Social Justice Books

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

Thunder Boy Jr.

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Back in February, I pre-ordered a copy of Sherman Alexie’s picture book, Thunder Boy Jr. It arrived on Tuesday (May 10, 2016). The illustrations are by Yuyi Morales. Alexie is doing a significant promotional campaign for the book. He was on The […]

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey

Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: This bilingual children’s picture book (English and Arabic) is worth reading for the illustrations alone. The three dimensional characters, made from beach stone by Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, are so expressive and exquisite that they tell a story of their own. Badr conveys the […]

One of a Kind, Like Me/Unico Como Yo

Reviewed by Latinx in Kid Lit Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: One of a Kind Like Me/Único como yo is a book every elementary school should own. It takes the subject of gender identity out of the public discourse, where morality and religion weigh heavily in the debate, and puts it into the personal […]

All the Colors We Are: The Story of How We Get Our Skin Color (Bilingual Spanish)

Reviewed by Rethinking Schools Book Author: We’re delighted to see this 20th anniversary edition of Katie Kissinger’s classic book, All the Colors We Are. Kissinger—author of the memorable Rethinking Schools article “Holding Nyla”—has written a book that deals with skin color in a straightforward, scientifically accurate, child-friendly manner. Young children are curious about why people have […]

Sitti’s Secrets

Reviewed by Kirin Review Source: Notes from an Islamic School Librarian Book Author: (Note: This review was posted on February 2, 2017, just days after a gunman opened fire at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City on January 29. Six worshippers were killed and five others were seriously injured.) Sitti’s Secrets was published in 1994 […]

The Best Beekeeper of Lalibela

Reviewed by Azeb Tadesse Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: OUT OF PRINT The Best Beekeeper of Lalibela, recommended for grades 1-3, is a timeless tale of a young girl’s determination to follow her dream. The heroine, Almaz, is determined to be the best beekeeper in her village, even though she is told it’s “men’s work” […]