Social Justice Books

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

A Day With No Words

Reviewed by Jacklyn Ogden Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  A Day With No Words by Tiffany Hammond is inspired by the author’s own life as an autistic mother of two autistic boys and follows a Black autistic boy’s daily life written from his own perspective. The first-person language strengthens the voice of the […]

Empty and Me: A Tale of Friendship and Loss

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Empty and Me is a bilingual (Arabic/English) children’s book that personifies grief in an interesting way. Azam Mahdavi’s sensitive text, paired with the evocative illustrations by Maryam Tahmasebi, combine to create a powerful and healing experience for young readers. Empty and Me is a valuable […]

I’m Finding My Talk

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: A reader wrote to ask me about I’m Finding My Talk. I did not know about the book prior to being asked about it. I was able to get a copy and was deeply touched by it. The author’s father was in […]

Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: I spent several hours over the last two weeks, watching the 2024 Olympics. Part way in, I saw that Billy Mills was there. He was sharing photos to his Facebook page. I pulled up the video of his race and shared it […]

Breonna Marches Through Time

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: During the summer of 2020, young Washington, D.C., resident Breonna laments her loss of freedom during the COVID-19 lockdown and loss of community during Black Lives Matter protests. One day while she and her family are watching a news broadcast, she magically travels through time […]

Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala

Reviewed by Abrita Kuthumi and Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Every day after school, Priya and her grandmother, Babi Ba, make rotli (flatbread). Every day, Priya asks, “What is India like?”and Babi Ba describes the smells, sights, and tastes of her beloved homeland.  One winter, Priya notices her grandmother gazing at […]