Social Justice Books

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

Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality

Reviewed Stacey Sewall Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Walking for Water tells the story of Victor and his twin sister, Linesi, who live in a village in Malawi.  The children have turned 8 years old, and Linesi must now begin helping the women and older girls fetch water each day from the river instead […]

Viva’s Voice

Reviewed by Issac Abernethy Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  Many voices together can make a big noise, Papi. Viva’s Voice, written by Raquel Donoso and illustrated by Carlos Vélez Auiglera, is the story of Viva and her papi standing up for change and is inspired by the author’s  childhood experiences as the daughter […]

Areli Is a Dreamer

Reviewed by Alex Morales Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  Areli is a Dreamer by Areli Morales tells the compelling story of Areli’s experience immigrating to the United States from Mexico as a young child. I am a DACA recipient, and this book uncovered emotions within me that I had not confronted since I […]

Black, White, Just Right!

Reviewed by Madisyn Myers Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  Black, White, Just Right!, written by Marguerite Davol and illustrated by Irene Trivas, tells the story of an interracial couple and their young daughter.  The story shows the many differences between the young girl’s African American mother and white father and how she has […]

Those Shoes

Reviewed by Eden Grey Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts is a sweet and touching story that addresses issues of social justice, empathy, generosity, and selflessness through the eyes of a young boy named Jeremy and his pursuit of a new pair of shoes. After his sneakers fall apart […]

Ten Beautiful Things

Reviewed by Catherine Taunton Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  None of this was easy. Maybe it would never be easy. But she belonged with Gram now. She belonged here now. This place wasn’t empty and neither was she. In Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Beth Griffin, the main character, Lily, goes through a […]