Evaluating Multicultural Literature Critically

Before teaching a "multicultural book" in your classroom, I think it is important to read the book thoroughly and ask yourself the following questions:

• What does the represented cultural group think about this book? (For example, if the book is about Native Americans, what do Native American groups think of this book? Do they think it is an accurate representation? Oyate is just one of the sites you can find on the web that offers book critiques written by Native Americans. Some of the titles on their "Books to Avoid" list will look very familiar to you.)
• Who wrote this book and why? (It's important to know what biases the author may have.)
• What makes this author knowledgeable of the culture she is writing about?
• What do you think about the book? Make a list of what a reader would think about the represented cultural group if he only read this one book. Then look at your list and ask yourself if this is an accurate representation. If your not sure, do some research.
  

If a book is inaccurate or only represents a small percentage of the cultural group, you can still teach the book, but it is very important that you make the limitations of the book clear to your students. Involve your students in evaluating the validity of the book content. Ask them why an author might write a book like this. Discuss bias. If the book seems inaccurate and still received awards, have students investigate the criteria for receiving those particular awards.

Having students evaluate a book in this way could exercise critical thinking skills and offer an opportunity to conduct a fascinating investigation. Students will learn that just because someone wrote it or published it or gave it an award, doesn't necessarily make it true.

Finally, think about how the book fits in with what is happening in the world today. Shortly after 9/11, a teacher told me that she wanted to teach Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind in her language arts class. This book attempts to portray rural Islamic society in Pakistan. At any time in history, it would be negligent to teach a book such as this without proper evaluation, critical discussion, and historical context. But after September 11th, it is especially important.

I know that teachers have far too much to do, but I hope we will take some time to evaluate the books we are teaching in a critical way and not allow our students to leave our classrooms accepting the stereotypes and biased information they read without giving it a second thought.