By Gabrielle Ahuliʻi Ferreira Holt
As we approach summer, libraries and schools are publishing reading lists of suggestions for children’s summer reading. All reading lists have their own personalities, curated by the librarians and teachers who create them. What many of them have in common, however, is that many books from the children’s literature “canon” tend to appear over and over again. While the canon exists for a reason–many of these texts are influential, memorable, or enjoyable–I want to take the opportunity to empower teachers, librarians and families to think beyond the canon.
Instead of using “classic children’s literature” as the foundation, let us rather think of it as a jumping off point; a way for children to identify the type of narrative they enjoy, and send them into a journey through a more diverse world of children’s literature. What follows is a selection of children’s literature from the Western canon, followed by recommendations or “refreshments”. This blog post was inspired in part by the “Refreshing the Canon” booklist initiative by the NCTE and School Library Journal, but also builds upon a previous blog post that I wrote advocating for diverse children’s literature in the classroom and library.
The books selected below were chosen for a few reasons. Titles like The Chronicles of Narnia, A Wrinkle in Time and Are You There, God? were selected not because their content is problematic, but because their place in children’s literature provides a lovely jumping off point into books that have similar themes, genres and narratives while also providing the “mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors” that I spoke of in my previous article. Others, like Call it Courage and Little House on the Prairie, were chosen because I want to take this opportunity to suggest books that provide a more holistic and authentic perspective on the time periods or cultures portrayed in the books.
This blog post is not meant to be a scathing indictment of any of these volumes. Critique without meaningful engagement is pointless. Instead, this article is meant to educate and empower families, teachers and librarians to think critically and find new and exciting authors, writing within the genres and narratives that we have all grown up with. I also want to emphasize that many of the suggestions I am providing are not brand-new texts; I want to encourage readers to support their public libraries as much as possible, and texts that have been out for a few years are more likely to be found in these spaces. Of course, if you are adding these to your personal home library, I encourage you to use your local and used bookstores.
Re-Thinking The Canon
Re-Thinking: Call It Courage - Armstrong Sperry (1940)
Written in 1940, this slim novel for middle grade readers won the Newbery award, and tells the story of Mafatu, a young boy who becomes afraid of the ocean after witnessing his mother die. After being rejected by his father, he sets out on the sea in a canoe, and faces countless dangers along the way. He returns to his atoll, having conquered his fears.
As a Native Hawaiian, this book was the one I wanted to explore first. As it is a recipient of the prestigious Newbery award, I imagine it is in many schools and libraries across the world. The book takes place in the Marquesas, largely considered to be the ancestral home of Native Hawaiians. Pasifika peoples take great pride in their voyaging and navigation skills, and Mafatu’s journey in his canoe is supposed to reflect that. However, the book is written from an outsider’s perspective. Armstrong Sperry was inspired to write this book after sailing in the Pacific for six months between 1924 and 1925. As such, I would like to suggest some books written by Pasifika authors, written from within our own culture.
Consider Instead: Whale Rider - Witi Ihimaera (1987)
This book is written by a Maori author, and tells the story of Paikea, a young girl who, at the death of her brother at birth, “disrupts” the birthline of the chiefs. Her grandfather is obsessed with finding a male leader, but it is evident throughout the novel that the heir is closer than he thinks.
This book is a fantastic combination of abstract and concrete language. It is told both from the perspective of Paikea’s uncle, and a whale. While it is likely more advanced than Call it Courage, it would be a lovely read aloud. It feels as though you are stepping into Paikea’s life and family, and any Pacific Islander child would appreciate the language and references to culture throughout the book. I also can’t speak highly enough of the film adaptation (dir. Niki Caro, 2002), which would be a great viewing experience for middle grade students. \
Re-Thinking: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl (1964)
Roald Dahl’s work has actually been at the top of many people’s minds recently, as his estate and publishing house have been accused of censoring his text to make it more palatable for modern readers. Whether or not this constitutes censorship is not truly the point I am trying to make today; rather, I want to encourage readers to think beyond his works when searching for a fantasy series for middle grade readers. In my earlier blog post, I mentioned the pervasive fatphobia that appears throughout Dahl’s books. While I do think children are able to think critically about and reflect on their reading, they must be given the time and opportunity to do so. This is why simply including volumes such as these on reading lists might prove problematic; unless people are empowered to critically engage with problematic content and confront and discuss it, including these books on reading lists is a somewhat tacit stamp of approval.
Here, I argue that in 2024, there are many books available to children that have similar themes, narratives and sensibilities that children can be introduced to.
Consider Instead: Love Sugar Magic
- Zaraida Cordova (2018)
If a reader is looking for a book about magical treats, then encourage them to find Zaraida Cordova’s Love Sugar Magic series. This trilogy revolves around Leonora, whose family (unbeknownst to her) are a family of bruja, who inject their magic into their baking. Leonora wants badly to join the matriarchs of her family in magic-making, so when a friend approaches her with a problem, Leonora decides that this is the perfect time to show her family what she is capable of. The family relationships are realistic, and might prove to be a nice departure from the “family members are evil” trope that Dahl so often employed.
And: The Book that No One Wanted To Read
- Richard Ayoade (2022)
Similar to Dahl’s dry and witty tone, Richard Ayoade’s 2022 novel from the perspective of a book is a delightful read.Ayoade is a British comedian who has appeared in some of my favorite shows (The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd), directed many music videos, and has even appeared in Netflix’s recent adaptation of Dahl’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More. He brings that same whimsical tone to his book, and readers will find both the writing and the illustrations appealing and hilarious.
Re-Thinking: Little House on the Prairie - Laura Ingalls Wilder (1935)
Another beloved classic, this series has a long-established place on many home and school bookshelves. The series was lauded as providing a real insight into settler life, and Wilder won Newbery Honors for five books in the series.
Many, many readers have very fond memories of these books. I encourage many people to re-visit these books with a critical eye, paying extra attention to the eleventh chapter in the book Little House on the Prairie titled “Indians in the House”: “...she looked over her shoulder, and she saw two naked, wild men coming, one behind the other, on the Indian trail…They were tall, fierce looking men…Their eyes were black and still and glittering, like a snake’s eyes” (p. 135). “The naked wild men stood by the fireplace…just as she reached the hearth she smelled a horribly bad smell and she looked up at the Indians” (p.137). Later in the text, Laura observes that the pelts the men were wearing were skunk’s pelts, and “now Laura knew what made that bad smell.”
Ignoring the strange notion that Indigenous people (specifically, these citizens of the Osage Nation) would be wearing pelts that smelled, we also see throughout the text a consistent dehumanizing of the Osage people. When we un-critically recommend or use texts like these, who are we benefiting? What assumptions are we making about who our readers are? What would reading a description like that make a young child of the Osage Nation feel?
Thankfully, in 2024, we are blessed with many other books that provide a glimpse into this period of time, while granting our many young readers the gift of a mirror or sliding glass door that honors everyone’s identity.
Consider Instead: The Birchbark House
- Louise Erdrich (1999)
The Birchbark House is a perfect book. I am not being hyperbolic when I say this. This book has everything, and can be used in so many contexts. Not only is it a coming of age story, it is also a deeply emotional and poetic exploration of a family experiencing the rhythms of a typical year, with the added tensions of increased settler influence. Taking place initially in 1847, this first book in a quartet follows Omakayas, who is rescued as an infant from a smallpox outbreak. She is the only survivor in her village. The book begins in earnest when she is ten, and follows Omakayas and her family as they live a year together. Not only do you get a deeply immersive, empathetic portrayal of an Anishnaabe family in the 19th century, the book explores deeper, more complex themes of identity, found/chosen family, influences of change, and, perhaps most interestingly, Indigenous ways of knowing and understanding. I was fortunate to read this book with a group of third graders, and they still talk about the experience to this day. My Native Hawaiian students connected deeply with the exploration of the power of dreams and the respectful, reciprocal relationship that these Native peoples have with their own homes. Any reader will connect with this book. The entire quartet is a stunning piece of literature from one of the country’s greatest writers.
And: Prairie Lotus - Linda Sue Park (2020)
Linda Sue Park’s novel Prairie Lotus is another beautiful portrayal of this time period. This book takes place in 1880. Hanna, the main character, is the daughter of a Chinese immigrant mother and a White settler father. After losing her mother, Hanna and her father move to the Dakota territory, where Hanna and her father face all the obstacles of life in this time period, plus a more nuanced look at the communities of people at the time. This book would be a great conversation starter into many topics, namely the idea that life at this time was much more diverse than what is typically discussed or portrayed. Hanna is a strong female character - strong not because she demonstrates stereotypical “male” traits (a mistake I see often when a “strong female character” makes an appearance) , but because she is resilient, compassionate and knows who she is.
Refreshing the Canon
Refreshing: The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis (1950)
C.S. Lewis’ 1950s high-fantasy series is a children’s classic for a reason. The world of Narnia he created is so engaging - at one turn friendly and cozy, at another, dark and eerie. The constant conflict and change that the fantastical world of Narnia undergoes makes this world a more realistic one, and perhaps offers an opportunity for contemporary readers to draw parallels between the fantasy world of Narnia and their own society.
Also Consider: The Barren Grounds
- David A. Robertson (2020)
Like Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, David A. Robertson’s The Barren Grounds explores a world populated by fantastical beasts that is connected to our own. In this first book in The Misewa Saga series, our heroes are Morgan and Eli, two foster children who are adopted by a White settler family in what is now known as Winnipeg. Both Morgan and Eli are Native children, so when they discover the world of Misewa, it is not just a classic tale of “children entering a magical realm”, it is something much deeper and more complex. This series is an epic narrative of reclamation, identity, family, responsibility, respect - this is another series that truly has it all. I can’t speak highly enough of David A. Robertson and his writing. Hanahau‘oli School did a schoolwide read-aloud of this book, and I created a reading guide for it, which I hope readers will find helpful.
Refreshing: A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L’Engle (1962)
Given the popularity of Dune, and its mashup of fantasy and science fiction, it is likely that Madeleine L’Engle’s work will enjoy a resurgence in popularity as well. Readers get hooked on her dreamy, abstract and philosophical world-building, and stay for the very real, grounded characters. In particular, the relationship between Meg and Charles Murry, the siblings whose adventures begin L’Engle’s epic series, is just so sincere and positive that it’s impossible to not finish the series, just to see them succeed. In that vein, here are some great companion pieces to L’Engle’s phenomenal works.
Also Consider: Sal & Gabi Break The Universe
- Carlos Hernandez (2019)
Sal & Gabi Break The Universe is one of those rare books that is both an excellent read-aloud and a great independent read. Every single time I booktalk this book, our four (!) copies of this book are snatched up and rarely return for long. This story of Sal and his ability to open portals between worlds sounds abstract, but, like A Wrinkle in Time, it provides a wonderfully complex and human exploration of grief, transitions, friendship and courage. I love Hernandez’ writing - his dialogue feels so realistic (the voice of young people can be hard to nail down in books), and his characters are so multi-dimensional that they feel like they are in the room with you. The multiverse aspect of this book will be sure to entice fans of Marvel movies, and the emotional beats (both hilarious and heartbreaking) will draw every single reader in to stay.
And: Dragon Pearl - Yoon Ha Lee (2019)
Yoon Ha Lee’s 2019 genre bending space opera is just a stupendous piece of writing. As someone who is interested in ensuring the “mythology” (I say that term very lightly) of my culture continues to be vibrant and appealing to young audiences, I admire Yoon Ha Lee’s ability to take mythological elements from her own culture and adapt them to a world that is both futuristic and classical. Like the Murry siblings in L’Engle’s work, the protagonist of Dragon Pearl, Min, sets off on her journey to find a lost family member. Min is a fox spirit, whose brother disappears while he is a cadet in the Space Forces. Elements of high fantasy and classic science fiction are at play here, as Min searches for her brother in the depths of space while talking to spirits, encountering dragons and goblins, and questing for a powerful artifact.
Refreshing: Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret - Judy Blume (1970)
We all love a great coming of age story, and we all love Judy Blume. Her characters’ inner lives feel so urgent and present, as if we are living life alongside them. Encouraging children to read realistic fiction is important; it will help them build their problem-solving skills, their empathy, and help them find vocabulary and language to advocate for themselves and others. I highly recommend reading her entire canon (Frecklejuice and Blubber are two favorites of mine), and as children read her work, they may complement it with others.
Also Consider: Amina’s Voice
- Hena Khan (2017)
Hena Khan’s 2017 middle grade novel is a gentle and powerful story of family, friendship, overcoming prejudices, forgiveness and believing in yourself. Amina, the protagonist of the story, is gifted with a beautiful singing voice but lacks the confidence to share it with others. She is also beginning to experience some friendship conflict; someone close to her is now becoming friends with someone who has treated Amina poorly in the past. I have used this book in the classroom and the discussion was incredibly rich. In particular, it is a great conversation starter around racial and religious prejudice, as well as discussing micro vs. macroaggressions. Amina experiences all of the inner and outer conflict that Blume’s classic protagonists experience, and so will serve as a great companion to her work.
Refreshing: Holes - Louis Sachar (1998)
Louis Sachar’s Newbery award winning book is a much beloved novel - this is another classic book that is still enjoyed just as much today as it was when it was published 24 years ago. This story of Stanley, a boy who is often in the wrong place at the wrong time, resonates deeply with readers because it is a book that has elements of everything children love: a good mystery, a clear sense of right and wrong, villains that are both menacing and funny, supernatural elements, a timeline that switches back and forth in an interesting way, likeable characters, and a deeply meaningful friendship. There is also a survival element, as Stanley and his comrades at Camp Green Lake are forced to survive the harsh conditions of the desert.
Also Consider: Freewater - Amina Luqman-Dawson (2022)
Amina Luqman-Dawson won the Newbery award for her 2022 novel, which is the story of two siblings self-emancipating (escaping) their enslavement at the Southerland “Plantation” (forced labor camp). Homer and his sister Ada leave their mother behind, and discover Freewater, a community of other formerly enslaved people. This book, like Holes, does an excellent job of weaving together both supernatural and realistic elements. The characters are courageous and dynamic, and there is enough suspense and action that readers will stay engaged. It also uses multiple perspectives to tell the story, and will provide excellent conversation starters at home.
While just a tiny sample of what is out there, I hope this blog provides a good introduction about what to look for or how to “pair” books. Choosing classics to re-think or refresh presents us with an opportunity to visit and assess what we know, and identify what else we can look for. Often, books can make surprising or unexpected companions; Out Of My Mind (2010) by Sharon Draper makes an excellent companion to Number The Stars (1989), as they both explore deeper concepts of seeking freedom and overcoming prejudicial structures. As you read (or encourage your children to), create your own companion pairings! Keep track of them at home and compare and contrast these texts - it will be valuable time with your children and will keep their brains thinking and engaged over the summer!
ABOUT THE Contributor:
ʻO Gabrielle Ahuliʻi Ferreira Holt ke kahu puke ma ke kula o Hanahauʻoli, ma Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. He MLIS kona mai ke kulanui o Hawaiʻi ma Mānoa, a he BFA kona mai ke kulanui o British Columbia (ma ka ʻāina ʻōiwi no na poʻe xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh).
Gabrielle Ahuliʻi Ferreira Holt is the librarian at Hanahauʻoli School in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. She has a MLIS from the University of Hawaiʻi and a BFA from the University of British Columbia (situated on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm [Musqueam], Skwxwú7mesh [Squamish], Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh [Tsleil- Waututh] nations.) She is a third-generation graduate of Hanahauʻoli. She is the author of the series Hawaiian Legends for Little Ones (BeachHouse Publishing, HI), Hi'iaka and Pana'ewa: A Graphic Legend (Capstone Press, MN) and an upcoming Pele legend for McGraw-Hill/Literary Safari. Her website can be found at gabrielleahulii.com.
