Social Justice Books

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

Milo Imagines the World

Reviewed by Nell Beram Review Source: Shelf-Awareness Book Author: Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson’s Milo Imagines the World, like their justifiably celebrated Last Stop on Market Street, centers on a child’s regular ride on public transportation to a destination initially unknown to readers. But while Market Street‘s CJ asks his grandmother why they’re going where they’re […]

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Reviewed by Amy Rothschild Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: This beautifully illustrated book weaves together the story of King’s life with “big words” from his speeches. Teachers can help children translate these words, like “you are as good as anyone,” and “everyone can be great,” to their own experiences.  The author does a […]

The Sea in Winter

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Jean and I both read Christine Day’s The Sea in Winter and are thrilled by what Day has written! A review is forthcoming, but I wanted to give you all a heads-up. Day’s book comes out on January 5, 2021. Pre-order it! And check […]

Clap When You Land

Reviewed by Shea Martin Review Source: Electric Lit Book Author: I don’t remember where I was when I heard about Covid-19, when I learned that life would never be the same. Nine months later, I am still trying to reconcile with this new normal of grief and isolation. In her highly-lauded sophomore release, Clap When You […]

Long Way Down

Reviewed by Shea Martin Review Source: Electric Lit Book Author: This ain’t the year for sugarcoating the truth. Jason Reynolds’s 2017 novel, Long Way Down, gives it to us in heart-wrenching verse that demands we pay attention — not only to the story, but also to our own truth. Readers spend the novel on an elevator ride […]

Support Social Justice Books in 2020

Teaching for Change developed SocialJusticeBooks.org to help families and educators identify the best multicultural and social justice children’s books. We examine the representation, the story line, and the quality of writing of each book. Traffic to our website exploded this year, thanks in part to Beverly Daniel Tatum, author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in […]