Benefits of Multicultural Literature in the Classroom By: Adelyne Gomez

What is Multicultural Literature? refers to books, regardless of genre, whose protagonist is a member of a racial, religious, or language micro- culture other than a Euro- American one.

Examples of Multicultural Books

This book takes you on a trip around the world with a little girl, who is proud of her multicultural heritage. While visiting several different countries, this book encourages discussion about the different places one person is a part of. It sparks up discussion on family heritage. Take a trip around the world with a little girl, who is proud of her rich multicultural heritage. This book is appropriate for all ages.

Being the new kid at school is difficult without having to worry about people pronouncing your name. Unhei has just moved to the US from Korea and she is worried if the kids will like her. She must introduce herself, but she reveals to her class that she will choose a name by the following week. Excited, her classmates fill up a jar with possible names for her to pick from. One classmate discovers her real name and the wonderful meaning behind it. On the day she is supposed to choose her name, the jar mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her friends, Unhei chooses her own name and helps everyone pronounce it. This book is appropriate for ages 4-8.

This story is a path to self-discovery, told through the eyes of a young girl named Nothando. The book tells of the Reed Festival, an important celebration in Nothando's country of Swaziland in Southern Africa. Nothando and her brother venture into unfamiliar hills, in order to get to the festival on time. As Nothando explores the hills of Swaziland, she visits with various animals. While she does this, she begins to become comfortable with who she is. Nothando is comfortable and proud to be Nothando. This book is appropriate for ages 7-10.

Young Esperanza thought that she would spend her life on her family’s ranch in Mexico. Everything would be beautiful, easy, and familiar. A sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and her mother to flee to California during the Great Depression where they settle in a camp for farm workers. Esperanza is not ready for the struggles she must face. A threatening situation forces Esperanza to find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances. This book is appropriate for ages 8-12.

Being the third sister in her family, Ailin has watched her two older sisters go through the painful process of having their feet bound, an old Chinese tradition. Ailin loves to run away and play games. Knowing she will never run again once her feet are bound, she refuses to follow this torturous tradition. As a result of her rebellion, the family of her intended husband breaks their marriage agreement. As Ailin enters adolescence, she finds that her family is no longer willing to support her. With a bold conviction and an indomitable spirit, Ailin is determined to forge her own destiny. This is appropriate for ages 8-12.

The Spanish Slavers were a threat to the Navaho way of life The Spanish Slavers were a threat to the Navaho way of life. One day, fourteen-year-old Bright Morning and her friend Running Bird took their sheep to pasture. All was well. She turned when Black Dog barked, and that was when she saw the Spanish slavers riding straight toward her. "The forced migration of Navahos from their original homeland in Arizona to Fort Summer, New Mexico, is described in this book from the Indian point of view in a first-person story about Navaho life in the mid-1860's. This book is appropriate for ages 8+.

What makes a family? This book looks at families of all shapes, colors, sizes, and ethnic backgrounds. This book allows children to discuss their own families and open their eyes to the different families around them. It also shows them that while families don’t always look the same, they all share the most important thing, love. This book is appropriate for ages 4-8.

Amidst Appalachia's fall foliage and vibrantly hued tree canopies Amidst Appalachia's fall foliage and vibrantly hued tree canopies. It is a children's book that teaches how kindness, understanding, and respect can become deeply rooted, and shows that our differences do not separate us, but actually brings us together and build a sense of belonging. As the leaves begin to crisp in the Autumn air, their differing colors bring doubts, distrust and discrimination, but they learn that no matter their colors on the outside, they are all green on the inside. This is appropriate for ages 4-8.

Classification of Multicultural Literature Books

Social Conscience encourage readers to develop empathy, sympathy, and tolerance toward others.

Melting Pot inform readers that people of all micro-cultures are exactly alike, except for the color of their skin, their language, or their  religious preference.

Culturally Conscious  written primarily, but not exclusively, by authors native to that culture about which they are writing.  An attempt is made to reveal the true, unique character of that micro-culture.

How to Evaluate Multicultural Literature

When assessing children’s literature, we must evaluate books in order to decide the quality of multi-culture we are getting. Here are some questions that you can use as a guide to determine the value of a book.

Story Are the stories interesting to children? Are there various conflicts for children to explore? How are the conflicts resolved?

Characters Do characters represent people from a variety of cultural groups? Do "good" characters reflect a variety of backgrounds? Are females as well as males depicted in leadership roles?

Themes Does the story offer children a variety of things to think about, to question, and to consider? Are values being explored instead of preached? Are there lessons to be learned?

Setting Do the stories reflect a variety of settings? Are urban, suburban, and rural settings represented realistically? Are cultural settings represented realistically?

Illustrations Are diverse populations represented? Is there diversity represented within cultural groups? Are characters realistically and genuinely represented? Do the illustrations avoid reinforcing societal stereotypes?

Other Things to Consider Will the stories encourage discussions? Are children exposed to multiple perspectives and values? Do the stories promote understanding of our diverse society? Are the stories age appropriate to ensure children can understand what is presented?

What are the Benefits?

Broadens the mind of students and opening up their minds Allows children to become more successful by being able to understand the world around them with multiple lenses. Allows children to understand the many different aspects of a culture. Children learn to empathize with others and relate by reading stories about different races and cultures.

Children embrace the differences between them. Creates self-worth within students Allows them to connect with themselves and their culture on a deeper level. Children embrace their own culture and become proud of what makes them, them. Helps students to shape values and the way they think about situation.

The most important benefit of Multicultural Literature in the classroom is that it UNITES us.