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[CCBC-Net] Disability in Books for Children and Teens
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From: Merri Lindgren <mlindgren>
Date: Wed, 04 Oct 2006 16:30:12 -0500
It's time to begin our discussion for the first half of October. We'll be looking at how individuals with disabilities have been portrayed (or been invisible) in children?s and young adult literature over time.
I found Harriet McBryde Johnson's new book, Accidents of Nature, to set a high standard for the year's publishing in every way, including her straightforward questioning of traditional definitions of "normal" and "disabled." In a voice that was consistent, funny, and unflinching, the author created vivid scenes that were painful to read, and eye-opening to think about. Although the story is set in 1970 and feels firmly placed there, the ideas, questions, politics and behavior presented raise radical questions for contemporary readers.
Has anyone used this novel with teen readers, and if so, will you share their response? What other books have you read recently (or not so recently) that explore this topic?
Merri
Date: Wed, 04 Oct 2006 16:30:12 -0500
It's time to begin our discussion for the first half of October. We'll be looking at how individuals with disabilities have been portrayed (or been invisible) in children?s and young adult literature over time.
I found Harriet McBryde Johnson's new book, Accidents of Nature, to set a high standard for the year's publishing in every way, including her straightforward questioning of traditional definitions of "normal" and "disabled." In a voice that was consistent, funny, and unflinching, the author created vivid scenes that were painful to read, and eye-opening to think about. Although the story is set in 1970 and feels firmly placed there, the ideas, questions, politics and behavior presented raise radical questions for contemporary readers.
Has anyone used this novel with teen readers, and if so, will you share their response? What other books have you read recently (or not so recently) that explore this topic?
Merri
-- Merri Lindgren, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) School of Education / UW-Madison 608-263-3930Received on Wed 04 Oct 2006 04:30:12 PM CDT
