Book Review: Linguistic Justice: Black language, literacy, identity, and pedagogy. By April Baker Bell

Abstract

based learning as a recommended approach for English Language Learners. This book is important as it delineates the need to acknowledge the limited nature of focusing on a skills-based approach to literacy development. Literacy learning needs to be joyful, meaning-centred, active and responsive to the needs of all learners. Arts integration in literacy lessons offers children opportunities to express themselves and respond to text in new and exciting ways – as can be seen from the numerous vignettes contained in this book. Children should experience a broad and balanced curriculum, rather than one narrowly focused on literacy and numeracy achievement. While I teach in a different country than Brouillette, the pressures on teachers to focus on skills to the detriment of enjoyable learning experiences is omnipresent. This book will be of interest to those who wish to foster a more holistic approach to literacy teaching that includes cross-curricular learning. I feel that many teachers might read this book and feel validated for their efforts to use meaningful integration to enhance literacy achievement. It might also bolster the confidence of novice teachers to begin to experiment with arts integration. It is refreshing to review such a jubilant text that might energise and inspire its readers!