 

Markus Zusak

Markus Zusak writes unforgettable stories that explore the human spirit even in history’s darkest hours. His bestselling novel The Book Thief, in which a young girl in Nazi Germany learns to read and steals books to share with others, readers are reminded of the power of words — whether to hurt, to heal, or to endure. From Mrs. Dyer, a high school teacher in North Carolina: “I believe that everyone should, at some point in their lives, experience the beauty of The Book Thief. The language is simply beyond words…My first goal was simply to open my students to the beauty of words and inspire them to love reading. The Book Thief does just that.” 

Lois Lowry

A two-time Newbery Medalist, Lowry has long used her books to encourage empathy, moral reflection, and critical thinking. Lois Lowry brings history to life through stories of ordinary children who act with extraordinary courage. Number the Stars shows that doing the right thing often begins with quiet bravery. Based on true events from World War II, the story honors the Danish Resistance and the power of personal sacrifice. Her work invites students to consider how small acts of compassion can shape history and reminds them that kindness is also a form of courage. 

Authors who celebrate creativity 

Drew Daywalt

Screenwriting dialogue master and author Drew Daywalt turned a simple box of crayons on his desk into a playful lesson on self-advocacy and collaboration. In The Day the Crayons Quit, Daywalt’s joyful, expressive missives from crayons to their owner show kids that their voices — and their creativity — matter. His book has launched art projects, reading circles, and even a play in classrooms and homes across the country.

Ashley Spires

Ashley Spires writes magnificent stories that encourage children to embrace magnificent mistakes, try again, and believe in their own ideas, no matter how imperfect they may seem at first. In The Most Magnificent Thing, she introduces a young inventor whose creative plans don’t go exactly as expected, capturing the frustration and triumph that come with problem-solving. Spires uses humor and relatable emotions to show that setbacks are not failures, but essential steps in a child’s creative process. 

Authors who show us that kindness is a superpower

Trudy Ludwig

A strong advocate in building children's social-emotional learning skills, author Trudy Ludwig writes stories that open children’s eyes to the quiet struggles of others while helping them see their own capacity to make a difference. In The Invisible Boy, she explores what it feels like to be overlooked and how a simple act of kindness can bring someone into the light. Her books encourage students to be thoughtful and aware of the impact they have on those around them. 

Jerry Craft

Jerry Craft speaks directly to kids navigating identity, expectations, and belonging. Craft’s graphic novel New Kid uses humor and honesty to help students see that they can be themselves, even when the world around them sends mixed signals. If it were up to Ms. Brinkman-Dempsey in California, New Kid would be on every classroom shelf: “New Kid is an engrossing, humorous, and vitally important graphic novel that should be required reading for young adolescence in America.”

Derek Munson

Derek Munson’s approachable storytelling comes straight from his experiences as a dad and former youth worker, His book Enemy Pie was written to help his own children navigate tricky social dynamics. With a perfect blend of humor and heart, Enemy Pie delivers the message that getting to know someone can turn enemies into allies and even into friends.

Alexandra Penfold & Suzanne Kaufman

Alexandra Penfold, a literary agent and author, draws on her experience as a mother and advocate for equity, while Suzanne Kaufman, an award-winning illustrator and former teacher, brings vibrant energy and warmth to every project. Together they create an inclusive vision of school and community in All Are Welcome. Their book reassures young readers that they belong just as they are and helps classrooms become places of kindness and celebration

Louis Sachar

Louis Sachar captivates young readers with stories that challenge them to think deeply about fairness, fate, and the power of friendship. In Newbery-winning Holes, he blends humor and mystery with a message about resilience and justice, inspiring kids to look beneath the surface of every story — including their own. As Mrs. Hunter from Michigan points out, Sachar’s themes of grit and adventure are timeless: “The book Holes has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine, and I have been so excited to read chapters with my students every day, allowing them to get excited about the same story I fell in love with as a kid.”

Browse Popular Topics

Looking for something specific?

Search the Blog

See posts for: