Social Justice Books

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

Rez Ball

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Earlier this month, I was in San Diego at the California Indian Ed for All 2023 Summit. I was invited to give a presentation about children’s books. During that trip I was reading an advance copy of Rez Ball by Byron Graves. At […]

Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-To-Be Best Friend

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Author: Today’s Short and Sweet Rec is for Dawn Quigley’s Jo Jo Makoons, The Used-to-Be Best Friend. For starters, here’s the description of the book (from the publisher): Hello/Boozhoo — meet Jo Jo Makoons! Full of pride, joy, and plenty of humor, this first book in […]

We Still Belong

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Author: What I particularly like about Christine Day’s books is that she includes things that I know kids know about. For example, young people are way into video games and gamer culture. More about that later. Early on in her book, we learn that Wesley […]

Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi!

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Look at the cover of Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi! See the purple rectangle on the top right corner that says “Story Telling MATH” in it? This book is a story about math! And I am delighted to share it with AICL’s readers. […]

The Diné Reader: An Anthology of Navajo Literature

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: In 2021, two terrific anthologies were published. First was When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry (edited by Joy Harjo). Harjo’s anthology has writers from many different nations. I recommend you get a copy […]

A Letter for Bob

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Several years ago, I was invited to a first grade classroom to talk with the children about Native Americans. One child met me at the school door and was intent on scanning the parking lot. Then he said, “Where’s your horse?” I […]