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Mountains Beyond Mountains, by Tracy Kidder: The story of Paul Farmer, a doctor who has relentlessly broken through barriers to reach and treat the poor around the world, is transformative and inspiring. Award-winning Kidder captures the essence of one’s man radical and extraordinary dedication to cure the world. 

The Cost of Living, by Arundhati Roy: This short book describes the unjust consequences of two major development projects in India – the building of a massive dam and the detonation of a nuclear bomb – on the country’s poor. Roy’s passionate polemic raises important questions on the nature of modern development. 

All Our Relations, by Winona LaDuke:  LaDuke shares eight in-depth portraits of Native American tribes’ resistance to modern environmental and cultural degradation posed both by the government and corporate entities.

Green Grass, Running Water, by Thomas King:  This wildly entertaining novel tells the story of five modern Blackfoot Indians struggling to find their identity while still dealing with discrimination and oppression.  King interweaves Native American storytelling of myth and magic with eloquent and piercing satire to provide an accurate portrayal of present Indian realities.

Not Far Away, by Lois Beardslee:  Not Far Away recounts the life of a Native American teacher and her struggle to overcome adversity in the public school system of northern Michigan. This gripping narrative deals with racism, poverty, and struggles over the remaining natural resources in the Great Lakes as well as access to public lands, jobs, and education.