CCBC-Net Archives
empathy and recognition through child. lit.
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Miriam Budin <miriam>
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 15:40:43 -0400
I agree absolutely that literature can serve as a bridge to understanding the experiences of those who are unlike ourselves as well as an avenue toward recognizing ourselves in the lives of characters in similar or analagous circumstances. One of the way
s we connect with literature is to identify with the protagonists in the books we read. In so doing, we make that character's travails into our own--at least as long as we're reading--and in the best case we carry that empathy into our lives in the real world, too.
I am certain that it is possible to identify strongly with characters who are unlike ourselves. I, for instance, was Johnny Tremain and Amos Fortune in my youth just as fully as I was Jo March or Pippi Longstocking or Anne Frank. That speaks, of course,
to the essence of literature's appeal to our imaginations.
My question--and one that I will have to address as the moderator of a panel discussing Barbara Feinberg's book WELCOME TO LIZARD MOTEL, next week--is whether the personal experiences readers can have with children's and young adult literature translate w ell into classroom study. Feinberg cites a number of "problem novels" her children have had to read for school which she finds overly depressing. She's particularly scathing about Sharon Creech's WALK TWO MOONS and Katherine Paterson's A BRIDGE TO TEREB ITHIA. Is there a difference between reading and responding to these books as an individual reader and reading them for the purposes of classroom study? Do the salubrious effects noted by Thom and Megan carry over into group discussion? Are they enhanc ed by such a discourse or is the private response to literature deeper and more resonant? Do students benefit from an adult guide to "problem novels" or is it intrusive?
Any thoughts?
Miriam
-Miriam Lang Budin Children's Librarian Chappaqua Library, NY
-
-Miriam Lang Budin Children's Librarian Chappaqua Library, NY
-
-Miriam Lang Budin Children's Librarian Chappaqua Library, NY
-
Received on Wed 20 Apr 2005 02:40:43 PM CDT
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 15:40:43 -0400
I agree absolutely that literature can serve as a bridge to understanding the experiences of those who are unlike ourselves as well as an avenue toward recognizing ourselves in the lives of characters in similar or analagous circumstances. One of the way
s we connect with literature is to identify with the protagonists in the books we read. In so doing, we make that character's travails into our own--at least as long as we're reading--and in the best case we carry that empathy into our lives in the real world, too.
I am certain that it is possible to identify strongly with characters who are unlike ourselves. I, for instance, was Johnny Tremain and Amos Fortune in my youth just as fully as I was Jo March or Pippi Longstocking or Anne Frank. That speaks, of course,
to the essence of literature's appeal to our imaginations.
My question--and one that I will have to address as the moderator of a panel discussing Barbara Feinberg's book WELCOME TO LIZARD MOTEL, next week--is whether the personal experiences readers can have with children's and young adult literature translate w ell into classroom study. Feinberg cites a number of "problem novels" her children have had to read for school which she finds overly depressing. She's particularly scathing about Sharon Creech's WALK TWO MOONS and Katherine Paterson's A BRIDGE TO TEREB ITHIA. Is there a difference between reading and responding to these books as an individual reader and reading them for the purposes of classroom study? Do the salubrious effects noted by Thom and Megan carry over into group discussion? Are they enhanc ed by such a discourse or is the private response to literature deeper and more resonant? Do students benefit from an adult guide to "problem novels" or is it intrusive?
Any thoughts?
Miriam
-Miriam Lang Budin Children's Librarian Chappaqua Library, NY
-
-Miriam Lang Budin Children's Librarian Chappaqua Library, NY
-
-Miriam Lang Budin Children's Librarian Chappaqua Library, NY
-
Received on Wed 20 Apr 2005 02:40:43 PM CDT
