Social Justice Books

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

Laxmi’s Mooch

Reviewed by Nikitha Menon Review Source: Brown Girl Magazine Book Author: A brown girl’s journey with her hair is always an emotional and personal one. For me, it started in the sixth-grade gym. More specifically when Scott pointed out that I had “man arms.” In retrospect, he was probably just jealous he couldn’t grow his […]

Room for Everyone

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Note: While we recommend this book for early elementary children as it focuses on community and is an ideal read aloud, we also want to point out a few things to keep in mind while reading. Although the setting of the story is in Zanzibar, […]

Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask (Young Readers Edition)

Reviewed by: Jean Mendoza Review source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Anton Treuer’s original Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask was published in 2012. Many people, myself included, hoped there would soon be a version for young people. And at last, there is, and it’s getting good critical attention, including […]

The Case of the Burgled Bundle

Reviewed by Jean Mendoza Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Oh, the joys of a good mystery! This year saw publication of the third book in the middle-grade Mighty Muskrats series by Michael Hutchinson (Cree). This is a “Short and Sweet” review. The publisher, Second Story Press, says this about The Case of the Burgled Bundle: […]

On the Trapline

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: When most kids visit or travel with a grandparent to a special place, they drive or fly on a commercial airplane. For this trip, this grandfather and grandson start out on a small propeller airplane. On the Trapline is based on Robertson’s visit—with his father—to […]

Where Three Oceans Meet

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  This picture book for elementary readers tells the story of three generations of women taking a trip through South India to Kanyakumari known as “Land’s End” where three oceans meet. Sejal, Mommy, and Pati all have different motivations for traveling, but they all share comfort […]