This poignant novel about race, class, and second chances, is perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds. He tries to hold on to the hope that they can put the broken pieces of their relationship back together. When crime rates ramp up in the neighborhood and people begin to suspect Lamont, T’Shawn worries that maybe his brother hasn’t left his troublesome past behind after all. Luckily, T’Shawn gets a scholarship, and he can put all his frustration into diving practices. But T is a good student and never gets into trouble, so he thinks his mom might be supportive, until he learns that his older brother, Lamont, is getting released early from prison.

When he’s offered a spot on a diving team at the local private swim club, he knows that joining would only add another bill to the pile. Don’t turn away from this important issue.Įver since T’Shawn’s father passed away, his mother has been struggling to support the family financially. The titles on this list include informational books about poverty, novels that feature nuanced conversations about socioeconomic status, and poignant memoirs about childhood experiences with hunger.

Although it is an underrepresented topic, youth literature stories about hunger and homelessness can foster empathy and encourage readers to take action. To have a broader societal impact, another thing we can do is to spread awareness about lived experiences of poverty. What can be done to reduce the harmful impacts of poverty in the United States? There are many actionable steps that anyone can take, such as volunteering with organizations that directly support people experiencing hunger and homelessness as well as advocating for stronger social safety nets at all levels of government.

Children and youth experience poverty at a higher rate than adults, with 16.9% of children under the age of 18 living below the poverty threshold.

According to the Census Bureau, about 37.9 million Americans, or 11.6% of the population, lived below the federal poverty line in 2021. The impacts of rising inflation and concerns about an economic recession have turned national attention towards the number of Americans who are experiencing poverty, hunger, and homelessness.

A Different Pond by Thi Bui