Social Justice Books

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

Call Me Tree/ Llámame Árbol

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: Using watercolor, ink and pencil on a gorgeous, vibrant palette of mostly pinks, oranges, blues and greens, González constructs double-page spreads full of magical realism. In this inviting scenario, there are children and trees, in some places leaning into […]

Grandma’s Gift

Reviewed by Lila Quintero Weaver Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: In a category where such books are woefully rare, both of Velasquez’s Grandma stories represent positive images of Afro-Latino children and their families. Although the story in Grandma’s Gift takes place inside a few square miles of contemporary New York City, it also […]

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1)

Reviewed by Jaye Winmilawe Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Adeyemi’s ashe or power as a writer is expressed in the success of her debut novel Children of Blood and Bone. She was awarded a groundbreaking seven figure YA book contract and a movie deal, at 23 years old. The book has been well received, […]

On the Other Side of the Garden

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: In the entire universe of graphic comics, is there any sillier way to appeal to the sensibilities of young readers than five pages of fart jokes? Than little kid mosquitos, flying through the air, “powered by pedos”? Pretending to […]

Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes

Reviewed by Mahasin Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: “Cone is the tip of the minaret so tall. I hear soft echoes of the prayer call,” begins this charming picture book which explores a variety of everyday shapes and angles, as experienced by Muslims of diverse skin tones, who are depicted living, playing, and worshiping together. […]

Mommy’s Khimar

Reviewed by Mahasin Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: “A khimar is a flowing scarf that my mommy wears,” explains a young African-American girl in the opening pages of Mommy’s Khimar, a new picture book from Simon and Schuster’s Salaam Reads imprint, written by first-time author, educator, and activist Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Ebony Glenn. The term “khimar” […]