Social Justice Books

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

Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden

Review Source: Notes from an Islamic School Librarian Book Author:  This sweetly illustrated 32-page rhyming book starts off introducing a little girl living in one place and having a home in Palestine that she has never been to, but loves.  The book then becomes pretty universal with her and her grandfather talking about what grows, his […]

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Laura Gao’s tender young adult graphic memoir, Messy Roots, speaks to the ongoing search for home, both as a physical place of security and as a mental state of reconciling with one’s identity and the quest for belonging. Gao pays homage to the Wuhan of […]

Free Book for Your Story

We’d love to hear how you use Social Justice Books. Share a story or testimonial that we can share online and we’ll send you one of the books featured below in appreciation. The books were donated by Groundwood Books. Share a story today! For example, why you use the site, whether you use the booklists, […]

Mehndi Boy

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Mehndi Boy is an illustrated chapter book perfect for children who are just embarking on independent reading. The novel features an Indian boy living in Tanzania and his resolve to be authentically himself. Creative Tehzeeb loves doing artwork and once his cousin Rahima’s wedding approaches, […]

Miya Wears Orange

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Debbie and I have talked with many non-Native educators who know the importance of teaching about hard aspects of Indigenous peoples’ history. Good teachers want to do it “right.” We try to impress on them that conversations about those difficult topics may […]

Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero is an elevated middle grade novel set in small town Texas around the twentieth anniversary of 9/11. The story dissects both social and racial justice themes with care, including religious/racially-charged bullying and racial profiling. Author Saadia Faruqi offers a […]