Social Justice Books

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

Knock, Knock: Turning Pain into Power

Reviewed by Linda Christensen Review Source: Rethinking Schools Book Author: The Rethinking Schools article below, by Linda Christensen, is about teaching Daniel Beaty’s poetry that was the basis for his picture book, Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me. Too often today, schools are about standards and common curriculum: Scarlet Letter and Huck Finn first quarter, move on to Great Gatsby … […]

Laxmi’s Mooch

Reviewed by Nikitha Menon Review Source: Brown Girl Magazine Book Author: A brown girl’s journey with her hair is always an emotional and personal one. For me, it started in the sixth-grade gym. More specifically when Scott pointed out that I had “man arms.” In retrospect, he was probably just jealous he couldn’t grow his […]

Room for Everyone

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Note: While we recommend this book for early elementary children as it focuses on community and is an ideal read aloud, we also want to point out a few things to keep in mind while reading. Although the setting of the story is in Zanzibar, […]

On the Trapline

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: When most kids visit or travel with a grandparent to a special place, they drive or fly on a commercial airplane. For this trip, this grandfather and grandson start out on a small propeller airplane. On the Trapline is based on Robertson’s visit—with his father—to […]

Where Three Oceans Meet

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  This picture book for elementary readers tells the story of three generations of women taking a trip through South India to Kanyakumari known as “Land’s End” where three oceans meet. Sejal, Mommy, and Pati all have different motivations for traveling, but they all share comfort […]

Same, Same But Different

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  This picture book intends to teach early elementary children that despite living in different countries and coming from different cultures and lifestyles, friendships may still be forged based on similarities. Elliot and Kailash are pen pals who take each other on a journey into their […]