Social Justice Books

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

On the Other Side of the Garden

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: In the entire universe of graphic comics, is there any sillier way to appeal to the sensibilities of young readers than five pages of fart jokes? Than little kid mosquitos, flying through the air, “powered by pedos”? Pretending to […]

Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes

Reviewed by Mahasin Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: “Cone is the tip of the minaret so tall. I hear soft echoes of the prayer call,” begins this charming picture book which explores a variety of everyday shapes and angles, as experienced by Muslims of diverse skin tones, who are depicted living, playing, and worshiping together. […]

Mommy’s Khimar

Reviewed by Mahasin Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: “A khimar is a flowing scarf that my mommy wears,” explains a young African-American girl in the opening pages of Mommy’s Khimar, a new picture book from Simon and Schuster’s Salaam Reads imprint, written by first-time author, educator, and activist Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Ebony Glenn. The term “khimar” […]

Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide

Reviewed by Lila Quintero Weaver Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK: “I see reality in another way with a camera. Looking through the lens, I peer into another world . . . . ” Born in Mexico City in 1942, Graciela Iturbide wants to be a writer, but her […]

Gaby, Lost & Found

Reviewed by Cindy L. Rodriguez Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: Description from the book jacket: When Gaby Ramirez Howard starts volunteering at the local animal shelter, she takes special pride in writing adoption advertisements. Her flyers help the dogs and cats there find their forever homes: places where they’ll be loved and […]

The Poet X

Reviewed by Mark Oshiro Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK: Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, […]