Milagros “Millie” Vargas never wanted to be the center of attention. As an immigrant to Texas, she doesn’t want people to know the path her family took to become citizens. In Where I Belong by Marcia Argueta Mickelson, Millie deals with the consequences, both positive and negative, of being an advocate. That doesn’t mean sheContinue reading “Who Should be Fighting this Fight?”
Tag Archives: Activism
Building Community
One of the foremost results of community activism is, of course, policy change. But another, less acknowledged, impact that community activism can have is a sense of belonging. In Laila Sabreen’s young adult novel, You Truly Assumed, three Black Muslim girls begin a blog for other young women to share their thoughts and feelings afterContinue reading “Building Community”
Honest History
In Imani Perry’s excellent new book for adults, South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation, she points out that, “even if you are a lover of the national romance, integrity requires that the stories be at least halfway honest…Because history is an instruction. And what you neglectContinue reading “Honest History”
Secrets and Lies
The title of my blog, Teaching Social Justice with Children’s Books, did not seem dangerous or problematic when I chose it several years ago, but it does today. Parents, school boards, and government representatives across the country are demanding that children’s and young adult books which address certain aspects of a person’s identity be removedContinue reading “Secrets and Lies”
Room for Everyone
One of the first books I reviewed for this blog was Front Desk by Kelly Yang. I was thrilled to receive an advance reader’s copy of Room to Dream in the mail from Scholastic Press. This is the third book about Mia Tang and I hope there will be many more. Mia is an activist,Continue reading “Room for Everyone”
Youth Activism in Action
The role of young people in movements for change has become more visible as social media usage has increased. This is not a new phenomenon, though. Children and teens have historically been involved in social movements for change, even if their roles were eclipsed by those of adults with greater individual power. In Kids onContinue reading “Youth Activism in Action”
Who Tells the Story
In Color Me In, by Natasha Díaz, issues of belonging and advocacy are contemplated at the deepest of levels. The story begins with Nevaeh Levitz’s introduction to Harlem, where she is now living with her mom’s family, whose Liberian and Jamaican, Baptist background differs significantly from her father’s Ashkenazi Jewish one. Nevaeh has never reallyContinue reading “Who Tells the Story”
Revolutionary Love
Many of us grew up with Sonia Manzano. We just didn’t know it. To us, for 44 years, she was Maria and she lived on Sesame Street. However, Sonia Manzano is much more than the television character she portrayed (as wonderful and iconic as that character continues to be). One of the many aspects ofContinue reading “Revolutionary Love”
Inspiring Activists
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books- If ever there was a book to inspire future social justice activists, it is Saving Savannah by Tonya Bolden. This book also offers insight into a portion of African American history that we don’t often have the opportunity to read about in young adult literature. Saving SavannahContinue reading “Inspiring Activists”
A Guide to Anti-Racism
Tiffany Jewell’s book, This Book is Anti-Racist, is not just a fantastic book for youth who are looking to increase their own activism. It is also a tool for young adults to make sense of their own identities and to dive deeply into issues of privilege. Jewell does a remarkable job of conveying the importanceContinue reading “A Guide to Anti-Racism”
Teaching Social Justice with Children's Books 