When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure what the diversity was going to be. I wasn't sure if it was going to focus on the Latino aspect or the Owen's disability. What I found was that it didn't really matter. They were both apparent throughout the book and neither over shadowed the text. There were many questions to ponder and lots of dilemmas to discuss. Although this was not my favorite book that we have read this semester I was definitely intrigued by the great amount of discussions that I think classrooms can have on a plethora of issues.
On a different note, I was thinking about our "celebs who have written children's books" and I found that John Travolta has written a story called, Propeller One-Way Night Coach and Will Smith has a book coming out in April called, Just The Two of Us.(Yes, just like the song).
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Linton, Tal, and Capone
I would first like to discuss Al Capone Does My Shirts and how much I enjoyed reading it. When I first started reading the book, I was not sure what was so special about it but as I dove further into this world I felt that it was extremely powerful. I have not read an adolescent book about disabilities...at least not one that I can remember. The moment in this book that came alive for me was towards the end when Natalie has her "breakdown." The language that Gennifer Choldenko uses is fantastic.
Linton's article was an interesting read. Obviously language is extremely powerful and one has to be careful when discussing sensitive topics. How many of us are guilty of saying something to the effect of, "that's so retarded"? Most of us have and although we probably don't mean to be offensive it is more than likely that many people in the "disabled category" would take great offense to this simple statement. Personally, when discussing this issue I prefer the term "disabled" or "physically challenged." I liked that in Linton's article he broke up sections into "nice words" and "nasty words." It was interesting to read all of the different names that people use.
Tal's article was equally as intriguing. I found the statistics on disabled persons in literature fascinating. The fact that only 2 percent (10) included persons with disabilities and furthermore that only 6 were integral to the story is absurd. Also, the way that people with disabilities are described is ridiculous. ("Pale, delicate, puny." ) It is also interesting that a lot of books provide information but no plot/character development and others have characters with disabilities but the story itself is not about the disability.
Linton's article was an interesting read. Obviously language is extremely powerful and one has to be careful when discussing sensitive topics. How many of us are guilty of saying something to the effect of, "that's so retarded"? Most of us have and although we probably don't mean to be offensive it is more than likely that many people in the "disabled category" would take great offense to this simple statement. Personally, when discussing this issue I prefer the term "disabled" or "physically challenged." I liked that in Linton's article he broke up sections into "nice words" and "nasty words." It was interesting to read all of the different names that people use.
Tal's article was equally as intriguing. I found the statistics on disabled persons in literature fascinating. The fact that only 2 percent (10) included persons with disabilities and furthermore that only 6 were integral to the story is absurd. Also, the way that people with disabilities are described is ridiculous. ("Pale, delicate, puny." ) It is also interesting that a lot of books provide information but no plot/character development and others have characters with disabilities but the story itself is not about the disability.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Schneider Family Book Award
-Recognizes an author or illustrator’s book that shows a protagonist or secondary main character that’s dealing with an emotional, mental or physical disability. The disability may not be stereotypical, overbearing or pitiable. The character should be shown to live a full life in a realistic fashion.
-There are three categories for the award. Three different books receive the award each year. The first is for age 0-8, the second 9-13 and the third 14-18.
-The sponsor is Dr. Katherine Schneider. She came up with the award after struggling to find books in order to read when she was younger because she is blind. The award is given by the American Library Association (ALA) annually to three different books. The committee is made up of seven ALA members who all have various expertise, but with common experience and knowledge of what it is to live with a disability.
-The books must emphasize the artistic expression of the disability experience for children and/or adolescents.
-2008 winners:
(0-8) Kami and the Yaks by Andrea Stenn Stryer- Deafness
(9-13) Reaching for the Sun by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer- Cerebral Palsy
(14-18) Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby- Deafness
-Official website: www.ala.org/ala/awardsgrants/awardsrecords/schneideraward/schneiderfamily.cfm
-Recognizes an author or illustrator’s book that shows a protagonist or secondary main character that’s dealing with an emotional, mental or physical disability. The disability may not be stereotypical, overbearing or pitiable. The character should be shown to live a full life in a realistic fashion.
-There are three categories for the award. Three different books receive the award each year. The first is for age 0-8, the second 9-13 and the third 14-18.
-The sponsor is Dr. Katherine Schneider. She came up with the award after struggling to find books in order to read when she was younger because she is blind. The award is given by the American Library Association (ALA) annually to three different books. The committee is made up of seven ALA members who all have various expertise, but with common experience and knowledge of what it is to live with a disability.
-The books must emphasize the artistic expression of the disability experience for children and/or adolescents.
-2008 winners:
(0-8) Kami and the Yaks by Andrea Stenn Stryer- Deafness
(9-13) Reaching for the Sun by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer- Cerebral Palsy
(14-18) Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby- Deafness
-Official website: www.ala.org/ala/awardsgrants/awardsrecords/schneideraward/schneiderfamily.cfm
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Awards
When I first began reading Marc Aronson's article I thought this was basically like the insider/outsider debate. While reading the article I thought that some of his points his made sense but I wasn't completely convinced. A couple things that I do think are worth mentioning are as follows: The fact that a lot of the focus is on the biography instead of the literature should raise concern. Aronson writes, "who you are, which box or boxes you check often the census form, comes first. Your community, your ethnicity, comes before you talent." On the other hand a lot of his remarks seem far fetched. For instance, the fact that he suggests that if blacks can only write well about blacks then "only they can read well about them too." This does not make sense to me.
Pinkney, however raises great points about these awards throughout her article. She says "these awards provide a solid ground and a gateway to progress." It is also true that "little is being taken away from white writers."
After reading these articles I believe there are many questions that should be raised and discussed.
Pinkney, however raises great points about these awards throughout her article. She says "these awards provide a solid ground and a gateway to progress." It is also true that "little is being taken away from white writers."
After reading these articles I believe there are many questions that should be raised and discussed.
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