It's My Life . Emotions . Volunteering . Book List

Great Books About "Volunteering"

Fiction Books

Angels in Pink: Kathleen's Story
by Lurlene McDaniel
It’s the summer before her junior year, and 16-year-old Kathleen has to juggle caring for her sick mother, volunteering at the hospital, and crushing on a new boy. Just when things seem to go from bad to worse, Kathleen’s two best friends Raina and Holly decide to volunteer with her. The three BFF’s form the “Pink Angels” and learn the value of helping others.

Gracie's Girl
by Ellen Wittlinger
If you ask Bess Cunningham what matters most to her, volunteering is at the bottom of the list. It's bad enough that her mother gives all her attention to a community soup kitchen, but now Bess’s best friend, Ethan, wants to volunteer there too. When an opportunity to work on the school musical arises, Bess must decide what’s more important to her: popularity or being there for the people that need her.

Straydog
by Kathe Koja
Rachel is a girl who feels unwanted and alone, and that there’s nothing in the world she can relate to. That is, until she starts volunteering at the local animal shelter. Rachel begins to care for a feral collie she names Grrl and soon, the fact they’re both angry and alone brings them closer together. But will she ever get Grrl to trust her?

Non-Fiction Books

Kid's Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference
by Barbara A. Lewis and Pamela Espeland
This guide has something for everyone who wants to make a difference, from simple projects to large scale commitments. Kids can choose from a variety of topics, including animals, crime fighting, the environment, friendship, hunger, literacy, politics and government, and transformation.

Teens with the Courage to Give: Young People Who Triumphed Over Tragedy and Volunteered to Make a Difference
by Jackie Waldman
This book compiles the personal stories of 30 teens who overcame difficulty in their lives through the help of volunteers, or who changed their lives through volunteering. There are stories of courage and transcendence as each teen tells, in their own words, their personal tale. It's an easy and inspiring read intended to encourage teens to reach out and help others as a way of helping themselves.

Catch the Spirit: Teen Volunteers Tell How They Made a Difference
by Susan K. Perry
“Catch the Spirit” is a collection of twenty real-life stories about teens that have made a difference. Through their volunteer efforts, these young people have improved the lives of others and often provided hope in seemingly hopeless situations.

It's Our World, Too!
by Phillip M. Hoose
This book is a collection of essays about children who have made notable achievements. After the tragic and transforming events of September 11, 2001, young people are seeking out ways to become constructively engaged in their world.