The Missouri Reader Vol. 36, Issue 1 | Page 81

Using Children’s Literature to Explore Social Class and Poverty in Times of Economic Crisis by Rebecca Rogers with Barbara Reese Table 1 – Summary of Themes in Children’s Literature Books The Rag Coat The Streets are Free The Lady in the Box Going Home Something Beautiful All I’ll Ever Want… Tight Times Castle on Viola Street Spuds Amelia’s Road Work Represented Teacher, Librarian, mayor, truck driver, engineer, police Owner of Circle Deli Farm workers, farm manager Teacher, café owner, grocery store owner, retired man, housewife Chores around the home Father is fired. Mother works to supplement income. Cooks, bakers, volunteers Farm owner, harvester, mother works part time Migrant farm workers, teacher Changes in the national economy; lack of jobs; overcrowding; environmental destruction. Apathy of people; losing her job; affordable housing. Lack of jobs in Mexico. Crime in urban areas; single parent households; housing. National economy (Depression) Changes in the economy Lack of affordable housing. Single parent household Migrant farm work, limited work opportunities. How are work and labor represented? Issues Contributing to Poverty How is poverty defined? Quilting mothers, Coal miner Working conditions in the coal mine. © The Missouri Reader, 36 (1) p.81