Social Justice Books

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

Dear Martin

Reviewed by Zetta Elliott Review Source: Zetta Elliott Book Author: When a friend asked me last fall to address the problems she found in Dear Martin, I hedged. Few people thanked me for pointing out the issues I had with All American Boys (though many were quick to praise Jason Reynolds for his “gracious” response), and I didn’t want […]

The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary

Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: On many levels, The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary is a brilliant book. It’s open and raw, exposing almost every level of damage inflicted upon the young teenage protagonist, Macy Cashmere. Themes of racism, misogyny, foster care, drug use, prostitution, and “mental illness” create a fast-paced and erratic read. Told […]

I Am Birch

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: A colleague wrote to ask me about Scott Kelley’s I Am Birch. Published in 2018 by Islandport Press, it is getting a ‘not recommended’ from me. In the back of I Am Birch is an “About the Book” page that tells readers that:  The legends of […]

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

Reviewed by Edi Campbell Review Source: Cotton Quilts Book Author: Darius Kellner is a high school sophomore in Portland. He comes from a tight-knit family, but doesn’t have a particularly close relationship with his father. Darius’ hobbies include brewing tea and all things Star Trek. And, he has depression. When his family receives news that […]

Apple in the Middle

Reviewed by Jean Mendoza Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Two Native high school girls, two unique stories about not fitting in, and about trying to make sense of Indigenous heritage/ancestry when something has disrupted their place in a Native community…. Most regular readers of this blog won’t need to be convinced that […]

Merci Suarez Changes Gears

Reviewed by Lyn Miller-Lachmann Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: It’s the beginning of Mercedes (Merci) Suarez’s sixth grade year, and right away she notices big changes. There’s a new boy in class, just moved to South Florida from Minnesota, and Merci has been assigned to be his […]