Before coming into this class I did not really know much about diverse literature. I thought of it more as literature that is about different people, countries, and ethnicities. That is what it’s mostly about, however evaluating it was something I did not know how to do or even think about doing. I am now much more aware of stereotypes that are put in books and how some of them could be hurtful towards a specific group or persuade children to think a certain way. I now know what to look for in book and what types of literature would be good to have in the classroom.
Something else I learned is what an inside and outside author is. The term is something that is pretty easy to figure out, but I have never really thought about evaluating a book based on that. It is very important to know if you are reading from an insider or outsiders perspective, because things could be very different between the two. Many of the books we read for class were by inside authors. This made them, with the exception of a couple, seems more real and the reader knew the facts were correct. This is not to say that outside authors shouldn’t write about things they are not insiders to, but it is just helpful to know whose perspective you are reading from.
I also found the video clip on Chief Illinwek very interesting and helpful. Before seeing the video I never really thought of mascots being offensive and what an impact it had on some people. I think showing this helped all of us become more aware of this type of situation and we were able to see what it was like from another perspective.
I now know what type of literature I would like to have in my classroom. Claire brought in many books for us to look at and evaluate and this was a great way to get us thinking about different books and become familiar with them. By taking this class I learned a great deal about books and authors in general. Going into my own classroom I will still have questions about books, and wonder what is considered good and what is not so good. I think I will always wonder about GLBTQ issues in the classroom because this seems to be a very touchy issue with many people.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Blue Roses Outside Book Review
Boyden, Linda. The Blue Roses. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc, 2002.
Booklist. Reviews on The Blue Roses. New York:Lee and Low Books. 2007.
In a review done by “Booklist” on the book, The Blue Roses, written by Linda Boyden, there seemed to be a very positive attitude towards the book. The review included a brief description of the book followed by only positive comments about it. It provided a great deal of discussion focusing around how the reader is able to watch Rosalie grow as a young girl and how the relationship she has with her grandfather blossoms as she gets older. As I discussed in my review as well, this book is one that can definitely help or aid young children in the grieving process. At the end of the review it says, “Youngsters who have lost a loved one or who share a special relationship with an older adult will relate to this touching story, which clearly shows what healthy grieving is like.” I like the way this review continues to go back to the growing process, like that of a flower. Since Rosalie loved to garden with her grandfather I feel this was a very important part of the book which centers on a young girl growing both mentally and physically. This review was wonderful in showing all of the important aspects of the book. I really don’t think there is one negative thing to say about it. Great book and review!
Booklist. Reviews on The Blue Roses. New York:Lee and Low Books. 2007.
In a review done by “Booklist” on the book, The Blue Roses, written by Linda Boyden, there seemed to be a very positive attitude towards the book. The review included a brief description of the book followed by only positive comments about it. It provided a great deal of discussion focusing around how the reader is able to watch Rosalie grow as a young girl and how the relationship she has with her grandfather blossoms as she gets older. As I discussed in my review as well, this book is one that can definitely help or aid young children in the grieving process. At the end of the review it says, “Youngsters who have lost a loved one or who share a special relationship with an older adult will relate to this touching story, which clearly shows what healthy grieving is like.” I like the way this review continues to go back to the growing process, like that of a flower. Since Rosalie loved to garden with her grandfather I feel this was a very important part of the book which centers on a young girl growing both mentally and physically. This review was wonderful in showing all of the important aspects of the book. I really don’t think there is one negative thing to say about it. Great book and review!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Final Eval. of Native American Books
I chose to focus on Native American literature for my final project. I am not too familiar with this genre of literature so I thought it would be interesting to write about and learn about. While looking for inside authors I had somewhat of a hard time finding them. I figured that pretty much all Native American books were written by Native Americans and African American books were written by African Americans, etc. This is surely not the case. I didn’t have too much trouble in finding books, but it was more work than I had expected.
As a whole my books were all very interesting. I found that half of them dealt with Native Americans as a culture and the other half dealt with Native Americans living an ordinary life with ordinary issues. Native Americans were all depicted in a very positive light and the books showed certain parts of the Native American culture such as the becoming of age for a young boy in Moonstick to young Indian boys being put in a residential school with no way to get home in Home to Medicine Mountain. The other books such as The Blue Rose and Jingle Dancer show Native Americans going through personal issues and living a modern ordinary life with no stereotypes. These books are all wonderful ways for children to learn more about themselves and the culture as a whole. Most of them would be wonderful for teachers to use as a teaching tool and help students to better understand the Native American culture. They also teach some lifelong lessons and could be a great asset to any lesson.
The authors of the books were all insiders. Most of the authors were told these stories by someone they were very close with. They were almost all true stories which depicted a very real lifestyle, most of which occurred many years ago. I thought this was very interesting to know these events actually happened. Some of it is very sad to know the way some were treated back before the war, but is very promising to know how things in life such as discrimination and stereotypes are beginning to diminish.
As a whole my books were all very interesting. I found that half of them dealt with Native Americans as a culture and the other half dealt with Native Americans living an ordinary life with ordinary issues. Native Americans were all depicted in a very positive light and the books showed certain parts of the Native American culture such as the becoming of age for a young boy in Moonstick to young Indian boys being put in a residential school with no way to get home in Home to Medicine Mountain. The other books such as The Blue Rose and Jingle Dancer show Native Americans going through personal issues and living a modern ordinary life with no stereotypes. These books are all wonderful ways for children to learn more about themselves and the culture as a whole. Most of them would be wonderful for teachers to use as a teaching tool and help students to better understand the Native American culture. They also teach some lifelong lessons and could be a great asset to any lesson.
The authors of the books were all insiders. Most of the authors were told these stories by someone they were very close with. They were almost all true stories which depicted a very real lifestyle, most of which occurred many years ago. I thought this was very interesting to know these events actually happened. Some of it is very sad to know the way some were treated back before the war, but is very promising to know how things in life such as discrimination and stereotypes are beginning to diminish.
Book Review: Jingle Dancer
Smith, Cynthia. Jingle Dancer. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 2000
Jingle Dancer, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith is a great book written for children. It gives the story of a young Muscogee-Ojibway girl who wants to participate in a powwow by performing a jingle dance like her grandmother once did. In order to do this dance, she must collect enough jingles to make rows on her dress. Jenna goes to different members of her family in order to collect enough jingles for the dress. Jenna’s grandma helps her put the dress together and practice the dance. When Jenna finally performs the dance she is very proud to represent different members of her family and do a wonderful dance.
This book is free of the stereotypes that are sometimes associated with Native Americans. Jenna watches a dance on a video, visits a friend in a duplex and visits her aunt who is a lawyer. The clothing is all contemporary as well as the neighborhood which Jenna and her relatives live in. Jenna is seen as a modern girl living in a modern home. She is not depicted as a Native American who lives in a teepee and wears feathers, which is how many Native Americans are depicted in literature. This book has wonderful illustrations which seem to focus a great deal on Jenna and her family. She looks very happy in all of the illustrations and Native Americans are seen in a very positive light. Jenna’s aunt and grandmother are seen as very modern as well. It is not until the end of the book where we see Jenna dressed in her jingle dress, dancing at the regalia. This goes to show how Jenna’s life is just like anyone else’s. Jingle Dancer teaches the reader about Native American customs as well as traditions of the culture.
The author of this book, Cynthia Leitich Smith is a mixed-blood member of the Muscogee Creek Nation. At the end of the book there is an authors note and glossary. These are two wonderful things to include in a book like this one. Many times readers don’t understand words or traditions and it’s helpful to have a further explanation. Jingle Dancer is Cynthia Leitich Smith’s first book and what a wonderful job she did with it. This book could easily be read by any audience.
Jingle Dancer, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith is a great book written for children. It gives the story of a young Muscogee-Ojibway girl who wants to participate in a powwow by performing a jingle dance like her grandmother once did. In order to do this dance, she must collect enough jingles to make rows on her dress. Jenna goes to different members of her family in order to collect enough jingles for the dress. Jenna’s grandma helps her put the dress together and practice the dance. When Jenna finally performs the dance she is very proud to represent different members of her family and do a wonderful dance.
This book is free of the stereotypes that are sometimes associated with Native Americans. Jenna watches a dance on a video, visits a friend in a duplex and visits her aunt who is a lawyer. The clothing is all contemporary as well as the neighborhood which Jenna and her relatives live in. Jenna is seen as a modern girl living in a modern home. She is not depicted as a Native American who lives in a teepee and wears feathers, which is how many Native Americans are depicted in literature. This book has wonderful illustrations which seem to focus a great deal on Jenna and her family. She looks very happy in all of the illustrations and Native Americans are seen in a very positive light. Jenna’s aunt and grandmother are seen as very modern as well. It is not until the end of the book where we see Jenna dressed in her jingle dress, dancing at the regalia. This goes to show how Jenna’s life is just like anyone else’s. Jingle Dancer teaches the reader about Native American customs as well as traditions of the culture.
The author of this book, Cynthia Leitich Smith is a mixed-blood member of the Muscogee Creek Nation. At the end of the book there is an authors note and glossary. These are two wonderful things to include in a book like this one. Many times readers don’t understand words or traditions and it’s helpful to have a further explanation. Jingle Dancer is Cynthia Leitich Smith’s first book and what a wonderful job she did with it. This book could easily be read by any audience.
Book Review: The Blue Roses
Boyden, Linda. The Blue Roses. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc, 2002
When Rosalie is born her grandfather cares for her while her mother works in a fish cannery. As Rosalie grows older her and Papa, as she calls him, work in the garden together sharing stories about life. Papa explains to Rosalie one day why her pea plants died and that everything eventually dies. Not long before her tenth birthday her grandfather dies. She is very sad, but seems to find some sort of comfort in the garden where she and Papa spent much of their time. While there she claims she can still smell him. This book is wonderful in dealing with issues of death with young children. Many times children don’t understand why people die and as a parent or teacher it is a very hard thing to explain. When Papa talks to Rosalie in her dream he is surrounded by blue roses. Blue roses are something that she had always wanted, but it wasn’t possible. Seeing a deceased loved one in a dream is very common for many people and is something that young children may be scared or confused by. This book does a great job in addressing the issue and showing readers that it is okay and death is really nothing to be afraid of.
The characters in this book are Native American. The illustrations and the story line are great in showing children that everyone goes through these issues. There was nothing stereotypical found in the book and it was one that anyone could relate to and enjoy. It simply showed an ordinary family going through rough times and how they overcame them. This is definitely a book that young children should read or have read to them. It would help them understand life and some of the phases that people go through. The descriptions were great and illustrations very bright and beautiful. This is a book that any child could enjoy and benefit from.
The author Linda Boyden is of Cherokee and French Canadian ancestry. As well as writing Linda is also a storyteller, telling American Indian myths. This was her first book which won a New Voices Award. Linda incorporated her experiences and her nationality into her writing and was able to produce a great children’s book.
When Rosalie is born her grandfather cares for her while her mother works in a fish cannery. As Rosalie grows older her and Papa, as she calls him, work in the garden together sharing stories about life. Papa explains to Rosalie one day why her pea plants died and that everything eventually dies. Not long before her tenth birthday her grandfather dies. She is very sad, but seems to find some sort of comfort in the garden where she and Papa spent much of their time. While there she claims she can still smell him. This book is wonderful in dealing with issues of death with young children. Many times children don’t understand why people die and as a parent or teacher it is a very hard thing to explain. When Papa talks to Rosalie in her dream he is surrounded by blue roses. Blue roses are something that she had always wanted, but it wasn’t possible. Seeing a deceased loved one in a dream is very common for many people and is something that young children may be scared or confused by. This book does a great job in addressing the issue and showing readers that it is okay and death is really nothing to be afraid of.
The characters in this book are Native American. The illustrations and the story line are great in showing children that everyone goes through these issues. There was nothing stereotypical found in the book and it was one that anyone could relate to and enjoy. It simply showed an ordinary family going through rough times and how they overcame them. This is definitely a book that young children should read or have read to them. It would help them understand life and some of the phases that people go through. The descriptions were great and illustrations very bright and beautiful. This is a book that any child could enjoy and benefit from.
The author Linda Boyden is of Cherokee and French Canadian ancestry. As well as writing Linda is also a storyteller, telling American Indian myths. This was her first book which won a New Voices Award. Linda incorporated her experiences and her nationality into her writing and was able to produce a great children’s book.
Book Review: Moonstick
Bunting, Eve. Moonstick: The Seasons of the Sioux. Joanna Cotler Books, 1997.
Moonstick: The Seasons of the Sioux is a wonderful book written by Eve Bunting. It describes a young Dakota Indian boy coming of age under the thirteen moons of the Sioux year. His father has a moonstick which he makes a notch in each time there is a change in the season or new moon. It is meant to represent a new year. During each season the young boy sees how things change and how his tribes way of living changes. This picture book is set up in a way to help the reader understand the different seasons of the Sioux and follow a boy’s journey towards manhood. The way the book is set up is very unique and the pictures depict the different seasons. The book begins with the Moon of the Birth of Calves following through to the Moon of the Thunderstorms, Moon of the Frost on the Tipi and ending with the Moon when the Grass Comes up.
This Native American story allows readers to venture into life as a Native American by the very inviting pictures. It depicts the Sioux culture very realistically while at the same time incorporating a message to children who may not fully know their ancestral background. This book is a great one to have in the classroom helping children to learn about different cultures. This story gives facts of the Sioux culture in a very interesting and poetic way. This is a very fun way for children to have fun with this book and use it to the fullest extent.
Author Eve Bunting is a very versatile author who has written over one hundred children’s books. She has researched different topics and enjoys writing about a diverse array of topics. Illustrator John Sandford has traveled to many Sioux Indian Museums in order to research paintings especially for this book. Through his research he became very informed of the Sioux Indians and their culture. This book has wonderful illustrations depicting very real events.
Moonstick: The Seasons of the Sioux is a wonderful book written by Eve Bunting. It describes a young Dakota Indian boy coming of age under the thirteen moons of the Sioux year. His father has a moonstick which he makes a notch in each time there is a change in the season or new moon. It is meant to represent a new year. During each season the young boy sees how things change and how his tribes way of living changes. This picture book is set up in a way to help the reader understand the different seasons of the Sioux and follow a boy’s journey towards manhood. The way the book is set up is very unique and the pictures depict the different seasons. The book begins with the Moon of the Birth of Calves following through to the Moon of the Thunderstorms, Moon of the Frost on the Tipi and ending with the Moon when the Grass Comes up.
This Native American story allows readers to venture into life as a Native American by the very inviting pictures. It depicts the Sioux culture very realistically while at the same time incorporating a message to children who may not fully know their ancestral background. This book is a great one to have in the classroom helping children to learn about different cultures. This story gives facts of the Sioux culture in a very interesting and poetic way. This is a very fun way for children to have fun with this book and use it to the fullest extent.
Author Eve Bunting is a very versatile author who has written over one hundred children’s books. She has researched different topics and enjoys writing about a diverse array of topics. Illustrator John Sandford has traveled to many Sioux Indian Museums in order to research paintings especially for this book. Through his research he became very informed of the Sioux Indians and their culture. This book has wonderful illustrations depicting very real events.
Book Review: Home to Medicine Mountain
Santiago, Chiori. Home to Medicine Mountain. San Francisco, California: Children’s Book Press, 1998.
Home to Medicine Mountain written by Chiori Santiago is a wonderful book about two brothers who are separated from their family and sent to live at a government run Indian residential school. The book tells us the hardships that the two young boys faced and how they were able to overcome obstacles. This book is one that can show children what life was like for some Indian children who were forced to leave their families and go to very strict schools where they were not allowed to speak their native language. The story ends with the boys escaping the boarding school by jumping on a freight train heading back home. This shows a great deal of courage and integrity on the boys’ part, which would be appealing to many young children.
This book, a great one for teaching students about life in the 1930’s, could potentially enforce some stereotypes. In the pictures all of the teachers are white and look very mean. Even though this is how it happened, children could become a little confused and angry with white people for treating the Indians as they did. They would not really understand why the young Indian boys were treated so poorly and taken from their families with no way to get home. There was also no glossary in the book to explain some of the traditions, symbols or words that were discussed throughout the book. If this book was to be used in a lesson and children were given a bit more information dealing with Medicine Mountain and all that went with it then I don’t think the confusion would arise.
The first page of the story lets the reader know that it is a true story and the events actually happened to the father and uncle of the author. Chiori Santiago wrote this book based on events that she has heard through her grandparents and their children. She is clearly an insider to Native Americans and their past.
Home to Medicine Mountain written by Chiori Santiago is a wonderful book about two brothers who are separated from their family and sent to live at a government run Indian residential school. The book tells us the hardships that the two young boys faced and how they were able to overcome obstacles. This book is one that can show children what life was like for some Indian children who were forced to leave their families and go to very strict schools where they were not allowed to speak their native language. The story ends with the boys escaping the boarding school by jumping on a freight train heading back home. This shows a great deal of courage and integrity on the boys’ part, which would be appealing to many young children.
This book, a great one for teaching students about life in the 1930’s, could potentially enforce some stereotypes. In the pictures all of the teachers are white and look very mean. Even though this is how it happened, children could become a little confused and angry with white people for treating the Indians as they did. They would not really understand why the young Indian boys were treated so poorly and taken from their families with no way to get home. There was also no glossary in the book to explain some of the traditions, symbols or words that were discussed throughout the book. If this book was to be used in a lesson and children were given a bit more information dealing with Medicine Mountain and all that went with it then I don’t think the confusion would arise.
The first page of the story lets the reader know that it is a true story and the events actually happened to the father and uncle of the author. Chiori Santiago wrote this book based on events that she has heard through her grandparents and their children. She is clearly an insider to Native Americans and their past.
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