Multicultural
Children's Literature Evaluation Tool
Book Title
Author PUBLICATION Date
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1.
The story is well written. § The story itself is interesting and engaging § Syntax, grammar, word usage, etc. makes the story easy to read for children of the age for which it is written Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______ _______
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2.
There are no distortions or omissions of history. § Various perspectives are represented§ All cultures involved are represented accurately Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
_______
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3. There is no stereotyping in the text of the ethnic group being portrayed. § There are no derogatory overtones used in the text to describe the characters and culture in the story (such as "savage," primitive," "lazy," or "backward")§ Ethnic characters are portrayed as individuals, not as combinations of culturally stereotypical characteristics Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
_______
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4.
The illustrations are authentic and non-stereotyped.
§ The illustrations do not generalize about aspects of the cultural being portrayed § Characters of the same ethnic group are depicted as individuals and do not all look alike; the illustrations show a variety of physical attributes Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
_______
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5.
Lifestyles of the characters are culturally accurate. § The lifestyles of the characters are not oversimplified or generalized, but are genuine and accurate Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
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6.
The dialogue used is culturally authentic. §
The characters use speech that accurately
represents the oral tradition from which they come Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
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7.
Standards of success are consistent across cultures.
§ The ethnic characters are not portrayed as helpless, or in need of the assistance of a white authority figure § Ethnic characters do not have to exhibit extraordinary qualities to gain acceptance or approval with the majority Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
_______ |
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8.
The role of females, elders, and family are culturally
accurate. § Women and the elderly are portrayed accurately within their culture §
The significance of family is portrayed
accurately for the culture. Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
_______
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9.
Effects to a child's self-image are taken into consideration.
§ There is nothing in the story that would embarrass or offend a child whose culture is being portrayed § You would be willing to share the book with a mixed-race group of children Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
_______ |
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10. The author's and/or illustrator's background is relevant
to the culture portrayed. § The author and illustrator have the qualifications and background needed to deal with the cultural group accurately and respectfully § The author and illustrator are members of the cultural or ethnic group they are portraying Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
_______ |
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11. Relationships between characters from different cultures
are relevant and authentic. § Whites do not possess the power while cultural minorities play a supporting or subservient role § The minority characters are leaders in the community and solve their own problems Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
_______
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12. Heroines and Heroes are portrayed authentically within
their respective cultures. § Heroines and heroes are defined according to the concepts of and struggles for justice appropriate to their cultural group. They are not those who avoid conflict with and thus benefit the white male establishment Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
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13. The copyright date reflects the current understanding
of the dynamics of the culture being written about. § The book was originally written within the past decade Comments:
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Yes/True Somewhat
No/False _______
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Return to: Multicultural Children's Literature: Creating and Applying an Evaluation Tool in Response to the Needs of Urban Educators by Jennifer Johnson Higgins at http:www.newhorizons.org.