Reading Ladder
Diversity in Culture and Families
Alyssa Douglas
Dear Teachers,
Reading ladders offer students the variety of reading a wide array of different genres all related to one topic. Being exposed to this variety of different books can allow students to become stronger readers and allow them to process information in many different ways. Different genres can also expose readers to different information about a given topic. Reading different genres of books can also assist readers in expanding their vocabulary due to the style of each book.
Reading ladders have one central focus, or theme. The reading ladder discussed here consists of all books with the central message focused on diversity and culture in families. This ladder also consists of four different picture books, three childrenâs/young adult novels, one non-fiction text, and one graphic novel. This ladder also conveys an anchor book, which is the building for the theme of the rest of the ladder. The anchor book for this ladder is the book âEsperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan. This book discusses the struggles of a wealthy Mexican child and how her world turns upside down when she is forced to travel to America and become a farm worker. This book was chosen as the anchor book because it really focuses on different family structures and the theme of diversity throughout families.
The other nine books on this ladder in some way relate to this central theme. Below, you will find a summary of each book and its central theme. The books in this ladder also have different reading levels based on genre. The novels have much more complex structures than the picture books. The vocabulary and structures vary deeply throughout each book, which expands the readerâs knowledge, not only on the topic, but also in other academic fields. Each of these books offers a different perspective on diversity and culture in families. Some of the books talk about race, some talk about disabilities, but they can all be related back to the theme of diversity. Each of these different perspectives and genres allows the reader to grow as a reader and expand their understanding of a topic.
Reading ladders can be made for any theme a teacher or any individual chooses. If a child is interested in robots, a reading ladder can be made for that childâs specific desires to learn about robots while expanding his knowledge on all of the different genres of books. Reading ladders allow the reader to grow with whatever topic they choose while exploring different forms of information. Reading ladders have a very simple overall design and are extremely beneficial in encouraging diversity in reading.
Book Summaries and Justifications
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza Rising discusses the struggles of a wealthy Mexican child and how her world turns upside down when she is forced to travel to America and become a farm worker. Esperanza Rising shows the struggle of going from being so wealthy, to becoming a peasant and the stereotypes associated with Mexicans in America. I chose this book as my anchor book because it really focuses on different family structures and the theme of diversity throughout families.
Picture Book- Same, Same but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Same, Same but different highlights the communications between two pen pals, one who lives in America, and the other who lives in India! The two pen pals quickly realize they have much more in common, than they do different! I chose this book because it shows how some individuals can look so different on the outside, but the same things bind us that makes us not that different at all!
Picture Book- The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
- In âThe Name Jarâ Unhei moves from Korea and begins school in America. She realizes that her name will be too difficult for the American students to pronounce, so she decides to choose a new name for herself. She gets a jar and all of the students give her ideas for a new name, but Unhei quickly realizes how much her Korean name really means to her. I chose this book because it has a really interesting plot that allows readers to understand what its like coming from a different country and feeling like you donât belong and the transition one must go through.
Picture Book- Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler
-The book, âSkin You Live Inâ is a beginning reader book that highlights the diversity of skin tones but presents each with a fun and exciting twist on each! I chose this book because it presents different races through very creative descriptions that expand on other races besides âblackâ and âwhite.â
Picture Book Families, Families, Families! By Suzanne Lang
– The book âFamilies, Families, Families!â highlights all of the different types of families there are and presents this idea in a fun and creative way! I chose this book because it is super engaging to readers and states that families do not have to be defined in one particular way!
Novel- A Shout in the Sunshine by Mara W Cohen
– âA Shout in the Sunshineâ highlight the cultural differences of two boys in Greece. One boy is the son of a wealthy Jewish family, and the other is a refugee from Spain. The boys do not realize the cultural divide between the two, and the boys wonder, will their cultural differences divide their friendship? I chose this book because it poses many interesting questions about cultural divides and allows readers to contemplate the differences between cultures.
Novel- Wonder by R.J Palacio
âWonderâ discussed the struggle a 5th grade boy encounters when he struggles to be like every other 5th grade student. August was born with a rare face disconformity forces him to struggle with feeling like a ânormalâ boy. Will August get past his outer imperfections and let his true inner beauty shine through? I chose this book because it highlights the struggle of a boy with a disconformity and his struggle to fit into society. While this book is different then my other racial and cultural books, I believe it fits in to address other groups that struggle to fit into society as well.
Novel- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part- Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
âThe Absolutely True Diary of a Part- Time Indianâ discusses Alexieâs struggles with being the only Indian at his new all white school. He discusses the frustrations of feeling like he doesnât belong but choosing to stay in the school due to the better recourses then the school he attended back on the Indian Reservation. I chose this book because it allows the reader to think about the different privileges and inequalities that different races face on a daily basis.
Nonfiction- Becoming Americans By Cary Carson
The book, âBecoming Americans, Our struggle to be both free and equalâ discussed the struggles of becoming Americans for different diverse groups throughout time. I chose this book because it highlights African Americans and other Americans and their struggle to be considered equal.
Graphic- Little White Duck: A Childhood in China by Na Lui
The book, âLittle White Duckâ discusses what it was like for a young boy to grow up in China and the different laws Chinese citizens face. I chose this book because it allows readers to see the way it is to grow up in China and the differences and similarities between it and American culture.
