Social Justice Books

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

Black Was the Ink

Reviewed by May Kotsen Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Set in 2015, Black Was the Ink follows the life of Malcolm Williams, a 16-year-old from Washington D.C., who just wants to spend his summer drawing, playing video games, and playing pickup with his friends. After violence Malcolm experiences in D.C. mirrors the police violence […]

Home is Not a Country

Reviewed by Lidwien Kapteijns Reviewed Source: Africa Access Book Author: This book, a novel in free verse and written for young adult readers, is a story that delights in countless ways. Written by the young Sudanese American writer and poet Safia Elhillo, it tells the story of a teenage, Muslim, first-generation immigrant girl, called Nima […]

Deb Haaland: First Native American Cabinet Secretary

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: In children’s literature, we talk about the importance of representation. Seeing someone who looks like you is powerfully affirming. In 2016, I experienced that affirmation. Deb Haaland was at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.  I shared my joy on Twitter:   And […]

Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong

Reviewed by Joshua Talosig Review Source: International Examiner Book Author: It is well known that children’s literature has a powerful ability to provide impactful and long-lasting lessons on its target audience. They can make our youth smile, laugh and feel empathy for the people whose tales are told within. Yet, we rarely see juvenile literature also […]

The Great Bear: The Misewa Saga, Book Two

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature  Book Author: Thoughts on David A. Robertson’s The Great Bear being removed from libraries On April 15, I began to see posts on social media about David A. Robertson’s The Great Bear being removed from libraries. Published by Puffin (Penguin Random House Canada) in Sept 2021, it was […]

What If . . .

Reviewed by Bridget Fuller Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: “What if?” is the question a young artist ponders as she considers what she would do without her art supplies. If she can’t use pencil and paper, she’ll use the world around her to create her art. And if the land and light disappear, she’ll […]