Navigating Children's and Young Adult Literature in an Era of Contested Literacies: Possibilities for Education Research and Teaching

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

In today’s volatile U.S. political climate—from cases like Mahmoud v. Taylor to executive orders targeting so-called “radical indoctrination”—children’s and youth literature is a vital space for shaping and contesting narratives of identity, equity, and belonging. This AERA Presidential session, “Navigating Children’s and Young Adult Literature in an Era of Contested Literacies,” examines how this literature fosters empathy, resistance, and social change amid debates over diversity, censorship, and curriculum reform. Leading scholars and educators will explore literature’s role in helping youth navigate sociopolitical realities, build critical thinking, and imagine just futures. The session highlights the urgent responsibility and radical potential of diverse stories to cultivate resilient, informed, and engaged citizens, both in and beyond the classroom.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• E. Sybil Durand, Arizona State University

Participants

• James Joshua Coleman, Arizona State University

• Angel Daniel Matos, Bowdoin College

• Fabienne Doucet, New York University

• Rafael Rogers, Clark University

• Jung E. Kim, Lewis University

• Autumn A. Griffin, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• shea wesley martin, The Ohio State University

• Patricia Enciso, The Ohio State University

• Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, University of Michigan

• Jon M. Wargo, University of Michigan