Table of Contents

Introduction: My Story, Our Story
Chapter One: Why a Different Mirror?
Chapter Two: Removing the “Savages”
Chapter Three: The Hidden Origins of Slavery
Chapter Four: The Road to the Reservation
Chapter Five: Life in Slavery
Chapter Six: The Flight from Ireland
Chapter Seven: The War Against Mexico
Chapter Eight: From China to Gold Mountain
Chapter Nine: Dealing with the Indians
Chapter Ten: The Japanese and “Money Trees”
Chapter Eleven: Jews are Pushed from Russia
Chapter Twelve: Up from Mexico
Chapter Thirteen: Blacks Arrive in Northern Cities
Chapter Fourteen: World War II and America’s Ethics Problem
Chapter Fifteen: Calls for Change
Chapter Sixteen: New Waves of Newcomers
Chapter Seventeen: “We Will All Be Minorites”
Notes
Glossary
Index

About the Author

RONALD TAKAKI (1939-2009) was recognized as one of the foremost scholarsof American ethnic history and diversity. He is the author of the multipleaward-winning books Strangers from a Distant Shore- A History of AsianAmericans and A Different Mirror- A History of Multicultural America.

REBECCASTEFOFFspecializes in writing nonfiction for young readers, with a focus on scientific, historical, and literary subjects. She previously explored the subject of evolution inCharles Darwin and the Evolution Revolution(Oxford University Press, 1996) and the four-volume seriesHumans- An Evolutionary History(Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2010). Stefoff has also written on exploration, forensic investigation, and archaeology, among other topics. In addition to writing her own books, Stefoff has adapted several important nonfiction works for young audiences-A Young People's History of the United States, based on Howard Zinn's bestselling classic of progressive history; Before Columbus- The Americas in 1491, based on Charles C. Mann's ground-breaking new look at the archaeology of the pre-Columbian Americas; andA Different Mirror for Young People, based on a major work of scholarship by ethnic historian Ronald Takaki.

Reviews

“[A Different Mirror is] a splendid achievement, a bold and refreshing new approach to our national history. The research is meticulous, the writing powerful and eloquent, with what can only be called an epic sweep across time and cultures.” —Howard Zinn

“This 375-page book would be an excellent way to include multi-ethnic materials in the classroom as a way to ensure that your students see their unique identities reflected in their coursework.” —Skipping Stones

“A Different Mirror advances a truly humane sense of American possibility.” —Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

"The 'mirror' that Ronald Takaki holds up to the United States reflects a multicultural history of oppression and exploitation, but also struggle, solidarity, and community. In the most profound sense, this is a people's history of our country. Takaki shows what has torn us apart, yet what knits us together. This young people's version of A Different Mirror will introduce a new generation to Takaki's pathbreaking scholarship." —Bill Bigelow, curriculum editor, Rethinking Schools, and co-director, Zinn Education Project

Gr 6 Up-This established adult classic of multiculturalism has been pared down for a younger audience. Stefoff, who previously adapted Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States (Longman, 1980), takes a crack at Takaki's look at America and its people. Focusing on a variety of groups-Jews, Chinese, Japanese, Africans, Irish, Mexicans, Afghans, Vietnamese, and more-this volume tells America's story through the millions of people who came here seeking the Land of Opportunity only to find low wages, pitiable living conditions, and bigotry at every turn. Yet Takaki keeps bitterness at bay, writing with hope and conviction about the many opportunities for young Americans to make change in a country where, soon enough, "we all will be minorities." Stefoff adds a few nice touches-the short stories of individuals ending each chapter definitely make the content more relatable-but many young people would be better off sticking with Takaki's original text.-Sam Bloom, Blue Ash Library, Cincinnati, OH (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.