Social Justice Books

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

Teaching About Guatemala

Visit Teaching for Change's website TeachingCentralAmerica.org for more resources to teach about Guatemala and other countries in Central America, including lessons, films, websites, biographies of noted historical figures, and readings for free use by classroom teachers.

See more recommended titles: Central America, El Salvador, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Teaching About Immigration

Titles with reviews on this site are noted with an asterisk (*). Some titles are recommended with a caveat.

Early Childhood and Elementary | Middle Grades | Young Adult | Adult 

Early Childhood and Elementary

Abuela's Weave *
By Omar S. Casteneda, Enrique O. Sanchez (Illustrator)
Recommended with caveat. See review: Abuela's Weave Review

Lola and the New School
By Keka Novales and Gloria Felix (Illustrator)

Lola's First Day of the Dead
By Keka Novales and Carolina Vázquez (Illustrator)

Mango Moon
By Diane de Anda
Spanish edition available: La Luna Mango

Mama and Papa Have a Store
By Amelia Lau Carling
Spanish edition: La Tienda de Mamá Y Papá

Rainbow Weaver*
By Linda Elovitz Marshall, Elisa Chavarri (Illustrator)

Sleeping with the Light On *
By David Unger

Soda Bottle School
By Suzanne Slade

Vámonos a Antigua
By Patty Rodriguez, Ariana Stein, and Ana Godinez (Illustrator)

Middle School

Among the Volcanoes
By Omar Castaneda

Caminar*
By Skila Brown

The Girl from Chimel*
By Rigoberta Menchú

The Honey Jar*
By Rigoberta Menchú

Journey of Dreams *
By Marge Pellegrino
OUT OF PRINT

The Other Half of Happy
By Rebecca Balcarcel

The Secret Legacy*
By Rigoberta Menchú

link to We Are Not From Here on BookshopWe Are Not From Here
By Jenny Torres Sanchez
Spanish version available -  No Somos de Aquí

Young Adult

Borderless *
By Jennifer de Leon

Brownstone
By Samuel Teer and Mar Julia (Illustrator)

The Tattooed Soldier*
By Hector Tobar

Adult

Silence on the Mountain
By Daniel Wilkinson

Learn about our criteria for selecting and reviewing titles at Social Justice Books. Feedback on these lists and suggestions for additional titles are welcome.

Most of the books on these lists are linked for more information or purchase to Bookshop (an indie bookstore platform). A small percentage from book sales through these links goes to Teaching for Change.

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