Helping students to identify with a book's characters allows them to develop empathy for others. Ask students to draw a picture representing a time they were told they couldn't do something they really wanted to do, simply because of their gender or ethnicity. Ask students to explain how it made them feel, and what they chose to do about it. After students have presented, ask them if they have ever told someone else not to do something because of their gender or race. Ask students where they may have gotten that idea.
Inspire students by showing them real-world examples of men and women who have chosen careers that aren't typical for their gender. This might include female sports stars, Sally Ride, Danika Patrick or Amelia Earhart. Ask students how they feel about these people -- are they inspired by their courage? Discuss minorities who have broken boundaries as well. Barack Obama as the first African-American president, or Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. Older students can research these people and give a short report to the class.
In "Amazing Grace," Grace achieves her dreams not only because she believes in herself, but because her family supports her. Ask students to describe the people in their lives who support the things that they dream of doing. How do these people support them? How does having the support of these people help them achieve their goals? Are there people in their lives who don't support their dreams? How does that make them feel?
Lastly, have students draw pictures of things that they would like to do that might be out of the ordinary. Would they like to play a sport that isn't traditional for their gender? Are there girls who might be interested in a non-traditional career, such as construction or race car driving, or boys who enjoy activities thought to be traditionally female, such as dancing or cooking? After seeing how courageous Grace was, do they think they would have the courage to try these things?