Surveying the landscape of youth literature, this contributed volume shows how books have grown to include the wide range of our increasingly diverse society. Identifying both exemplary and problematic titles, the contributors
Provide context by sketching out the historical trajectory of diversity in youth lit
Organise titles into sections that range from familiar themes (African American, Asian, Latino) to the lesser known (such as literature dealing with incarceration, transnational adoption, and homelessness)
Offer guidelines for evaluating and selecting the best in diversity literature
Suggest youth-tested programs and strategies to promote multicultural books in the library and classroom
This thoughtful and timely book helps meet the informational, recreational, and cultural needs of today’s youth and those who serve them.