Multicultural Literature: Overview and Assignment

MulticulturalMulticultural LiteratureLiterature

11Professor K.C. Boyd, Multicultural Literature - September 6, 2011Professor K.C. Boyd, Multicultural Literature - September 6, 2011

WWhat is hat is Multicultural Literature?Multicultural Literature?

22Professor K.C. Boyd, Multicultural Literature - September 6, Professor K.C. Boyd, Multicultural Literature - September 6,

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Multicultural literature can be described as literature that portrays racial or ethnic groups aside from the "white Anglo-Saxon majority" that currently reside in the United States today.

Multicultural literature helps to enhance cross-cultural understanding and respect for individuals. It also accents the contributions that other cultural groups have made to society.

Four Major Ethnic GroupsFour Major Ethnic Groups

1.1.African AmericansAfrican Americans

2.2.Native AmericansNative Americans

3.3.Latino AmericansLatino Americans

4.4.Asian AmericansAsian Americans

33Professor K.C. Boyd, Multicultural Literature September 6, 2011Professor K.C. Boyd, Multicultural Literature September 6, 2011

Why Should Librarians Why Should Librarians Purchase Multicultural Purchase Multicultural Books and Materials?Books and Materials?

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September 6, 2011September 6, 2011

Multicultural Literature CanCan……

Provide knowledge or informationProvide knowledge or information Offer varying perspectivesOffer varying perspectives Span the curriculumSpan the curriculum Promote or develop an appreciation for Promote or develop an appreciation for

diversitydiversity Develop critical thinking skillsDevelop critical thinking skills Provide enjoyment!Provide enjoyment!



“In schools often segregated by lines of color and class, literature may present one of the few opportunities for all students to encounter people of different racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups.”

RRudine Simms Bishop, Professor Emeritus of Education,udine Simms Bishop, Professor Emeritus of Education,

Ohio State UniversityOhio State University



Affirms IdentityAffirms Identity

“We have a whole generation growing up without ever seeing themselves in print. What does it mean if you don’t see yourself in books? There is a strong connection between images and identity”

Author, Pat Mora



What determines Cultural What determines Cultural Authenticity In Literature?Authenticity In Literature?



Look for …Look for …

Authentic and balanced charactersAuthentic and balanced characters A setting consistent with a historical A setting consistent with a historical

or contemporary timeor contemporary time Themes, values and illustrations Themes, values and illustrations

consistent with those of the specific consistent with those of the specific cultureculture

Rich cultural detailsRich cultural details



A celebration of diversity as well as A celebration of diversity as well as common human bondscommon human bonds

An in-depth treatment of cultural An in-depth treatment of cultural issuesissues

Characters who interact substantively Characters who interact substantively and authenticallyand authentically

Minority characters included for a Minority characters included for a purpose, not a quotapurpose, not a quota



A story that invites reflection, critical A story that invites reflection, critical analysis and responseanalysis and response

A book that meets generally A book that meets generally accepted criteria of quality for its accepted criteria of quality for its genregenre

An appealing format and enduring An appealing format and enduring quality quality

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Professor K.C. Boyd, Multicultural Literature and Resources - Professor K.C. Boyd, Multicultural Literature and Resources - September 6, 2011September 6, 2011

How Can You How Can You Determine Cultural Determine Cultural

Authenticity?Authenticity?



Look for…Look for…

Authors and illustratorsAuthors and illustrators respected respected within the culturewithin the culture

Books that have won Books that have won cultural cultural awardsawards

Well known Well known multicultural multicultural publisherspublishers

ReviewsReviews by persons or groups within by persons or groups within the cultural group the cultural group



Chapter Activity - Due September 13Chapter Activity - Due September 13thth

Please email your responses on an attached word document.Please email your responses on an attached word document.

1. Research two ALA award programs using the ala.org website. Focus Research two ALA award programs using the ala.org website. Focus your study on the your study on the Pura Belpre’ Award Pura Belpre’ Award and Coretta Scott King and Coretta Scott King Awards. Answer the questions listed below:Awards. Answer the questions listed below:

- Name of the ALA parenting organization or committee. (who sponsors this - Name of the ALA parenting organization or committee. (who sponsors this award)award)

- What type of books are recognized and awarded.- What type of books are recognized and awarded.

- Name the 2011 Award Winners- Name the 2011 Award Winners

(this includes, Award and Honor Books along with Illustrator Awards)(this includes, Award and Honor Books along with Illustrator Awards)

2.2. Research two affiliate award programs using the association’s Research two affiliate award programs using the association’s website listed below as a guide. Focus your study on the website listed below as a guide. Focus your study on the Asian Asian Pacific American Librarians Association Pacific American Librarians Association and the and the American Indian American Indian Library AssociationLibrary Association. Answer the questions listed below:. Answer the questions listed below:

- Website address- Website address

- Year that the organization was founded- Year that the organization was founded

- Why were these organizations created/founded?- Why were these organizations created/founded?

Professor K.C. Boyd, Multicultural Literature and Resources - Professor K.C. Boyd, Multicultural Literature and Resources - September 6, 2011September 6, 2011

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Multicultural Literature: Overview and Assignment

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