Rene Saldana, PhD

Research Area
I have become increasingly interested in the use of culturally relevant literature in the underrepresented classrooms, more specifically at the middle school level. I feel that if reluctant and non-readers are shown literature that validates them and their culture in respectful and accurate ways, they will be more encouraged to take a more active role in their own literacy educations.

Projects 
At present, I am putting the finishing touches on an anthology of stories for young adults about how young people cope when they are faced with Alzheimer’s sufferers.  Once this is completed, I will continue working on my next novel for young adults, that also has to do with Alzheimer’s Disease and adoption.  In addition, I am putting together a second short story collection for young adults.

Classes Taught
EDLL 4382 Read & Write in Secondary Classrooms
EDLL 5350 Dev Language Arts Prgms

Selected Publications
The Jumping Tree, a novel (Random House/Delacorte, 2001)
Finding Our Way: Stories (Random House/Wendy Lamb Books, 2003)
The Whole Sky Full of Stars, a novel (Random House/Wendy Lamb Books,
2007)
“The Heart of the Soul of the World” Face Relations: Stories from Beneath the
Skin (Simon & Schuster, 2004)
"Maybe Yeah, Maybe Nah" Guys Write for GUYS READ (Viking, 2005)
“Jump Away” Every Man For Himself: Stories about Being a Guy (Dial for Young
Readers, 2005)
“Not Much To It” Make Me Over: 11 Stories About Transformation (Dutton,
2005)