Social Justice Books

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

ABC El Salvador

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: On the front cover, raised lettering in glossy relief — large ABCs on which two Indigenous children climb — invites young readers to touch the painted block letters similar to the wood block letters that El Salvador is […]

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Between Us and Abuela is a compelling story about family separation at the Mexico-United States border and the longing for reunion. Young María and Juan travel with their mother on La Posada Sin Fronteras (The Inn Without Borders) to the enforcement zone, located between […]

My Many Colored Days

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  My Many Colored Days intends to teach early elementary children that it is normal to experience different emotions on different days and even on the same day, which sometimes makes it hard to understand and express yourself. Dr. Seuss attempts to give children a […]

In My Anaana’s Amautik

Reviewed by Jean Mendoza Review Source: American Indian’s in Children’s Literature Book Author: A while back, Victoria J Coe tweeted that Teresa Peterson’s Grasshopper Girl is a “huggable book.” What a great descriptor — some books are just that! And we need those, in these strange times when hugging people we love can actually be dangerous. Another example […]

Un dia de nieve / The Snowy Day

Reviewed by NPR Staff Review Source: NPR.org Book Author: One morning many years ago, a little boy in Brooklyn named Peter woke up to an amazing sight: fresh snow. Peter is the hero of the classic children’s book by Ezra Jack Keats, The Snowy Day, which turns 50 this year. Peter has a red snowsuit, a […]

I Sang You Down from the Stars

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: As I sit here at my computer on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, and think about the books that I reviewed last week, I notice that women and children, and grandchildren are at the center of each one. That continues with I Sang […]