Social Justice Books

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

Hands Up!

Reviewed by Deborah W. Thomas Tellin’ Stories Roving Readers Coordinator Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Hands up! What comes to mind when you hear that? Is it a command, a request, a statement? Does “hands up!” illicit feelings of anger, negativity or sadness? Breanna McDaniel shows us in this children’s picture book, illustrated […]

At the Mountain’s Base

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: In February, 2018, Penguin announced it was launching a new imprint, Kokila, that would center “stories from the margins with books that add nuance and depth to the way children and young adults see the world and their place in it.” On September 17 of […]

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family

Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: Faizah admires older sister Asiya’s new, strikingly blue and beautiful first-day-hijab, finding inner strength and pride when facing bullies at school who make fun of it. This book discussion was conducted on May 12, 2019, and was based on the fold & gather, received from Little, Brown Books for Young […]

Tikki Tikki Tembo

Reviewed by Irene Rideout Review Source: Grace Lin Blog Book Author: As a child, did you love Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel? Did you find the absurdly long name “Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo” intoxicatingly fun to chant or sing? First published in 1968, the book has won some honors: In 1968, it […]

They She He Me: Free to Be!

Reviewed by Ashleigh ­Williams Review Source: School Library Journal Book Author: The authors have succeeded in creating a gorgeous and much-needed picture book about pronouns and gender fluidity. Rich watercolor artwork, done in a spectrum of blue and green jewel tones, depicts a line of smiling people, each with a different skin color and all sporting […]