8 Iconic Works Of Fiction About People Trying To Change The World

Kimia Sadr had to flee her home country, Iran, at the age of 10. Her parents were intellectual activists who opposed the oppressive regime tearing their country apart. They fought vehemently not to let the orthodox State win, but what are mere citizens in the face of totalitarianism? Eventually, Kimia’s father was murdered, and her entire family became political refugees residing in Paris. Iran’s history gets intertwined with Kimia’s identity crisis, and as a result, she belongs neither to her present nor her past.

When her best guy friend was subjected to a vicious crime, Cat decided to hunt down the culprit behind it. This novel sheds light on the secrets of a southern community and the immense emotional capital required to go against everyone for the sake of justice. Poverty, drugs, and intolerance are some of the overarching themes of this book. Intelligently crafted and riveting from the start, it is a must-read!

Amal was living a quiet life and was really focused on her dream of becoming a teacher someday, but then the unthinkable happened: she had to work as a maid at her corrupt landlord’s house to pay off her family’s debt. Now her oppressive employer won’t let her breathe, let alone live a dignified life. Will little Amal manage to rise above this and achieve something big? How will she change her world and, in turn, change that of others?

Twenty-five years after running away, Yumi returns to her hometown, the heart of the potato farming industry, only to get embroiled in major chaos. Agribusiness forces have invaded the post-millennial farming community. Ozeki has depicted a lovely celebration of seeds, roots, and growth and the propensity for revival that lies within all of us. A witty novel on environmental activism, this book talks about globalization, political resistance, and youth culture in great detail.

Twelve-year-old Jerome was killed by a white cop who shot him, thinking his toy gun was real. In his afterlife, he met Emmett Till, and together they tried to make sense of their highly unjust world. Jerome also met Sarah, the daughter of the cop who killed him. The three of them initiate a conversation on how to bring in a better tomorrow. Rhodes deftly showcases how much power and intellectual understanding our kids have in building a more inclusive society.

Starr had to navigate two worlds: her fancy school and her poor neighborhood. Fitting in was hard, but she was still somehow getting by. But then she witnessed her friend, Khalil, getting shot by a white cop and her entire world turned upside down. This is a story of a young girl who transformed into a strong voice denouncing white supremacy and making a major stance against police brutality.

This book is a heartfelt portrayal of lives coming together and falling apart simultaneously. Subhash and Udayan were inseparable in their childhood, but they embraced different ways of living in adulthood. While Subhash wanted the ordinary, Udayan was boiling with a zest to change the world. He became part of the Naxalite movement and tried in his own way to release the marginalized class from the oppression of the upper class. The tragedy that unfolded in its wake would upend their lives forever.