Social Justice Books

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

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story

Reviewed by Rethinking Schools Book Author: In this powerful picture book, N8hkumuhs (NOO-kuh-mus), Grandmother, shares the story “about the time Weeâchumun [corn] asked our Wampanoag ancestors to help the Pilgrims.” Beginning with Seagull announcing the newcomers’ arrival, this story centers plants and animals as N8hkumuhs tells how Weeâchumun, Beans and Squash, and animals Duck, Fox, Rabbit, […]

Remember

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Look at the book cover. Above the single-word title, Remember, you will see the name of the author — Joy Harjo — and the illustrator — Michaela Goade — and in front of their names you’ll see these words: “U.S. Poet Laureate” and […]

Yellow Dog Blues

Reviewed by Zapoura Newton-Calvert Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  Yellow Dog moved to Memphis! He followed the city lights. He sings the blues on Beale Street now. He sings all day and night. — From Yellow Dog Blues When Bo Willie sees his front gate swinging open, he knows Yellow Dog is gone. And […]

My Brother Is Away

Reviewed by Keesha Ceran Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Written by Sara Greenwood and illustrated by Luisa Uribe, My Brother is Away is about a young girl whose brother is incarcerated. The story is based on the author’s childhood experience that connects young readers with similar stories all too rarely represented in children’s […]

Jasmín Pictures Home | Jasmín ilustra su hogar

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  In Jasmín Pictures Home, three immigrant friends help a fourth find beauty, pride, and a sense of identity in her home country’s culture. When she moves to the United States from Honduras, the protagonist and artist Jasmín — feeling like she is “an island in […]

Grandpa Stops a War: A Paul Robeson Story

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Grandpa Stops a War is a biographical picture book of the singer and political activist Paul Robeson — written by his granddaughter — about his involvement in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The book provides some background on Robeson’s rise to fame as a respected […]