Building Resilience and Empathy: A Must-Have Social Emotional Learning Book List for Middle Graders (PDF)
Looking for an empowering and enriching reading list to help your middle graders develop resilience and empathy? Look no further!
My social emotional learning book list is the ultimate resource for nurturing important social emotional skills while capturing young minds through the power of storytelling. Packed with engaging narratives, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes, this handpicked collection will inspire deep reflection and meaningful conversations.
I’ve curated this list to help young readers navigate the complexities of emotions and relationships while also looking for texts that model important literary concepts that align with middle school ELA standards.
I decided to come up with this list because I’ve actually been seeking out middle grade books that align with key SEL competencies as I work on my next middle grade novel. I’ve been looking for examples that do a wonderful job of exploring the importance of SEL skills without it feeling forced or too intentional so that it distracts from the story. Some of my favorites have been included, and I hope it helps you find books that your young readers (or you yourself!) can connect with.
Understanding Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) focuses on helping developing skills that promote self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
We all know that we want our young people to have the skills they need to navigate the complexities of life and form healthy relationships. Middle graders, in particular, are at a crucial stage of their emotional and social development, making SEL concepts even more important.
I’m glad that schools are finally focusing on the importance of equipping kids with an education in how to respectfully and thoughtfully advocate for themselves, take accountability for their choices, and have empathy for others — it’s something that I’m sure we all wish we’d had as a part of our education growing up.
However, I’m a former teacher, so I realize that weaving SEL into existing instructional time is one more difficult expectation being placed on educators right now. This list, and my SEL guide, can help you find books that incorporate SEL by genre — a little cheat sheet to make finding the right book for your readers a tiny bit easier.
Why is it Important to Build Resilience and Empathy in Middle Graders?
Resilience and empathy are two key qualities that are closely tied to social emotional development. Resilience enables children to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and persevere through challenges. Empathy, on the other hand, allows them to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering a sense of compassion and kindness. By cultivating these skills early on, we can empower middle graders to become resilient individuals who are capable of building strong, meaningful relationships with others.
Benefits of Using Books for Social Emotional Learning
We all know the power of books for learning and growth: they expose children to a diverse range of characters and situations, allowing them to experience different perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others. Books also provide a safe space for children to explore complex emotions, as they can relate to characters and their struggles. This helps them develop empathy and emotional intelligence, which are crucial components of SEL.
And, as a teacher, weaving SEL competencies into existing ELA curricular work can reduce the amount of time you have to devote to developing new tools and lesson plans for SEL instruction.
The Impact of Social Emotional Learning on Academic Performance
Research has shown that social emotional learning not only enhances emotional well-being but also has a positive impact on academic performance. When children have a strong foundation in SEL, they are better able to manage stress, regulate their emotions, and maintain focus in the classroom. This leads to improved concentration, better problem-solving skills, and increased motivation to learn. Additionally, SEL helps create a supportive classroom environment where students feel safe to take risks, collaborate with their peers, and actively participate in their education.
Criteria for Selecting Books for the Book List
When creating my social emotional learning book list for middle graders, here’s what I focused on.
The books should feature relatable characters and situations that resonate with this age group. Middle graders are going through significant changes in their lives, so it is crucial to choose books that address their specific concerns and challenges.
The books should promote positive values such as empathy, resilience, inclusivity, and kindness. These values will help shape the moral compass of middle graders and guide their social interactions.
Lastly, the books should be engaging and well-written, capturing the attention and imagination of young readers.
How to Use the Book List Effectively
To make the most of the social emotional learning book list, feel free to incorporate it into a comprehensive SEL curriculum OR your existing ELA curriculum. You can introduce each book by discussing the themes and topics it addresses, allowing students to share their thoughts and feelings.
Classroom discussions can focus on the characters' emotions, actions, and the lessons they learn throughout the story. Teachers can also encourage students to reflect on how they can apply these lessons to their own lives and interactions with others. By integrating the book list into the curriculum, teachers can create a holistic learning experience that combines literature, SEL, and personal growth.
Incorporating Social Emotional Learning into the Classroom Curriculum
In addition to using the book list, there are various ways to incorporate social emotional learning into the classroom curriculum. You can allocate specific time for SEL activities, such as mindfulness exercises, journaling, and group discussions. You can also integrate SEL into other subjects, like incorporating empathy-building activities into social studies lessons or teaching conflict resolution skills during group projects.
I’ve also created an SEL + ELA Freebie Guide that provides SEL competency aligned activities and discussion points that are also aligned to ELA curriculum teaching points which you can grab here!
Building resilience and empathy in middle graders is essential for their social, emotional, and academic development. I hope this book list helps you as you continue to nurture your kiddos by fostering skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
