Social Justice Books

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

When I Was Eight

Reviewed by: Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: The most powerful stories are those that pull you in such that you feel the emotions of the character(s) in the story and when you come to the end, you let loose a big sigh. When I Was Eight did that to […]

Where’s Rodney?

Reviewed by: Rebecca Lehr Book Author: Rodney is an elementary school student who just can’t stay in his seat. Far from engaged in the curriculum, he’s distracted by the birds outside the window and the bug in the classroom. His constant longing to be outdoors leads to inattention and class clown antics, which lead to […]

Moony Luna: Luna, Lunita Lunera

Reviewed by: Sonia Alejandra Rodriguez Review Source: Latinxs in Kid Lit Book Author: DESCRIPTION FROM THE BOOK JACKET: Five-year-old Luna isn’t at all sure she wants to go to school. For all she knows, there might be monsters there. But when her loving parents assure her that she’ll have a wonderful time playing and learning, she agrees […]

Walk with Me/Camino a casa

Reviewed by: Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: The cover of the Spanish version, Camino a casa, depicts a little girl who’s being held in the safety of whom we soon learn is a lion. The English version, Walk with Me, shows her offering a flower to the […]

The Secret Project

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Some conversations about my review of Jonah and Jeanette Winter’s The Secret Project suggest that I didn’t say enough, back in March. I’m back, therefore, to say more. Some of what I wrote in March is being interpreted as innuendo and destructive. In saying more, this review […]