With compelling selections by some of the world's most respected and critically acclaimed writers, The New World Reader encourages exploration of some of the most significant global challenges of the 21st century. Students consider topics that affect their lives, such as the challenges and consequences of globalization, global warming, bilingual education, and redefined gender roles. Challenged by such notable contemporary thinkers and writers as Richard Rodriguez, Bharati Mukherjee, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Kofi Annan, Barbara Ehrenreich, and Arundhati Roy, students develop their reading and critical-thinking skills. A consistent pedagogical apparatus includes brief chapter introductions, author headnotes, and pre-reading questions that offer students a preview of the central theme in each section. Exercise sets follow each essay, providing for writing, reading, discussion, and exploration opportunities.