Race, Identity, and The Classroom: How Young Adult Literature Can Help Students and Teachers Explore Belonging in the School Environment

Authors

• Madyson A. McRay, James Madison UniversityFollow

Abstract

Contemporary classrooms are not necessarily reflective of the curriculum written to support them. Classroom demographics have shifted and student populations are more diverse. Because of this, the implementation of dominant white-narrative curricula has become ineffective in keeping students engaged with the material. Teaching “the classics” becomes irrelevant when students cannot see themselves represented in the text. Young adult literature, however, allows students to relate their own experiences to the text to engage more deeply in content. This paper examines four novels: New Kid by Jerry Craft, This is My America by Kim Johnson, The Secret Battle of Evan Pao by Wendy Wan-Long Shang, and Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga. Each of these texts explores the concepts of race, identity, and belonging and how each affects a young adult’s school and community experiences. Research on how young adult texts are used in the classroom to promote ideals of inclusion and representation is included to provide context to how important it is to diversify texts to engage students in course content. An analysis of the four novels and their connections to both each other and research regarding representation in the classroom is followed by potential curricular implementations to provide educators with the materials needed to bring diverse texts into their classrooms. By combining diverse stories with traditional texts in the classroom, educators have the power to create not only informed students, but well-rounded and enlightened citizens.

Author Biography

Madyson McRay is an undergraduate Elementary Education student at James Madison University, graduating in 2027. Inspired by a love of reading growing up, she is interested in exploring how literature can impact student experiences both in and out of the classroom. She wants educators and students alike to know a good book can unlock doors and opportunities never once thought possible. Never stop reading and exploring new worlds!

Recommended Citation

McRay, Madyson A. (2026) "Race, Identity, and The Classroom: How Young Adult Literature Can Help Students and Teachers Explore Belonging in the School Environment," Virginia English Journal: Vol. 74: Iss. 2, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/vej/vol74/iss2/7