Topics of Stress and Abuse in Children’s Literature for Intermediate Readers

Close to 900,000 incidents of child abuse and neglect are reported each year in the United States. These children are abused or maltreated physically, emotionally and sexually, in addition to being abused through neglect. Introducing this topic in the intermediate grades as a social justice/civil rights issue is one way to open the door to discussions of child abuse with children who may be experiencing abuse in their homes. Included here is an in-depth analysis of thirteen current texts for intermediate readers that contain significant incidents of child maltreatment, comparing the abuse within the books to actual statistics and types of maltreatment currently recognized within the United States. Suggestions and guidelines are given to teachers for using these books with children, although cautions against using bibliotherapy are clear throughout. 

Close to 900,000 incidents of child abuse and neglect are reported each year in the United States. These children are abused or maltreated physically, emotionally and sexually, in addition to being abused through neglect. Introducing this topic in the intermediate grades as a social justice/civil rights issue is one way to open the door to discussions of child abuse with children who may be experiencing abuse in their homes. Included here is an in-depth analysis of thirteen current texts for intermediate readers that contain significant incidents of child maltreatment, comparing the abuse within the books to actual statistics and types of maltreatment currently recognized within the United States. Suggestions and guidelines are given to teachers for using these books with children, although cautions against using bibliotherapy are clear throughout.