Diverse Literature in Elementary School Libraries
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DIVERSE LITERATURE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARIES: WHO CHOOSES AND WHY? by Donna Marie Bulatowicz A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana May 2017 © COPYRIGHT by Donna Marie Bulatowicz 2017 All Rights Reserved ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dr. Rachael Waller inspired this journey. Without her mentorship, guidance, and encouragement, I would not have started on this path. I owe her immense gratitude. Throughout my doctoral journey, Dr. Joyce Herbeck, my committee chair, has mentored, supported, and encouraged me. I would not be where I am or who I am without her. The words thank you are insufficient to express my deep gratitude to her. Likewise, the rest of my dissertation committee, Dr. Art Bangert, Dr. Ann Ewbank, Dr. David Henderson, and Dr. Sarah Schmitt-Wilson, have supported, encouraged, and mentored me throughout my four years at Montana State University. My entire committee has my deepest thanks for not only the time they have invested, but also for inspiring me, challenging me, and helping me to grow into who I am today. My colleagues at Montana State University-Billings deserve many thanks for helping me persist and providing me with advice through this challenging but amazing year; I was a new full-time faculty member while working on my dissertation. I especially thank Dr. Kari Dahle-Huff, Dr. Cindy Dell, and Dr. Rachael Waller for feedback, advice, support, and long talks that helped me figure out new insights. Although I am so grateful to all of my relatives for shaping me, loving me, guiding me, and supporting me, my mom, Renee Bulatowicz, deserves special thanks. She helped me look up school websites for potential participants, checked numbers and calculations for quantitative data, and looked over my entire dissertation. I am also thankful for the love, support, and encouragement of my friends, as well as for all of the laughter and fun. I am lucky to have so much love in my life. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................1 Publishing Industry ........................................................................................................5 Importance of Diverse Literature ...................................................................................6 Mirrors, Windows, and Doors .................................................................................7 Identity Development through Literature ................................................................8 Problem ..........................................................................................................................9 Purpose and Significance of the Study ........................................................................11 Research Questions ......................................................................................................13 Limitations and Delimitations ......................................................................................13 Limitations .............................................................................................................14 Delimitations ..........................................................................................................15 Summary ......................................................................................................................18 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ..............................................................................................20 Introduction ..................................................................................................................20 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................21 Racism is Ubiquitous .............................................................................................22 Counter-Storytelling ..............................................................................................23 Interest Convergence .............................................................................................24 Summary ................................................................................................................24 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................25 Internal Influences .................................................................................................28 External Influences ................................................................................................29 Identity Development...................................................................................................31 Social Identity ........................................................................................................32 Racial Identity ........................................................................................................33 Gender Identity ......................................................................................................35 Sexual Orientation Identity ....................................................................................36 Faith/Religious Identity .........................................................................................37 Intersectionality......................................................................................................37 Literature and Identity Development ...........................................................................38 Representation Studies .................................................................................................42 Reactions to Diverse Literature ...................................................................................46 Possible Reasons for Challenges .................................................................................47 School and Classroom Library Book Selections .........................................................49 School Libraries .....................................................................................................50 Classroom Libraries ...............................................................................................51 Preschool Classroom Library ...........................................................................53 Summary ......................................................................................................................55 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED 3. METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................56 Introduction ..................................................................................................................56 Research Questions ......................................................................................................57 Research Design...........................................................................................................57 Instruments ...................................................................................................................58 Survey Description, Reliability, and Validity ........................................................59 Pilot Studies ...........................................................................................................62 Interviews ...............................................................................................................63 Data Collection ............................................................................................................64 Participants ...................................................................................................................68 Interview Participants ............................................................................................68 Jana ..................................................................................................................69 Amber ..............................................................................................................69 Kaitlin ..............................................................................................................69 Stephanie ..........................................................................................................69 Sarah ................................................................................................................70 Kristin ..............................................................................................................70 Carolyn .............................................................................................................70 Melissa .............................................................................................................70 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................71 Quantitative Analysis .............................................................................................71 Qualitative Analysis ...............................................................................................71 Trustworthiness ............................................................................................................73 Researcher Background and Positionality .............................................................75 Summary ......................................................................................................................77