Social Justice Books

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

Joelito’s Big Decision / La Gran Decisión de Joelito

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: DeColores Book Author: On April 15, 2015—little more than three months ago—about one million people across the country pulled off the largest demonstration of its kind in US history. The struggle, known as the “Fight for 15,” involved Walmart workers, fast-food workers, child care workers, home health workers, janitorial […]

Creekfinding: A True Story

Review Source: Kirkus Book Author: Bulldozed years earlier and filled to make a cornfield, a lost creek is found and restored on an Iowa farm. When Michael Osterholm learned that a creek had once run under his farmland, he determined to restore it. Following old photographs and using heavy machinery to uncover the original bed […]

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Reviewed by David Eaton Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind tells the story of William Kamkwamba, a young man in central Malawi who improvises a windmill out of bicycle and other scrap yard parts to produce electricity for his family’s home. Its 28 pages of text, with a few […]

Africa is Not a Country

Reviewed by Patricia Kuntz Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Africa is Not a Country is perhaps the first picture book about the African continent to respectfully present the diversity of people living in its 53 countries. Heretofore, few publishers have collaborated with an African studies center to produce an accurate, objective presentation. Finally, these authors have […]

Milo’s Museum

Teaching Ideas | Teaching Stories Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Review Source: Rethinking Schools Book Author: Milo’s Museum by Zetta Elliott is a beautifully illustrated, empowering story of a young girl (Milo) who is excited to go on a school field trip to a museum. Her grandfather explains, “Museums hold all the things that people feel are […]

Drum Dream Girl

Review by Sujei Lugo Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago on an island filled with music and rhythm, no one questioned that rule — until the drum dream girl. She longed to play tall congas and small bongós and silvery, moon-bright timbales. She had to practice in secret. […]