The linguistic, cultural, and ethnic mixture in many countries, including the United States, is changing rapidly and varies significantly from such old standbys as "Johnny Appleseed" or "Dick and Jane." Learning to communicate effectively in a new language involves gaining familiarity with the present-day culture of the country in which one resides. For both learners of a second language and those of a foreign language, this can mean developing an awareness of the changing demographics of the country or countries where the language is spoken. This article examines the importance of promoting language acquisition through ethnically diverse literature. The authors give suggestions for books to use in the classroom and related activities. (Contains 3 tables.)