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“This book helps to expand the definition of diversity in children’s books by shedding light on an element of diversity that is sometimes overlooked—economic situation or income . . . Teachers and librarians will find it informative and engaging as it deepens their experience with both authors and books as well as their understanding of children who are experiencing generational poverty.”
—from the Foreword by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University
Drawing from her own lived experience, in this guide Dorr shines a light on some of the cultural values that exist across both rural and urban poverty, inviting teachers, librarians, and others who work with children from low-income families to see them in their cultural context and appreciate the values they bring to the classroom or library. She spotlights a range of books for children and teens that offer literary mirrors to low-income children, as well as windows to more economically privileged readers, enabling all young readers to celebrate our common humanity. And she also shares the work of ten authors and illustrators familiar with poverty, offering insights into the sources of their stories and the ways storytellers’ lived experience can influence their creative works and make their characters more authentic. You will discover
- an introduction which explores what it’s like to grow up in generational poverty, including its long-term effects on children, the roles played by intersectional and institutional racism, the power of family, and how reading can act as powerful catalyst;
- biographical sketches of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds, Cynthia Rylant, Kelly Yang, and other authors and illustrators;
- inspiring profiles and books spanning age ranges, genres, and formats that chronicle the lives of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sonia Sotomayor, John Lewis, Wilma Mankiller, and other people who were raised in generational poverty; and
- four appendixes which spotlight even more stories of resilient individuals and fictional characters.
Foreword by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Growing Up in Generational Poverty
Part I Inspiring Storytellers
Chapter 1 Cynthia Rylant
Chapter 2 Matt de la Peña
Chapter 3 Christian Robinson
Chapter 4 Gary Paulsen
Chapter 5 Kelly Yang
Chapter 6 Patricia Polacco
Chapter 7 Elizabeth Acevedo
Chapter 8 Rex Ogle
Chapter 9 Joseph Bruchac
Chapter 10 Jason Reynolds
Part II Inspiring Stories
Chapter 11 Sonia Sotomayor
Chapter 12 John Lewis
Chapter 13 José Hernández
Chapter 14 Coco Chanel
Chapter 15 Carlos Santana
Chapter 16 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Chapter 17 Wilma Mankiller
Chapter 18 Diane Guerrero
Chapter 19 Homer Hickam
Chapter 20 Barack Obama
Chapter 21 Kamala Harris
Chapter 22 Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Conclusion
Appendixes
- Appendix A Works by the Storytellers Featured in Part I
- Appendix B Works about the Inspiring People Featured in Part II
- Appendix C More Stories of Resilient Characters That Are Too Good to Miss
- Appendix D More Inspiring Biographies That Are Too Good to Miss
About the Author
Index
"Librarians working with children or teens will find this book a useful guide in planning programs and selecting library resources for patrons in the throes of generational poverty (a term applied to families who have experienced poverty for at least two generations)."
— Catholic Library World