Social Justice Books

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

Where Three Oceans Meet

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  This picture book for elementary readers tells the story of three generations of women taking a trip through South India to Kanyakumari known as “Land’s End” where three oceans meet. Sejal, Mommy, and Pati all have different motivations for traveling, but they all share comfort […]

Un tren llamado Esperanza / A Train Called Hope

Reviewed by: Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author:  For many immigrants from Central America, part of their journey might be on top of a dangerous, speeding train. They often refer to the train as “La Bestia” (“The Beast”), and pray that they arrive in one piece. Un […]

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  Between Us and Abuela is a compelling story about family separation at the Mexico-United States border and the longing for reunion. Young María and Juan travel with their mother on La Posada Sin Fronteras (The Inn Without Borders) to the enforcement zone, located between […]

For All / Para Todos

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  For All Para Todos takes children on Flor and her father’s journey of crossing the Mexico-United States border and the injustices they face as undocumented immigrants in a nation that is heralded as one united para todos. Growing up, television serves as a window […]

Save Me a Seat

Review Source: Teach Pluralism Book Author: Our first chapter book read aloud this year was Save Me a Seat by Gita Varadarajan and Sarah Weeks. It’s an amazing book for so many reasons, and was the perfect first read aloud for our class. While we felt it allowed for natural segues into many of the beginning of […]

Salma the Syrian Chef

Reviewed by Hadeal Salamah Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: Salma and her mother are Syrian Muslim refugees living at the Welcome Center for new immigrants in Vancouver, Canada. They both miss home and hope that one day soon Salma’s papa will be able to join them. Mama’s long days are filled with English classes and […]