Social Justice Books

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

On the Trapline

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: When most kids visit or travel with a grandparent to a special place, they drive or fly on a commercial airplane. For this trip, this grandfather and grandson start out on a small propeller airplane. On the Trapline is based on Robertson’s visit—with his father—to […]

Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Sorell’s Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer is receiving starred reviews from the major children’s literature review journals. And, I’ll add, with good reason! Sorell is Cherokee. The book, focusing on a Cherokee aerospace engineer, is tribally specific. And people interested […]

The Case of Windy Lake

Reviewed by Jean Mendoza Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Hutchinson’s Mighty Muskrats are four cousins — Atim, Chickadee, Otter, and Sam — who live on the Windy Lake First Nation (pretty sure this is a fictional location) in what’s currently called Canada. These tweens are smart, curious, and resourceful. They operate out […]

The Fire

Reviewed by Jean Mendoza Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: I’m very happy to add a title to our 2021 Recommended Books list: Thomas Peacock’s The Fire. This is my “short and sweet” review. As you may remember, “short and sweet” reviews are not in-depth; they cover four reasons for our decision about […]

Birdsong

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Reviewed Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Add Julie Flett’s Birdsong to your shelves! It is on several Best Books of 2019 lists and it got starred reviews from the major review journals. Most of the reviews note Flett’s artistic style and the seasonal arrangement of the story. Most note the growth […]

Kimotinâniwiw Itwêwina / Stolen Words

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Reviewed Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: I picked up Melanie Florence’s Stolen Words with a bit of trepidation because her previous picture book, Missing Nimama, was so troubling. It, and her novel, The Missing, felt off. (Here’s my post about them.) At the time, I couldn’t put my finger on why her books were unsettling. […]