Reviewed by Zetta Elliot Review Source: Zetta Elliot Book Author: Jason Reynolds It’s an important book, I’m glad it exists. I’ve read all of Jason Reynolds’ books and went into this one worried he’d give short shrift to Black girls—and I wasn’t disappointed. Despite giving a shout out in the acknowledgments section to women who […]
Last Stop on Market Street
Book Review by Pat Enciso Review Source: De Colores Book Author: Last Stop on Market Street is a stunning contribution to the legacy and future of book art and storytelling for children; no wonder, then, that it has won a Newbery Award, Caldecott Honor, and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. With distinctive, poetic text by Matt […]
The Only Road
Book Review by Cris Rhodes Review Source: Latinxs in Kid Lit Book Author: A recipient of a Pura Belpré honor, Alexandra Diaz’s The Only Road is chilling and heart-wrenching in the best possible way. From the moment that Jaime’s beloved cousin Miguel is killed by a local gang, the Alphas, it is evident that this book […]
The Whole Story of Half a Girl
Reviewed by Edith Campbell Review Source: Cotton Quilts Book Author: Being “half a girl” doesn’t matter much until Sonia has to change schools. She was accepted by everyone in her small private school, but she has to find new friends in her new school and this requires her to fit in somewhere. Will she hang with […]
Sylvia & Aki
Reviewed by Rethinking Schools Book Author: This historical novel for middle school readers is based on the true stories of Sylvia Mendez and Aki Munemitsu Nakauchi, who were 3rd graders during World War II. When Aki’s family is forced to leave their home in Westminster, Calif., for a Japanese American internment camp in Arizona, the Mendez […]
Destiny’s Gift
Reviewed by Katie Seitz Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: One of the best children’s books in recent years is Natasha Anastasia Tarpley’s Destiny’s Gift. Destiny, a little girl who loves words, writing, and reading, and spends all of her free time at a local independent bookstore, Wade’s Books. Mrs. Wade, who runs the […]