The 2018 Girl Scout Global Action Award requirements are out, and this year’s focus is on Global Goals. One of those goals is reducing the impact of poverty on our children.

For Daisies, Brownies and Juniors, the Girl Scouts can earn the Global Action Award by reading a book about poverty around the world. If you are looking for book ideas on this topic, here are six age-appropriate books on poverty in the world:

Those Shoes
All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy’s grandma says they don’t have room for “want,” just “need,” when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.

Coat of Many Colors
Using lyrics from Dolly Parton’s classic song “Coat of Many Colors,” the book tells the story of a young girl in need of a warm winter coat. When her mother sews her a coat made of rags, the girl is mocked by classmates for being poor. But Parton’s trademark positivity carries through to the end as the girl realizes that her coat was made with love “in every stitch.” Beautiful illustrations pair with Parton’s poetic lyrics in this heartfelt picture book sure to speak to all young readers.

The Hundred Dresses
Wanda Petronski is ridiculed by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. Wanda claims she has one hundred dresses at home, but everyone knows she doesn’t and bullies her mercilessly. The class feels terrible when Wanda is pulled out of the school, but by that time it’s too late for apologies. Maddie, one of Wanda’s classmates, ultimately decides that she is “never going to stand by and say nothing again.”

Sounder
During the difficult years of the nineteenth century South, an African American boy and his poor family rarely have enough to eat. Each night, the boy’s father takes their dog, Sounder, out to look for food and the man grows more desperate by the day.

Beatrice’s Goat
This illustrated book offers the true story of how a poor African girl was able to attend school after receiving a goat as a gift through a special international project and then sell its milk to get the money needed to buy her books.

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference
After his father died, Kojo had to quit school to help his mother collect firewood to sell at the market. When his mother receives a loan from some village families, she gives a little money to her son. With this tiny loan, Kojo buys a hen. A year later, Kojo has built up a flock of 25 hens. With his earnings Kojo is able to return to school.

Mama Panya’s Pancakes
Mama Panya’s son invites everyone he sees to a pancake dinner. How will Mama Panya ever feed them all? This story about Kenyan village life teaches the importance of sharing, even when you have little to give.

What books would you add to the list? Share your ideas below!

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