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libcolleen's review
4.0
I've been using this as a supplement for our home school curriculum which is generally good but this book serves as an important antidote to the Euro-centric and mythologizing social studies curriculum. I wish it had a lot more illustrations, archival photos, and documents.
beyondevak's review
5.0
Quick Summary: Excellent educational resource
My Review: Multicultural ed text for MS and HS students
My Final Say: Students really liked A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki. They indicated that they found it to be informative and eye opening. They had rich conversations on the subject matters presented, as well as Socratic seminars on key topics revealed. Alongside reading this text, they used primary and secondary sources to aid them in better understanding the book's content.
I loved how comprehensive Takaki's book was. It covered so much about the different peoples who came to inhabit this country. It also shared information on the indigenous people who were native to this land.
What I walked away with as my personal takeaways was:
1) Though different, we share many commonalities and experiences.
2) The standards and ideals that our nation was founded upon were not always honored or lived out with respect to all people.
3) When we fail to acknowledge and live out "justice for all" and "all men are created equal," we sadly doom ourselves, quite often repeating history.
4) The more things change, the more they stay the same.
5) Standing up and speaking up against injustices focused toward any wrongfully oppressed people group, no matter who they are or where they come from, will always be right and necessary.
6) Omitting history does not negate it. History must be told in totality.
7) Truth always comes to light.
8) Laws and policies should benefit all and not just some.
9) Illegal practices being written to "legally" cloak wrongs is still and will always be WRONG.
10) Just because something doesn't affect you and yours directly does not mean you should remain silent on the matter. Be an advocate. Apply the "Golden Rule."
I could have kept going, but I'll stop there. Read this book for yourself. Dig into history and learn. Thereafter, keep learning, keep growing, and keep seeking truth. Finally, live with truth as your guide. (Do this on repeat.)
Other: Should you choose to opt out of reading this book, ask yourself why. I challenge you to be open enough to get real. Don't form your opinion based on the arguments and views of others. (Not even mine.) As with any book, any aspect of history, or any experience in life, view it through the lens of honesty, with a conviction and commitment to obtaining true clarity.
Rating: 5+++/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: YA to A
Favorites Shelf: Yes
#wishlistread
My Review: Multicultural ed text for MS and HS students
My Final Say: Students really liked A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki. They indicated that they found it to be informative and eye opening. They had rich conversations on the subject matters presented, as well as Socratic seminars on key topics revealed. Alongside reading this text, they used primary and secondary sources to aid them in better understanding the book's content.
I loved how comprehensive Takaki's book was. It covered so much about the different peoples who came to inhabit this country. It also shared information on the indigenous people who were native to this land.
What I walked away with as my personal takeaways was:
1) Though different, we share many commonalities and experiences.
2) The standards and ideals that our nation was founded upon were not always honored or lived out with respect to all people.
3) When we fail to acknowledge and live out "justice for all" and "all men are created equal," we sadly doom ourselves, quite often repeating history.
4) The more things change, the more they stay the same.
5) Standing up and speaking up against injustices focused toward any wrongfully oppressed people group, no matter who they are or where they come from, will always be right and necessary.
6) Omitting history does not negate it. History must be told in totality.
7) Truth always comes to light.
8) Laws and policies should benefit all and not just some.
9) Illegal practices being written to "legally" cloak wrongs is still and will always be WRONG.
10) Just because something doesn't affect you and yours directly does not mean you should remain silent on the matter. Be an advocate. Apply the "Golden Rule."
I could have kept going, but I'll stop there. Read this book for yourself. Dig into history and learn. Thereafter, keep learning, keep growing, and keep seeking truth. Finally, live with truth as your guide. (Do this on repeat.)
Other: Should you choose to opt out of reading this book, ask yourself why. I challenge you to be open enough to get real. Don't form your opinion based on the arguments and views of others. (Not even mine.) As with any book, any aspect of history, or any experience in life, view it through the lens of honesty, with a conviction and commitment to obtaining true clarity.
Rating: 5+++/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: YA to A
Favorites Shelf: Yes
#wishlistread
jordana_dear's review
5.0
If you are looking to learn more about our nation's multicultural history this is an excellent place to start. This book touches on each ethnic group to have found home here and background on the history built as well as sheds further light on the racial plights and stigmas found since Europeans first set foot and began their destruction of Native Americans and lands in current issues we have faced since 9/11 and the fight for Dreamers.
christinavarela's review
4.0
It’s not a perfect book but it’s a good start for anyone who has only been taught a single narrative of U.S. history. Written in an accessible manner.
lindsaybethlyons's review against another edition
3.0
This book provides a quick overview of perspectives of several racial groups in US history. I think there are other books that are more detailed and use more thoughtful language. If I used this book, I would problematize some of the phrases that seem to try to absolve white folx of acts of white supremacy.
tcookie1's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
I feel like this would be a great book for middle school or high school students (as they are the intended audience) but as I had to read this for a grad school face, the surface level of information felt lacking. I also don't feel like I did not get enough of the different lenses. I am curious how the "adult" version compares