Social Justice Books

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

Boys Dance!

Reviewed by Lila Chafe Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Written by John Robert Allman and illustrated by Luciano Lozano, Boys Dance! follows a class of young boys as they are immersed into the world of ballet. The playful and simple illustrations are matched by rhyming verses narrating the routine of ballet class. Multiracial classmates […]

Me and Ms. Too

Reviewed by Bridget Fuller Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Me and Ms. Too is a story about a young girl learning to embrace her changing family. When Molly’s dad marries her favorite librarian, he expects them to get along. But Molly resents all the changes that are happening until she has an eye-opening day […]

Yes! No! A First Conversation About Consent

Reviewed by Makai Kellogg Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Consent is a big deal for my three to five-year-old students. As a population who navigates their days around people who exert power — both peers and adults — conversations about consent are critical for building a safe classroom environment. Expressing one’s feelings, understanding […]

Room for Everyone

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Note: While we recommend this book for early elementary children as it focuses on community and is an ideal read aloud, we also want to point out a few things to keep in mind while reading. Although the setting of the story is in Zanzibar, […]

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 […]

Same, Same But Different

Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author:  This picture book intends to teach early elementary children that despite living in different countries and coming from different cultures and lifestyles, friendships may still be forged based on similarities. Elliot and Kailash are pen pals who take each other on a journey into their […]