Social Justice Books

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

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 […]

Swimmy

Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Swimmy is the sole survivor of an encounter between a school of small fish and a tuna. When he meets a new group of small fish hiding among the rocks, he is determined to hatch a plan so they can safely explore their world. […]

Pelo Bueno

Reviewed by: Mercy Delgado Cordero and Jeanmary Lugo González Review source: Latinxs in Kid Lit Book author: OUT OF PRINT As a children’s librarian at a public library system in the U.S., and in a neighborhood with a high percentage of Latinxs (mainly Dominicans & Puerto Ricans) and Spanish-speakers, I’m oftentimes being asked for children’s […]