Kelly J. Taylor Tiller
In my Education 580 class, Teaching Students with Special Needs, students were to compile a bibliography based on a disability that we would encounter as future teachers. Though I do not believe that being a CLD (Culturally and Lingustically Different) student is a disability, it can make a student's academic life much more challenging. I was also interested in LD (Learning Disabled/Different) students.
It was difficult to find a book on both CLD and LD students. So, I created a list that students could use when they want to read about CLD kids or LD kids. Because some CLD students come from other countries, the main theme for the CLD books was the immigration/emigration experience.
Barrio: José's Neighborhood
by George Ancona
San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1998. ISBN 0152010491
· Colorful book highlights the variety and vibrancy of José's
San Francisco neighborhood, El Barrio. Touches on beautiful murals, festivals
and every day living in the area, which is infused with a sense of Latino
history and culture. Also touches on famous labor leaders, trouble with
gangs, drugs and immigration. Includes a glossary of "Words Used
in the Barrio."
· For late elementary students.
Mayeros: A Yucatec Maya
Family by George Ancona
New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1997. ISBN 06881345653
· Features the family of Armando and Gaspár, Yucatec Mayans
living in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Armando and Gaspár's experiences
at school, their mother's daily housework, fiestas, siestas and almuerzo,
and work on the ranch are the main themes. The present-day lives of Armando
and Gaspár's family are detailed with Ancient Mayan drawings of
characters doing identical tasks, highlighting the ancientness and longevity
of the Mayan culture. Includes a glossary of Spanish words.
· For late elementary, early middle school students.
Where Did Your Family Come
From? A Book About Immigrants by Melvin and Gilda Berger
Nashville, TN: Ideals Children's Books, 1993. ISBN 0824986474
· Deals with the experiences of four immigrant children, Boris,
Maria, Rosa and Change, whose families come to America for financial and
political reasons, or to work for family members. Touches on the realistic
experiences of learning family or fleeing political danger.
· For elementary school students.
Trouble With School: A
Family Story About Learning Disabilities by Kathryn Boesel Dunn and
Allison Boesel Dunn
Woodbine House, 1993. ISBN 0933149573
· A mother-daughter story about their experience with LD. Both
mother and daughter give their perspectives on the times before and after
Allison is diagnosed with LD. Parents should read this book with their
children.
· For late elementary, early middle school students.
The Survival Guide for
Kids With LD (Learning Differences) by Gary Fisher and Rhoda Cummings,
edited by Nancy J. Nielsen
Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit, 1990. ISBN 0915793180
· An illustrated, easy-to-read guide (paragraphs are short and
concise, interesting sidebars, etc.) about LD. Deals with questions about
the definition of LD, how the mind of an LD person functions and the different
types of LD. Provides pronunciations for words and medical terms, small
"real" stories of kids with LD, myths about LD and how to cope
with LD. Includes list of famous people with LD, such as Woodrow Wilson,
Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison. Also includes a learning resource section,
and a section for parents and teachers.
· For middle and high school students.
Whoever You Are by
Mem Fox, illustrated by Leslie Staub
San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1997. ISBN 0152007873
· The simple theme in this beautifully illustrated book is to accept
the similarities in people, despite their differences. Takes readers on
a flight around the world, observing the ways that different people are,
essentially, the same.
· For any age, due to the detailed illustrations and the importance
and simplicity of the message.
Artic Son by Jean Craighead
George, illustrated by Wendell Minor
New York: Hyperion Books, 1997. ISBN 0786803150
· This book takes a beautifully illustrated look at life in the
Artic through the eyes of Luke-Kupaaq. The book shows the variety of seasonal
and environmental changes the Artic communities experience, as well as
the interesting blend of white and native cultures. It also shows how
people survive - and have, for centuries, survived - in such harsh, frigid
climates.
· For any age, due to the detailed illustrations and wealth of
information the book provides on Artic cultures.
Living With Learning Disabilities:
A Guide for Students by David E. Hall
Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications, 1993. ISBN 0822500361
· Covers the specifics of LD, including the different types of
LD, testing and treatment, and student perspectives on and coping with
LD. May also serve as a straightforward guide for parents and teachers.
· For late middle school, early high school students.
Pueblo Girls: Growing Up
in Two Worlds by Marica Keegan.
Santa Fe, NM: Clear Light, 1999. ISBN 1574160206
· This book takes an in-depth look at the lives of Sonja and her
sister, Desiree, who are Pueblo Indian girls from New Mexico. Takes readers
through the different aspects of the girls' lives, from school and home
life, to ceremonial practices and food traditions.
· For middle school students.
The Great Migration: An
American Story by Jacob Lawrence
New York: The Modern Museum of Art, the Phillips Collection, Harper Collins,
1993. ISBN 0060230371
· Features the paintings in Lawrence's "The Migration of the
Negro" series (1940-41), along with a narration of the general experiences
and reasons for the Great Migration. Includes the poem "Migration"
by Walter Dean Myers.
· For any age due to the importance of this series of paintings.
If Your Name Was Changed
at Ellis Island by Ellen Levine
New York: Scholastic, 1993. ISBN 0590438298
· Deal with the experiences of immigrants arriving on Ellis Island
in the 1800s, as well as the general immigrant experience. In a question-answer
format, answers questions about the experiences at Ellis Island, such
as, "Where would you go when you landed on Ellis Island?" and
"What did American think about he new immigrants?" Also highlights
the contributions of immigrants to American society.
· For late elementary, middle school students.
Just Kids: Visiting a Class
for Children with Special Needs by Ellen B. Senisi.
New York: Dutton Children's Books, 1998. ISBN 0525456465
· After getting caught making fun of a special needs girl in her
school, Cindy is assigned to go the special needs class for two weeks
to learn about her fellow students. At first, Cindy is angry and nervous
about spending time with the kids that are different than her. As the
days progress, Cindy learns more about these differences and even more
about what makes all kids "just kids". This book covers a range
of disabilities, including LD. Students featured in the photographs cover
a wide range of ethnicities.
· For late elementary, early middle school students.
When Learning is Tough:
Kids Talk About Their Learning Disabilities by Cynthia Roby
Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman, 1994. ISBN 080758892X
· Experiences and photographs of eight students with LD, who range
from late elementary to early high school age and from various ethnic
groups. Each story is first-person narration and ends with the student's
tip to other kids living with LD.
· For late middle school students.
For Adults
Benesch, Sarah. "ESL On Campus: Questioning Testing and Tracking
Policies." ESL in America: Myths and Possibilities. Ed. Sarah
Benesch. Portsmouth, NH: Boynton/Cook, 1991. 59-74.
Cartagena, Juan. "English Only in the 1980s: A Product of Myths, Phobias and Bias." ESL in America: Myths and Possibilities. Ed. Sarah Benesch. Portsmouth, NH: Boynton/Cook, 1991. 11-26.
Edelsky, Carole and Sarah Hudelson. "Contextual Complexities: Written Language Policies for Bilingual Programs." ESL in America: Myths and Possibilities. Ed. Sarah Benesch. Portsmouth, NH: Boynton/Cook, 1991. 75-92.
Fletcher, Todd V., Candace S. Bos, Lorri M. Johnson. "Accommodating English Language Learners With Language and Learning Disabilities in Bilingual Education Classrooms." Learning Disabilities Research and Practice 14.2 (1999): 80-92.
Gearheart, Bill R., Mel W. Weishahn, Carol J. Gearheart. The Exceptional Student in the Regular Classroom. 6th ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1996.
Graves, Anne W., Eugene C. Valles and Robert Rueda. "Variations in Interactive Writing Instruction: A Study in Four Bilingual Special Education Settings." Learning Disabilities Research and Practice 15.1 (2000): 1-10.
Levine, Melvin. "Learning Disability… What is it?" Harvard Medical Journal. (Sept. 1984).
Poon-McBrayer and Kim Fong
Garcia. "Profiles of Asian American Students With LD at Initial Referral,
Assessment and Placement." Journal of Learning Disabilities
33.1 (2000): 61-72.