How to Analyze Texts

How to choose Anti-Racist/Anti-bias texts that address social justice

There are plenty of books to choose from, but the first thing I consider when reviewing a text is representation and bias. To assist with this, there are several helpful anti-racist and anti-bias text evaluation tools available:

• Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children's Books, Social Justice Books

• Selecting Diverse Texts, Learning for Justice

• Screening for Bias, Washington State OSPI

In addition to these tools, I find myself often asking these questions:

• What narratives are we enforcing about the groups of people in the story? What narratives are we enforcing over the curriculum as a whole?

• How does this book allow students to critically engage with the world they are inheriting and inspire them to create positive change in their communities?

• Does the story show that people who live diverse experiences are the center of the story? Does the stories center and normalize differences?

• How is the story relevant to my students’ lives today?

• Does my curriculum as a whole affect the different identity groups represented in my classroom?

• Does the author have the authority to write about the topic? For example, if the author is not Caribbean, what life experience gives them the authority to write about a Caribbean centered story?

How to choose Indigenous Texts

The first thing I do when reviewing a text from an Indigenous perspective is read what American Indian Children's Literature says about it. We continue to cause significant harm to Indigenous people in many ways, including the ways we refer to them in our books. Dr. Reese emphasizes these points when reviewing texts:

1. Is the book by a Native author or illustrator?

2. Does the book, in some way, include something to tell readers that we are sovereign nations?

3. Is the book tribally specific, and is the tribally specific information accurate?

4. Is it set in the present day? If it is historical in structure, does it use present tense verbs that tell readers the Native peoples being depicted are part of today's society?