A National Survey of the Use of Multicultural Young Adult Literature in University Courses
Surveys professors regarding their attitudes about the use of multicultural literature in their adolescent literature classes, and examines syllabi to determine which adolescent literature authors are being taught. Finds these professors value multicultural literature both in theory and in practice.
Making Connections
Discusses ways to overcome seventh and eight graders' negative feelings of diversity in the context of a study of the Holocaust. Describes the use of poetry, music and lyrics, and memoirs and novels that reflect a wide range of viewpoints to help students feel more connected to their own world.
The Dynamic Nature of Response: Children Reading and Responding to "Maniac Magee" and "The Friendship."
Analyzes the conversations and writings of 2 ethnically diverse populations of fifth-grade children (ages 10 and 11) in response to the powerful and difficult themes contained in two award-winning children's books. Discusses the child's voice; the teacher's role as cultural mediator; responses at the literal level; reading between the lines; responding to moral dilemmas; and personal responses to the books.
What Is Good Multicultural Children's Literature and How Do We Critique It? Distinguishing between Image and Value
Multicultural literature is one good way to raise children's awareness of diversity, but how does one decide what constitutes "good" multicultural children's literature? Most any book can be critiqued from numerous perspectives: first and foremost is the book's literary quality--plot, character development, setting, themes, and style; of secondary importance is the author's and/or illustrator's handling of a particular social issue, such as gender or cultural depictions of the characters.
Write the Vision: Teaching Multicultural Literature from a Global Perspective (Global Issues)
Outlines the use in senior high school of the Canadian novel "Obasan" by Joy Kogawa. Suggests that not only the novel's social vision but also the call for personal integrity and expression against the status quo will appeal to the adolescent reader's sense of justice and idealism.