ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the work of one of the most significant oppositional voices of contemporary American children's literature, that of Mildred D. Taylor. Taylor's work is especially worthy of attention because it dramatically demonstrates that it is possible for literary works to articulate a progressive politics and historical vision in a form that sacrifices neither historical accuracy nor aesthetic value. The chapter discusses the ways in which Taylor's work incorporates, at both the level of content and form, the themes of culturally conscious writers and considers accounts of resistance at critical junctures of her narrative. Mildred Taylor has provided with exciting, brilliantly characterized, eminently readable narratives containing voices of those too often silenced and ignored by their society's dominant modes of cultural expression. It is of firm conviction that among the important responsibilities of progressive educators is to insure that such voices are heard by all children.
