It’s Juneteenth! This year I have a roundup of some books for younger readers less familiar with Juneteenth and a cookbook that will provide everything you need for a Juneteenth cookout, and at any gathering all year. If you’re looking for more information about Juneteenth and the historical context around June 19, 1865, check out…
Category: Sweets and Social Justice
Every Child a Song
English 4-8 years Human Rights Nicola Davies & Marc Martin summary For #SweetsAndSocialJustice this week, I’m sharing the beautiful book Every Child a Song which is based on the UNRC, the rights of the child as designated by the UN. The book speaks to the reader, comparing each child to a unique song. It also…
Without Separation: Prejudice, Segregation, and the Case of Roberto Alvarez
English 5+ Historical Figures Legislation Racism Mexican American Community Social Change Larry Dane Brimner & Maya Gonzalez summary Roberto Alvarez liked growing up and attending school in Lemon Grove. That is until one day when he gets to school, and he’s turned away. Roberto and the other Mexican American students are being sent to another…
Good Girls Don’t Make History
English MG & Up Suffrage Graphic Novels History Historical Figures Activism Legislative Change Elizabeth Kiehner, Keith Olwell, Kara Coyle, Micaela Dawn, & Mary Sanche summary We’ve all seen a quote that says something along the lines of “rights for others don’t mean less for you, it’s not cake”. Which is entirely true, but the Patriarchy…
LPBD: Malala Yousafzai
English 4-8 years Activism Islam Muslim Identity Feminism Education Historical Figures Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara & Manal Mirza summary Every adult has probably heard Malala Yousafzai’s story, and so I’m delighted that one of my favorite early-reader biography series has added this to the illustrious roster of the LPBD series. For #SweetsAndSocialJustice this week I…
How to Change Everything: The Young Human’s Guide to Protecting the Planet and Each Other
English YA Environmental Activism Sustainability Activism Youth Community Change Accountability Naomi Kline with Rebecca Stefoff summary If you haven’t read The Shock Doctrine, you definitely need to. But, this review is about Naomi’s recently adapted YA book How to Change Everything. As a couple who chose where and how they live based on sustainability, it’s…
Grandad’s Camper
English 4+ years LGBTQ+ Families Intergenerational Stories Grandparents Grief Traditions Memories Harry Woodgate summary Do you ever come across a book that you know will absolutely bring you to your knees, both with emotion and gratitude that it exists? Grandad’s Camper is that book for me. While I am extremely lucky to have older LGBTQ…
Queer (Words of Change Series): Powerful Voices, Inspiring Ideas
English 12 & Up LGBTQ Experiences Activism Quote Collection Inspiration Coco Romack summary The newest edition of the Words of Change series is out now, and just in time for Pride month! Queer is a small volume that includes photos and quotes from LGBTQ activists, and embodies the spirit of rebellion within the queer community….
Like a Dandelion
English 4-8 years Own Voices Cambodian-American Creator Refugee Experiences Immigration Joy Mindfulness Huy Voun Lee summary Like a Dandelion is such a sweet book, and follows a young child as she moves with her mother to a new place. Using the metaphor of a dandelion’s life cycle, the pair take root in a new place…
Old Enough to Save the Planet: Be inspired by real-life children taking action against climate change
English 4-10 Climate Justice Historical Figures Activism Community Teamwork Global Community Young People Making Change Loll Kirby & Adelina Lirius summary I’ve had books for older readers the past few weeks for #SweetsAndSocialJustice but this one is for the typical picture book audience of 4-10 years. To accompany this book, I used up a bunch…