Multicultural Literature and Response

Affirming Diverse Voices

Lynn Atkinson Smolen, Ruth A. Oswald Ph.D., Lynn Atkinson Smolen, Ruth A. Oswald Ph.D.

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Year: 2010
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781598844757
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Professional Development
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

This compelling book emphasizes the critical role of quality multicultural literature and reader response in today's schools and libraries. All students need access to books in which they can see themselves—not just their physical appearance, but their culture and language, as well. Multicultural Literature and Response: Affirming Diverse Voices was written to help teachers and librarians find and use the best multicultural books in the service of reading comprehension and more. Underscoring the necessity of selecting quality literature that authentically, sensitively, and accurately portrays different groups, the book defines multicultural literature and provides a strong argument for its importance in schools and libraries. Expert contributors guide users to multicultural authors and illustrators who portrays U.S. ethnic and cultural groups, and they suggest ways to integrate this literature with writing, fluency development, storytelling, and audiovisuals. Extensive lists of books and websites that feature multicultural literature, as well as of authors, illustrators, and publishers of multicultural literature, make it easy to include such works in programs across the curriculum.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• 1. Introduction to Multicultural Literature
• 2. Integrating Multicultural Literature Into the Curriculum
• 3. Voices of Multicultural Authors
• 4. The Power of Illustrations in Multicultural Picture Books: Unfolding Visual Literacy
• 5. Exploring African American Children’s Literature
• 6. Taking a Critical Look at Native Americans in Children’s Literature
• 7. The Journey Continues: Exploring the Literature of Asian and Pacific Island Cultures
• 8. Latino Literature for Children and Adolescents
• 9. Stories from the Mountains: Appalachian Literature for Children and Adolescents
• 10. Representations not Representation: Exploring Middle East Children’s Literature
• 11. Supporting English Language Learners’ Literacy Development with Culturally Relevant Books
• 12. Do Tell! Multicultural Folk Stories in the Classroom and Library
• 13. Linking Audiovisuals with Multicultural Literature
• 14. Using Multicultural Mentor Texts to Teach Writing
• 15. Reading Fluency and Multicultural Literature
• 16. Promoting Multicultural Literature and Literacy: Awards, Conferences, Library Initiatives, and Outreach Programs
• Appendix A: A Selected List of Multicultural Authors and Illustrators
• Appendix B: Multicultural Book Awards
• Appendix C: Publishers and Distributors of Multicultural Literature
• Index
• About the Editors and Contributors