CCBC-Net Archives
Enemies and allies
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Debbie Reese <dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:27:47 -0600
Thanks, Cheryl, for taking time to give us an in-depth look at CBC.
I don't view CBC Diversity as an enemy. We are definitely allies in that we all want children to love reading. I've tweeted some of CBC's blog posts and am contributing to the conversations on the blog, and, I've written for their blog, too. Because of that, I see myself as supporting the initiative but want to optimize what it can accomplish.
I am not asking that they only list books by Native writers. That would mean Debby Dahl Edwardson's outstanding MY NAME IS NOT EASY would not be included, and I definitely want to see multiple copies of it in every school and public library.
I think we'd be stronger allies if they be more selective and inclusive in what they put on the Goodreads shelf. Consider James Crowley's STARFISH. It opens with an old Indian man who is "known as a drunk." Two of Crowley's Blackfeet characters gnaw on bones. The Blackfeet children who run away into the mountains drink and dance around a fire while they do it. Does that book make people culturally aware of Blackfeet people? In what way? The story is one about mission schools and that story must become better known, but must it come packaged with those particular stereotypes? They are familiar ones that too many people take as accurate. Thus, people who see it on GoodReads and then read it, may be encouraged to buy it because it "feels" right to them.
Cheryl told us of the Publishing Law. Strong sales of one title encourage publishers and booksellers to take on similar titles. I sure as heck don't want a CBC publisher to publish more books like STARFISH. Its sensational, people like it, but raising cultural awareness about boarding schools while serving up alcoholism and people who are animal-like (who nows on bones?!) doesn't work.
CBC is not the only place people can go, but CBC has a long and respected history of publishing. If strong sales of one title encourage publishers and booksellers to take on similar titles, it seems like CBC is shooting itself in the foot by not listing award-winning books by small publishers. Wouldn't that be good for everyone?
If its a matter of time, I'd be willing to volunteer to add books that have won awards from Belpre, Tomas Rivera, Americas, American Indian Youth Literature, etc. to the CBC shelves.
Debbie
__________________________________________________________
Debbie Reese, PhD Tribally enrolled: Nambe Pueblo
Email: dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com
Website: American Indians in Children's Literature _at_ http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
Now: Studying for MLIS at San Jose State University Then: Assistant Professor in American Indian Studies, University of Illinois
Received on Sun 17 Feb 2013 11:27:47 AM CST
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:27:47 -0600
Thanks, Cheryl, for taking time to give us an in-depth look at CBC.
I don't view CBC Diversity as an enemy. We are definitely allies in that we all want children to love reading. I've tweeted some of CBC's blog posts and am contributing to the conversations on the blog, and, I've written for their blog, too. Because of that, I see myself as supporting the initiative but want to optimize what it can accomplish.
I am not asking that they only list books by Native writers. That would mean Debby Dahl Edwardson's outstanding MY NAME IS NOT EASY would not be included, and I definitely want to see multiple copies of it in every school and public library.
I think we'd be stronger allies if they be more selective and inclusive in what they put on the Goodreads shelf. Consider James Crowley's STARFISH. It opens with an old Indian man who is "known as a drunk." Two of Crowley's Blackfeet characters gnaw on bones. The Blackfeet children who run away into the mountains drink and dance around a fire while they do it. Does that book make people culturally aware of Blackfeet people? In what way? The story is one about mission schools and that story must become better known, but must it come packaged with those particular stereotypes? They are familiar ones that too many people take as accurate. Thus, people who see it on GoodReads and then read it, may be encouraged to buy it because it "feels" right to them.
Cheryl told us of the Publishing Law. Strong sales of one title encourage publishers and booksellers to take on similar titles. I sure as heck don't want a CBC publisher to publish more books like STARFISH. Its sensational, people like it, but raising cultural awareness about boarding schools while serving up alcoholism and people who are animal-like (who nows on bones?!) doesn't work.
CBC is not the only place people can go, but CBC has a long and respected history of publishing. If strong sales of one title encourage publishers and booksellers to take on similar titles, it seems like CBC is shooting itself in the foot by not listing award-winning books by small publishers. Wouldn't that be good for everyone?
If its a matter of time, I'd be willing to volunteer to add books that have won awards from Belpre, Tomas Rivera, Americas, American Indian Youth Literature, etc. to the CBC shelves.
Debbie
__________________________________________________________
Debbie Reese, PhD Tribally enrolled: Nambe Pueblo
Email: dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com
Website: American Indians in Children's Literature _at_ http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
Now: Studying for MLIS at San Jose State University Then: Assistant Professor in American Indian Studies, University of Illinois
Received on Sun 17 Feb 2013 11:27:47 AM CST
