Multicultural Childrens Book Collection TAMARA TRUMAN APRIL 6

Multicultural Children’s Book Collection TAMARA TRUMAN APRIL 6, 2014

Buster and the Amazing Daisy Publisher: 2002, Kingsley, Jessica Publishers Genre: Special-needs Juvenile Fiction Summary: Daisy has Asperger Syndrome. This novel is told from her point of view and allows children to see the world and her school day as she sees it. Daisy relishes her time with Buster, the classroom rabbit and forms a special bond with this furry animal. Unit Themes: Children with disabilities, classroom pets Activity: Group debate on classroom animals What makes this book multicultural? This is considered a multicultural book because It delves into the life of a special needs student who has been mainstreamed into the classroom.

So Far From the Sea Publisher: 2009, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Genre: Japanese Culture Juvenile Fiction Summary: Laura recounts her family’s 1972 visit to the site of the former Manzanar War Relocation Camp in Easter California before her family moves to Massachusetts. This book provides a glimpse into the life of a Japanese-American family against the backdrop of World War II. Unit Themes: World War II, Pearl Harbor, Activity: Create Japanese Art (lantern or fan) What makes this book multicultural? This is considered a multicultural book because it focuses on Japanese-American culture.

President of the Whole Fifth Grade Publisher: 2010, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Genre: Juvenile Fiction Summary: Following in heroines footsteps, fifth grader Brianna is determined to become president of her class with the help of her friends of course. The young character must make heartfelt choices concerning her campaign and doing what is right. Unit Themes: Civic and Government Leadership Activity: Publish individual classroom election poster What makes this book multicultural? This is considered a multicultural book because main character is African American. It also depicts female students in leadership.

The Mighty Miss Malone Publisher: 2012, Wendy Lamb Books Genre: African American Juvenile Fiction Summary: A novel narrated by a 12 -year old African. American girl. This book is set partially in Indiana during the Great Depression. It tells the story of the lengths a family will go to in order to survive. Unit Themes: Great Depression, family dynamics, prejudices, homelessness Activity: Create Ven Diagram on struggles families faced during the Great Depression What makes this book multicultural? This is considered a multicultural book because it illustrates an African American family. It also brings homelessness to the forefront.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 Publisher: 2003, Scholastics Genre: African American Juvenile Fiction, Civil Rights Summary: A novel about the ordinary interactions and everyday routines of an African American family living in Michigan as they travel to visit their grandmother in Alabama during the civil rights movement of 1963. Unit Themes: Civil rights movement, family dynamics, prejudices Activity: Recognize and research civil rights movement leaders What makes this book multicultural? This is considered a multicultural book because it illustrates an African American family and greatly discusses the civil rights movement in 1960’s.

Holly’s Secret Publisher: 2000, Farrar Straus Giroux Genre: Juvenile Fiction Summary: A young girl decides make changes in her life when she enters middle school. She is desperate to hide the fact that her family consist of two lesbian moms and no dad. This is a heartwarming story about how to survive middle school while coming to terms with her family dynamics. Unit Themes: Family dynamics, prejudices, anti-bullying Activity: Research individual family geneology What makes this book multicultural? This is considered a multicultural book because it discusses a different family dynamic than the cultural norm.

Esperanza Rising Publisher: 2000, Scholastic Press Genre: Fiction Summary: Esperanza and her Mama are forced to flee their home country to live as Mexican farm laborers in California. Esperanza must adjust to her new life during the Great Depression. Unit Themes: Latin American Culture, Great Depression, Equality Activity: Great Depression Journal What makes this book multicultural? This is considered a multicultural book because it discusses many aspects of the Latin American Culture. This books displays the difficulties of having a change in socioeconomic status as well.

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu Publisher: 2011, Scholastic Press Genre: Juvenile Fiction Summary: Just when she thinks she is having a great year, a sixth grade student feels like her life is crumbling because of her impending grandmothers visit. This is a funny and heartfelt tale depicting split cultural identities and the ways life has a way of changing your plans. about Unit Themes: Chinese Culture, Family Dynamics Activity: Chinese Themed Craft What makes this book multicultural? This is considered a multicultural book because it embeds the Chinese culture in the text. This books displays anti-bullying as well. It also helps teach general Chinese culture concepts.