Social Justice Books

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

We Kiss Them with Rain

Reviewed by: Africa Access Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Life wasn’t always hard for fourteen-year-old Mvelo. There were good times living with her mother and her mother’s lawyer boyfriend. Now her mother is dying of AIDS and the terrible thing that stole Mvelo’s song remains unspoken, despite its growing presence in their shack. But […]

Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: For some time now, I’ve been waiting for Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices. Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale, it was getting buzz in Native networks on social media. Given my commitment to bringing the work of Native writers to the fore—especially […]

So Done

Reviewed by Edith Campbell Review Source: Cotton Quilts Book Author: Mila spent the summer with her aunt to avoid Tai’s father. While Tai couldn’t wait for Mila to return to the Cove, she could feel that something was different, something was shifting but she wasn’t sure about her feelings. When Mila returned and asked her […]

Ghost Boys

Reviewed by: Zetta Elliot Review source: Zetta Elliot Book author: Lately I’ve been reflecting on the debt I owe so many Black women scholars. I stepped away from academia several years ago and have no regrets, but your training doesn’t leave you and it’s been energizing to find current scholarship that aligns with my kid […]

Master George’s People: George Washington, His Slaves, and His Revolutionary Transformation

Reviewed by Clarence Lusane Review Source: Zinn Education Project Book Author: By now, we know that the history featured in textbooks and children’s literature is often riddled with myths, distortions, and outright fabrications. Many children’s history books reinforce rather than debunk incorrect information and stereotyping ideologies. Master George’s People: George Washington, His Slaves, and His Revolutionary […]

Love Hate & Other Filters

Reviewed by: Edith (Edi) Campbell Review Source: Cotton Quilts Book Author: 17-year-old Maya is about to graduate high school. She’s actually a bit interested in the young man her parents totally approve of, but then, there’s Phil, the love of her life. Team Phil or Team Kareem? The choice isn’t quite so simple because Ahmed’s debut […]