Social Justice Books

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

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 […]

Hope Springs

Reviewed by Jane Irungu Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: Eric Walters paraphrases a segment of his own philanthropic life through Hope Springs, a brightly illustrated picture book set in Mbooni, a semi-arid district in Kenya. Through the eyes of a child, the story line describes the challenges of living in rural Kenya where access […]

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 […]

Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss

Reviewed by Brenda Randolph Review Source: Africa Access Book Author: The setting for this picture book is generic “Africa,” a place “Many people might be afraid to go…all alone.” Cynthia Moss an American scientist from Ossinging, New York “was not afraid of the BIG continent.” She settled in “the wide-open savannahs of East Africa” and […]