Social Justice Books

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

She Sang Promise: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper: Seminole Tribal Leader

Reviewed by Alexis Blendel Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: This is my last year of Florida Virtual School. Soon I will take a trip with my cousin to the Glades to visit the Big Cypress Reservation. My mother is originally from Hollywood, but I want to see the Glades again. It […]

Dragonfly Kites

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Fifteen years ago, I learned about three delightful picture books by Tomson Highway. Illustrated by Brian Deines, each one had a great story that was presented in English and in Cree. Fox on the Ice, Caribou Song, and Dragonfly Kites were published by a major publisher […]

My Year in the Middle

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: It’s the school year of 1969-1970. “The Vietnam War,” known in Vietnam as “The American War,” has been raging for 15 years. The US is continuing to drop millions of tons of bombs on three small countries. US soldiers […]

Call Me Tree/ Llámame Árbol

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: Using watercolor, ink and pencil on a gorgeous, vibrant palette of mostly pinks, oranges, blues and greens, González constructs double-page spreads full of magical realism. In this inviting scenario, there are children and trees, in some places leaning into […]

Grandma’s Gift

Reviewed by Lila Quintero Weaver Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: In a category where such books are woefully rare, both of Velasquez’s Grandma stories represent positive images of Afro-Latino children and their families. Although the story in Grandma’s Gift takes place inside a few square miles of contemporary New York City, it also […]

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1)

Reviewed by Jaye Winmilawe Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Adeyemi’s ashe or power as a writer is expressed in the success of her debut novel Children of Blood and Bone. She was awarded a groundbreaking seven figure YA book contract and a movie deal, at 23 years old. The book has been well received, […]