Social Justice Books

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

Swimmy

Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Swimmy is the sole survivor of an encounter between a school of small fish and a tuna. When he meets a new group of small fish hiding among the rocks, he is determined to hatch a plan so they can safely explore their world. […]

Mama’s Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation

Reviewed by Alice Review Source: Vamos a Leer: Teaching Latin America Through Literature Book Author: Saludos, todos, and welcome back to our weekly book reviews! Now that we have all had some time to rest during the holidays, we are ready to delve into the spring semester with an especially powerful January theme: civil rights. Throughout […]

Pelo Bueno

Reviewed by: Mercy Delgado Cordero and Jeanmary Lugo González Review source: Latinxs in Kid Lit Book author: OUT OF PRINT As a children’s librarian at a public library system in the U.S., and in a neighborhood with a high percentage of Latinxs (mainly Dominicans & Puerto Ricans) and Spanish-speakers, I’m oftentimes being asked for children’s […]

Raybearer

Reviewed by Ibrahim Odugbemi Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Jordan Ifueko’s Raybearer is both a fantasy and an epic novel. This is evident in its wide and diverse physical setting, Aritsar, presented as a continent and empire of different peoples and cultures; in its human characters who have magical powers and embark on dangerous and heroic missions, […]

The Brave

Reviewed by Deborah Locke Review Source: The Circle Book Author: The Brave is compelling, but could do without the stereotypes. This book, The Brave, by James Bird, about a boy who overcomes a disability and hard start in life, could have been great. It’s not great. Granted, the book was written for middle school-age children, and […]

“Seasons of Alaska” board books

Reviewed by: Debbie Reese Review source: American Indians in Children’s Literature   Let’s Play Out! by Yaari Toolie-Walker Button Up! by Angela Y. Gonzales Mittens and Mukluks! by Joni Spiess Bye-Bye Ice! by Carla Snow With delight, I’m here today to tell you about four board books that came out in 2020 from Best Beginnings Alaska. The four books […]