Start with high-confidence civics books, then narrow by subgenre or adjacent topics.
The Small and the Mighty
Sharon McMahon
You're More Powerful Than You Think
Eric Liu
How We Show Up
Mia Birdsong, Balance
A True History of the United States
Daniel Sjursen, Daniel A. Sjursen
How Books Can Save Democracy
Michael Fischer
Shut It Down
Lisa Fithian
Unsung America
Prerna Lal, Allegra McLeod
History Matters
David McCullough, Dorie McCullough Lawson
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium
Martin Gurri
On Tyranny Graphic Edition
Timothy Snyder, Nora Krug