Classics and Diversity
Looking at "Classics"
When we think about classics that need to be reexamined - books such as Huckleberry Finn come to mind, along with To Kill a Mockingbird and others that pop up in news feeds and on blogs. Until now I had not thought of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders. But Debbie Reese's comments here does make one think. Her comments exemplify the need to look to revisit what we have done in the past -- just because we have always done it that way does not make it the best in this day and age.
Reese, D. (2020, Oct 15) Anti-indigenous content in S.E. Hinton's THE OUTSIDERS. American Indiansin Children's Literature (blog). Retrieved from: http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.com/?fbclid=IwAR2qEYH73YZJJD4Rd0N1cK4c8ydJCoJgURdUJGBSSH-S6VMv1Eu4-IyxGxs.
Reese, D. (2020, Oct 15) Anti-indigenous content in S.E. Hinton's THE OUTSIDERS. American Indiansin Children's Literature (blog). Retrieved from: http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.com/?fbclid=IwAR2qEYH73YZJJD4Rd0N1cK4c8ydJCoJgURdUJGBSSH-S6VMv1Eu4-IyxGxs.
Our Historical Past
Much began to be written about George Washington and the slaves that he and his wife Martha owned. A New York Times article discussed one specific slave, Ona (or Oney) Judge in an article: Schuessler, Jennifer. (6 Feb 2017) In Search of the Slave Who Defied George Washington. (Web) Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/06/arts/george-washington-mount-vernon-slavery.html. 
Late in 2018, Carla Killough McClafferty's book Buried Lives: Slaves of George Washington's Mount Vernon, was released by Holiday House. And there are more books and articles in the works. Most of the interest seems to have come from a controversy that first cam about because of a much talked about controversy regarding a picture book of historical fiction. The book A Fine Dessert was mentioned as a Caldecott contender until the storm hit. Check out this discussion of the controversy at: http://bit.ly/GW-slaves2. The McClafferty and Schuessler books/articles, referenced in the blog post have more utility for the older reader but as educators those types of resources provide background we can use to evaluate the writings for younger readers.
In order to guide young readers toward accurate and respectful books on all types of topics we should be knowledgeable about the history/science and so forth ourselves.
McElmeel, S. (2016 Feb 16) George Washington and the slave connection. McBookwords (Blog). Retrieved from http://bit.ly/GW-slaves2
Much began to be written about George Washington and the slaves that he and his wife Martha owned. A New York Times article discussed one specific slave, Ona (or Oney) Judge in an article:
Schuessler, Jennifer. (6 Feb 2017) In Search of the Slave Who Defied George Washington. (Web) Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/06/arts/george-washington-mount-vernon-slavery.html.
Late in 2018, Carla Killough McClafferty's book Buried Lives: Slaves of George Washington's Mount Vernon, was released by Holiday House. And there are more books and articles in the works. Most of the interest seems to have come from a controversy that first cam about because of a much talked about controversy regarding a picture book of historical fiction. The book A Fine Dessert was mentioned as a Caldecott contender until the storm hit. Check out this discussion of the controversy at: http://bit.ly/GW-slaves2. The McClafferty and Schuessler books/articles, referenced in the blog post have more utility for the older reader but as educators those types of resources provide background we can use to evaluate the writings for younger readers.
In order to guide young readers toward accurate and respectful books on all types of topics we should be knowledgeable about the history/science and so forth ourselves.
McElmeel, S. (2016 Feb 16) George Washington and the slave connection. McBookwords (Blog). Retrieved from http://bit.ly/GW-slaves2
McElmeel, S. (2016 Feb 16) George Washington and the slave connection. McBookwords (Blog). Retrieved from http://bit.ly/GW-slaves2
Windows, Mirrors, or Something Else
Monica Edinger spent several years on the continent of Africa serving in the Peace Corps. She is an author and a long-teacher of 4th graders at the Dalton School in New York city. I value her insight on many things and her blog post regarding windows and mirrors intrigues me. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the topic. I think that even though the window (or mirror) part might not firmly open to view the culture per se, that providing a look into universal experiences set in a setting, country, state different from our own provides a glimpse of another way of life. Edinger, M. (2016 May 31) Educating Alice: Diversity window, mirror, or neither? (Blog) Retrieved from https://medinger.wordpress.com/2016/05/31/diversity-window-mirror-or-neither/
I grew up on a farm and during my childhood any story that took place in a city certainly gave me a window into another world. It was like a foreign country to me. For other children those books would have been nothing out of the ordinary.
Books by Walter Dean Myers featured African American protagonists but over all the setting was urban. Those books were likely sliding doors for African Americans living in the rural midwest. Christopher Paul Curtis's books share stories centered on African Americans, and what I find very interesting is that, unlike many books which assume the characters are white, Curtis makes reference to the character's identity if he/she is white. An interesting perspective. While this article is somewhat dated I think the background to how the story of the Watson's go to Birmingham came about is fascinating and says much about how ideas begin with a germ, travel in one direction, and perhaps take a different turn. I tell the backstory of Watson's go to Birmingham on pages 59-60 of Children's Authors and Illustrators Too Good to Miss: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies (Libraries Unlimited). It shows a brief peak into a book's evolution.
And if you skipped over last week's suggestion that you read about the development of Lauren Oliver's making of The Spindlers, don't miss it this week. Begin with the trailer at https://youtu.be/x0ZavODe5PM. Each of the 8 segments are less than 5 minutes, with the exception of the last which reads part of the book (31 m)
I grew up on a farm and during my childhood any story that took place in a city certainly gave me a window into another world. It was like a foreign country to me. For other children those books would have been nothing out of the ordinary.
Books by Walter Dean Myers featured African American protagonists but over all the setting was urban. Those books were likely sliding doors for African Americans living in the rural midwest. Christopher Paul Curtis's books share stories centered on African Americans, and what I find very interesting is that, unlike many books which assume the characters are white, Curtis makes reference to the character's identity if he/she is white. An interesting perspective. While this article is somewhat dated I think the background to how the story of the Watson's go to Birmingham came about is fascinating and says much about how ideas begin with a germ, travel in one direction, and perhaps take a different turn. I tell the backstory of Watson's go to Birmingham on pages 59-60 of Children's Authors and Illustrators Too Good to Miss: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies (Libraries Unlimited). It shows a brief peak into a book's evolution.
And if you skipped over last week's suggestion that you read about the development of Lauren Oliver's making of The Spindlers, don't miss it this week. Begin with the trailer at https://youtu.be/x0ZavODe5PM. Each of the 8 segments are less than 5 minutes, with the exception of the last which reads part of the book (31 m)
Stories and information about other worlds and other cultures are mirrors for some readers and windows for others -- and sometimes something in-between. Just think of this when many of us think of diversity we think of books about people other than white/Christian - but so other cultures diversity might include white/Christians. However they won't have as far to go to find books that are windows for them -- on the other hand some of us must really search for books that portray cultures and races with an even hand.
Diversity
As you are sharing books and ideas be sure to include some of the great books that are diverse in nature. Here are some award lists, you might find helpful.
Check out these multicultural awards lists and see if you can get some clues about the books these awards honor and how you might use them in the classroom/library.
- Coretta Scott King AwardsGiven to an African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions to encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts, including biographical, historical and social history treatments by African American authors and illustrators.
- Pura Belpre AwardPresented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
- Americas Award for Children's & Young Adult LiteratureGiven in recognition of U.S. works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or selected non-fiction (from picture books to works for young adults) published in the previous year in English or Spanish that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States.
- Schneider Family Book AwardsHonor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.
- Jane Addams Children's Book AwardsGiven annually to the children's books published the preceding year that effectively promote the cause of peace, social justice, world community, and the equality of the sexes and all races as well as meeting conventional standards for excellence.
- Stonewall Children's & Young Adult AwardHonor books for exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience.
- Amelia Bloomer Recommended Feminist LiteratureAn annual booklist of the best feminist books for young readers, ages birth through 18.
- Sydney Taylor Book AwardEncourage the publication of outstanding books of Jewish content for children and teens, books that exemplify the highest literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience.
- American Indian Youth Services Literature AwardCreated as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians: picture book, middle school, and young adult.
- The Middle East Book AwardRecognizes books for children and young adults that contribute meaning-fully to an understanding of the Middle East. Books are judged on the authenticity of their portrayal of a Middle Eastern subject, as well as on their characterization, plot, and appeal for the intended audience.
- Mildred L. Batchelder AwardAwarded to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States.
I challenge you to locate a book title (published within the last five years) for each of the categories below - and to post your list in the comments below.
A book with:
1) An African American chief protagonist in a fiction book that is not dealing with civil rights or slavery.
1) An African American chief protagonist in a fiction book that is not dealing with civil rights or slavery.
2) A non-fiction book about an African American that is not dealing with civil rights or slavery (and whose name is not a household name such as Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rosa Parks).
3) A Latino-American chief protagonist in a fiction book that is not dealing with migrant workers or crossing the border illegally.
4) A non-fiction book showcasing the contributions of a Latino-American.
5) A Native American chief protagonist in a contemporary fiction book that is dealing with teens in the present day.
6) A non-fiction book showcasing the contributions of Native Americans in the present day.
7) Any other book that you feel represents a piece of our American culture that is underrepresented in books for the YA audience.
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End of Week 9 newsletter
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