Also in Spanish, the story of a Chicano boy's life in San Francisco's Mission District. It includes social justice struggles and attending Cesar Chavez elementary school. A balanced story of city life about poor and working class first-generation immigrants, particularly Chicanos/Latinos and challenging violence and ableism. Real photographs bring home the text.

Children and adults love how Ruby's grandfather in 1800s China challenged traditional patriarchy and allowed her to study at college. In the midst of oppression, there are always potential allies.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this book is priceless. It has no words, only illustrations. It leaves the reader to decide how to make peace and what two warring factions of animals could have done instead to prevent war (and lesser conflicts). Thanks to Joann at Jazams in Princeton, NJ for the recommendation.

Based on a true story of a Ghanian boy that teaches children the concept of microloans, which economically empower millions around the world and challenge classism and other oppressions. This boy's journey helps many others in his town/country/region all starting with a microloan.

Bilingual Spanish/English book with a great strong girl character who becomes a SuperSHEro and saves her mom at the Mexico/USA "border". A great challenge to immigrationism, linguicism, and racism. Fun illustrations and text; currently out of print. We enjoy Herrera's other works, too.

A true story of peace-making in the midst of war in Iraq and how the librarian fought for peace with war around her by saving the books in the library teaches children (and adults) the ability to make a difference for peace in the midst of war. A portion of the book's sales go to rebuild the Basra library.

There are so few books that help children to learn about HIV/AIDS from the perspective of a child. This book focuses on a child who is living with HIV/AIDS and the focus is on her life with a disability and her love of baseball and her grandmother and her culturally diverse network of allies.

A playful way to help kids see their ability to make change in the world and challenge destruction of forests and wildlife habitat. Thanks to Women & Children First, Chicago, for this find.

Famous artists and friends of legendary lesbian couple Gertrude and Alice are featured with playful illustrations and post-modern phrases that evoke her wonderful wordsmithing. It's a most creative and unique book--Gertude and Alice LIVE! And my son learned not to judge a book by it's cover. Thanks to Gay Parent Magazine for this find.

A playful follow-up to the authors original classic tale of two princes who fall in love "King & King," the sequel provides another chapter in this post-modern fairy tale series in how they create a family. Challenges heterosexism and familyism. Thanks to Two Lives Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, for this find.

The only book of its kind that shows modern children and families of varied Native Alaskan ethnicities. Photographs bring home the mix of modern and traditional identities. Thanks to Jazams Books, Princeton, NJ for this find.

Early 1900s New York City adventure story about Chinese-American and Italian-American immigrant children. It shows a nonviolent resolution to the "usual" fighting with fists. Chinese and Italian cultural traditions are honored with excellent text.

Green iguanas parallel the story of Moses, an elementary school boy living with spina bifida, sacral agenesis, and some body organ deficiencies. Kids love the real pictures and the setting with Moses at school writing a story. The pictures illustrate students with and without disabilities and affirm inclusion.

Nature takes care of its own even when different from average. Two male penguins raise a baby female penguin from birth. Teaches family diversity for two-leggeds, four-leggeds, and feathered and finned friends. Thanks to Gay Parent Magazine-sponsored book signing by the authors for this find.

The bus imagery brings to life a story for all ages with skillful story-telling and artwork make for a great way to teach children about a powerful civil rights leader.

True story of an African village that outsmarted "slavers" seeking to capture villagers and send them abroad. A grandmother, mother, and daughter develop and implement a successful plan to resist and disappear into safety. Thanks to Books Etc, Portland, ME for this find.

Powerful story of the rise of Unionist and United Farmworkers President Cesar Chavez. Terrific for teaching about classism, immigrationism, linguicism, racism, and struggles for equity and justice through collective action. Pre-K-elementary.

My son is fascinated by this book and concerned why MLK is harmed. It is an introduction to adults' mistakes due to ignorance and fear. Part fiction and part fact, the text, illustrations, and commitment to nonviolence are exemplary.

A true account of two brothers' bravery enduring classism, racism, and linguicism facing Chinese immigrant laborers building the first USA east-west railroad. Text honors filial piety and immigration/labor struggles. Their sequel, "Brothers," follows yet another brother and his biracial friendship with an Irish boy and his family.

A young Chinese boy in the USA attends Lunar New Year festival and stumbles over an older man who is likely homeless. He decides his Hong Bau (lucky money) might be better used for something unique rather than the toys he had planned. A story of courage, honesty, and compassion.