Dealing with Diversity Through Multicultural Fiction

School librarians' desire to increase their multicultural collections has resulted in the publication of a vast number of bibliographies without explanation of ways to use them. ""Dealing with Diversity"" focuses on how to make the most of the multicultural fiction collection. Through guided discussions of novels that represent different life styles and backgrounds, librarians and teachers can help students deal with their own differences and those that they see in others. Children can link reading to changes taking place in American demography. Taking their inspiration from their participation in Project Equal in New York, the authors describe the developmental needs in early adolescence (particularly grades 5-8) and explain the role of fiction in exposing our negative attitudes to cultural differences. They go on to describe the planning process for training discussion team members and propose a three-day workshop where the curricular strategies are developed. Participatory activities are suggested to help teachers model the skills needed. Finally the editors lay down the requirements for ensuring successful programmes, including the development of selection criteria in evaluating books which realistically reflect diversity. Appendices include a bibliography of fiction books used in the programme, a workshop model for training librarians and teachers, and a sample lesson plan for students outlining literature activities in the classroom and library.