Activism Archives - Social Justice Books

Lift as You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker

Reviewed by Judy Richardson Review Source: Independent Book Author: Children’s Book on Ella Baker: A Critical Review by a SNCC Veteran As a former Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) staff worker who knew Ms. Baker, I looked forward to reading the 2020 picture book, Lift as You Climb: The Story of Ella Bake by Patricia Hruby […]

Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio

Reviewed by Don Allen Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: This outstanding graphic novel fills a huge void in the Kent State literature. While Kent State University’s library has a whole room dedicated to May 4th, 1970 – there is enough reading to last for years – there have been few books for young […]

Poisoned Water: How the Citizens of Flint, Michigan, Fought for Their Lives and Warned the Nation

Reviewed by Pat Corekin Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Written for young adults, Poisoned Water gives a harrowing account of the Flint water crisis. The disaster that unfolded wasn’t something that happened just with the turn of a switch from the Detroit water supply to the contaminated Flint River. This was 100 years […]

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Dr. Darcie Little Badger has two stories in Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance. In the final pages of the book you can read a little about her. I follow her on Twitter (@ShiningComic) and it has been terrific reading her tweets as […]

Troublemaker for Justice

Reviewed by Conner Suddick Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Authors: Troublemaker for Justice illuminates readers on the life and legacy of Bayard Rustin. A notable civil rights leader, Rustin is often cast into the historical shadows of the civil rights movement in part because of his sexuality, political engagement with the communist party during […]

The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rainforest

Reviewed by Jeanne White Review Source: Rethinking Schools Book Author: Author and illustrator Lynne Cherry’s book The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rainforest (Gulliver Green, 1990) focuses on South America’s Amazon rainforest. Cherry visited the rainforest to create sketches and to develop her story. The inside covers of the book include a world map depicting […]