U.S. Latino Literature: A Critical Guide for Students and Teachers

(Hardback)

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Description

In the past ten years, literature by U.S. Latinos has gained an extraordinary public currency and has engendered a great deal of interest among educators. Because of the increase in numbers of Latinos in their classrooms, teachers have recognized the benefits of including works by such important writers as Sandra Cisneros, Julia Alvarez, and Rudolfo Anaya in the curriculum. Without a guide, introducing courses on U.S. Latino literature or integrating individual works into the general courses on American Literature can be difficult for the uninitiated. While some critical sources for students and teachers are available, none are dedicated exclusively to this important body of writing. To fill the gap, the editors of this volume commissioned prominent scholars in the field to write 18 essays that focus on using U.S. Latino literature in the classroom. The selection of the subject texts was developed in conjunction with secondary school teachers who took part in the editors' course. This resultant volume focuses on major works that are appropriate for high school and undergraduate study including Judith Ortiz Cofer's The Latin Deli, Piri Thomas' Down These Mean Streets, and Cisneros' The House on Mango Street. Each chapter in this Critical Guide provides pertinent biographical background on the author as well as contextual information that aids in understanding the literary and cultural significance of the work. The most valuable component of the critical essays, the Analysis of Themes and Forms, helps the reader understand the thematic concerns raised by the work, particularly the recurring issues of language expression and cultural identity, assimilation, and intergenerational conflicts. Each essay is followed by specific suggestions for teaching the work with topics for classroom discussion. Further enhancing the value of this work as a teaching tool are the selected bibliographies of criticism, further reading, and other related sources that complete each chapter. Teachers will also find a Sample Course Outline of U.S. Latino Literature which serves as guide for developing a course on this important subject.

Reviews

A fine library resource for collection building and readers' advisory in middle- and high-school libraries.-Voice of Youth Advocates
An excellent addition to the professional shelf as well as literary criticism collections. Recommended.-Midwest Book Review
Highly recommended for all students and scholars in Latino studies.-Choice
This book is an essential reference tool for high schools and public libraries. It will be particularly germane in high schools with the International Baccalaureate Degree or in areas with concentrations of Hispanic peoples.-School Library Journal
This book will be helpful for high school, college, and university teachers.-The Book Report
This concise and well-written guide is an excellent aid to both teachers and students of Latino literature in the United States, providing a helpful introduction to the field and a discussion of the major literary works to date.-Catholic Library World
U.S. Latino Literature is a critical guide for students and teachers providing an excellent scholarly introduction filling a gap in Latino Studies....A fine reference.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"A fine library resource for collection building and readers' advisory in middle- and high-school libraries."-Voice of Youth Advocates
"An excellent addition to the professional shelf as well as literary criticism collections. Recommended."-Midwest Book Review
"Highly recommended for all students and scholars in Latino studies."-Choice
"This book is an essential reference tool for high schools and public libraries. It will be particularly germane in high schools with the International Baccalaureate Degree or in areas with concentrations of Hispanic peoples."-School Library Journal
"This book will be helpful for high school, college, and university teachers."-The Book Report
"U.S. Latino Literature is a critical guide for students and teachers providing an excellent scholarly introduction filling a gap in Latino Studies....A fine reference."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"This concise and well-written guide is an excellent aid to both teachers and students of Latino literature in the United States, providing a helpful introduction to the field and a discussion of the major literary works to date."-Catholic Library World

Author Bio

HAROLD AUGENBRAUM is director of the Mercantile Library of New York and its Center for World Literature./e Among his publications are Latinos in English (1992), Growing Up Latino: Memories and Stories (1993) and The Latino Reader: An American Literary Tradition from 1542 to the Present (1997). He is also an editor of the forthcoming Norton Anthology of Latino Literature of the United States. MARGARITE FERNNDEZ OLMOS is Professor of Spanish at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. She has lectured and written extensively on Caribbean and Latin American literatures. She is co-editor of Contemporary Women Authors of Latin America:New Translations and Introductory Essays (1983) and Remaking a Lost Harmony:Stories from the Hispanic Caribbean (1997, co-edited and translated with Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert). Her other publications include The Latino Reader: An American Literary Tradition from 1542 to the Present (1997) co-edited with Harold Augenbraum, and Rudolfo A. Anaya: A Critical Companion (Greenwood, 1999).