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Books to Add to Your Must Read Lists for Multicultural Literature
by
Bonnie Majkut
Ellis, D. (2001). The Breadwinner. Toronto, Ontario. Groundwood Books.
This is a gripping story about the courage of a young girl to help save her family from poverty. Parvana’s family lives under the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan. The tyrannical regime has made it impossible for her father to find work, and the family must learn to survive. Parvana decides to risk everything by disguising herself as a boy so that she can work in the market. As she does so, her eyes open to the true brutality of the Taliban regime and how religion, culture, and gender are often at odds with each other. As an added bonus, royalties from book purchases go to helping Pakistani and Afghani refugees.
Elementary School Books
Ortiz, S.J. (2017). The People Shall Continue. New York City, NY: Children’s Book Press.
Written with the rhythm of traditional oral narratives, this book tells the story of Native Americans from the time of Creation to the struggles on the reservation. The theme is that despite all these changes, the people shall continue and that there is pride in their heritage and culture. The pictures illustrate a variety of different tribes such as Pawnee, Lakota, and Pima, so students get to see that there is more than one Native American tribe and that they are all different, and yet one people.
Yep, L. (2001). Dragonwings. New York City, NY: Harper Collins.
This book has been around a while and is considered a multicultural classic. Told from the perspective of a Chinese immigrant to San Francisco in 1909, the main character deals with adversity and adjustment in his new world. There are multiple examples of conflict between cultures and generations as the main character learns more about his family, the American dream, and the people around him.
Middle School Books
Agosin, M. (2015). I Lived on Butterfly Hill. New York City, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
This book takes place during Pinochet’s revolution. Rich with details about Chilean culture, the main character, Celest Marconi’s parents are doctors who oppose the military dictator. For her protection, she is relocated from Chile to Maine, and the story follows as she reconciles her new life with her old life and her concerns for her native homeland.
Kroeber, T. (1973). Ishi: Last of His Tribe. New York City, NY: Bantam Starfire Books.
The Yahi were a native Southern Cal ifornia tribe that was completely wiped out due to disease and violence from gold miners. Only one man survived, and his name was Ishi. This book begins with Ishi being a member of his tribe, showing tribal interactions and traditions, and follows his journey as he becomes alone. In the end, Ishi holds onto his Yahi ways and celebrates his cultural heritage despite being entirely alone. The book addresses the strength of cultural identity, survival, and what happened to Native American peoples.
Shea, P.D. (2003). Tangled Threads. New York City, NY: Clarion Books.
Mai Young is a thirteen-year-old Thai refugee with hopes of moving to America. The story begins with Mai living in a refugee camp in Thailand and then journeys with her to America where she finds that things aren’t as easy as she had thought. Mai has to adjust to her new cultural as well as the societal pressures of being a thirteen-year-old girl. This book highlights the challenges of immigration while focusing on her humanity.