High School Archives - Social Justice Books

The Twenty-One: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government Over Climate Change

Review Source: Rethinking Schools Book Author: The 21 offers an inspiring example of young people who challenge the status quo. Based on the landmark court case Juliana v. United States, the book reads like a courtroom thriller and is a must-read for young people who want to act against climate change. Although the narrative includes dense legal details […]

Invisible Son

Reviewed by Keesha Ceran Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: It was a grand day receiving the notice that Kim Johnson was releasing her second book, Invisible Son. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, having fallen in love with her debut book This Is My America. Johnson’s writing is captivating. She […]

The Tattooed Soldier

Reviewed by Rodrigo Ribera d’Ebre Review Source: Huffington Post Book Author: Recently I was invited by the California Writers Club to attend a talk at their Long Beach location. This club was founded in 1909, is one of the oldest clubs in the nation, and some of its honorary members include: Jack London, John Muir, […]

Borderless

Reviewed by Marcy Campos Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Borderless is an excellent novel for high school students and teachers that sheds light on the push factors that lead Central Americans to face the agonizing decision to leave their home country, and it explores the perilous journey and the horrific treatment by U.S. […]

You Truly Assumed

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: SPOILER ALERT A powerful contemporary young adult novel that’s essential when having conversations about challenging Islamophobia and encouraging teens to funnel their creative energies into advocacy. The course of three teenage Muslim girls’ lives virtually converge in the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Washington […]

When a Brown Girl Flees

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: When a Brown Girl Flees is a thought provoking, contemporary young adult novel where author Aamna Qureshi seamlessly invests readers in her protagonist’s journey of healing from all-consuming grief to rediscovery and self-love. Eighteen-year-old Zahra Paracha makes the biggest decision of her life after graduation […]