Social Justice Books

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

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story

Reviewed by Rethinking Schools Book Author: In this powerful picture book, N8hkumuhs (NOO-kuh-mus), Grandmother, shares the story “about the time Weeâchumun [corn] asked our Wampanoag ancestors to help the Pilgrims.” Beginning with Seagull announcing the newcomers’ arrival, this story centers plants and animals as N8hkumuhs tells how Weeâchumun, Beans and Squash, and animals Duck, Fox, Rabbit, […]

Remember

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Look at the book cover. Above the single-word title, Remember, you will see the name of the author — Joy Harjo — and the illustrator — Michaela Goade — and in front of their names you’ll see these words: “U.S. Poet Laureate” and […]

Yellow Dog Blues

Reviewed by Zapoura Newton-Calvert Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  Yellow Dog moved to Memphis! He followed the city lights. He sings the blues on Beale Street now. He sings all day and night. — From Yellow Dog Blues When Bo Willie sees his front gate swinging open, he knows Yellow Dog is gone. And […]

My Brother Is Away

Reviewed by Keesha Ceran Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Written by Sara Greenwood and illustrated by Luisa Uribe, My Brother is Away is about a young girl whose brother is incarcerated. The story is based on the author’s childhood experience that connects young readers with similar stories all too rarely represented in children’s […]

Jasmín Pictures Home | Jasmín ilustra su hogar

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  In Jasmín Pictures Home, three immigrant friends help a fourth find beauty, pride, and a sense of identity in her home country’s culture. When she moves to the United States from Honduras, the protagonist and artist Jasmín — feeling like she is “an island in […]

Abdul’s Story

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Young Abdul loves storytelling, and his tales are inspired by the people who live in his neighborhood. But when it comes to writing those stories, Abdul feels his handwriting is messy and he has difficulty forming letters and spelling words. He questions the value of […]