Teaching Diversity in Rural Schools: Attaining Understanding, Tolerance, and Respect Through Young Adult Literature aims to assist secondary English Language Arts rural educators and students regarding diversity education through the use of rural, small town-themed young adult literature. While appropriate for any rural educator, the Upper Midwestern states (IA, MN, MT, NE, ND, SD, and WY) are focused on because they are unique in their predominantly White residents, with few to no racial and cultural minorities in all locations, large or small. Teaching rural students about minorities and facilitating in developing understanding, tolerance, and respect toward those different from oneself is difficult when absent from communities and schools. However, this book helps in reaching these goals through the use of titles that consider specific topics of cultural and racial minorities, such as those who are LGBTQ+, undocumented, homeless, having exceptionalities, managing grief/loss, and more. Also addressed are rural communities and schools, the purpose and importance of young adult literature, and locating quality rural, small town-themed novels. Suggestions for using this literature, activities, discussion topics, and recommended titles are also provided.
Lisa A. Hazlett is professor of secondary education at The University of South Dakota, where she teaches courses in middle/secondary English language arts education. She specializes in young adult literature regarding presentations, publications, and especially novel and other reviews.
Preface Introduction Chapter 1: Introduction to Rurality Chapter 2: Consideration of Canonical Adult Classics vs. Young Adult Literature Chapter 3: Importance of Young Adult Literature with Upper Midwestern Settings, and Locating Titles Chapter 4: Rural Public Education and Diversity Issues Chapter 5: Rurality Denigration and Developing Lifestyle Pride Chapter 6: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) Students and Rural Communities Chapter 7: Exceptional, Undocumented, and Homeless Students in Rural Schools and Communities Chapter 8: Rural Death and Grief Appendix A: Bibliography of Rural-Themed YAL Titles by Single State Appendix B: Bibliography of Rural-Themed YAL Titles by Multiple States/Areas Appendix C: YAL Bibliography of Settings Outside the United States Appendix D: YAL Bibliography of Titles from Unidentified State or Unidentified State with Named Area/Region References About the Author
