Social Justice Books

Critically reviewed selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.

Alicia and the Hurricane

Reviewed by Tayna M. Rivera Rodríguez Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Alicia and the Hurricane / Alicia y el huracán: A Story of Puerto Rico / Un cuento de Puerto Rico resembles the story of many little kids in Puerto Rico who experienced Hurricane Maria in 2017. Hurricane Maria is the deadliest natural disaster […]

Black Was the Ink

Reviewed by May Kotsen Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Set in 2015, Black Was the Ink follows the life of Malcolm Williams, a 16-year-old from Washington D.C., who just wants to spend his summer drawing, playing video games, and playing pickup with his friends. After violence Malcolm experiences in D.C. mirrors the police violence […]

Defend LGBTQ Rights in School

Lawmakers in 42 states have introduced legislation or pursued other measures that attempt to require educators to lie to students about the role of racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, and other forms of oppression throughout U.S. history. Books by Black, Indigenous, authors of color, and LGBTQ+ writers are increasingly being banned, with more than 1,500 book bans enacted in U.S. […]

Native Writers Sign Letter Submitted for U.S. House Committee Hearing

By Dr. Debbie Reese, tribally enrolled at Nambe Pueblo in northern New Mexico An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People is among the hundreds of books that have been challenged and banned in schools in the United States. Today (March 19th, 2022), a letter was submitted to the U.S. Congress. I […]

Home is Not a Country

Reviewed by Lidwien Kapteijns Reviewed Source: Africa Access Book Author: This book, a novel in free verse and written for young adult readers, is a story that delights in countless ways. Written by the young Sudanese American writer and poet Safia Elhillo, it tells the story of a teenage, Muslim, first-generation immigrant girl, called Nima […]

Deb Haaland: First Native American Cabinet Secretary

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: In children’s literature, we talk about the importance of representation. Seeing someone who looks like you is powerfully affirming. In 2016, I experienced that affirmation. Deb Haaland was at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.  I shared my joy on Twitter:   And […]