Hopeful books for Book Week Scotland 2024

Celebrate Book Week Scotland’s theme of hope with these children’s and young adult books. Whether it’s the hope of a new beginning, celebrating our hopes and dreams, finding joy in the small things we love or the hope of protestors advocating for a better future, there’s lots of hope to be found in these texts!

With all our resources, we advise you read the book before using it with your class, and use your judgement about whether it is appropriate for the children you work with.

Please note: Some of the books in this list contain themes of abuse, bullying, illnesses and death which some readers may find distressing. You can find content warnings in the book descriptions below.

Alexandra Strick Steve Antony You Can

Co-written with a group of young people, this picture book follows a group of children from birth to adulthood. Celebrating our hopes and dreams for the future, the resounding message of this book is: you can! Whether you want to become a librarian, a scientist or a marathon runner – you can achieve this – as well as kindness, empathy and, most importantly, being yourself!

Heather Dean Brewer LeUyen Pham Love is Powerful

Inspired by a real girl at the 2017 New York City’s Women’s March, this picture book follows a young girl Mari getting ready to march in a protest. As well as advocating for the importance of protest, this beautiful story shines a light on the importance of having hope for a better future and taking a stand for what you believe in!

Peter Brown The Wild Robot

Robot Roz wakes up to find herself alone on an island surrounded by unwelcoming animals. Slowly, she finds her way to calling the island home – including befriending some animals along the way. We love this book’s beautiful illustrations, making it perfect for readers who are ready to read beyond picture books. Please note, there are a couple of scenes of death – so be mindful of readers who may find this distressing.

Maisie Chan Keep Dancing, Lizzie Chu

This middle-grade read is perfect for celebrating the small pockets of joy in our lives – from our friends and family to the joy of ballroom dancing! Twelve-year-old Lizzie lives with her grandad Wai Gong, and she’s determined to jolt him out of his recent slump with a trip to Blackpool to dance in the Tower Ballroom. We love how Lizzie is impossible to put down, determined to rekindle her Wai Gong’s love of dance no matter what obstacles are thrown at her!

Annabel Wright Babs Nicgriogair What Starts Here Stops Here

This pamphlet picture book, published by Glasgow's The Hope Street Collective, follows a time-travelling robin who is blown back in time to learn more about Scotland’s colonial past and the links between this and climate change. Despite examining the cruelty of slavery and the industrial revolution, the story points to moments of hope everywhere – from protests to public transport, community hubs and connection.

Bethany Lord Cindy Forde Bright New World: How to Make a Happy Planet

This highly-illustrated book imagines a future not far from our present. Imagine transport that runs on solar power, protected rainforests and coral reefs and renewable energy for all! If this sounds a little over optimistic, you’ll be delighted to know that all of the ideas in this book are based on real science, and real pioneers advocating for change. We love how this detailed read empowers young children to be informed about climate change, and start problem-solving.

Dr. Mya-Rose Craig Sabrena Khadija We Have A Dream

Despite indigenous people and people of colour being disproportionately affected by climate change, they often aren’t included in conversations about solutions. This book looks at thirty young guiding lights – from tackling pollution and plastic waste to fighting for clean air and water, as well as conserving wildlife. This inspirational read shows how everyone can make a difference.

Marieke Nijkamp Sylvia Bi Ink Girls

Set in a vibrant city, this graphic novel examines three young girls who work together to fight censorship. Cinzia is a printer’s apprentice, but when her guild faces imprisonment for publishing criticism of the ruling family, she has to prove the truth. We love the optimism that seeps throughout this novel: from it’s hopeful look at activism, to celebrating disability and neurodiversity, this graphic novel is sure to delight upper primary readers!

Clohosy Cole Tom Palmer Resist

Inspired by the childhood of Audrey Hepburn, this novel follows Edda, a young girl who is propelled into fighting back against Nazi occupation after her uncle is murdered and her brother captured. Though there are depictions of the hardship of life in occupied Netherlands, this book celebrates the Dutch resistance and the determination of those fighting against the Nazis.

Matthew Syed Dare To Be You

This non-fiction read for secondary pupils focuses on the importance of our own dreams and ambitions. It encourages readers to embrace what makes them unique and let go of the idea you need to 'fit in'. We love the real-world examples: from sports to science, Great Thunberg to Malala Yousafzai, this book is full of guiding lights!

Katya Balen Sydney Smith The Light in Everything

Tom and Zofia could not be more different, but now their parents are dating, they have to adapt to living under the same roof. Tom, nervous and quiet, is still overcoming his past with his abusive father. Zofia, loud and brash is struggling with her often-overwhelming feelings. Despite the examination of abuse, bullying and illness, this novel demonstrates the importance of apologies, fresh starts and finding common ground.

Sarah Crossan Tomorrow is Beautiful

This anthology collects poems that are designed to 'comfort, uplift and delight' from past classics such as Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes and Christina Rossetti, to contemporary poets writing today. For older readers seeking something hopeful, or just a book you can dip in and out of, there’s something for every reader – from the poetry-curious to the well-versed bookworm!