Social Justice Books

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

When Aidan Became a Brother

Reviewed by MaKenna Pierre, edited by Zapoura Newton-Calvert Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  Aidan knew how to love someone, and that was the most important part of being a brother. When Aidan Became a Brother, by Kyle Lukoff, follows the story of Aidan, a young transgender boy, and his understanding of himself and […]

My Purple World Series: Not Recommended

At a time when children need to see their diverse identities more represented in children’s literature, celebrity picture books still absorb a significant chunk of the children’s book market.  While there are some authentically wonderful celebrity-authored books, the trend itself indoctrinates kids into the cult of celebrity name recognition and consumption.  These books fly off […]

When We Gather (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: In professional development workshops that I do where I ask people to bring books with Native content, I look over what they’ve brought. Lots of old — and not good — nonfiction (series books and biographies) and fiction. I also see dreadful […]

The Tattooed Soldier

Reviewed by Rodrigo Ribera d’Ebre Review Source: Huffington Post Book Author: Recently I was invited by the California Writers Club to attend a talk at their Long Beach location. This club was founded in 1909, is one of the oldest clubs in the nation, and some of its honorary members include: Jack London, John Muir, […]

Simone

Reviewed by Pat Corekin Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Simone tells the story of a mother and child during an evacuation from a raging fire in California and the mother’s memories of fleeing a flood in Vietnam when she was a child. As Simone’s mother recounts the story of the flood when she […]

Mamie Tape Fights to Go to School

Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Review Source: Rethinking Schools Book Author: This picture book tells the true story of a fight for access to public education by an 8-year-old Chinese American girl, Mamie Tape, and her parents. There were no public schools for Chinese Americans in 1884 in San Francisco when Mamie tried to attend the white […]