Tactics of Hope in Latinx Children's and Young Adult Literature

This study examines Latinx literature for young readers to demonstrate how it reveals the oppressions that affect the everyday lives of Latinx youth and counter racist notions through social-justice activism. It aims to empower Latinx young people to lead us into a future where equity and belonging are as endemic as they currently are rare.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

This groundbreaking study firmly establishes that Latinx children and young adults possess a unique capacity to shape the world. By employing Gloria Anzaldúa's theories of conocimiento as a critical lens, the authors delve into a diverse range of literary works, including "Side by Side/Lado a lado," "They Call Me GÜero," "Land of the Cranes," "Efrén Divided," and "Gabi, a Girl in Pieces." Through their analysis of these texts and others, Montaño and Postma-Montaño compellingly demonstrate how Latinx literature for young readers exposes the oppressive realities that impact the daily lives of Latinx youth, challenging the racist notions that shape their perspectives. Whether it's the injustices perpetrated in the agricultural fields, the weaponization of deportation and deportability, or the various forms of exclusion based on gender, ethnicity, and race, these books offer a powerful counterpoint by envisioning and actively participating in social-justice activism aimed at transforming the world. Ultimately, the lessons imparted within these books empower Latinx young people to lead us toward a future where equity and belonging are as prevalent as they currently remain rare.

Weight: 333g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826363831