Multicultural Resources
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Jacobs, K. (2004). Gender issues in young adult literature. Indiana Libraries. 23(2), 19-24. Retrieved from Literary Reference Center database.
The portrayal of gender roles in youth literature is a reflection of our society's values. The portrayal of gender roles in young adult literature influences how young adults develop their perceptions of gender roles. Jacobs reviews research on gender roles and other gender issues in young adult literature. She discusses specific gender stereotypes both of girls and boys found in literature and gender biases which can affect how librarians recommend literature to young readers. She advocates combaing gender bias by teaching young adults literary awareness. This skill will help young people think critically about what they read and how gender is portrayed in literature and the world around them.
Heather Neidenbach, November 2008
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Pattee, A. (2008, July). Street fight: Teens love it some librarians loathe it welcome to the world of urban lit. School Library Journal, 54(7), 26-30.
Street lit contains controversial topics and provocative titles. Many librarians are wary of including it in their collections because of the violece, sex, gangs, and drugs themes. Pattee adds that another point against it is the poor quality of much of the writing in the genre, with large amounts of grammar and spelling mistakes. Pattee states that one reason to include the genre is so that the collection truly reflects the interests of its patronage rather than the tastes and preferences of the librarian. Pattee includes short descriptions of some examples of Urban literature, both adult and teen titles. She also includes a synopsis and addresses for web sites related to Urban literature and its publishers.
Heather Neidenbach, November 2008
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Kiesling, A. (2002, March 11). Tuning in to the teen soul. Publishers Weekly, 249(10), 30-32. Retrieved from Literary Reference Center database.
Kiesling discusses current trends in spirituality publishing for teens. She characterizes teens as looking for hard reality in these types of books and not slick platitudes. Teens seek out books and other resources on spirituality in their quest to find something bigger than what they see in the world. Publishers targeting the teen market employ a variety of practices to garner and maintain teen interest. Some of these pracitices include changing book covers multiple times a year and creating a Web site to tie titles together. There is also a growing market for teen spirituality works that cover more than just Christianity. Kiesling disucssses the growing popularity for titles relating to Eastern religions and Wicca. Another growing trend is for publishers to repackage classic adult spirituality titles for the teen market. These teen editions often include renovated interior designs and added material.
Heather Neidenbach, November 2008
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Winner, L. (2001, March 12). Nurturing today's teen spirit. Publishers Weekly, 248(11), 30-32. Retrieved from Literary Reference Center database.
Traditionally, pulishers steered clear of anything that had to do with spirituality for teens. Now, as more and more things are targeted to teen specifically, the market for teen spirituality works has grown. Winner identifies the unique characteristics of spiritual books for teens. Teens look for wasy to apply their faith to their daily lives and look for works that descibe things that teens can do. Texts that feature interactive aspects are of particular interest to teens. Teens are curious about more than one religion and will explore books on faiths other than their own. Teens look for authenticity in books on spirituality. Winner also uses specific titles as examples of spirituality books marketed to teens.
Heather Neidenbach, November 2008
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Multicultural Online Resources for School Librarians and Young Adult Librarians
- Teaching for Change www.teachingforchange.org provides the best collection of K-12 multicultural classroom resources and tools, for teachers and parents to help children build a more equitable, multicultural society, and become active global citizens.
- Resources for Serving Latino Children and Families www.patmora.com/resources.htm Compiled by author Pat Mora, a list of recommend authors and resources for teachers, librarians and parents.
- Desi Journal: Chronicles of the lndian Diaspora www.desijournal.com/ is an online weekly magazine dedicated to literature from and about the South Asian diaspora. Interested in new reviews (featuring children's and YA books) every week and articles and columns on desi (diaspora) culture? Check this place out!
- Cooperative Center for Children's Books (CCBC) www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/default.asp CCBC was established in 1963 and is part of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It provides a non-circulating collection of books and support for all those interested in children's and young adults' literature. Their multicultural literature page is an excellent resource for must-have multicultural lit. for children and young adults.
Posted by: Courtney Diputado. 08/10/2007
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A Multicultural Literature Bibliography
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/spring96/mcdonald.html
retrieved on 08/08/2007
It is a journal article where the author organizes a bibliography of multicultural fiction and non-fiction titles out of some reference sources. Each entry is listed with simple citation, annotation and age level.
Posted by Wanhsiang Kao 08/08/2007
Multicultural Literature Resources
http://bullpup.lib.unca.edu/library/rr/multcultlit.html
retrieved on 08/01/2007
This is a website that lists 37 websites providing multicultural resources for children and Young adults. The homepage is divided into subcategories such as General Multicultural Resources, Periodical Index, Literature Award, and Government Information.
Posted by Wanhsiang Kao 08/08/2007
A Research Guide and Bibliography on Multicultural Literature of the United States Compiled by Fred Muratori, Olin & Uris Libraries reference services
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/multicultural.html#print
retrieved on 08/01/2007
This research guide includes tips on using Library of Congress (LC) subject headings for ethnic-americans.
And It focus primarily on reference materials.It is a comprehensive online guide for users to locate biographical and critical information on American writers grouped by ethnicity, as well as bibliography of multicultural resources, both in print and online.
posted by Wanhsiang Kao 08/08/2007
Whelan, Gloria. (2004). Chu Ju’s House. New York : HarperCollins.
Chu Ju lives with her family in modern rural China where no more than two children in each family is allowed under a strict policy. Sons are strongly preferred especially in rural areas, because labor is needed. Unfortunately, Chu Ju’s mother gives birth to a second daughter whose fate is being sent to an orphanage. The Kindhearted Chu Ju wants to spare her sister this terrible fate and decides to take the miserable place of her sister by running away from home so that there will be room in the family for another child, hopefully a son. Chu Ju goes through a dangerous yet exciting journey which brings her to a fishing boat, a silkworm factory, a rice paddy and the modern city of Shanghai.
The author did a great job in conveying the beauty of modern-day China. The vivid and detailed descriptions about fish-cleaning, silkworm-raising, and rice-growing are particularly fascinating and educational, which allow the readers to peek into the traditional ways of living and the harsh reality of rural China. What a great book for those who like China or are interested in learning about this country!
Posted by Wanhsiang Kao 08/08/2007
Lee, Milly. (2006). Landed. New York : Farrar Straus Giroux.
The 12-yearold Sun has to memorize all the details of his family and his hometown in order to reunite with his father and brothers in the United States. One wrong answer will cause him being sent back to China. Is he able to pass the exam?
This historical fiction reveals a period of time in the American History when Chinese immigrants have to be detained on the Angel Island for a series of interrogation before they can be released to stay in the States. Stellar storytelling and realistic watercolor paintings make this disturbing chapter of American history accessible without either sentimentality or bitterness. Twenty-first century children can learn a great deal from this story, as well as Milly Lee''s excellent author's note about Chinese immigration.
Posted by Wanhsiang Kao 08/08/2007
Yep, Laurence. (1984). The Serpent’s Children. New York: Harper Trophy.
Set in a tumultuous period in China's history, this is a poignant story about a family that struggles for survival in a time of famine, drought, and violence. Cassia and her brother Foxfire lose their mother at a young age when their father goes out to fight as a revolutionary to free China from invaders. The father hopes his son Foxfire will carry on his mission. Cassia is always doing her best try to keep the family together which is the promise she makes to her mother. However, Foxfire who is a dreamer and not willing to meet his father’s earnest expectations eventually flees China in the land of “Golden Mountain” across the sea. Does his dream ever come true? This book is filled with the descriptions of harsh reality Chinese people are facing at that time.
Posted by Wanhsiang Kao 08/08/2007
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