A comprehensive set unique in its scope, this encyclopedia is an excellent foundational resource that adds much to the growing field of ethnic American literature. Many resources devoted to ethnic literatures have traditionally been exclusive groupings of multicultural African American, Native American, Hispanic American, and Jewish American literature. In this new multivolume work, a plethora of often-overlooked ethnic American writing can be found in over 1,100 entries on topics that include Swedish American literature, bilingualism, canon, immigration, Native American gay literature, and Italian American film (complete with an entry for HBO's The Sopranos, discussing among other things, its cultural impact upon the stereotyping of Italian culture). In addition, central characters of major works are interspersed among the alphabetically listed entries….[t]his encyclopedia provides a necessary framework for understanding and appreciating diversity by embracing American ethnic literature in its entirety. Highly recommended. All library collections; all levels.

Choice

[A] major resource on ethnic American writers from the Colonial era, to the present….Featuring well over 1000 entries, the work celebrates American cultual diversity in all its vastness, covering not only key writers but also works, genres, major events, and much more. [A] clearly organized and thoughtfully produced five-volume reference set that describes ethnic contributors to American literature….Recommended for high school. college, and larger public libraries.

Library Journal

This is a perfect resource for students (and librarians) who wish to find authors who are of a specific ethnicity. This is a good starting point for research, providing basic information and cross-references to related topics. This could be used by advanced junior high school students and certainly by all high school students, primarily in literature courses. Recommended.

Library Media Connection

Unique to this set is its scope; it is the first reference work that aspires to provide a comprehensive sketch of American ethnic writing….This work is recommended without reservation for larger public libraries and academic libraries.

Reference & User Services Quarterly

[A]ny library that serves a population which has an interest in literature, whatever its ethnic status, would do well to have this handsome work on its shelves.

Reference Reviews

The publication of this encyclopedia is worthy of celebration. An ambitious project, it is the first reference work that seeks to offer a comprehensive introduction to a spectacularly diverse range of ethnic American writing. The editor and contributors live up to that statement. The represented ethnic literatures include African American, Amish, Chinese American, Jewish American, Native American, and Vietnamese American, among many others. There are over 1,100 signed entries, of which approximately 1,000 are on individual authors. Entries run in length from one to several pages and are followed by a list of suggested readings….Highly recommended, this is an essential work for high school, college, and public libraries.

MultiCultural Review