Books about poverty: some recommendations for World Book Day
Thursday 2 March 2023 is World Book Day. Why not take a look at some of these books about poverty?
These are some of the best books to read if you want to understand more about poverty in the UK – and how we can work together to put an end to it.
They’ve been recommended by members of our staff team, and members of our Speaking Truth to Power panel.
Click on the title or image to find out more about a book.
Books about poverty from personal experience
Hear from the real experts – people who’ve lived with poverty themselves.
Poverty Safari by Darren McGarvey
A powerful memoir by the rapper Loki, with a unique and challenging perspective.
Second Class Citizens by Stef Benstead
A Church Action on Poverty trustee draws on her own experiences and her academic expertise to analyse the injustices of how our benefits system treats people with disabilities.
Skint Estate by Cash Carraway
A darkly funny memoir and a scream of rage against austerity.
Same Boat
Poems on poverty and lockdown, written by people involved in Church Action on Poverty projects.
Books about poverty and stigma
Read about how our culture excludes and demonises people in poverty – and explore ways of telling a different story.
The Shame Game by Mary O’Hara
Ideas for overturning the toxic poverty narrative.
Chavs by Owen Jones
A powerful analysis of how our media and politicians demonise working-class people.
Books about poverty and children
These books can help young children to understand more about poverty and its solutions.
Grace and the Grumblies by Emily Shore
Grace and her superhero mum work together to take on the ‘Grumblies’ of hunger.
It’s a No-Money Day by Kate Milner
A gentle, poignant and powerful exploration of food banks and life below the poverty line.
Books about poverty and faith
Theology, prayers and ideas for how churches and Christians are called to respond to poverty.
Dignity, Agency, Power
An anthology of prayers, reflections, Bible studies and stories released to mark our 40th anniversary in 2022.
Mission from Below by Janet Hodgson
Makes the case for a new model of people-driven servant leadership, using the example of two Loreto Sisters working alongside one of the most socially deprived communities in North East England.
And a cookbook!
Our Cookery Book
A collection of stories and recipes from members of the Self-Reliant Groups supported by Church Action on Poverty.
More in-depth reviews
Finally, we have more in-depth reviews of a couple of new books:
