Social Justice Books

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

My Paati’s Saris

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  My Paati’s Saris is a picture book for young elementary children that tells the story of a Tamil boy’s bond with his grandmother via her saris and the impact of her support on his journey to individuality and self expression. The narrative opens with “My […]

The Heart Never Forgets

Reviewed by Veronika Jenke Reviewed Source: Africa Access Book Author: The Heart Never Forgets, written by Ana Ot, is the story of a young girl who attends a celebration of ancestors without her grandfather, who recently passed away. This annual celebration brings together the entire town with music, dancing, and masquerade performers. But the little […]

Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States

Reviewed by Social Justice Books Staff Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States endeavors to celebrate the diversity of immigrants in the United States and the contributions they make to society as well as underscore the freedom and milestone of choosing to become a naturalized […]

We Weave

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indian’s in Children’s Literature Book Author: Why am I so pleased with this book? It hits all the key points in books I recommend: Native author Native illustrator Set in present day Tribally specific content Includes Native language(s) But there’s more to say! As I write, it is baseball […]

Noor Needs to Know!

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Precocious Noor needs to know why the women in her family wear hijab, all in different ways that suit them just right. There’s Affa, the best sister and the coolest hijabi whose hijab is always wrapped stylishly. There’s Auntie Salma, the toughest hijabi, whose hijab […]

They Call Me Teach: Lessons in Freedom

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  They Call Me Teach is a fictional story based on true accounts of enslaved African Americans turning to literacy as a form of empowerment. The narrative takes readers through a week in the shoes of “Teach,” a young man who was taught to read and […]