Multicultural Literature and Young Adolescents: A Kaleidoscope of Opportunity

Abstract

Adolescents seek to understand who they are and where they belong in the world. Quality young adult literature can familiarize them with a broader view of the world, open doors in their minds, and reveal similarities and differences among a multitude of others who have struggled with similar issues. Literature that provides a range of perspectives can broaden young adolescents' vision of self and the world, providing an avenue for reflection and a means for personal development. Quality multicultural literature can also help to interrupt prejudice and misunderstanding by exposing unacknowledged bias and intolerance. Availability of quality young adult literature written by people with a range of perspectives provides all students with affirming images of self and culture. When selecting multicultural literature, accuracy and authenticity about the cultures portrayed are crucial. Identifying appropriate multicultural literature can be problematic for teachers whose days are already encumbered with multiple tasks. To assist in the process, a guide for evaluating multicultural literature is provided, along with suggestions for substantiating an author's credentials for writing about a specific culture. Examples of quality multicultural literature appropriate for middle‐level students are also included.

Perspectives, Voices, and Worldviews in Frequently Read Children's Books

“…Children can be exposed to information not only about their lives but about other global realities as well. Most children's books are written by adults, and children's literature serves as a form of education and socialization that conveys society's deepest hopes, fears, expectations, and demands (Apol, 1998;Landt, 2006;Louie, 2006). Children's literature presents society's overt and covert values and often explains and justifies "appropriate" patterns of behavior and belief.…”

“…Moreover, the use of high-quality literature written by people with a range of perspectives provides students with affirming images of themselves and their cultures (Landt, 2006).…”

Families’ Selection of Children’s Literature Books

“…Kiefer (2004) believes that children's literature has an important effect on children's intellectual and emotional development. Children's literature provides a type of education and socialization that communicates society's goals, fears, expectations, and demands (Landt 2006;Louie 2006). It also makes children aware of our society's overt and covert values and generally describes and rationalizes ''appropriate'' patterns of behavior and belief.…”

Critical Literacy Practice

“…Aligning with literature on the significance of using books in which minority students can see themselves (Al-Hazza & Bucher, 2008;Landt, 2008;Nieto, 2000), this decision resulted in students connecting the text not only to their own personal experiences (Rosenblatt, 1982) but also to the world (Freire, 1983). In this section, I examine my role as an EFL teacher in the process.…”