Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults: Reflections on Critical Issues

(Hardback)

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Discusses theoretical, critical, and pedagogical issues related to the definition of multicultural children's literature and its place in the curriculum. 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.

Reviews

"Mingshui Cai offers a clear path through the minefield of controversies and dilemmas that plague discussions of multicultural literature for children and young adults. This timely and important book speaks to both advocates and opponents of multicultural children's literature with well-reasoned arguments and sensible suggestions. It is a must read for all those who care about children's literature and its role in helping to inform and empower intelligent citizens of a multicultural, democratic society."-Rudine Sims Bishop The Ohio State University
[A]n intelligent, lucid, and thoughtful study ... perhaps the most thorough account of the conflicts surrounding multicultural literature to date, and it provides helpful suggestions on how multicultural literature can be used and explored in standard curriculums of elementary and high schools.-The Journal of Children's Literature Studies
[A]ny school or curriculum serious about its importance will find Multicultural Literature For Children & Young Adults to be an essential reference. This examines the foundations of issues related to such literature, critiquing multicultural literature both individually and as a whole, and analyzing the role of authors and readers in contributing experience....[A] critical assessment of the field as a whole which provides many important imsights to parents and teachers alike.-Library Bookwatch
This volume is helpful in clarifying conflicts, discussing both good and bad examples of multicultural books, suggesting directions for further study, and providing lists of print sources and Web sites for additional information....Recommended. Readers at all levels.-Choice
"Any school or curriculum serious about its importance will find Multicultural Literature For Children & Young Adults to be an essential reference. This examines the foundations of issues related to such literature, critiquing multicultural literature both individually and as a whole, and analyzing the role of authors and readers in contributing experience....A critical assessment of the field as a whole which provides many important imsights to parents and teachers alike."-Library Bookwatch
"An intelligent, lucid, and thoughtful study ... perhaps the most thorough account of the conflicts surrounding multicultural literature to date, and it provides helpful suggestions on how multicultural literature can be used and explored in standard curriculums of elementary and high schools."-The Journal of Children's Literature Studies
"[A]n intelligent, lucid, and thoughtful study ... perhaps the most thorough account of the conflicts surrounding multicultural literature to date, and it provides helpful suggestions on how multicultural literature can be used and explored in standard curriculums of elementary and high schools."-The Journal of Children's Literature Studies
"This volume is helpful in clarifying conflicts, discussing both good and bad examples of multicultural books, suggesting directions for further study, and providing lists of print sources and Web sites for additional information....Recommended. Readers at all levels."-Choice
"[A]ny school or curriculum serious about its importance will find Multicultural Literature For Children & Young Adults to be an essential reference. This examines the foundations of issues related to such literature, critiquing multicultural literature both individually and as a whole, and analyzing the role of authors and readers in contributing experience....[A] critical assessment of the field as a whole which provides many important imsights to parents and teachers alike."-Library Bookwatch

Author Bio

MINGSHUI CAI is Associate Professor of Literacy Education at the University of Northern Iowa. He is a member of the editorial board of The Journal of Children's Literature and has also served on the editorial board of Language Arts. His articles have appeared in The New Advocate, Bookbird, Children's Literature in Education, and other journals.