Social Justice Books

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

Hair Representation in Children’s Literature

In 2013, then 12-year old Vanessa VanDyke was threatened that she would be expelled unless she cut her natural hair because it was regarded as a “distraction” by administrators. In 2017, sisters Mya and Deanna Cook were told if they did not get rid of their braids, they would be removed from extracurricular activities, banned […]

The Big Bed

Reviewed by Deborah W. Thomas Tellin’ Stories Roving Readers Coordinator Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: A young girl negotiates with her dad about who should sleep in the big bed with mommy. Not wanting to hurt her dad’s feelings, a little girl calls a meeting to discuss a problem they have, The Big […]

At the Mountain’s Base

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: In February, 2018, Penguin announced it was launching a new imprint, Kokila, that would center “stories from the margins with books that add nuance and depth to the way children and young adults see the world and their place in it.” On September 17 of […]

This Land Is My Land

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Among my favorite books is George Littlechild’s This Land Is My Land, published in 1993 by Children’s Book Press. Written and illustrated by Littlechild, the book won the Jane Addams Peace Award. The title, of course, is familiar. Across the United States, in schools […]

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family

Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: Faizah admires older sister Asiya’s new, strikingly blue and beautiful first-day-hijab, finding inner strength and pride when facing bullies at school who make fun of it. This book discussion was conducted on May 12, 2019, and was based on the fold & gather, received from Little, Brown Books for Young […]

Tikki Tikki Tembo

Reviewed by Irene Rideout Review Source: Grace Lin Blog Book Author: As a child, did you love Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel? Did you find the absurdly long name “Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo” intoxicatingly fun to chant or sing? First published in 1968, the book has won some honors: In 1968, it […]