Baby's First Political Theory

Middle Grade books that show kids bucking the system, resisting empire, and learning critical community values. Even if no direct political commentary is made, these stories model anti-capitalist/white supremacist culture. Recommendations welcome!

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created by OhMyDio

last updated January, 2026

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Comments

👀📝 Saving this for my little nibblings, and thank you! đŸ„°

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💞

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I did not curate too many books from @one_crazy_eliott's MG lists and I am hoping he will come along and recommend the top titles from his quests! :)

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Neurodivergent MG list books:

  • A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll (haven't read it, but it's about an autistic girl challenging her town to put up a memorial for victims who died in witch trials)
  • Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt (admittedly, the main plot focuses more on the MC, who is autistic, learning to accept herself, but the subplot is about her (and her mom and grandpa) fighting for her school to be more inclusive)
  • New From Here by Kelly Yang (An Asian boy with ADHD works to stop people from spreading racist assumptions in his city)

LGBTQ+ MG list books:

  • The Curse of Eelgrass Bog by Mary Averling (I'm not sure this is exactly what you're looking for, but as far as I can remember there is not a single adult in this book, so that definitely says something about how much kids can do)
  • Another Kind by Trevor Bream (The cast literally escapes from the government, I feel like that's an obvious cry of "fuck the system" if I've seen one)
  • Answers in the Pages by David Levithan (Revolves around book banning)
  • Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith (Callie fights against the gender binary and corrupt government officials)
  • Small Town Pride by Phil Stamper (Jake fights for the right to hold a pride festival in his conservative small town)
  • Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One by Maggie Horne (Hazel and friends plan to expose the school's "golden boy" because he's actually harassed half the girls in the grade)
  • The Civil War of Amos Abernathy by Michael Leali (Amos fights for the right for everyone to be allowed at a historical reenactment center - because history includes everyone)
  • Skating on Mars by Caroline Huntoon and Ana on the Edge by A. J. Sass have basically the same plot (which is an enby figure skater rebels against the system and fights to make their own space in the rink - I preferred Skating on Mars tbh)
  • Benji Zeb is a Ravenous Werewolf by Deke Moulton (A gay Jewish boy with anxiety fights to keep his home - a secret werewolf sanctuary - safe)

Other books that fit:

  • The Grover School Pledge by Wanda Taylor (haven't read but has very clear themes about fighting against the system)
  • A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore RamĂ©e
  • Global Warming by Steven B. Frank

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thank you love you you're the best

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No problem! :)

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I loved The Enchanted Chronicles growing up! Princess Cimorene was such an inspiration to me

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She's such a badass!

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What an incredible list!!!!!! Wouldn’t it be so cool if it became a quest? Hehehe
 😎

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😍😎😎

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