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Diverse Classroom Libraries
A Prism Conceptual Framework Towards Identifying, Analyzing, and Selecting Diverse Children's Texts
What criteria should be used to determine if a book should be included in a classroom library?
Character Representation
Depicts a variety of people in different socioeconomic statuses
- Pick books that don't cast only one group of people in a specific socioeconomic status. For example, a book only depicting African American characters in low socioeconomic status would be inappropriate (Kelley & Darragh, 2011).
- A book can discuss the difference between the socioeconomic statuses but doesn’t place a superiority on one. A ranking system will affect the self-esteem of all students no matter which class they are in.
Portrays helping those in need with altruistic intentions
- Look for books that portray characters helping others with selfless and genuine intent. Some books have characters help those in need but for personal gain or recognition. These books would be an inappropriate model for students as we want to teach students to be selfless and kind to others.
Avoid Negativity
Socioeconomic status presented without shame or pity
- Use books that give a realistic representation of this socioeconomic status but don't use a shameful tone. Shameful tones will affect students in lower socioeconomic classes self-esteem. A book using this theme will model disrespectful actions and thoughts that students could adopt and use against other students (Brandts, Bosma, Simons, Groffen, & Akker, 2016).
- Avoid books that view low socioeconomic families that ask for or receive help as pitiful. Some families in this status don’t see themselves as needing help from outside sources and are content in their circumstances. Instead, use books that concentrate on these characters’ strengths rather than what they lack.
Positive Examples
Saturday at the Food Pantry by A girl and her mother attend a food pantry for the first time. While there, the daughter helps her mother and fellow classmate beat the feeling of shame for needing the assistance. A recurring quote throughout the story is, “Everyone needs help sometimes.” The story highlights the important part food pantries play in some peoples’ lives.
The Can Man by A little boy wants a skateboard but can’t afford it. In order to make enough money to get one, he starts collecting cans like he sees the local homeless man doing. In the end, the boy gives the money he made off the cans to the homeless man so he can buy a coat to protect himself from the incoming snow. In return, the homeless man fixes and gifts a skateboard to the young boy. The book avoids tones of shame and superiority.
A Shelter in Our Car by A mother and daughter live in their car since being evicted from their apartment. The reader watches as the young girl deals with bullying and feelings of frustration regarding her living conditions, and the mother tries to find a steady job and attend community college. The story has a happy ending with the mother finding a job and the commitment to living in a motel for the summer.
Negative Example
The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need by The Berenstain Bears decide to donate objects and their time to those in need. The family donates their belongings after Mama Bear gets angry about how messy the house has gotten. Although the family doesn’t want to donate their objects, they do so to make Mama happy. The family is donating in order to get the objects that are inconvenient to them out of their house. They are not donating out of kindness or the desire to help, they are doing it to benefit them. The family also spends time at a retirement home playing games and talking with older bears. The book incorporates pictures of the bears in need but never allows them to talk. Although the book seems to be about helping those in need, the book focuses more on praising the family for donating and spending time with the older bears even though they don’t want to. Also, the book never gives the bears in need the time to talk and uses them as background characters even though they are a major component of the plot line.
