Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults: Reflections on Critical Issues (Contributions to the Study of World Literature)

There is much discussion of multiculturalism in education. This is especially true of multicultural literature for children and young adults. The rise of multicultural literature is a political rather than a literary movement; it is a movement to claim space in literature and in education for historically marginalized social groups rather than one to renovate the craft of literature itself. Multicultural literature has been closely bound with the cause of multiculturalism in general and thus has been confronted with resistance from conservatives. This book discusses many of the controversial issues surrounding multicultural literature for children and young adults. The volume begins with a look at some of the foundational and theoretical issues related to multicultural literature. The second part of the book addresses issues related to the creation and critique of multicultural literature, including the authorship of such works and the role of the reader in determining whether or not a work is multicultural. The third looks at the place of multicultural literature in the education of children and young adults. Throughout its discussion, the book makes extensive references to a large body of multicultural fiction and provides a thorough review of research on this important topic.

discusses Theoretical, Critical, And Pedagogical Issues Related To The Definition Of Multicultural Children's Literature And Its Place In The Curriculum.

barbara Troisi - Children's Literature

this Reference Book Addresses Theoretical, Critical, And Pedagogical Issues And Offers A Timely Collection Of Reflections That Challenges Readers, Educators, And Librarians To Rethink Their Perceptions Of Multicultural Literature. The Author Examines The Prerequisites Required To Define And Classify, Create And Critique, And Empower Children And Young Adults Through Multicultural Reading. Discussion Focuses On The Controversial And Sensitive Issues Surrounding Multiculturalism. Each Topic Is Thoroughly Reviewed And Supported With Research And Reference To Literature. The Book's Message-it Is Not Enough To Know Multicultural Literature; It Is Imperative Also To Know How Children Will Respond To It. One Title Cited Is holes By Louis Sachar. In Addition To Enhancing Awareness And Appreciation Of Cultural Differences, The Book Also Deals With Issues Of Social Justice And Change And Allows The Reader To Interpret The Signs Of Race, Class, Gender, And Other Cultural Differences. The Issue Of Authenticity And Cultural Correctness Is Addressed In Part Ii. However, It Must Be Pointed Out That Literature Cannot Totally Reveal All Of The Minute Details And Intricacies In A Culture Despite The Author's Research Or One's Experience In That Culture. The Title Includes Chapter References, A Selected Bibliography, And An Index. A List Of Significant Web Sites Provides Additional Resources To Support The Issues Delivered In The Book. Another Resource Is Orias, A K-12 Outreach For International And Area Studies Located At The University Of California, Berkeley. 2002, Greenwood Press,

Beyond the conservative backlash against multiculturalism, Cai (literacy education, U. of Northern Iowa) focuses on definitional issues in multicultural literature, the author's cultural identity and role in such literature, and empowerment in the classroom via reading multiculturally. He presents three views on defining this literature; compares novels by Yep (1993) and Oakes (1949) on the Chinese experience in building the US transcontinental railroad; critiques Norton's (2000) information-driven approach to studying cultural differences and conflicts depicted in literature; and in presenting reader response theory, addresses whether concern with the author's identity is legitimate or merely politically correct. Relevant websites are listed. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR There has been an inordinate amount of discussion about the meaning of multicultural literature, but no consensus has been achieved.