Social Justice Books

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

Barrio Rising: The Protest that Built Chicano Park

Reviewed by Sarah Goodman Duffy Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Spanish edition available here. Barrio Rising is a lyrically illustrated account of a San Diego community’s collective action to build Chicano Park. Author María Dolores Águila grew up in a San Diego neighborhood not far from Barrio Logan that faced similar environmental challenges due to industrial […]

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 […]

Viva’s Voice

Reviewed by Issac Abernethy Review Source: Reading Is Resistance Book Author:  Many voices together can make a big noise, Papi. Viva’s Voice, written by Raquel Donoso and illustrated by Carlos Vélez Auiglera, is the story of Viva and her papi standing up for change and is inspired by the author’s  childhood experiences as the daughter […]

Rocket Says Speak Up!

  Reviewed by Erin Green Review Source: Instagram – disruptivenarratives Book Author: This Instagram review is by Erin Green, a teacher educator in Texas. Learn more about her work at Erin Green, M.Ed.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Erin Green, M.Ed. | Curriculum Writer (@disruptivenarratives)

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 […]

Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong

Reviewed by Joshua Talosig Review Source: International Examiner Book Author: It is well known that children’s literature has a powerful ability to provide impactful and long-lasting lessons on its target audience. They can make our youth smile, laugh and feel empathy for the people whose tales are told within. Yet, we rarely see juvenile literature also […]