Social Justice Books

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

The Radius of Us

Reviewed by Daniella Burgi-Palomino Review Source: Independent Book Author: Recommended with a caveat Marie Marquardt’s captivating and poignant story of Phoenix and Gretchen in The Radius of Us draws the reader in and makes us feel like we really get to know both characters and accompany them on their emotional journey. I give the author credit […]

Abigail the Whale

Reviewed by Kassie Colón Review Source: Independent Book Author: I’ve always been a fat girl. Growing up my chubby body experienced all the awful bullying associated with having cheechos. But if there was one thing I hated more than the vulgar names peers directed at me while I joyfully ate the food that made me […]

Freedom Reads: Episode 4 – B Is for Baby

Welcome to Freedom Reads: Anti-Bias Book Talk from Teaching for Change. In this video series, we introduce children’s books using an anti-bias, anti-racist lens as a strategy to talk about issues around race and the world with children. (View other episodes on the series home page and our YouTube playlist.) The book featured in the […]

Freedom Reads: Episode 3 – Missing Daddy

Welcome to Freedom Reads: Anti-Bias Book Talk from Teaching for Change. In this video series, we introduce children’s books using an anti-bias, anti-racist lens as a strategy to talk about issues around race and the world with children. (View other episodes on the series home page and our YouTube playlist.) The book featured in the […]

When Rosa Parks Went Fishing

Reviewed by Brianne Pitts Review Source: Independent Book Author: A picture book rendition of young Rosa Parks’ early life hopes to explore the joy, challenges, and agency of her childhood in rural Alabama. Though promising, like many well-meaning educators teaching the story of Rosa Parks, this text leaves readers with a sterile story that reinforces […]

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: With his sugar-skull face and Día-de-los-Muertos outfit consisting of a bowler hat, wristwatch, and braces to hold his teeth in, Señor Calavera is polite yet insistent. It’s time, he says, for Grandma Beetle to come along with him. […]