For nearly a decade Marc Aronson ran an imprint dedicated to
international and multicultural literature for teens. He was known in
the industry for publishing "edgy" books, and for his commitment to
bringing the experiences of non-dominant authors and illustrators to the
world. Yet in the summer of 2001 he wrote an essay that argued against
awards, such as the Pure Belpre and Coretta Scott King prizes, for which
you must be a member of a given ethnic group to win. Not surprisingly,
his article was very controversial; and the author and publisher Andrea
Davis Pinkney who had created an imprint specifically designed to be of,
by, and for African Americans, published a thoughtful reply. Here, in
Beyond the Pale, Aronson explains the passionate convictions that led
him to write his essay, and outlines objections made by others; then
reprints the original alongside Pinkney's response. As Aronson prepared
a formal response to his critics, the attacks of September 11th took
place. This tragedy simultaneously made a squabble among authors seem
petty, and the issues around art, society, and cultural diversity all
the more important. Throughout 2001 and 2002, Aronson wrote essays in
which he weighed out how art, history, and books for younger readers
could respond to the altered world. As in his previous collection,
Exploding the Myths, the Truth About Teenagers and Reading, he exposes
the mythologies and false beliefs that distort our understanding of
books and their readers. Provocative and informative, this collection of
essays will challenge those who know children's literature well to think
in new ways, while linking the debates within that industry to the wider
intellectual currents of our time.
