Social Justice Books

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

Women’s History Month: A Book Every Day

In honor of Women’s History Month, each day Social Justice Books features a children’s book we recommend to highlight grassroots women’s history in the United States. Find many more titles for children check out the booklist: women’s history and women’s lives.   March 1 Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement […]

The Deep Past of Haiti

Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  We highly recommend the book by fifth and sixth-grade students at Jubilee School called The Deep Past of Haiti. We agree with Edwidge Danticat who said it is a “gorgeous book” and “a stunning gift from the children to the world.” Here is the introduction […]

Taking the Stage at NMAAHC to Discuss Representation in Children’s Literature

On December 15, 2018, Teaching for Change joined an important dialogue about representation in children’s literature on-stage at the Oprah Winfrey Theater in the National Museum for African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The museum’s Early Childhood Education Initiative collaborated with the events department to celebrate the re-release of James Baldwin’s only children’s book Little Man, Little Man: A Story […]

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, […]

Highlights from Social Justice Books

Teaching for Change launched SocialJusticeBooks.org to identify and promote the best multicultural and social justice children’s books. We partnered with the See What We See (SWWS) coalition to create a database of critical children’s book reviews. One year after launching in 2017, the SocialJusticeBooks site is now home to more than 50 recommended booklists on […]

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: I love to see Indigenous languages on book covers! Check out the cover of Traci Sorell’s We Are Grateful/Otsaliheliga. What you see on that cover is the words “We Are Grateful” in English, and then in Cherokee, and also in the Cherokee […]