Social Justice Books

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

Mexican American / Chicana / Chicano

Titles that we recommend are featured below. The ones with reviews are noted with an asterisk (*). Some titles are recommended with a caveat.

See related lists: Latinx/Latin American History, Central America, and Spanish / Bilingual.

Elementary | Middle School | YA | Adult

Elementary

Areli Is a Dreamer: A True Story by Areli Morales, a Daca Recipient *
By Areli Morales and Luisa Uribe (Illustrator)

Barrio Rising: The Protest That Built Chicano Park
By María Dolores Águila and Magdalena Mora (Illustrator)

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border *
By Mitali Perkins and Sara Palacios (Illustrator)
Calling the Doves *
By Juan Felipe Herrera, Elly Simmons (Illustrator)

Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua
By Gloria Amescua and Duncan Tonatiuh (Illustrator)

El Cucuy Is Scared, Too!
By Donna Barba Higuera and Juliana Perdomo (Illustrator)

La Frontera: El viaje con papa / My Journey with Papa*
By Deborah Mills, Alfredo Alva, Claudia Navarro (Illustrator)

Just in Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book
By Yuyi Morales, Yuyi Morales (Illustrator)

Mamiachi & Me: My Mami's Mariachi Band
By Jolene Gutiérrez, Dakota Gutiérrez, and Mirelle Ortega (Illustrator)

Mariana and Her Familia
By Mónica Mancillas and Erika Meza (Illustrator)
Mi Ciudad Sings
By Cynthia Harmony and Teresa Martinez (Illustrator)
Mistaco
By Eliza Kinkz
My Papi Has a Motorcycle*
By Isabel Quintero, Zeke Peña (Illustrator)

My Two Border Towns
By David Bowles and  Erika Meza (Illustrator)

Paletero Man
By Lucky Diaz, Micah Player (Illustrator), and Carmen Tafolla (Translator)
Still Dreaming / Seguimos Soñando
By Claudia Guadalupe Martínez, Magdalena Mora (Illustrator), Luis Humberto Crosthwaite (Translator)
Author Interview

Two White Rabbits
By Jairo Buitrago

Until Someone Listens: A Story about Borders, Family, and One Girl's Mission
By Estela Juarez, Lissette Norman, Teresa Martínez (Illustrator)

Without Separation: Prejudice, Segregation, and the Case of Roberto Alvarez
By Larry Dane Brimner and Maya Gonzalez (Illustrator)

Middle School

The Circuit
By Francisco Jiménez and Celia Jacobs (Illustrator)

Con Carino, Amalia / With Love, Amalia
By Alma Flor Ada, Gabriel M. Zubizarreta

Dancing Home
By Alma Flor Ada, Gabriel M. Zubizarreta

Esperanza Rising
By Pam Muñoz Ryan

The First Rule of Punk*
By Celia C. Pérez

Land of the Cranes
By Aida Salazar

Moon Within
By Aida Salazar

The Other Side of the River
By Alda P. Dobbs

Red Glass
By Laura Resau

Return to Sender *
By Julia Alvarez
A Seed in the Sun
By Aida Salazar

Warrior Girl
By Carmen Tafolla

YA

We Were Here
By Matt de la Peña

Adult

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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