Teaching social justice in social studies through young adult literature

Abstract

The authors discuss techniques for approaching current events in America's history through the use of contemporary young adult literature in the social studies classroom. The authors discuss issues of social justice as they relate to the events of September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina. Freedom, democracy, gender equality, ethnicity, race, class, and socioeconomic status are topics analyzed through the use of four young adult novels. The authors discuss various classroom activities that complement the novels to inspire social studies teachers to incorporate young adult literature into their classrooms and to foster creative techniques to begin sensitive discussions about social justice and change.