Social Justice Books

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

Healer of the Water Monster

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: I am delighted to recommend Brian Young’s Healer of the Water Monster. Below I will share some of the reasons why I think you should have this book on your school library shelf, and in your classroom library, and in your home library. If there’s […]

The Grizzly Mother and The Sockeye Mother

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Teachers! Get The Grizzly Mother for your classroom — and ask your librarian to get in on the library shelves, too! Written by Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson) and illustrated by Natasha Donovan, it will be released on September 1, 2019, from […]

Boy, Everywhere

Book Review by Kirin Nabi Review Source: Islamic School Librarian Book Author: In a very crowded field of refugee-themed books, this 400 page middle grades/early middle school novel sets itself apart by really focusing on the quality of life enjoyed in Syria compared to the life of a refugee on the move and in getting […]

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre

Review Source: Rethinking Schools Book Author: Written as a “Once upon a time . . .” story in a picture book format about the thriving Black community of Greenwood, Unspeakable centers on the history before the 1921 massacre. Children learn about the Black businesses, libraries, schools (“where some say Black children got a better education than whites”), […]

Displacement

Reviewed by Nikki (16, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) Review Source: Bank Street College of Education Book Author: This book provides an invaluable perspective for younger generations on how the injustices faced decades ago are still applicable to today’s world. As a descendant of Japanese Americans who were forced into these internment camps, I had heard […]

The Brave

Reviewed by Deborah Locke Review Source: The Circle Book Author: The Brave is compelling, but could do without the stereotypes. This book, The Brave, by James Bird, about a boy who overcomes a disability and hard start in life, could have been great. It’s not great. Granted, the book was written for middle school-age children, and […]