Social Justice Books

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

Luis Paints the World

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: In the 1960s, Chicanos comprised only about 5% of the US population, yet made up about 22% of the US casualties in Vietnam. So towards the end of the decade, the Chicano community in California began organizing against their […]

10,000 Dresses

Reviewed by Katelyn Campbell Review Source: Independent Book Author: OUT OF PRINT 10,000 Dresses shares the story of a trans girl, Bailey, who is trying to make her dreams a reality. Each night, Bailey dreams of a different mystical dress, which she in turn asks each of her family members if they can help her […]

Dos Conejos Blancos / Two White Rabbits

Review by Beverly Slapin Reviewed Source: DeColores Reviews Book Author: On the cover is a little girl, comfortably lying down with her head resting on her papá’s leg. Her body is relaxed and her eyes are wide open; she’s happily playing with her toy bunny. Papá is sitting upright, leaning on his backpack. He’s looking […]

A-to-Z: The Real DC

Reviewed by Matthew Smee Review Source: Independent Book Author: People often look at Washington, D.C., solely through a political lens, as it is the nation’s capital. Federal buildings and monuments are highlighted and other key components of the city are neglected in turn. Few outside of the district are familiar with our vibrant culture and […]

Steamboat School

Reviewed by Kirkus Reviews Review Source: Kirkus Reviews Book Author: A passion for education and freedom brings subversive ingenuity to life in 1847 St. Louis. Hopkinson reveals Rev. John Barry Meachum’s true history through the stories he tells the children of being born a slave (in 1789 in Virginia) and working in the saltpeter mines […]

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey

Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: This bilingual children’s picture book (English and Arabic) is worth reading for the illustrations alone. The three dimensional characters, made from beach stone by Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, are so expressive and exquisite that they tell a story of their own. Badr conveys the […]