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Homelessness
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From: Barbara Tobin <bjt1986>
Date: Thu, 3 Apr 1997 16:46:59 -0500
Hello Cathy, AND hello list members. I have been lurking on this list for a while now, too lost in being busy with my teaching,and involved in other literacy related lists, but Cathy's request for books on homelessness jerked me out of my inertia on this list... and not only because she just happens to be one of my students! I happen also to be an Australian, maybe I should say, expatriate Australian, having been here for eight years now, and so wanted to share an Australian title relevant to this discussion:
WAY HOME, by Libby Hathorn, illustrations by Greg Rogers
(first published in Australia 1994 by Random House).
I have a feeling this has recently gone out of print in this country
(can't remember the publisher here, I have loaned my copy), but there should be copies available in libraries.
This is a stark, dark picture book about a young streetwise boy who finds a stray cat,late at night in urban Australia, and decides to take it "home". It is not until near the end of the story that we realize that "home"is a cardboard box lined with newspapers.... and symbolism, according to one reviewer. The connection the boy makes with this vulnerable little cat strikes a poignant note for readers of any age.
Actually, the book caused a bit of controversy in Australia.... it was seen as problematic in that the authors, probably in an attempt to not frighten child readers, created a blow-softening, feel-good conclusion which belies the (probably intended) message that the plight of homeless children is a shocking, sad reality. One Australian reviewer accused it of
"drowning in ..the crimson heartsblood of social liberalism in which it is written .... debasing and sentimentalising a complex and political issue". A stern review, with a well made point, but I think if you used it in conjunction with a indepth study of homelessness and in concert with well-written chapter books,as you are planning to, Cathy, you could get older readers to look at these issues critically.
I'd welcome any American opinions on this book, both child and adult,
Barbara
PS: Cathy, you are welcome to borrow my copy of the book. So great to see you on this list! You will find some rich conversations here. Thanks for reeling me in from the dark outskirts of the list :) :)
********************************************* Barbara J. Tobin Department of Educational Theory and Practice 115 Stone Building Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306 at 65 Phone: (904) 644T58 Email: bjt1986 at garnet.acns.fsu.edu
*********************************************
Received on Thu 03 Apr 1997 03:46:59 PM CST
Date: Thu, 3 Apr 1997 16:46:59 -0500
Hello Cathy, AND hello list members. I have been lurking on this list for a while now, too lost in being busy with my teaching,and involved in other literacy related lists, but Cathy's request for books on homelessness jerked me out of my inertia on this list... and not only because she just happens to be one of my students! I happen also to be an Australian, maybe I should say, expatriate Australian, having been here for eight years now, and so wanted to share an Australian title relevant to this discussion:
WAY HOME, by Libby Hathorn, illustrations by Greg Rogers
(first published in Australia 1994 by Random House).
I have a feeling this has recently gone out of print in this country
(can't remember the publisher here, I have loaned my copy), but there should be copies available in libraries.
This is a stark, dark picture book about a young streetwise boy who finds a stray cat,late at night in urban Australia, and decides to take it "home". It is not until near the end of the story that we realize that "home"is a cardboard box lined with newspapers.... and symbolism, according to one reviewer. The connection the boy makes with this vulnerable little cat strikes a poignant note for readers of any age.
Actually, the book caused a bit of controversy in Australia.... it was seen as problematic in that the authors, probably in an attempt to not frighten child readers, created a blow-softening, feel-good conclusion which belies the (probably intended) message that the plight of homeless children is a shocking, sad reality. One Australian reviewer accused it of
"drowning in ..the crimson heartsblood of social liberalism in which it is written .... debasing and sentimentalising a complex and political issue". A stern review, with a well made point, but I think if you used it in conjunction with a indepth study of homelessness and in concert with well-written chapter books,as you are planning to, Cathy, you could get older readers to look at these issues critically.
I'd welcome any American opinions on this book, both child and adult,
Barbara
PS: Cathy, you are welcome to borrow my copy of the book. So great to see you on this list! You will find some rich conversations here. Thanks for reeling me in from the dark outskirts of the list :) :)
********************************************* Barbara J. Tobin Department of Educational Theory and Practice 115 Stone Building Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306 at 65 Phone: (904) 644T58 Email: bjt1986 at garnet.acns.fsu.edu
*********************************************
Received on Thu 03 Apr 1997 03:46:59 PM CST
