Social Justice Books

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

One Can

Reviewed by Makai Kellogg Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: One Can, by Lana Button and Eric Walters, tells the story of a child who experiences both giving and receiving. There is a schoolwide food and mitten drive and the child is excited to contribute toward the classroom goal of 100 cans “for people […]

Home Away from Home

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Home Away From Home is a picture book for young elementary readers that dissects the concept of home as both a physical and mental refuge and encourages children to be open to exploring the unfamiliar, which contributes to building a more faceted sense of selfhood. […]

Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj

Review Source: Notes from an Islamic School Librarian Book Author:  This joyful 32-page picture book is both adorable and educational. Layers of Hajj and Zamzam threaded through with the global reach of Islam, generosity, food, language, and a little girl with a big smile brightening every encounter, is heartfelt and tender. Each reading has me smiling […]

Mama’s Roti

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Mama’s Roti is a moving picture book for young elementary children about the ways in which food connects us to our home country, culture, and community and an ode to the farmers who grow the food through harsh conditions and discrimination. A girl ruminates on […]

Music of the Bells

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Music of the Bells is a cheerful, informative picture book for young elementary children about Kathak Indian classical dance and the ways it connects a girl back to her homeland and serves as a bridge to Western dance. Though Neela now dances ballet, she hasn’t […]

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 […]