Social Justice Books

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

Salma the Syrian Chef

Reviewed by Hadeal Salamah Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: Salma and her mother are Syrian Muslim refugees living at the Welcome Center for new immigrants in Vancouver, Canada. They both miss home and hope that one day soon Salma’s papa will be able to join them. Mama’s long days are filled with English classes and […]

Too Small Tola

Reviewed by Lauren Parnell Marino Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Too Small Tola by Atinuke is a delightful book which introduces a slate of charming characters to young readers. The collection of three short stories focuses on the daily lives of Tola, a young girl growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, and her Grandmommy, sister, and brother. […]

A Day with Yayah

Reviewed by Jean Mendoza Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: As a grandmother and longtime teacher of young children, I’m delighted to share my enthusiasm for A Day with Yayah, a 2018 Crocodile Books release by award-winning author Nicola I. Campbell (Interior Salish), illustrated by another award-winner, Julie Flett (Cree-Metis). A Day with Yayah is a visual […]

Johnny’s Pheasant

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Author: Johnny’s Pheasant is written by Cheryl Minnema (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) and illustrated by Julie Flett (Cree-Métis). New in 2019, it is a picture book I am pleased to recommend. Grandma’s are special, aren’t they? Mine was, and I know my mom is special […]

The Teachers March! How Selma’s Teachers Changed History

Reviewed by Jenice L. View Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Overall, this book is very well researched and cited. It centers Black people, their strategic thinking, and their agency at a time when the national story of the Black freedom movement was being complicated by heightened white supremacist violence, rising resistance to the […]

No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History

Review Source: Rethinking Schools Book Author: Now it is our time. Our new generation will not give up this sacred struggle. It is for our lives, for all of our relations. These ending lines from the poem “Jasilyn Charger: Water Protector” by Joseph Bruchac in No Voice Too Small offer a glimpse into the rich simplicity of […]