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The Nazareth Library: Justice L2L 25

Empathetic Justice Book Options

During the 2025–2026 school year, the Saint Joseph Academy community will be exploring “Empathetic Justice,” one of the traits outlined in The Character of a Graduate of Saint Joseph Academy. According to that statement, a student demonstrates Empathetic Justice through “doing justice with compassion and respect for others . . . [and] work[ing] for systemic change to bring about global equality.”

Over the summer, all students are required to read at least one title from the list that they have not read before. Gaining new insights and perspectives from situations we may not be familiar with exposes us to the needs of the world and helps us to understand our neighbors more fully. So we challenge our students to select a book that will expand their knowledge of unfamiliar cultures and experiences. Because conflict is essential to storytelling, many of the books deal with difficult situations and complex problems. Some titles have content that might be upsetting or provoke strong emotional responses. Families should help their students carefully discern which book is best and are encouraged to look at book reviews and descriptions before choosing a book to read.

Discussion Day 2025

In September 2025, students will meet in their homerooms to further explore Empathetic Justice by discussing the books they have read. The small-group setting allows us to deepen our relationships and pray together. Taking time to listen to others’ perspectives is yet another opportunity to grow in empathy. Because this experience is at the heart of what it means to be a member of the SJA community and because we value academic integrity, it is an expectation that all students come prepared to actively participate in the day’s events. Please support us in these efforts by encouraging and reminding students to read throughout the summer. 

Questions for Discussion

In addition to your understanding of how the book relates to Empathetic Justice, students should also be prepared to provide a synopsis of the book for those who did not read the same one as they did. As you read the book, think about which passages or quotations have an impact on the way you think about empathy and justice. Keep track of these as you read, and use them to prepare to discuss the following questions:

  • What examples of justice or injustice are evident in the book? Can you make any connections to the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching?
  • Is there evidence of systemic change (change that moves towards solving the underlying causes of a social issue) or opportunities for it in the book?
  • How do you observe the characters seeing, judging (analyzing), or acting when they experience injustice? 
  • Did your understanding of justice grow or change as a result of reading this book? Did the acts of justice featured in the book differ from your previous understanding of what justice means?
  • Which characters display empathy and which ones do not? Are the characters dynamic or static, or in other words, do they change over the course of the book?
  • How did you grow in empathy as you read the book? What attitudes or beliefs that you held were challenged? How do you look at the world differently as a result of reading this book?
  • How can you apply what you have learned from the book in your own life experiences? What is the takeaway?
  • What connections can you make between the themes of your book and the world around you? Globally (worldwide), nationally, and locally (in your community and the school)?

eBook Access

Digital copies unavaliable from the SJA library.

eBook Instructions

SJA students may access eBooks and audiobooks from our Sora App by logging in with their SJA Google Account.