Description

Whose history is portrayed in the current world of children's and young adult historical fiction? Our population is increasingly diverse, yet relatively few titles in school libraries reflect the experiences of people of color and the poor. This webinar examines the current lack of diversity in historical fiction collections and provides resources for identifying quality multicultural materials, as well as tools and ideas for encouraging teachers to integrate diverse titles into their social studies instruction. Learning Objectives: Understand the extent of the diversity gap in children’s books overall, and historical fiction titles in particular. Identify the potential benefits to young readers of access to books that provide a “mirror” into their own experience. Identify more than 2 dozen high-quality historical fiction titles with diverse characters. Identify strategies for incorporating diverse historical fiction into the curriculum and for advocating its use.

Speaker(s):

• April M. Dawkins, Doctoral student and Graduate teaching assistant, University of South Carolina
• Elizabeth Hartnett, Doctoral student and Graduate teaching assistant, University of South Carolina