Social Justice Books

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

Noko and the Kool Kats

Reviewed by Barbara A. Lehman Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Moodie’s original, modern fable echoes classic folktale motifs, such as smaller animals helping bigger ones, solving a problem with brains and by working together, the very ones that should be helping are too lazy, and village life is just as good as city life. This […]

Mything Mandela

Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Book Author: Mandela, the beautifully illustrated children’s book by Kadir Nelson, has been selected as one of the top books on Nelson Mandela by many groups including Colorlines and Kirkus Reviews. Given Kadir Nelson’s talents and strong reputation as a children’s book author and illustrator, Mandela is likely to become a […]

Jahohora and First Day

Reviewed by Donnarae MacCanni Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Jahohora and First Day is a creation myth and that is, in itself, something of value. Readers are indirectly asked to ponder why things are the way they are. Could things be different? Do I play a part in helping things become different? Jahohora and […]

Gbagba

Reviewed by Jo M. Sullivan Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: This book is one in a series, The Liberia Signature Series, from the publisher, One Moore Book, which states as its goal that it “publishes culturally sensitive and educational stories for children of countries with low literacy rates and underrepresented cultures.” This picture book […]

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu

Reviewed by Akwasi Osei Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: This is the true story of Emmanuel Yeboah. Born in Ghana in 1977 with a deformed leg, he became the personification of courage, strength—mental and physical—and determination even as a child. His life and challenges are well-known in Ghana. This excellent picture book brings the narrative […]

Black Dove, White Raven

Reviewed by Lidwien Kapteijns Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: This historical novel for young adult readers is a remarkable achievement. First of all, the novel has a great plot. It is set in Ethiopia during the Italian-Ethiopian war of 1935-1936, which in East Africa ushered in World War II. Its main characters are two […]