The bibliographies listed here will help identify books dealing with sensitive issues such as disability, divorce, death, abuse, family problems, prejudice, and various cultural, ethnic, religious, and other differences. There are many, many bibliographies of materials for children and young people that can help us locate appropriate literature for a particular child or an area of interest. Some of these include a broad range of topics; others are very specific in what they contain. Some of these bibliographies are older and, therefore, do not include the latest resources. When there is no more current source, however, they may serve as starting points and provide guidelines for selecting materials on the topic.
Although these are useful and authoritative sources, it is essential to read the actual materials before recommending them because we may have very different perceptions of how well an author deals with a sensitive subject. For those bibliographies that include suggestions for activities with young people, it is also important to note both such differences of perception and the fact that often the activities suggested for one book might be just as appropriate with another.
Anderson, Vicki. Native Americans in Fiction: A Guide to 765 Books for Librarians and Teachers, K-9. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1994.
Anderson, Vicki. Immigrants in the United States in Fiction: A Guide to 705 Books for Librarians and Teachers, K-9. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1994.
Anderson, Vicki. Cultures Outside the United States in Fiction: A Guide to 2,875 Books for Librarians and Teachers, K-9. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1994.
Beike, Patricia F. and Frank J. Sciara. Selecting Materials for and About Hispanic and East-Asian Children and Young People. Hamden, CT: Library Professional Publications, 1986.
Carlin, Margaret F. and others. Understanding Abilities, Disabilities, and Capabilities: A Guide to Children’s Literature. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1991.
Eyre, Gayner. Reading and the Deaf Child: A Resource Guide for Teachers, Parents and Librarians. Sheffield, England: Sheffield City Libraries, 1985.
Firschein, Sylvia and Aileen Grossberg. Suggested Books of Jewish Interest for Use in a Multicultural Curriculum. New York: Association of Jewish Libraries, 1993.
Global Best. A List of Books: Cultural Books for Teenagers. New York: New York Public Library, Office of Young Adult Services, 1992.
Hayden, Carla D., ed. Venture into Cultures: A Resource Book of Multicultural Materials & Programs. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 1992.
Helping Children Love Themselves and Others: A Resource Guide to Equity Materials for Young Children. Washington, DC: The Children’s Foundation, 1990.
Horner, Catherine Townsend. The Single-Parent Family in Children’s Books: An Annotated Bibliography. 2nd ed. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1988.
Jenkins, Esther C. Literature for Children About Asian and Asian Americans: Analysis and Annotated Bibliography. New York: Greenwood Press, 1987.
Jobe, Ron and Paula Hart. Cultural Connections: Using Literature with Children. Markham, Ontario: Pembroke, 1993.
Kaywell, Joanne F. Adolescents at Risk: A Guide to Fiction and Nonfiction for Young Adults, Parents and Professionals. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1993.
Khorana, Meena. Africa in Literature for Children and Young Adults: An Annotated Bibliography of English-language Books. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995.
Khorana, Meena. The Indian Subcontinent in Literature for Children and Young Adults: An Annotated Bibliography of English-language Books. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1991.
Kirk, Ersye. The Black Experience in Books for Children and Young Adults. Ardmore, OK: Positive Impact, 1993.
Kruse, Ginny Moore and Kathleen Horning. Multicultural Children’s and Young Adult Literature: A Selected Listing of Books Published Between 1980-88. 2nd ed. Madison, WI: Cooperative Children’s Book Center, 1989.
Lambert, Jeanette. Black Images in Contemporary Children’s Books, 1980-1990: An Annotated Bibliography of 100 Notable Books for Young Children. Waco, TX: Edit Cetesa Co., 1991.
Makino, Yasuko. Japan Through Children’s Literature: An Annotated Bibliography. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1985.
Mann, Anthony L. and Cynthia Walford Symons. Children’s Literature for Health Awareness. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1992.
Miles, Susan Goodrich. Adoption Literature for Children and Young Adults: An Annotated Bibliography. New York: Greenwood Press, 1991.
Miller-Lachmann, Lyn. Our Family Our Friends Our World: An Annotated Guide to Significant Multicultural Books for Children and Teenagers. New Providence, NJ: R.R. Bowker, 1992.
Notable Books for Jewish Children. New York: Jewish Book Council, 1994.
Pytowska, Eva Irena. Journeys to Self-Esteem: Children’s Books with Themes of Cultural and Social Empowerment. Cambridge, MA: Cultural Training Resource Center/Savana Books, 1992.
Ramirez, Martha, and others. BPLG Sponsors Linking Latino Youth & Books at the California Library Association Meetings, November 15, 1987. California: Bibliotecas para la Gente, 1987.
Rasinski, Timothy V. and Cindy S. Gillespie. Sensitive Issues: An Annotated Guide to Children’s Literature K-6. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1992.
Reidarson, Nina. Books for Disabled Young People: An Annotated Bibliography. Hosle, Norway: IBBY Documentation Centre of Books for Disabled Young People, the Norwegian Institute for Special Education, 1991.
Roberts, Patricia L. and Nancy Lee Cecil. Developing Multicultural Awareness Through Children’s Literature. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1993.
Rochman, Hazel. Against Borders: Promoting Books for a Multicultural World. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 1993.
Rudman, Masha Kabakow. Children’s Literature: An Issues Approach. 3rd ed. White Plains, NY: Longman, 1995.
Rudman, Masha Kabakow, Kethleen Dunne Gagne and Joanna E. Bernstein. Books to Help Children Cope with Separation and Loss: An Annotated Bibliography. 4th ed. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1993.
Storey, Dee. Twins in Children’s and Adolescent Literature. Metuchen NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1993.
Tway, Eileen, ed. Reading Ladders for Human Relations. 6th ed. Washington, DC: American Council on Education; Urbana, IL: NCTE, 1981.
Walker, Barbara J. Developing Christian Fiction Collections for Children and Adults: Selection Criteria and a Core Collection. New York: Neal Schuman, 1998.
Walter, Virginia A. War and Peace Literature for Children and Young Adults: A Resource Guide to Significant Issues. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1993.
Wheatley, Nadia. Adolescents and Family Problems: Books for Young People Selected Reading List. Melbourne, Australia: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 1988.
Wilkin, Binnie Tate. Survival Themes in Fiction for Children and Young People. 2nd ed. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1993.
Williams, Helen E. Books for Children and Young Adults by Black Authors and Illustrators. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 1990.
Zvirin, Stephanie. Best Years of Their Lives: A Resource Guide to Teenagers in Crisis. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 1992.
