In a world where teens walk out of schools to protest climate change and lead the call for gun reform, it’s not surprising that there’s a thread of activism running through many recent fiction and non-fiction titles for teens. Here are some of our favourite books for politically engaged teens.

Watch Us Rise by Renee Watson & Ellen Hagan

Best friends Jasmine and Chelsea attend a progressive high school that prides itself on a curriculum that emphasises social justice. But when keen actress Jasmine and poet Chelsea start up a women’s rights club with a blog that quickly goes viral, they get clear messages from the school administration that their commentary, complaints and direct actions aren’t welcome. Watch Us Rise is filled with effortless dialogues that permeate every aspect of Jasmine and Chelsea’s lives: their friendship with each other; their wider friendship group of Nadine and Isaac; online conversations with students and strangers, poetry, essays; and negotiations with their parents and teachers. Entertaining, bracing and full of youthful creativity and passion, this is a call to arms and a must-read for teens with something to say. For ages 13 and up.

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

After stumbling across a shoebox full of her former Riot Grrl mum’s feminist zines and Bikini Kill CDs, mormally reserved student Vivian is inspired to comment on the problems at her high school. Vivian distributes her own zine, Moxie, in the girls bathrooms, calling attention to sexist comments by male students, an unfair dress code, a lack of support for the girls sports teams and indecent assaults. Much to Vivian’s surprise, her actions spark debate among her fellow students, and cause a wave of creative activism at the school. This novel doesn’t shy away from the darker issues facing teenage girls, or the difficulties of male allyship and intersectionality, but it offers a rousing and optimistic view of the power of all teens. For ages 13 and up.

When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Michael first sees Mina at a political rally in Sydney – he’s there at the behest of his parents, who founded the anti-refugee, anti-immigration nationalist group, Aussie Values. Mina, a refugee from Afghanistan, is there with a friend to show their support for refugee rights. Despite the obvious clash in their values, Michael is attracted to Mina, and shocked when he finds out she’s a new scholarship student at his prestigious high school. This is a thoughtful and nuanced look at some sticky issues in contemporary Australian life: racism, white supremacy, Islamophobia and economic privilege. The empathetic dual narrative format, and Michael and Mina’s unlikely romance, give the reader hope that it’s possible for values to evolve, and that prejudice and bias can be overcome. For ages 13 and up.

Welcome to My Country by Laklak Burarrwanga and family

Laklak Burarrwanga is a Datiwuy Elder, Caretaker for the Gumatj clan and a teacher at Bawaka in north-east Arnhem Land. She shares her deep knowledge of Yolngu culture in this warm and engaging book that combines her personal story, Dreamtime stories, and daily life in Bawaka with artwork and photos. Burarrwanga’s personal history is extraordinary and takes in some of the most pivotal moments in Aboriginal history. Her family were key players in fighting an aluminium ore mine on Yolngu land, creating the famous Bark Petitions that asserted native title, and bringing the first native title case to the Northern Territory Supreme Court. Steeped in culture, knowledge and politics, this is an illuminating book for young Australians. For ages 12 and up.

Say Hello by Carly Findlay

This is the incredibly personal and honest memoir by award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist, Carly Findlay, who has written and spoken extensively in Australian media about disability and appearance diversity issues. Say Hello delves deep into Findlay’s life experiences: online bullying, looking for love, fostering self-acceptance and self-esteem, work and career development, living with a chronic condition, ableism and the social model of disability, belonging to a community and family. Her writing is simultaneously engaging and informative; many topics and ideas she explores will be extremely relatable to teens (her chapter about fandom is fantastic), and some will expand their horizons enormously. For ages 14 and up.

Queer, There, and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World by Sarah Prager

Go on a fascinating journey through history and learn about 23 groundbreaking individuals who lived outside society’s gender and sexuality norms and left their mark on the world. Some you will know (Abraham Lincoln, Star Trek actor George Takei, Joan of Arc) and others you will be delighted to learn about (such as Roman emperor Elagabalus and blues singer Ma Rainey). Written and presented in a highly entertaining and humorous style, with plenty of references and suggestions for further reading, this is an inspiring primer on LGBTQIA+ people who have challenged, thrived, fought and lived unique and impactful lives. For ages 13 and up.

Leanne Hall is a children’s and YA specialist at Readings Kids. She also writes books for children and young adults.