From: Robin L. Gibson <gibsonr_at_denison.edu>
Date: Fri, 13 May 2011 13:22:51 -0400

Thanks for a thought-provoking discussion. I remember an incident that was very compelling for me and unfortunately can't remember the book right now, but perhaps some of you can. The main character, a girl, accompanies a teacher and some other children after school to deliver meals for a holiday (Thanksgiving or Christmas) and is surprised when they drive up to her own house. She had not recognized that she herself might be one of those people in need. The scene was very movingly depicted, without sentimentality, yet plenty of feeling. (Katherine Paterson maybe?) I thought it said quite a lot about self-perception, lack of awareness of others' perceptions, etc. It was very true to a child's viewpoint.

Another book in which the characters are materially poor, but this is not the essence of the story, is Pam Munoz Ryan's Becoming Naomi Leon. Naomi wears clothes her great-grandmother makes, and though she is pleased with the new, more fashionable clothes her mother brings when she re-enters her life, Naomi has learned that people's actions are more important than material things of the world. Though they are clearly poor, they are also clearly rich in the love they have for one another (Naomi, her younger brother, and great-grandmother), so this isn't a sad story (there are sad parts), but rather a hopeful one.

Robin L. Gibson 55 Old Farm Road Granville, Ohio 43023 gibsonr_at_denison.edu
Received on Fri 13 May 2011 01:22:51 PM CDT