Project Mulberry

I just started reading Project Mulberry.  I read the first chapter and I was liking it.  It seemed like a quick read and I felt like it was going to be interesting.  Then (and sorry if I ruin anything for people who haven't started) there was a section where the character, Julia, was having a conversation with the author about the ideas and stories behind the book.  As of right now I am not liking that.  I read the first one and decided that for the rest of the book I am going to skip them.  I feel like it takes you out of the story and it makes you realize you are reading a story.  It makes it hard to get into it when you are constantly being reminded that this is a story and isn't real.  I don't know if anyone agrees with me or feels otherwise.  I would love to hear what others think.

Austin

Austin is a boy that I have worked with every summer since he was in first grade. He is currently in fifth grade. Austin has autism. He is a real inspiration to a lot of people in my hometown and so a short documentary was made about him. Here is a promo for his documentary.

Diversity In School

Yesterday in my field placement I came upon something that made me think of our class right away.  Two of our students announced the school was doing a diversity activity type thing.  They sent home a "promise" that everyone who wanted to could sign along with everyone in their family.  The promise was that they would not treat people differently based on their race or culture or differences.  They promised to see peoples similarities rather than their differences.  They also have mixed up shoe day on Wednesday.  They are supposed to wear two different shoes to remind them that though the two shoes look different they have more in common than they different just like people.  It just really reminded me about Bronx Masquerade and how all of the students were able to see people for who they were and were able to look past their differences and see they were all more similar than they realized.  

Bronx Masquerade

I have been reading Bronx Masquerade and have really been loving it. It think it really shows so many different perspectives and really shows that what is seen on the outside isn't always what is on the inside. I found a link to Nikki Grimes website where she discusses the book and I thought I would share it with you. I also found a youtube clip of a classroom that took up the open mike Friday in their class and I thought it was really cool.


Youtube clip

Nikki Grimes Article

insider/outsider

I had really limited knowledge of the insider/outsider issue before doing the readings and having the class discussion.  Before I really felt that only insiders should really be writing about their own culture.  Now I am not sure exactly where I stand.  

Obviously I think that some of the best accounts of different cultures will come from people who are members of that culture and who have had the experiences that they are writing about.  Like we said in class if I had to learn about Asian American culture and I had to choose between an Asian American or a Caucasian American who study the culture I will most likely choose the Asian American because I feel like I could get a more genuine recount of the their culture.  

However, I also think that someone can experience another culture and then write about it accurately.  But then we get into the question of are they then and insider or an outsider?  That is a fine line that I cannot draw.  If I go to Italy and live and immerse myself in the culture for a couple years would I still be considered an outsider?  If I grow up Catholic and then convert to Jewish am I an insider in the Jewish culture or would I still be considered an outsider?  These questions are beyond any answer I have but it plays a critical role in the insider/outsider debate.  

I think it is also important to look at culture as more than race.  Cai notes in her article that "multicultural" means more than the many ethnicities we encounter.  I think when people think of culture they automatically think of ethnicity but it goes beyond that to encompass gender, class, religion, sexual orientation among other.  

I hope this leaves you with some things to think about.

Heart of A Chief

As I have been reading Heart of A Chief I have been torn whether I like it or not.  I find there are several stereotypes and I do not know if the author is trying to combat those stereotypes or if he is fueling the flame.  The first stereotype I found was that Native Americans drink a lot.  This is seen when Mito, the father, is missing in the book because he has to go to rehab.  Another stereotype I see is that Native Americans build casinos.  This one I am not sure about because on the one hand they are trying to build one but on the other hand many people are against it, which could be used to show that not all Native Americans want to build casinos.  Overall I am still torn with these.  I cannot decide what point the author is trying to convey.  My thoughts were somewhat swayed when I read that the author is Native American.  

Hello

This is my TE 448 blog.  In my blog I will be discussing various issues regarding diversity in children's literature.  I have some background in children's literature but very little knowledge as far as diversity goes so I will be exploring new ideas and issues here!