The Lack of Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults Karen Patricia Smith discusses in her article "The Multicultural Ethic and Connections to Literature for Children and Young Adults," published in Library Trends in 1993 , the interest in identifying specific issues regarding the lack of multiculturalism in children's and young adult literature. It also explains the relationship between literature and multicultural perspectives and the answer to the need for multicultural books for children and young adults. Smith states several reasons and concerns as to why there is a problem with the lack of multiculturalism in children's and young adult literature. including the potential for stereotyping and lack of interest from multicultural authors and illustrators. It also states several possible solutions on how these situations can be dissuaded, on the librarians' and educators' front, from occurring and affecting children. Additionally, Smith provides examples of how it would be possible to spark more interest from multicultural authors/illustrators in this field of literature. Smith introduces the concept of multiculturalism and how America has “always been a 'multicultural' country” (Smith, p. 1), but it did not become a realization for the American people until the 1960s and the civil rights movement . Explain how the word “multicultural” was used synonymously with earlier understandings of “minority.” This included African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and Native American cultures, to name a few. In time this will eventually include “disabled individuals, gays and lesbians, and, in short, any person whose lifestyle, whether imposed or otherwise, distinguishes them as an identifiable member of a group… middle of paper . .....the cultural background to introduce, but never provides a precise example of how to do it. Multicultural literature, especially children's literature, can influence how an entire culture may be perceived. The lack of multicultural literature for children and young adults, and the lack of those writing from a wide range of cultures, can have negative effects on how cultures are viewed by those outside them. We need to find a better and more effective way to increase multicultural literature for young people in order to create better relationships that transcend cultural boundaries. Smith, Karen Patricia. "Multicultural ethics and connections with children's and young people's literature". Library Trends Winter 1993: 340+. General OneFile. Network. 18 February 2014. Document URL http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA13208327&v=2.1&u=mlin_b_bunkhcc&it=r&p=ITOF&sw=w