Social Justice Books

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

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 […]

Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race

Reviewed by Makai Kellogg Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race is the book we’ve been waiting for! The team (Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Isabel Roxas) did an incredible thing: they explained race and racism to young children. Not only did they do it in a few […]

Each Kindness

Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Warning: This picture book for young children does not have a happy ending. And therein is the power and beauty of the story. When a group of children ostracize a new child who is poor, they do not realize how hurtful they are being […]