Social Justice Books

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

Mississippi Morning

Reviewed by Matthew Smee Review Source: Independent Book Author: Ruth Vander Zee’s Mississippi Morning tells the story of James, a young white boy growing up in rural Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. It’s 1933 and James’s father (Pa) owns the local hardware store. Pa’s store is a popular place, where locals gather to discuss issues […]

American Street

Reviewed by CCBC Review Source: Cooperative Children’s Book Center Book Author: Fabiola Toussaint hopes to find the American dream when comes with her mother from Haiti to live with her Aunt Jo and her cousins, Chantal, Primadonna and Princess, on the corner of American Street and Joy Road in Detroit. But when her mother is […]

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora

Reviewed by CCBC Review Source: Cooperative Children’s Book Center Book Author: Arturo lives in an apartment complex in Miami along with most of the rest of his extended, close, chaotic Cuban American family. At the center of their lives are Abuela and La Cocina de la Isla, the restaurant she began with Arturo’s late grandfather. […]

Baby’s First Words

Reviewed by CCBC Review Source: Cooperative Children’s Book Center Book Author: A toddler’s day provides the story arc of a board book that offers engagement, affirmation, and delight, showing a mixed-race, gay-parented family. “Good morning!” reads the primary text on the opening page spread. The colorful scene includes word labels for “baby” (the girl), “bed,” […]

Flying Lessons and Other Stories

Reivewed by CCBC Review Source: Cooperative Children’s Book Center Edited by “Blame my Uncle Kenneth. Everybody else does.” (Tim Tingle) “It’s a lot of pressure to pick a good elf name.” (Tim Federle) “Nani wears a fur coat to the beach.” (Soman Chainani) Whether starting with irresistible opening lines like these, or easing more quietly […]

Rainbow Weaver / Tejedora de Arcoiris

Teaching Ideas Reviewed by Rebecca Lehr Review Source: Independent Book Author: Reviewer Rebecca Lehr is an art teacher at a bilingual elementary school in Arlington, Virginia. In a rural village in the Guatemalan Highlands, young Ixchel is anxious to learn the ancient art of weaving from her mother. Ixchel adores the vibrant colors and patterns of […]