Since it wouldn't fit neatly into the recommended reading thread, I'm posting this to highlight The Human Library project.

humanlibrary.org

I think this is a great way to learn about issues and not worry about the biases of the author. Essentially it's making it possible for ordinary people to go to primary sources to understand things.

My local library seems to be doing their own event on a regular basis. It's listed as 18+. Like any 'book' I would just make a personal judgment on the readiness of the child for the subject. Last weekend's 'human books' were: Autism (ASD), Bipolar Disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, Homelessness, Addiction, Immigrant, Ex-Offender, Literacy, Pagan Witch, Amputee, African-American Woman, Ethnicity, and Sexual Identity.