U.S. Multicultural Reading List compiled by Laura Sherrill (IHS)
To return to assignment links or reading lists, use your back button

Allende, Isabel Paula Chilean American 1995 At the bedside of her dying daughter, Allende spins tales of childhood, of ancestors, and of becoming a novelist Alvarez, Julia How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent Dominican American 1991 The four Garcia girls face a strange new life in America when they are forced to flee the Dominican Republic. Anaya, Rudolfo Bless Me, Ultima Chicano 1972 The story of Antonio Marez, a young Hispanic boy living in New Mexico. With the help of a healer who comes to live with the family, Tony discovers important truths about himself and his heritage. Angelou, Maya I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings African American 1969 An African-American writer traces her coming of age. Baldwin, James Go Tell It On the Mountain African American 1952 Story of an angry, eloquent Harlem storefront preacher and his family. Baldwin, James If Beale Street Could Talk African American 1974 A young black couple struggles to live with dignity in a society filled with hatred. Bambara, Toni Cade Salt Eaters, The African American 1980 Set in a small Southern town, a community of black faith healers witness an event that changes them forever. Bell, Thomas Out of this Furnace Slavic American 1941 We follow three generations of the Kracha family after them move from Slovakia to make their home in America. Betancourt, Jeanne More Than Meets the Eye Asian American 1990 A small Vermont town comes to grips with its anti-Asian bias. Bontemps, Arna God Sends Sunday African American 1972 A significant text from the Harlem Renaissance. Brooks, Gwendolyn Annie Allen African American 1949 The first work by an African American to win the Pulitzer Prize. Brown, Claude Manchild in the Promised Land African American 1965 True story of Claude Brown who pulled himself up from the Harlem ghetto to become a law student. Butler, Octavia E. Kindred African American 1988 A black woman is transported through time to save the life of one of her ancestors--a white slave owner. Chin, Frank Donald Duk Chinese American 1991 An 11-year-old Chinese American boy has dreams about working on the Central Pacific Railroad in 1869, as his ancestors did. Choy, Wayson Jade Peony, The Chinese American 1995 Three young children--a sister and her two brothers--come of age in an immigrant Chinese family in Vancouver during the early 1940's. Chu, Louis Eat a Bowl of Tea Chinese American 1961 A depiction of life in New York City's Chinatown in the 1960's. Cisneros, Sandra House on Mango Street, The Hispanic 1991 In short, poetic stories, Esperanza describes life in a low-income predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in Chicago Cofer, Judith Ortiz Line of the Sun, The Puerto Rican 1995 Set in the 1950's and 1960's, a Puerto Rican family struggles to become part of New Jersey culture without losing their heritage. Crew, Linda Children of the River Cambodian American 1989 Having fled the terror of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, 17-year-old Sundara is torn between remaining faithful to the customs of her original culture while enjoying life as a typical teenager in her Oregon high school. Crowdog, Mary Lakota Woman Native American 1990 A moving autobiography of a Sioux woman's search for self. Doctorow, E.L. Ragtime Jewish American 1976 A portrait of vibrant America in 1906--a tapestry of historical and fictional characters. Dorris, Michael Cloud Chamber Native American 1997 Multi-character saga ranging from 19th century Ireland to contemporary America. Dorris, Michael Yellow Raft in Blue Water Native American 1987 Three generations of Native-American women recount their searches for identity and love. Dorris, Michael & Erdrich, Louise Crown of Columbus, The Native American 1991 A native American woman finds a legendary document, not thought to exist--the lost diaries of Columbus. An adventure begins. Ellison, Ralph Invisible Man African American 1952 A young African American seeking identity during his high school and college days, and later in New York's Harlem, relates his terrifying experiences. Erdrich, Louise Bingo Palace, The Native American 1994 Lipsha Morrissey is summoned by his grandmother on the reservation. He comes to terms with his heritage, his future, and his first love. Erdrich, Louise Love Medicine Native American 1984 A glimpse of Native American experience--first book in trilogy. Erdrich, Louise Tracks Native American 1988 Follows a North Dakota Indian tribe and their struggle to keep their land from an encroaching white society. French, Albert Billy: A Novel African American 1993 A 10-year-old African American boy accidentally kills a white girl in Mississippi in the 1930's. This is the story of his inexorable path to execution. Gaines, Ernest J. Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, The African American 1971 In her 100 years as an African-American woman, Miss Jane Pittman experiences it all, from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement. Galarza, Ernesto Barrio Boy Mexican American 1971 Autobiography of a Mexican American boy. Guy, Rosa Friends, The African American 1973 The story of a complicated and painful relationship between Edith, an African American girl and Phyllisia, a West Indian immigrant. Hayslip, Le Ly When Heaven and Earth Changed Places Vietnamese American 1989 Memoir of a Vietnamese woman who survived the horrors of the Vietnam War and eventually fled to America in search of peace. Hernandez, Irene Beltran Across the Great River Mexican American 1991 YA book about illegal Mexican immigrants. Hogan, Linda Mean Spirit Native American 1990 Stace Red Hawk goes to Washington D.C. to investigate crimes against the Native Americans of Oklahoma since the early 1900's Hurston, Zora Neale Their Eyes Were Watching God African American 1937 A classic of black literature, the story of Janie Crawford's evolving selfhood through 3 marriages. Jen, Gish Typical American Chinese American 1991 Funny book about a Chinese immigrant family. Johnson, Charles Middle Passage African American 1990 In 1830, a freed slave stows away on a slave ship that picks up a cargo comprised largely of an ancient tribe of magicians and begins an extraordinary voyage. Kadohata, Cynthia Floating World Japanese American 1989 Olivia and her Japanese-American family are on the road looking for a home in 1950's America. Kanazawa, Tooru J. Sushi and Sour Dough Japanese American 1989 Kelley, William Melvin A Different Drummer African American 1989 Tucker Caliban, descendant of an African chief brought to America in chains starts an exodus of Blacks from a Southern state. Kingsolver, Barbara Animal Dreams Native American 1990 Codi Noline learns secrets about her past that change her future when she returns home to care for her ailing father and to teach high school biology. Kingston, Maxine Hong Woman Warrior Chinese American 1976 Outstanding autobiography about growing up female and Chinese American in California Kogawa, Joy Obasan Japanese Canadian 1981 Based on the author's experiences, this story explores the evacuation, relocation, and dispersal of Japanese Canadians during WWII. Law-Yone, Wendy Coffin Tree, The Burmese American 1983 Disturbing book about a Burmese woman and her brother, political refugees that come to America. Lee, Gus China Boy Chinese American 1991 Kai Ting enters the boxing program at the YMCA and learns to survive the tough Panhandle of San Francisco. Lee, Helie Still Life With Rice Korean American 1997 The story of a Korean woman, told by her granddaughter in America. Lee, Marie Necessary Roughness Korean American 1996 Chan Jung Kim, A Korean American teen narrates the story of his family's move from L.A. to a small town in Minnesota. Lesley, Craig Winterkill Native American 1984 Danny Kachiah, an Indian on a downslide, sets off to retrieve his son whom he barely knows, and to reclaim himself before time runs out for both of them. Malcolm X (with Alex Haley) Autobiography of Malcolm X, The African America 1965 A great and controversial Black Muslim figure relates his transformation from street hustler to religious and national leader. Marshall, Paule Brown Girl, Brownstones Caribbean American 1959 Story of a Caribbean-American girl in New York City in the mid-20th century. Martinez, Victor Parrot in the Oven: mi vida Mexican American 1996 14-year-old Manny Hernandez wants to be respected, but the only way to get respect in his neighborhood is in a gang. A witty memoir of a Mexican-American adolescence. McBride, James Color of Water, The: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother African American 1996 McBride blends his story with that of his mother, who battled poverty and racism to raise twelve children. McCall, Nathan Makes Me Wanna Holler: A Young Black Man in America African American 1994 Journalist Nathan McCall recounts his experiences--from his childhood in an African-American neighborhood, to a 3-year prison term, to a job with the Washington Post. McCunn, Ruthanne Lum Thousand Pieces of Gold Chinese American 1981 The story of a young Chinese girl sold by her parents to unscrupulous men who bring her to the early American West, but she finds a way to survive and overcome. Mehta, Ved Sound-Shadows of the New World Indian American 1985 A blind Indian boy travels to Arkansas to attend a special school where he is challenged by handicap, loneliness, and culture shock. Minatoya, Lydia Talking to High Monks in the Snow Japanese American 1992 A young Japanese American's search for her family's past takes her from New York to Asia Mohr, Nicholasa Nilda Puerto Rican 1986 YA novel about a young girl growing up in Spanish Harlem in the 1940's. Momaday, N. Scott House Made of Dawn Native American 1968 fictional story based on the author's Indian ancestors. Pulitzer Prize winner. Mora, Pat House of Houses Mexican American 1997 With magic and imagination, the author weaves the voices of her ancestors into her own personal account of growing up in El Paso, Texas. Morrison, Toni Beloved African American 1987 Preferring death over slavery for her children, Sethe murders her infant daughter who later mysteriously returns and almost destroys the lives of her mother and sister. Morrison, Toni Bluest Eye, The African American 1970 Pecola years to have beautiful blue eyes like the little white girls she sees. Mukherjee, Bharati Jasmine Indian American 1989 Jasmine leaves India and comes to Manhattan and eventually Iowa Namioka, Lensey April and the Dragon Lady Chinese American 1994 April tries to reconcile her traditional Chinese upbringing with her American dreams. Naylor, Gloria Women of Brewster Place, The African American 1982 A novel in the form of seven short stories of the very different black women. Ng, Fae Myenne Bone Chinese American 1993 The story of the Leongs, a Chinese American family living in San Francisco's Chinatown, and the generation gap between the parents and the children. Okada, John No-No Boy Japanese American 1976 One of the first books written about the Japanese internment of the 1940's. Parks, Gordon The Learning Tree African American 1963 The story of a young black boy's perilous climb out of childhood. Potok, Chaim Chosen, The Jewish American 1967 The story of a friendship between two Jewish boys--one Hasidic and the other Orthodox. Power, Susan Grass Dancer, The Native American 1994 Ending in the 1980's with the love story of Charlene Thunder and grass dancer Harley Wind Soldier, this multigenerational tale of a Sioux family is told in the voices of the living and the dead. Rodriguez, Luis Always Running: La Vida Loca Mexican American 1993 Rodriguez tells the story of his life in a Los Angeles gang and his later experiences as a Chicano activist. Rodriguez, Richard Hunger of Memory Mexican American 1982 Rodriguez's journey through the educational system leads to his belief that family, culture, and language must be left behind to succeed in mainstream America. Sanders, Dori Clover African American 1990 A humorous, poignant tale of family and race differences, told by 10-year-old Clover, after losing her father and being raised by her white mother. Santiago, Danny Famous All Over Town Mexican American 1983 Set in an L.A. barrio, bright, funny, and sensitive Chato is pressured to be macho and violent by his father and the neighborhood gang. Santiago, Esmeralda When I Was Puerto Rican Puerto Rican 1993 A story of a young girl trapped between two cultures, the author gives an extraordinary view of what it is like to be Puerto Rican and an immigrant in New York City. Shange, Ntozake Betsey Brown African American 1985 13-year-old Betsey Brown and her encounters with the problems of adolescence, racism, and first love in the 1950's in St. Louis. Sinclair, Jo Changelings, The Jewish American and African American 1985 In the 1950's American Midwest, first generation Eastern European Jewish children learn to accept Blacks in their midst. Sone, Monica Nisei Daughter Japanese American 1979 A story of the evacuation and relocation of Japanese Americans during 1942-1945 in the Pacific Northwest. Soto, Gary Jesse Mexican American 1994 Two ambitious Mexican American brothers who hope that education will help them escape their heritage of tedious physical labor. Tan, Amy Joy Luck Club, The Chinese American 1989 A young Chinese-American woman learns of her mother's tragic early life in China through a group of Chinese women and their daughters. Uchida, Yoshiko Picture Bride Japanese American 1987 Taro journeys to America in the early 1900s to marry a man she has never met. Villasenor, Victor Macho! Mexican American 1991 This novel brings the Mexican immigrant experience to life through the character of 17-year-old Roberto Garcia. Walker, Alice Color Purple, The African American 1982 In a series of letters to God and her sister, Celie reveals her struggle to overcome the violence and brutality in her life. Walker, Alice Meridian African American 1976 The story of a courageous black woman who becomes a voice in the struggle of her race to gain equality in a changing South. Walker, Alice Third Life of Grange Copeland, The African American 1970 A black sharecropper flees the South but later returns to what is left of his family and begins a new life. Williams, Sherley Anne Dessa Rose African American 1999 This historical novel is based on two actual incidents: one involving a black woman and one involving a white woman who gave sanctuary to runaway slaves. The author imagines what would have happened if they had met. Wright, Richard Native Son African American 1940 For Bigger Thomas, an African American man accused of a crime in the white man's world, there could be no extenuating circumstances, no explanations and only death.