Social Justice Books

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

Rock Your Mocs

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Several years ago on Native social media, I saw people talking about plans to wear their moccasins for “Rock Your Mocs” day. On that day, we took photos of our mocs and shared them joyously in a way that radiated an Indigenous […]

With Lots of Love

Reviewed by Estella Frias Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  She missed Abuela’s warm tortillas and the way they smelled sweet and fresh, like the damp earth after a soft rain. She missed the pretty song of her language. With Lots of Love tells Rocio’s riveting story about the struggle and newness of immigrating […]

The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale

Reviewed by Tara Matruolo Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  “Some books are so powerful that they intimidate people” — Aya Khalil The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale by Aya Khalil is a powerful picture book confronting social justice issues head-on. Readers are reconnected to Kanzi, featured in Khalil’s The Arabic Quilt,  a young protagonist […]

Carter Reads the Newspaper

Review Source: Zinn Education Project Book Author: One of the most important advocates for teaching the full story of African Americans in U.S. history was Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Woodson founded Negro History Week in 1926 (which grew into Black History Month), the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), and […]

Calvin

Interview by Audie Cornish, Jonaki Mehta, and Sarah Handel Review Source: NPR Book Author: Instead of a review, we are posting an interview with the authors of Calvin,  JR and Vanessa Ford, by Audie Cornish, Jonaki Mehta, and Sarah Handel at NPR. Calvin was always a boy — but the world did not recognize him that […]

That Flag

Reviewed by Brad Manker Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Author Tameka Fryer Brown and illustrator Nikkolas Smith have written the first book of its kind for young readers about the meaning of the battle flag of the Confederacy — and indirectly — about the “Lost Cause” narrative and its impact today. Keira, who is […]