Secondary – Page 4 – Teaching Social Justice with Children's Books

Easy as ABC

As a special education teacher, I can attest to the fact that sometimes “easy as ABC, 123” is in the eye of the beholder. While alphabet books might traditionally be pictured in primary classrooms, they are becoming more and more common in the libraries of young adults and adults. Activist ABCs or the ABCs ofContinue reading “Easy as ABC”

Activating Hope

Sometimes hope has a reputation of being a passive emotion. Hope does not require action. However, without hope, action is rarely taken. The motivation to work to change the world for the better comes from hope. In Hope Nation, edited by Rose Brock, young adult authors write about a moment in their lives when hope wasContinue reading “Activating Hope”

When Labels are Limiting

Sometimes being able to name something is liberating. Coming out to family and friends as gay or transgender can be terrifying, but it is often the moment when someone finally is able to relax. Knowing that one’s struggles in school are related to a diagnosis such as dyslexia or attention deficit disorder doesn’t make thoseContinue reading “When Labels are Limiting”

Endless Journey

Few issues are as emotionally charged as the recent detention of migrant children who have been separated from their families by the United States government. Opinions vary greatly on what to do about undocumented immigration in the United States and around the world. People question who should be allowed in and who should be returnedContinue reading “Endless Journey”

A Story Longing to be Told

This is one of those books that I read and then thought, “I was just waiting for you to come along.” The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang is a heartwarming story of love in many forms. The two main characters in this book are a dressmaker named Frances and a prince named Sebastian.Continue reading “A Story Longing to be Told”

Lives to be Remembered

Knowing the accomplishments of those we identify with is one of the most powerful factors in seeing our own potential. Equally important is seeing people with identities we do not share achieving greatness. When history is taught in schools, teachers must ensure that a diverse range of identities are represented. Often textbooks are not theContinue reading “Lives to be Remembered”

Messages for Our Heroes

One of the major strengths of Adrienne Kisner’s book, Dear Rachel Maddow, is the depth of her main character Brynn. While the book could have focused solely on Brynn’s sexual orientation, it does not. Kisner could have made the focus Brynn’s learning disability, but she didn’t. The focus also could have been the family strugglesContinue reading “Messages for Our Heroes”