Social Justice Books

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

Kiyoshi’s Walk

Reviewed by Pat Corekin Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: “Where do poems come from?” young Kiyoshi asks his grandfather, Eto, and so begins a wonderful journey of poetic discovery. Eto takes Kiyoshi for a walk through their city. The smallest events — a cat knocking over oranges at the corner store, birds soaring […]

Nile Crossing

  Reviewed by Ronald J. Leprohon Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Here is a charming and delightful book, which takes us on a journey through a young boy’s day as he leaves his ancient Egyptian rural home for a teeming city and a school where he will learn to become a scribe. Written in […]

When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: The first three lines in Rendon’s poem, “What’s an Indian Woman to Do?” are these: what’s an indian woman to do when the white girls act more indian than the indian women do? From there we read about the Indian woman’s ex-husband […]

What’s the Most Beautiful Thing You Know about Horses?

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: America Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Several weeks ago I wrote about Richard Van Camp’s novel, The Lesser Blessed, which I recommend for YA readers. Today I want to call your attention to his picture book, What’s the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses? It joins Jingle Dancer and The Good Luck Cat as […]

Displacement

Reviewed by Nikki (16, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) Review Source: Bank Street College of Education Book Author: This book provides an invaluable perspective for younger generations on how the injustices faced decades ago are still applicable to today’s world. As a descendant of Japanese Americans who were forced into these internment camps, I had heard […]

Calling the Doves / El canto de las palomas

Reviewed by Grace Cornell Gonzales Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: Calling the Doves is a prime example of two of the qualities that draw me to Juan Felipe Herrera’s work again and again: the richness of his poetic language and his fluent writing in both Spanish and English. […]