Social Justice Books

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

The Sea in Winter

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Jean and I both read Christine Day’s The Sea in Winter and are thrilled by what Day has written! A review is forthcoming, but I wanted to give you all a heads-up. Day’s book comes out on January 5, 2021. Pre-order it! And check […]

Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Removal Survival Story

Reviewed by Catherine Baty Review Source: Acornmush Book Author: When I first got Mary and the Trail of Tears I checked the About the Author on the last page. Often in children’s literature Native stories are told by non-Natives which can lead to inaccuracies in the portrayal of characters. I was delighted to learn that the author, Andrea […]

Ways to Make Sunshine

Reviewed by Jazelle Hunt Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: With Ways to Make Sunshine, Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Renée Watson brings us a confident, bright, aspiring chef named Ryan Hart, an African American girl “with a name that a lot of boys have.” When we meet Ryan she is […]

More to the Story

Reviewed by Ariana Hussain Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: In a novel inspired by Little Women, thirteen-year-old Pakistani American Jameela Mirza, second oldest of four sisters and an aspiring journalist, lives with her family in Atlanta. This Eid holiday has brought changes: their beloved father is missing Eid for the first time ever to look for […]

War Girls

    Reviewed by Toyin Falola, Ph.D. Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: War Girls gives a captivating and harrowing sneak peek of the potential future before us in the 2170s: The Earth ravaged by climate change, space colonies forming, human beings turning more machine-like, and the remaining Earth dwellers struggling to survive. Among the struggling Earth […]