Social Justice Books

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

Navajo Code Talkers

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: I love that Danielle C. Burbank (Diné) opens her book, Navajo Code Talkers, with the word Yá’át’ééh! It signals that we’re going to learn about the Code Talkers from someone for whom this is not a subject. Instead, it is her family’s life. […]

Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: I spent several hours over the last two weeks, watching the 2024 Olympics. Part way in, I saw that Billy Mills was there. He was sharing photos to his Facebook page. I pulled up the video of his race and shared it […]

Breonna Marches Through Time

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: During the summer of 2020, young Washington, D.C., resident Breonna laments her loss of freedom during the COVID-19 lockdown and loss of community during Black Lives Matter protests. One day while she and her family are watching a news broadcast, she magically travels through time […]

We Care: A First Conversation About Justice

Reviewed by Makai Kellogg Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: We Care: A First Conversation About Justice shows young readers how anyone can contribute to community care and justice, even if it takes time and multiple attempts.  This book is a blueprint on how to disrupt existing structures and radically envision what is possible. […]

The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Chana Stiefel and Susan Gal’s picture book, The Tower of Life, tenderly provides background to WWII and the Holocaust in an age-appropriate way. It honors the extraordinary work of Dr. Yaffa Eliach, a Holocaust survivor who single-handedly collected photographs and stories from the people of […]

Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala

Reviewed by Abrita Kuthumi and Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Every day after school, Priya and her grandmother, Babi Ba, make rotli (flatbread). Every day, Priya asks, “What is India like?”and Babi Ba describes the smells, sights, and tastes of her beloved homeland.  One winter, Priya notices her grandmother gazing at […]