WEEK 2- Diversity

        The  I Survived  books by Lauren Tarshis   are some of my favorites to read. They are action-packed, thought-provoking, and informational. These books allow the reader to fill the shoes of the protagonist who navigates a difficult journey through tragedy, tumult, and conflict, all inspired by true events. It answers a question that children might often ask: "What would happen if the worst happened?"  This specific book is about a little boy and a stranded dog trying to survive Hurricane Katrina. Separated from his family, eleven-year-old Barry is alone in New Orleans and just wants to get back to his family. We follow him as he overcomes disaster, fear, and uncertainty. Though the worst has happened, we see Barry grasp for bravery and courage and succeed. This book deals with themes of surviving against the odds, socio-economic disparities, and community and family against disaster.  If I had a classroom, I would have a discussion wit...

  Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac details Ned Begay's life as he navigates childhood, embracing his heritage despite oppression, and using his Navajo culture with bravery and for the good of mankind. I think this is another story about having the courage to be who you are. A lot of our situations are not as extreme; we might not have ever been asked to deny a part of ourselves to assimilate to something else, but our protagonist was- and that became his strength. It took intelligence and resilience to overcome racism and injustice and fight for a country that does not fight for you. I enjoyed how the author wrote about the Navajo culture, like there was great love in his voice when he spoke about the traditions, the names, and the Navajo language. If I had a classroom, I would do a canned food drive. I would research some people or places that might need help and make it a class project to help them, just like Ned did in his own classroom when he gave to those in need in Japan. It co...

  This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki   is about the summer of two young girls, Rose and Windy. Every summer, they take a trip to Awago Beach with their families, and the book takes us with them as they have fun together, watch scary movies, and come to terms with what is going on around them-- the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I especially liked this book because it is a graphic novel, and that is its strength. The visuals and the illustrations allowed me to bond closely with the characters, seeing what they see and how they see it. It was a special journey to take, because it is just a story about two young girls and their summer. As a girl, it was easy for me to relate to the conversations and ideas that were being tossed around, and their growth, however subtle, was unique and a joy to take part in. Though it dealt with deeper themes (grief, pregnancy, family dynamics), it did so gracefully and with poise, boob jokes aside (though they were funny)....

                                                                   The Maze Runner by James Dashner      For Thomas, entering a new world was not exciting or fun- it shattered the ground beneath him. Thomas, who can only remember his name, is thrust into a new life of "Grivers", "Shanks", "Shucks", "Keepers", and "Greenbeans"- none of which he understands. What he understands is the intense fear he feels when the metal box opens to this strange place and the unearthed feeling he has when realizing there is no turning back . Now he must survive with the new rules he's been given while on a trek to uncover the truth.     I had never read the book before, and after I finally stopped comparing it to the movie (I love the movie btw), I realized how smart and profound it ...

  Juno is a child keeping in touch with his grandmother, who lives in Korea. There is a language barrier, as Juno cannot read Korean, but it does not stop Juno and his grandmother from connecting over hand-drawn pictures, photographs, and beautiful dried flowers. The bond they share goes beyond language and is held together by genuine love and a desire to share their life with each other. This is a very heartwarming book in its simplicity. It is a story about a boy and his grandmother writing each other letters, but it speaks of cultural differences and things that could have been lost in translation. However, they never were.  How I'd Use This Book In A Classroom: A bond can transcend unique backgrounds, cultural differences, and language. I'd explain to my students that no matter where a person comes from, if you want to connect with them and be their friend, you can. I'd have them write letters to a loved one; it can be to someone different than them, but it should just...

      Starr Carter is a young girl caught between two lives: working in her daddy's store in Garden Heights, a lower-income city, otherwise known as "the hood," and attending Williamson Prep, a fancy suburban school with her rich friends and White boyfriend.  She walks the line for a while, switching between "Garden Heights Starr" and "Williamson Prep Starr," forced to make difficult and confusing social choices to keep her lives separate. But when a close friend of hers is murdered by the police in front of her in Garden Heights, something shatters inside of her, and suddenly, she can no longer find the line that once separated her two worlds. It's up to her to speak up, fight for what's right, and stay true to herself- things very hard to do all at the same time.  "If Officer Cruise were sitting here, what would you say to him?" "I'd ask him if he wished he shot me too." (Thomas, pg. 290) This is one of the most engro...