From: Quiroa <r-quiroa>
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 10:53:06 -0600

Hello, I have been lurking and enjoying the disccusions for about a year now, and thought it was about time I joined in.

In response to Eliza Dresang's recent post regarding non-fiction and multiple points of view which asked for other examples:

Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler's historical series of different ethnic-American groups (such as the Mexican American Family Album) contain multiple points of view. For example, the book mentioned includes some general historical information similar to many other non-fiction historical texts. However, an abundance of photographs, interviews, recipes, etc. are provided in a layout somewhat resembling a newspaper. In my opinion, the organization of this particular book
(chapter topics) addresses the many stereoptyes of Mexican American held by mainstream Americans in a non-threatening manner. The beauty and distinctness of the culture is highlighted, while the reader is able to relate the the individuals as such through the various points of view
(especially the interviews).

Some of the other cultures highlighted in texts by the Hooblers include Cuban Americans, German Americans, Italian Americans, African Americans, and Irish Americans. By including various points of view in such texts, students (children) are given an "insider's" view into the lives of real people through their own words.

Ruth E. Quiroa Doctoral Student Curriculum & Instruction/Bilingual Education University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1310 South Sixth Street 390 Education Building Champaign, IL 61824 Phone: 217/244?86 Email: r-quiroa at students.uiuc.edu
Received on Sun 22 Nov 1998 10:53:06 AM CST