Social Justice Books

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

The Smell of Old Lady Perfume

Reviewed by Sonia Alejandra Rodríguez Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: Martínez’s debut young adult novel captures the turmoil of a family’s losing its center, and at the same time emphasizes the importance of staying in school. Chela’s parents are immigrants and her father makes clear that his options […]

A Surprise for Teresita / Una Sorpresa Para Teresita

Reviewed by Dora Guzman Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: This realistic fiction picture book in a bilingual English/Spanish text format is about a girl, Teresita, anticipating her uncle, Tio Ramon, and her birthday gift. As Teresita goes about her day, she meets other neighbors who are also anticipating her uncle’s famous snow cones. […]

Tito Puente: Mambo King / Rey del Mambo

Reviewed by Sujei Lugo Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: Monica Brown Brown was presented with the challenge of summarizing Tito Puente’s life and music career in a picture book, and with the collaboration of Rafael López and his lovely illustrations, she succeeded wonderfully. What makes this picture book stand out is how beautifully words […]

Queens of Geek

Reviewed by Kim Broomall Review Source: Disability in Kid Lit Book Author: This is what makes Taylor, one of the two narrators of Queens of Geek, such a refreshing character. Jen Wilde is autistic and anxious herself, which gives the narrative authenticity that is so lacking in similar books. There’s plenty of truth here that can […]

Juana & Lucas

Reviewed by: Becky Villareal Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina is a colorful adventure through the life of young Juana as she learns to speak and read “The English.” Juana Medina sprinkles cognates throughout the book using them to their full potential. Since they are placed strategically, it […]

Dead Girls Society

Reviewed by Cindy Baldwin Review Source: Disability in Kid Lit Book Author: When Hope, who has cystic fibrosis (CF) and is driven to distraction by her mother’s overprotective insistence on keeping Hope at home for the past several months, receives a strange invitation from a group that refers to itself as the Society, she throws caution […]