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2000 Mildred Batchelder Award Winner and Honor Books
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From: Annette Felix <felix>
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 17:31:46 -0700
Dear All - I am usually a lurker, but I am very interested in this award and international literature. I don't know if it is because I taught ESL for many years or that I just enjoy reading literature written in other countries!
I read "Baboon King" a while ago, but couldn't help thinking at the time how biracial children often face not belonging to any race. Even on Census 2000, where is the check off for biracial/bicultural individuals? I had a very difficult time filling out the information for my own children, who are biracial. And, I think it is only through the family, that they can be taught the importance of each culture and the strengh in the blending of both (or more). This story showed that there are other cultures that don't value the blending of "tribes" either and that even though there is a close community, that does not necessarily mean a close family structure.
I also read "Asphalt Angels." A very sad story that was much to similar to B. Naidoo's "No Turning Back." Both dealing with cast out children that have nowhere to turn but the streets. Again, as I read, I thought of the "cast out" children that are students in my high school. Some join gangs, some runaway from home and live with boyfriends (girls mostly), some live in an apt. alone, some end up in the juvenile justice system, and, I sure there are even some homeless and on the streets.
And, finally I read "Collector of Moments." I really enjoyed the story, and found the twist of the art being turned backwards until the artist left, an interesting effect. The little boy heard the stories and, I'm sure, visualized his own pictures. It was as though the artist left him a very special gift when the art was turned around. I thought the illustrations were beautiful and with the size of the book, it was as though the reader was actually viewing them on the wall.
I think one of the many values of international literature is the sharing of universal themes. Students who read books from other countries can actually see the similarities, or differences, between cultures and maybe feel that this world is not really that big! A big thanks to the publishers for bringing these books to us in the U.S. I look forward to reading "Vendela in Venice."
Annette Felix, Teacher-Librarian Cholla High Magnet School 2001 W. Starr Pass Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85713
Ginny Moore Kruse wrote:
Received on Tue 21 Mar 2000 06:31:46 PM CST
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 17:31:46 -0700
Dear All - I am usually a lurker, but I am very interested in this award and international literature. I don't know if it is because I taught ESL for many years or that I just enjoy reading literature written in other countries!
I read "Baboon King" a while ago, but couldn't help thinking at the time how biracial children often face not belonging to any race. Even on Census 2000, where is the check off for biracial/bicultural individuals? I had a very difficult time filling out the information for my own children, who are biracial. And, I think it is only through the family, that they can be taught the importance of each culture and the strengh in the blending of both (or more). This story showed that there are other cultures that don't value the blending of "tribes" either and that even though there is a close community, that does not necessarily mean a close family structure.
I also read "Asphalt Angels." A very sad story that was much to similar to B. Naidoo's "No Turning Back." Both dealing with cast out children that have nowhere to turn but the streets. Again, as I read, I thought of the "cast out" children that are students in my high school. Some join gangs, some runaway from home and live with boyfriends (girls mostly), some live in an apt. alone, some end up in the juvenile justice system, and, I sure there are even some homeless and on the streets.
And, finally I read "Collector of Moments." I really enjoyed the story, and found the twist of the art being turned backwards until the artist left, an interesting effect. The little boy heard the stories and, I'm sure, visualized his own pictures. It was as though the artist left him a very special gift when the art was turned around. I thought the illustrations were beautiful and with the size of the book, it was as though the reader was actually viewing them on the wall.
I think one of the many values of international literature is the sharing of universal themes. Students who read books from other countries can actually see the similarities, or differences, between cultures and maybe feel that this world is not really that big! A big thanks to the publishers for bringing these books to us in the U.S. I look forward to reading "Vendela in Venice."
Annette Felix, Teacher-Librarian Cholla High Magnet School 2001 W. Starr Pass Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85713
Ginny Moore Kruse wrote:
Received on Tue 21 Mar 2000 06:31:46 PM CST
