The Samosa Rebellion

English MG Politics Oppression Racism Internment Rebellion SEL Activism Government Surveillance Immigration Shanthi Sekaran summary Did I pick up this book expecting a great read? Sure did. Did I expect it to blow my mind in the way that it did? Absolutely not. I love it when that happens. 12 year old narrator Muki lives…

When Can We Go Back to America? Voices of Japanese American Incarceration during WWII

English & Japanese YA Japanese Internment/Incarceration History Nonfiction Racism Oppression Personal Narrative Susan H. Kamei summary Meticulously researched and fastidiously detailed personal narration fill this historic book. Susan Kamei has done a marvelous job in describing the intricacies of the political events and racism that led to the incarceration of the Japanese American population following…

A Black Woman Did That

Written By: Malaika Adero Illustrated by: Chanté Timothy For Ages: YA (Middle grades and up) Language: English Topics Covered: Black Culture & Identity, Historical Figures, Growing Up, Women in Leadership, Feminism, Racism. Summary: Before I get into heaping praise on this book, let me make clear that this book is about women but it’s for…

Antiracist Baby

Written By: Ibram X. Kendi Illustrated by: Ashley Lukashevsky For Ages: 3 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Racism, Antiracism, Community Involvement, Self-Empowerment, Oppression, Social-Emotional Learning, Family. Summary: In this rhyming hardcover version of the board book, readers are introduced to 9 steps that anyone can take to begin their antiracist journey. The reader…

Indian No More

Written by: Charlene Willing McManis with Traci Sorell Cover Art by: Marlena Myles For ages: Middle Grades Language: English & some Chinuk Wawa Topics Covered: Indigenous Voices, Historical Fiction, Historical Events, Umpqua Tribe, Own Voices, Relocation, Dissolution, Racism, Oppression.  Summary:  This book’s main character Regina might be historical fiction, but the events are real. Regina is 12 when her Umpqua tribe…

No Voice Too Small

Edited by: Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, Jeanette Bradley Illustrated by: Jeanette Bradley For ages: 5-9 years  Language: English  Topics Covered: Activism, Youth Activists, Poetry, Own Voices, Environmental Activism, Violence, Indigenous Voices, American Citizens, LGBTQ, Education, Muslim Activist, Community.  Summary:  Y’all need to buckle up for this book.  These are the type of books I started this website for.  No Voice…

Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America

Written by: Deborah Diesen Illustrated by: Magdalena Mora For ages: 3-8 years Language: English  Topics Covered: Activism, Equality, Rights, Voting, American History, POC-Centric Narratives, Oppression, Racism, Politics.  Summary:  This rhyming book is an incredible look at the history of voting rights in America, and specifically about the activism that took place in order to ensure those rights were more evenly distributed…

Internment

Written by: Samira Ahmed Cover Art by: art by Dana Ledl, design by Karina Granda  For ages: YA 12 years and up Language: English, some Arabic. Topics Covered: Islamophobia, Internment, Violence, Military Action, Oppression, History, Subversion, Independent Thought, Activism, Friendship, Love, Growing Up, Relationships.  Summary:  For #sweetsandsocialjustice I wanted to make a pairing where the food was reminiscent of the…

The Undefeated

Written by: Kwame Alexander Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson For ages: 7 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Black Identity & Culture, Resilience, Trailblazers, History, Oppression, Enslavement.  Summary:  Honestly, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to review The Undefeated.  It’s beautiful and powerful and required reading.  For #sweetsandsocialjustice this week I’ve paired some baked donuts and the oh-so-trendy whipped coffee (seriously…