EDCI 549 Module 1 History of Children's Literature
This content reflects work done as part of the Indigenous Perspectives in School Librarianship (IPSL) grant funded by IMLS (RE-246303-OLS-20). Actual assignments may vary.
Module 1: History of Children’s Literature
The readings for module 1 are focused on grounding yourself in the history and evolution of children’s literature. The goal is to use this background information to begin to form an understanding of and mission for your school community / library.
Module Objectives
- Identify ways in which the history of children’s and young adult literature might influence your instruction and reading promotion strategies
Think
- Munger, K. A. (ed.) (n.d.) Influence of the digital age. In Steps to success: Crossing the bridge between literacy research and practice. SUNY Oswego.Overview | Steps to Success: Crossing the Bridge Between Literacy Research and Practice (lumenlearning.com)
- Troyer, M. Kim, J., Hale, E., Watchekon, K. A., & C. Armstrong. (2018). Relations among intrinsic and extrinsic reading motivation, reading amount, and comprehension: a conceptional replication. Reading and Writing, 32, 1197-1219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-018-9907-9
Additionally, choose one or more of the following:
- Liu, S. (2018, Mar 1). Why children’s literature is still important in education? InterCardiff. https://cardiffjournalism.co.uk/intercardiff/business-culture/childrens-literature-still-important
- Mendez, T. (2009, Dec 1). History of children’s literature. https://www.slideshare.net/tmendez034/history-of-childrens-literature
- Jones, T. (2014, Jul 16). History of children’s literature. https://www.slideserve.com/tehya/history-of-children-s-literature
- Why study children’s literature? (2023). Children’s Literature Association. https://www.childlitassn.org/why-study-children-s-literature
- Baratz, L., & H.A. Hazeira. (2011). Children’s literature as an important tool for education of sustainability and the environment. International Electronic Journal of Environmental Education, 2(1). https://www.childlitassn.org/why-study-children-s-literature
- Braga, A. (2022, Mar 22). The importance of children’s representation in literature and media. Humanium. https://www.humanium.org/en/the-importance-of-childrens-representation-in-literature-and-media/
- Why do kids need books? (2023). The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance. https://thencbla.org/advocacy/why-do-kids-need-books/
- Sachdeva, D. (2020, Jul 21). History of children’s literature (Part I) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4vPALGLOB8
- TEDx Talks. (2015, Dec 2). Can a children’s book change the world? | Linda Sue Park | TEDxBeaconStreet [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40xz0afCjnM
- TEDx Talks. (2015, Jul 6). Inspiration through children’s literature | Drew Vodrey | TEDxYouth@StJohnsSchool [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm5PXS0KtWs
- Oxford Academic. (2014, Jun 30). Children’s literature: A very short introduction [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28PGMCF8w5A
- Delisle, L. (2019, Jul 10). The importance of children’s literature. ILR Magazine. https://www.ilrmagazine.net/the-importance-of-childrens-literature/
- Hanford, E. (Host). (2022). Sold a story: How teaching kids to read went so wrong [audio podcast]. American Public Media. https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/
Create
Assignment: Annotated Booklist.
By the end of the course, you should have 20-25 books listed. For each book, include the title, author, age/interest level, a short summary, a purchasing source, and current price, at least one way to use the book in instruction or appeal to learners, and any possible issues you might encounter in the use of that title. For example, has the book been challenged? Are there references to religion or sexuality that teachers should be aware of? It is expected that you will read 3-5 books in their entirety. The rest you may add to your list based on reviews, recommendations, summaries, etc. If you can skim the book, that is recommended.
Additionally, you list must include a variety of books: different genres, age levels, perspectives, small and large publishers, award winners and new releases. Your list should celebrate diversity and inclusion. At the end of the course, your list will be evaluated based on the following rubric.
Annotated Booklist Rubric
Component |
Emerging |
Basic |
Proficient |
The annotated booklist contains titles that articulate and model cultural competence and respect for inclusiveness, supporting individual and group perspectives (ALA/AASL/CAEP 1.2, 1.3; AK CSforE C & E; IEFA EU1, 6) |
The list includes few books that represent diverse needs and interests. |
The list has less than 6 titles representing diverse needs and interests. |
The list contains a wide variety of titles representing many diverse needs and interests. |
The list includes book suggestions that demonstrate knowledge of children’s and young adult literature that address the diverse developmental, cultural, social, and linguistic needs of all learners. Candidates use strategies to foster learner motivation to read for learning, personal growth, and enjoyment (ALA/AASL/CAEP 3.1; AK CSforE A; IEFA EU 2) |
The list includes few references to or alignment with the candidate's school community’s demographics and needs. |
The list includes a minimum or incomplete reference to or alignment with the candidate's school community’s demographics and needs. |
The list includes a complete list of books in reference to or in alignment with the candidate's grade range, and school community’s demographics and needs. |
Booklist suggests strategies to foster learner motivation to read for learning, personal growth, and enjoyment (ALA/AASL/CAEP 3.1, AK CSforE E; IEFA EU 6) |
The booklist gives few suggestions for use by teachers. The fails to identify student interest by grade band, reading level, or interest or does so inconsistently. The list does not include how the book will be displayed, promoted, or embedded into instructional lessons. |
The booklist includes limited or incomplete suggestions for use by teachers. The list provides limited reference to student interest by grade band, reading level, or interest. The list includes some ideas on how the book will be displayed, promoted, or embedded into instructional lessons. |
The booklist includes extensive suggestions for use by teachers. The list references student interest by grade band, reading level, or interest. The list includes a variety of ideas on how the book will be displayed and promoted within the library, or embedded into instructional lessons. |
Overall Score |
One or more criteria are scored at the emerging level. |
Two or more criteria are scored at the basic level. All criteria are scored at the basic level or above. |
Two or more criteria are scored at the proficient level. All criteria are scored at the basic level or above. |
Annotated Booklist Template
Picture Books
Title, Author, Age/Interest Level |
Short Summary |
Source, Price |
Reading Motivation / Curriculum Use Idea(s) |
Possible Issues |
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Chapter Books / Novels
Intermediate Fiction
Title, Author, Age/Interest Level |
Short Summary |
Source, Price |
Reading Motivation / Curriculum Use Idea(s) |
Possible Issues |
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Middle Grade Fiction
Title, Author, Age/Interest Level |
Short Summary |
Source, Price |
Reading Motivation / Curriculum Use Idea(s) |
Possible Issues |
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Young Adult Fiction
Title, Author, Age/Interest Level |
Short Summary |
Source, Price |
Reading Motivation / Curriculum Use Idea(s) |
Possible Issues |
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Non-Fiction
Developing Readers
Title, Author, Age/Interest Level |
Short Summary |
Source, Price |
Reading Motivation / Curriculum Use Idea(s) |
Possible Issues |
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Intermediate Grades
Title, Author, Age/Interest Level |
Short Summary |
Source, Price |
Reading Motivation / Curriculum Use Idea(s) |
Possible Issues |
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Middle-Grade
Title, Author, Age/Interest Level |
Short Summary |
Source, Price |
Reading Motivation / Curriculum Use Idea(s) |
Possible Issues |
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Young Adult
Title, Author, Age/Interest Level |
Short Summary |
Source, Price |
Reading Motivation / Curriculum Use Idea(s) |
Possible Issues |
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Book Reviews / Lists
- Best Books for Kids 2022. New York Public Library. https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/kids
- Follett Titlewave: For the library. (2023). Follett Content Solutions. https://www.titlewave.com/main/subjects
- Holmes, M. (2023, Jan 22). 36 Gender inclusive books for kids and teens. https://www.parents.com/parenting/dynamics/lgbtq/gender-inclusive-books-for-kids-and-teens/
- Best kids’ books of 2021. (2021). Five Books. https://fivebooks.com/category/best-kids-books/best-kids-books-2021/
- Overstreet, M. (2022, Jun 24). 27 of the best children’s books of 2022. Book Riot. https://bookriot.com/best-childrens-books-2022/
- Guetebier, A. (2022, Dec 1). The best new children’s books of 2022. Tinybeans. https://tinybeans.com/best-childrens-books-2022/
- Notable Children’s Books – 2023. (2023). Association for Library Service to Children. https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb
- Jones, A. (2021, Dec 16). It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Book lists. Knowledge Quest. https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/its-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year-book-lists/
- Best children’s classics. GoodReads. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/98128.Best_Children_s_Classics
- Sullivan, C., Levitan, H., Freedman, A., Iwegbue, A., & J. Ting. (2022, Apr 15). The 125 best YA books everyone should read, regardless of their age. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/books/g23083225/best-ya-books/
- The 100 best YA books of all time. TIME. https://time.com/collection/100-best-ya-books/
- Tolkien, T. (2023, Jun 23). Children’s literature awards. The School Reading List. https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/resources/childrens-literature-awards/
- Krajewski, S. (2020, Jul 20). 100 Children’s books about diversity and inclusion. The art of education university.https://theartofeducation.edu/2020/07/july-100-childrens-books-about-diversity-and-inclusion/
- Hensley, C. (2019, May 8). 25 Fantastic middle grade books by black authors. Book Riot. https://bookriot.com/middle-grade-books-by-black-authors/
Book Review & Collection Websites
- Diverse Book Finder
- Follett Titlewave
- Open Library
- Brightly
- The Children’s Book Review
- Common Sense Media (Educator accounts available)
- American Indians in Children’s Literature
Book Review Journals available through the MSU Library for students.
- Horn Book Guide
- School Library Journal
- Booklist
Share
Post at least twice in the #1history channel in response to the following prompt. Cite evidence from the module reading(s) to support your assertions.
Share the article you choose from the Think and briefly summarize it for your classmates. Then, reflect on several ways that children’s and young adult literature has changed from its beginnings. In what ways might this influence how you instruct your learners?
Grow
Complete the self-assessment checklist.