Social Justice Books

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

The Honey Jar

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: In The Honey Jar, Menchú imparts some of the cultural knowledge she learned as a child: How Grandfather Sun and Grandmother Moon created the stars, and Mother Earth and Father Sky, whom they carefully instructed in the creation of sea, […]

The Girl from Chimel

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: It is in the hearts of the people of Chimel, then and now, that the old stories reside. Traditionally, told stories such as the ones in Menchú’s trilogy teach children how the world works. For young Rigoberta and […]

Laura Ingalls is Ruining My Life

Reviewed by Allie Jane Bruce Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: At the outset of Laura Ingalls Is Ruining My Life, twelve-year-old Charlotte makes it clear that she finds her mom’s obsession with Laura Ingalls irritating. Anytime Mom or Rose (Charlotte’s younger sister) reference the Little House books or Laura Ingalls, Charlotte’s reaction is somewhere in […]

Refugee

Reviewed by Lyn Miller Lachmann Review Source: Pirate Tree Book Author: The news today is filled with the plight of refugees from Syria and elsewhere trying to find new homes while it seems that the rest of the world — including the United States — is trying to keep them out. Alan Gratz’s novel for […]

A Boy Called Bat

Reviewed by Nicole Panteleakos Review Source: Disabilities in Kid’s Lit Book Author: A Boy Called Bat is a middle grade/chapter book about a third-grader who tries to convince his veterinarian mom to let him keep the baby skunk she brings home. I found this an intriguing novel, and so did my ten-year-old goddaughter Meadow, who was diagnosed […]

Alma and How She Got Her Name

Also available in Spanish: Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre Reviewed by Sierra Kling Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author: Born in Lima, Perú, Juana Martinez-Neal incorporates her Latinx culture into her debut author/ illustrator book, Alma and How She Got Her Name, published in both Spanish and English! This is a pleasant read because […]