Longitudinal Interactional Histories

This insightful book examines the language and literacy journeys of five Mexican immigrant youths, detailing their experiences and growth over eight years.

In Longitudinal Interactional Histories, the author delves into the experiences of five Mexican immigrant-origin youths navigating their language and literacy journeys in the United States. Over an extensive eight-year period, from adolescence into young adulthood, the book provides a rich qualitative analysis of these individuals' lives. By employing a longitudinal interactional histories approach (LIHA), the author captures various literacy events and the personal narratives that accompany the texts created by these young people. This method allows for a deeper understanding of the bilingual and biliterate development opportunities available to them, both within and beyond formal educational settings.

The book begins with a thorough overview of the theoretical frameworks and research that inform the project. It highlights the importance of countering the minoritizing discourses that many multilingual immigrant youths encounter while emphasizing the positive aspects of their experiences. Following this introduction, the methodology, including the LIHA approach, is detailed, setting the stage for the individual case studies that follow.

Each case study offers a unique perspective on the lives of the five youths, culminating in a comprehensive synthesis that discusses the broader pedagogical, policy, and research implications of their experiences. Longitudinal Interactional Histories is particularly valuable for students, scholars, educators, and policymakers who are engaged with bilingual and biliterate immigrant youth, providing insights that can inform better practices and support systems.