On the Shoulders of Giants

This first book in a three volume series celebrates and examines the work of four African American authors of young adult literature. They are Virginia Hamilton Julius Lester Walter Dean Myers and Mildred D. Taylor; they serve as the foundation of young adult literature and provide robust stories that center and illuminate African American youth. In addition this volume also examines the role of the Coretta Scott King Award in promoting access and visibility to authors and illustrators who shine a spotlight on African American youth and society. The chapter authors--librarians and established and emerging scholars in the field of young adult literature--survey the work of Hamilton Lester Myers or Taylor; their accolades; and how audiences initially responded to their work. Each chapter highlights a single work and discusses how it might be taught providing pre during and post reading activities or in some cases individual small group or whole class activities. This volume is a resource for classroom teachers teacher educators reading specialists librarians and other educators who study research and read young adult literature. This first volume supplements studies in the foundations of African American authors of young adult literature and explorations of critical works by these authors.