Social Justice Books

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

Firekeeper’s Daughter

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Author: For months, now, people have been talking about Angeline Boulley’s debut, Firekeeper’s Daughter. When the cover art by Moses Lunham (Ojibway) was released, people talked about that. When Netflix announced it would be made into a film by the Obama’s production company, Higher Ground […]

When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: The first three lines in Rendon’s poem, “What’s an Indian Woman to Do?” are these: what’s an indian woman to do when the white girls act more indian than the indian women do? From there we read about the Indian woman’s ex-husband […]

What’s the Most Beautiful Thing You Know about Horses?

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: America Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Several weeks ago I wrote about Richard Van Camp’s novel, The Lesser Blessed, which I recommend for YA readers. Today I want to call your attention to his picture book, What’s the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses? It joins Jingle Dancer and The Good Luck Cat as […]

“Seasons of Alaska” board books

Reviewed by: Debbie Reese Review source: American Indians in Children’s Literature   Let’s Play Out! by Yaari Toolie-Walker Button Up! by Angela Y. Gonzales Mittens and Mukluks! by Joni Spiess Bye-Bye Ice! by Carla Snow With delight, I’m here today to tell you about four board books that came out in 2020 from Best Beginnings Alaska. The four books […]

The Sea in Winter

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Jean and I both read Christine Day’s The Sea in Winter and are thrilled by what Day has written! A review is forthcoming, but I wanted to give you all a heads-up. Day’s book comes out on January 5, 2021. Pre-order it! And check […]

The Range Eternal

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: When I was a little girl on our reservation (Nambé Owingeh), I sat by my grandmother’s wood stove and watched her cook and tend the fire in her stove. In The Range Eternal, we see a mother and daughter standing at their stove, making soup. Here’s […]