Whose Image Is Still Missing? An Update on Diversity in Transitional Chapter Book Series

• In Event: The Impact of Students’ Characteristics and Motivation on Literacy Competencies

Abstract

In December 2012, a New York Times cover story drew substantial attention to the dearth of familiar images for young Latino readers in transitional chapter book series. This session presents an update on that study, reporting data on the diversity of representations of gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, family structure, and setting in short chapter book series published in the past 10 years, including newer titles released since that report. Implications for the development of reading fluency and stamina for transitional readers will be discussed.

Author

• Jane Fleming, Erikson Institute