Celebrate Diversity in the classroom---- Top 5 Books

Students are setting across from kids that are completely the opposite of them; different home lives, different cultures, different race, and ethnicities. The students in the classrooms I work in change dramatically throughout the year due to transient populations; migrant workers, apartment deals, and family upheavals. I believe it is a true disservice to our students if they don’t get the opportunity to get to know one another…students in the classrooms must get the chance to have conversations about these differences BUT, more importantly, the similarities among all of us- The best way I know how to do this is through reading. I have compiled a list of some of the most diverse, multicultural texts that I feel could impact a classroom in the most positive way.

1.  Croza, Lauren., & James, Matt. (2013). I know here

The story is filled with beautiful figurative language and sensory details that capture the setting of the main character’s internal conflict. Doug knows his town, community and natural environment very well. He talks about the sounds and smells of the howling wolves, the trees, and sky.

2.  Say, Allen., & Houghton Mifflin Company. (1993). Grandfather’s journey. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

An autobiography of Allen Say and his Grandfather’s Journey to America and back to his homeland of Japan. Allen Say’s grandfather travels on the Pacific Ocean, across the world on trains and on foot. Until he has a daughter of his own, he doesn’t realize how much he misses his old friendships from Japan, and he returns to memories that he never forgot. As his daughter grows up to marry and have a child of her own, Grandfather starts to miss his world in California. Allen only knowns his grandfather for a short time before. After his grandfather passes away, Allen travels to California where he finally ‘understands’ his grandfather- “Once I am in one country, I am homesick for the other.”

3. Bruchac, Joseph., & Baviera, Rocco. (1998). A boy called Slow: The true story of Sitting BullA Boy Called Slow captures the essence that is the Native American culture. Like Joseph, Bruchac says in his interview, “storytelling is a ‘window into the culture that connects to who you are, where you live and to the rest of creation.” The reader can hear the beautiful respect for life, the valued character traits of bravery and wisdom, and the importance of ‘family’ and ‘tribe’. ‘It was as if the two of them [horse and Slow] were one.” “Slow longed to have a name like his uncle Four Horns, or like the strong name his father had earned.” These are just two examples of the importance and storytelling qualities that Bruchac is explaining.

4.  Lin, Grace. (2007). The red thread: An adoption fairy tale. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Co.

The dedication of ‘This book is dedicated to all children adopted, the parents who loved them but could not keep them, and the parents who traveled far to find them.” (The Red Thread). This adoption fairy tale was obviously written from the point of view of the adopted child and family. It is heartbreaking to think that these children were not able to be kept by their Chinese families. It does help those who are adopted to understand the connections that these families had from birth. I also found it interesting that the adopted parents in this fairy tale were a king and queen. “Historically, caste superiority and spirituality are correlated.” (Telling different tales, page 324.). The peddler then moves on to another kingdom where a king and queen are also feeling that heartache. This presumes that those families with enough power and money can travel land and sea to adopt a child.

5. Pitman, Gayle. E. and Litten, Kristyna. (2015). This day in June.

Her message is clear, we are all different by design, and we can all love differently. “Public school is for everyone, so we need to think about how we ensure that public school is for everyone.” (Jill, 2013). Through the illustrations and poetic words, the reader can tell that the LGBT community or culture thrives on acceptance. This book is a window into a world or a parade that students do not get to see or understanding. I also feel that this would be a great opportunity for students who are ‘in’ this world to have a mirror that represents happiness, acceptance, and fun.