Several requested a HIT. I was requesting suggestions for a colleague who wants to
know of teen lit books with social justice themes.
One respondent sent me an extensive "teen lit" list that included sections on
social issues and variousethnic areas. The list was Compiled by Jean Boreen,
Northern Arizona University, based on the original list by John Connors. You could
contact them for the list ? or I'll keep it for a time to share with anyone who
requests by email.
Another respondent sent this great list:
Read Around the World Middle School
Region 1: Africa South of the Sahara
Kenya
Lekuton, Joseph, Facing the Lion (2003)
Reading Level: Grades 5-up
Genre: Biography
This simple memoir is the extraordinary story of a poor nomadic boy in Kenya who
literally travels across the world but never abandons home. Lekuton grew up in
Kenya's poorest tribe, herding cows and playing in trees and hyena holes before he
entered a missionary boarding school and went to college in the U.S. Now he teaches
in Virginia, but he has never lost his Maasai roots, and he returns home to help
his people several months a year.
South Africa
Naidoo, Beverley, Journey to Jo'burg (1986)
Reading Level: Grades 4-6 / Level S
Genre: Adventure/Historical Fiction
Another baby has died in the village and Naledi knows that her little sister Dineo
might die too. But what can she do? Their grandmother has no money and there are no
doctors in their village. So Naledi makes up her mind. She will have to get Mma who
works more than 300 kilometres away in Johannesburg. The only way to let her know
was to get to the big road and walk. So Naledi and her brother Tiro did just that...
Region 2: Latin / South America
Peru
Abelove, Joan Go and come back (1998)
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Adventure
Alicia, a young tribeswoman living in a Amazonian village in the Andes, tells about
the two American women anthropologists who arrive to study their way of life.
Region 3: North America
United States
Curtis, Christopher Paul, The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Reading Level: Ages 9-12 / Level T
Genre: Historical Fiction/Humor
The year is 1963, and self-important Byron Watson is the bane of his younger
brother Kenny's existence. Constantly in trouble for one thing or another, from
straightening his hair into a "conk" to lighting fires to freezing his lips to the
mirror of the new family car, Byron finally pushes his family too far. Before this
"official juvenile delinquent" can cut school or steal change one more time, Momma
and Dad finally make good on their threat to send him to the deep south to spend
the summer with his tiny, strict grandmother. Soon the whole family is packed up,
ready to make the drive from Flint, Michigan, straight into one of the most
chilling moments in America's history.
Region 4: Middle East / North Africa
. Israel
Nye, Naomi Shihab, Habibi (1997)
Reading Level: V - Proficient
Genre: Real-Life Adventure
When fourteen-year-old Liyanna, her younger brother, and her parents move from St.
Louis to a new home between Jerusalem and the Palestinian village where her father
was born, they face many changes and must deal with the tensions between Jews and
Palestinians.
Region 5: South Asia:
India
Whelan, Gloria, Homeless Bird (2000)
Reading Level: X - Connecting
Genre: Real-Life Story
Married and promptly widowed at 13, Koly finds herself in the grim position of
being cast out by a society that has no place for girls like her. With a seemingly
hopeless future in India, this courageous and spirited young woman sets out to
forge her own destiny.
Afghanistan
Ellis, Deborah, The Breadwinner (2000)
Reading Level: W - Connecting
Genre: Adventure
Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, 11-year-old Parvana has rarely been
outdoors. Barred from attending school, shopping at the market, or even playing in
the streets of Kabul, she is trapped inside her family's one-room home. That is,
until the Taliban hauls away her father and Parvana realizes that it's up to her to
become the "breadwinner" and disguise herself as a boy to support her mother, two
sisters, and baby brother.
Region 6: East Asia:
China
Schlein, Miriam Year of the panda, The (1990)
Reading Level: Grades 5-8
Genre: Adventure
A Chinese boy rescues a starving baby panda, and, in the process, learns why pandas
are endangered, and what the government is doing to save them.
+++++++++++++
Take a look at the Jane Addams Children's Book Awards. From the website:
"The Jane Addams Children's Book Awards are given annually to the children's
books published the preceding year that effectively promote the cause of
peace, social justice, world community, and the equality of the sexes and
all races as well as meeting conventional standards for excellence." There
are categories of Books for Younger Children as well as Books for Older
Children.
http://www.janeaddamspeace.org/index.asp
<http://webmail.osceola.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.janeaddamspeace.org/index.asp>
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
I just read (and loved) Trouble by Gary Schmidt which deals with diversity, class,
and mistreatment of Native Americans and Cambodians, as well as immigrants.
.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+
Marcia Dressel, K-5 Librarian @ the
Elementary and Intermediate Schools
Osceola, WI
dressel@osceola.k12.wi.us <mailto:dressel@osceola.k12.wi.us>
.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+-.-+
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