Social Justice Books

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

A Day With No Words

Reviewed by Jacklyn Ogden Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  A Day With No Words by Tiffany Hammond is inspired by the author’s own life as an autistic mother of two autistic boys and follows a Black autistic boy’s daily life written from his own perspective. The first-person language strengthens the voice of the […]

Empty and Me: A Tale of Friendship and Loss

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Empty and Me is a bilingual (Arabic/English) children’s book that personifies grief in an interesting way. Azam Mahdavi’s sensitive text, paired with the evocative illustrations by Maryam Tahmasebi, combine to create a powerful and healing experience for young readers. Empty and Me is a valuable […]

I’m Finding My Talk

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: A reader wrote to ask me about I’m Finding My Talk. I did not know about the book prior to being asked about it. I was able to get a copy and was deeply touched by it. The author’s father was in […]

This Land: The History of the Land We’re On

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Wow! I love how this book starts! The words on the first double-paged spread say, “This is my house.” Behind it is a river. Beside the house is a tall pine tree. We see a family by the tree. Turn the page […]

Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: I spent several hours over the last two weeks, watching the 2024 Olympics. Part way in, I saw that Billy Mills was there. He was sharing photos to his Facebook page. I pulled up the video of his race and shared it […]

Breonna Marches Through Time

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: During the summer of 2020, young Washington, D.C., resident Breonna laments her loss of freedom during the COVID-19 lockdown and loss of community during Black Lives Matter protests. One day while she and her family are watching a news broadcast, she magically travels through time […]