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[CCBC-Net] Post 9/11 books: Ask Me No Questions
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From: Ching, Edie <Edie_Ching>
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 07:51:29 -0400
And my students and I find Ask Me No Questions compelling because it reminds us of the ripple effect of 9/11, the tragic consequences for many different groups of people and the need for compassion and understanding.
Edie Ching St. Albans School
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Seo, Ginee Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 6:07 PM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.ad.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] Post 9/11 books: Ask Me No Questions
Megan's point about learning something that you might not have known about is certainly true for me. I was the editor of ASK ME NO QUESTIONS and during the editorial process I continually found myself surprised and appalled by some of the things in the book. One scene in particular stands out to me: the INS comes banging on the door of the apartment belonging to Nadira's aunt and uncle, where the girls are temporarily staying. It's the middle of the night, and everyone is frightened--because Nadira's aunt and uncle are also illegal and therefore in danger of beoing deported. When I read that scene I remember thinking, I'm sure Marina's done her research, but isn't this a bit much? Does the INS really do this? I mean, this is America! Sadly, I found out they do.
I'll let Marina tell you all how she came to write this novel, but I thought I'd share what I found most moving about it. It was not, in fact, the issue of being illegal and Muslim in a post-9/11 world although that was certainly eye-opening. (And yes, I've proabaly lived a pretty sheltered and lucky life, although I too am a first generation immigrant.) What struck me most was the longing of these girls to fit in and have their chance--to have the opportunity to go to Disney World so they could make fun of it later, for instance. What could be more ordinary--and really--mundane than that? In the end, if children's books addressing 9/11 are successful, it's because they're probably de-emphasizing the topicality of the issue in favor of concentrating on the familiar: worrying about grades, fitting in, being the slower younger sibling to a "star." These things resist labels like "muslim" and "illegal." Which brings me to Richie and his use of THE MISFITS to talk about 9/11. (Fu
ll disclosure: I was also the editor of that book, but I swear I didn't pay Richie to mention it to you all today!) It seems to me that talking to children about labels and the tendency to put other people into an alien category because of their difference--whether they are gay or fat or smart, as they are in THE MISFITS, or Muslim and illegal--is all part of the conversation we should definitely be having with children in the wake of 9/11; in fact, it's more important than ever.
Ginee Seo VP, Editorial Director ginee seo books Atheneum Books for Young Readers
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Received on Thu 07 Sep 2006 06:51:29 AM CDT
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 07:51:29 -0400
And my students and I find Ask Me No Questions compelling because it reminds us of the ripple effect of 9/11, the tragic consequences for many different groups of people and the need for compassion and understanding.
Edie Ching St. Albans School
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Seo, Ginee Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 6:07 PM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.ad.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] Post 9/11 books: Ask Me No Questions
Megan's point about learning something that you might not have known about is certainly true for me. I was the editor of ASK ME NO QUESTIONS and during the editorial process I continually found myself surprised and appalled by some of the things in the book. One scene in particular stands out to me: the INS comes banging on the door of the apartment belonging to Nadira's aunt and uncle, where the girls are temporarily staying. It's the middle of the night, and everyone is frightened--because Nadira's aunt and uncle are also illegal and therefore in danger of beoing deported. When I read that scene I remember thinking, I'm sure Marina's done her research, but isn't this a bit much? Does the INS really do this? I mean, this is America! Sadly, I found out they do.
I'll let Marina tell you all how she came to write this novel, but I thought I'd share what I found most moving about it. It was not, in fact, the issue of being illegal and Muslim in a post-9/11 world although that was certainly eye-opening. (And yes, I've proabaly lived a pretty sheltered and lucky life, although I too am a first generation immigrant.) What struck me most was the longing of these girls to fit in and have their chance--to have the opportunity to go to Disney World so they could make fun of it later, for instance. What could be more ordinary--and really--mundane than that? In the end, if children's books addressing 9/11 are successful, it's because they're probably de-emphasizing the topicality of the issue in favor of concentrating on the familiar: worrying about grades, fitting in, being the slower younger sibling to a "star." These things resist labels like "muslim" and "illegal." Which brings me to Richie and his use of THE MISFITS to talk about 9/11. (Fu
ll disclosure: I was also the editor of that book, but I swear I didn't pay Richie to mention it to you all today!) It seems to me that talking to children about labels and the tendency to put other people into an alien category because of their difference--whether they are gay or fat or smart, as they are in THE MISFITS, or Muslim and illegal--is all part of the conversation we should definitely be having with children in the wake of 9/11; in fact, it's more important than ever.
Ginee Seo VP, Editorial Director ginee seo books Atheneum Books for Young Readers
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Thu 07 Sep 2006 06:51:29 AM CDT
