Social Justice Books

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

Kimotinâniwiw Itwêwina / Stolen Words

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Reviewed Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: I picked up Melanie Florence’s Stolen Words with a bit of trepidation because her previous picture book, Missing Nimama, was so troubling. It, and her novel, The Missing, felt off. (Here’s my post about them.) At the time, I couldn’t put my finger on why her books were unsettling. […]

The Round House

Reviewed by: Mykella Palmer Review Source: We Should All Be Bookworms Book Author:  In the We Should All Be Bookworms podcast, host Mykella Palmer introduces her listeners to Louise Erdrich’s book The Round House. You can listen to her review of the book here. Here is a short description of the book from the publisher: One of […]

Wounded Falcons

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores Book Author: “It was a bad day at school.” Young Adrián’s face is bloody and bruised, his shirt is torn, and his fists are clenched with rage. It’s always a bad day at school. Adrián gets into trouble with everyone — except his friend, Santiago, who never has […]

Spíləx̣m: A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Today’s Short and Sweet Rec is for Nicola I. Campbell’s memoir, Spílexm: A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence. I’ll begin with the description from the publisher’s site: If the hurt and grief we carry is a woven blanket, it is time to weave ourselves anew. In […]

Always Anjali

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: On the eve of Anjali’s seventh birthday, all she can think about is the new bike she asked her parents for. When she wakes up to the gift in her living room, she immediately wants to go riding with her friends, Mary and Courtney, to […]

The Spirit of Chicano Park / El espíritu del parque Chicano

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  This bilingual picture book introduces young people to the Chicano Park Takeover in Barrio Logan, San Diego in 1970. The narrative begins in the present day with Bettie and Bonky, siblings that move to Barrio Logan with their parents. When they go out to explore […]