Social Justice Books

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

Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba

Reviewed by: Lila Quintero Weaver Review Source: Latinxs in Kid Lit Book Author: Written in clear prose charged with poetic flavor, Under the Royal Palms is a lovely collection of autobiographical stories that paint a rich picture of life for a 20th-century child in the riverside city of Camagüey, Cuba. Located in the interior of the island nation, […]

Enrique’s Journey

Reviewed by: Lila Quintero Weaver Original (adult) version also available – Enrique’s Journey: The Story of a Boy’s Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother Review Source: Latinxs in Kid Lit Book Author: The best creative non-fiction takes you straight down into the messy, contradictory, gut-wrenching heart of a subject, and awakens your appreciation for its […]

The Birthday Book / Las Mananitas

Reviewed by Ashley Hope Pérez Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: I loved the look of this book, but I didn’t know if Ethan Andrés, our board book reader, would take to it. At first, he was most interested in unfolding all the pages and spreading the book out across the floor. Then he […]

The Smell of Old Lady Perfume

Reviewed by Sonia Alejandra Rodríguez Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: Martínez’s debut young adult novel captures the turmoil of a family’s losing its center, and at the same time emphasizes the importance of staying in school. Chela’s parents are immigrants and her father makes clear that his options […]

A Surprise for Teresita / Una Sorpresa Para Teresita

Reviewed by Dora Guzman Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: This realistic fiction picture book in a bilingual English/Spanish text format is about a girl, Teresita, anticipating her uncle, Tio Ramon, and her birthday gift. As Teresita goes about her day, she meets other neighbors who are also anticipating her uncle’s famous snow cones. […]

Tito Puente: Mambo King / Rey del Mambo

Reviewed by Sujei Lugo Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: Monica Brown Brown was presented with the challenge of summarizing Tito Puente’s life and music career in a picture book, and with the collaboration of Rafael López and his lovely illustrations, she succeeded wonderfully. What makes this picture book stand out is how beautifully words […]