By Amy Burger

As kids mature, they start thinking more deeply about right and wrong, figuring out who they are, and forming their own opinions. Fiction is a great way for them to explore vegan ideas, sometimes through characters who are vegan themselves, or through stories about animal rights, protecting the environment, or standing up against unfair systems. These books get readers thinking about their own choices and help them picture what the world could look like if we all acted with more compassion and stood up for what we believe in.

• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White: A beloved, classic story that emphasizes the emotional depth of animals and the concept of not eating friends.
• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell: A 19th-century classic told from a horse’s point of view, advocating for humane treatment of animals.
• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate: Focuses on a captive gorilla and the ethics of animal entertainment.
• Vegan, Virgin, Valentine by Carolyn Mackler: This coming-of-age story of a close-in-age aunt and niece who are very different from each other explores the question of self-identity.
• Vegan Teenage Zombie Huntress by G.G. Silverman: This quirky horror-comedy that follows vegan teens in a zombie apocalypse is the first in the two-book Redvale Zombie Prom series.
• How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals by Sy Montgomery: This nonfiction book chronicles the author’s relationships with animals. Montgomery has written several other animal-centric titles for a variety of ages.

For middle and high school readers, reading encourages thinking about and sometimes questioning what they believe in. These books offer thoughtful, age-appropriate stories that help readers reflect on important issues and grow as people.