Multicultural Literature

Plain City - Virginia Hamilton
Reading level: Grade 6-8
Publisher: Scholastic, 1993

13 year old Buhlaire-Marie Sims has always felt different. Her mother, a singer and a dancer who is always traveling, tells her that her father was missing in action in Vietnam. She soon learns that her father is very much alive and is closer than she thinks. When she finds him, he is homeless, mentally unstable and living on the streets. HE can't give her anything but some of the missing "back time" from her past.


The First Part Last - Angela Johnson
Coretta Scott King Award, 2004
Reading Level: Grade 7-12
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2010

Bobby is a normal New York City teenager who receives some news from his girlfriend, Nia, on his 16th birthday that changes the course of his life forever. A the responsibilities of being a dad arise, he must decide what is the right thing to do for himself and his girlfriend. The story is told in alternating "now" and "then" chapters wich allow the reader to put the story together themselves.


The Dreamer - Pam Muñoz Ryan
Pura Belpré Award, 2011
Reading Level; Grade 6-8
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2010

Neftali is shy and imaginative. A collector of unusual items, a boy who writes words down and stores them for safe keeping. He wants to be a writer, but his father believes this is foolish and ridiculous hobby. All his childhood he must do things his father would disagree with in secret until he can go off on his own. A fictional story based on the childhood of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda that combines traditional chapters and poetry.


One Green Apple - Eve Bunting
Reading Level: Grade 1-4
Publisher: Clarion Books 2006

For Farrah, it is hard being the new girl in school. Her dupetta she wears sets this little muslim girl apart, even more so when she doesn't speak the language. Her class is taking a field trip to the orchard and a class project making cider becomes a metaphor for cultural differences. The watercolor painted illustrations captures a photorealism that helps to bring this story to life.


90 Miles to Havana - Enrique Flores-Galbis
Pura Belpré Honor, 2011
Reading Level: Grace 4-7
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, 2010

Julian's parents make the decision to send their three children to a refugee camp in Miami as part of Operation Pedro Pan, where they must fend for themselves. The camps, like the dictatorships back in Cuba, are run by bullies and Julian is soon separated from his bothers. Many readers can relate to the strong family ties Julian has with his brothers and the hardships he faces when being forced from his home country. A sophisticated read, with a constant flow that will keep the readers interest.


A Jar of Dreams - Yoshiko Uchida
Reading Level: Grade 3-6
Publisher: Aladdin, 1993

Growing up in California during the Great Depression, 11 year old Rinko, like every other child wants to belong. Instead, because she is Japanese, she is ridiculed and singled out. When her Aunt comes to visit, she and her family each discovers an inner strength in themselves. Regardless of your cultural background, the book provides a theme of overcoming diversity and believing in oneself.


Tar Beach - Faith Ringgold
Caldecott Honor. 1993
Coretta Scott King Honor Illustration 1992
Reading Level: K-3
Publisher: Crown Publishers. 1991

In Cassie's dreams she can fly, To her, the Harlem rooftops where she sleeps is her magical "tar beach" As she glides over the rooftops, she can see everything and claims it all as her own. Cassie even claims the union building to give to her dad so he can be rich and it won't matter if won't let him join the "old Union". Set during the Great Depression, she dreams of making life better for her family so they can eat ice cream every night for dessert.


Freedom Summer - Deborah Wiles
Reading Level: K-2
Publisher: Atheneum Books, 2001

Joe is white. His best friend John Henry is black. They do everything together, shoot marbles, chase cats and swim in Fiddler's Creek, because John is not allowed in the town pool. It is the summer of 1964 in the South, the civil rights act is in effect, and tomorrow John will be allowed to swim in the town pool. What they discover at the town pool the next day is that people don't like change.