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Re: Coming in at the end...
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From: maggie_bo_at_comcast.net
Date: Sat, 01 Mar 2014 03:18:52 +0000 (UTC)
I'd like to expand a little on Barbara's excellent points about library categorizations of "multicultural" books. I agree that categorizing books as "multicultural" is not useful as a library classification, whether you're literally separating the books in sections, putting stickers on them, or just telling a kid or teacher what "kind of book" a certain title is. I cannot remember, ever, a child asking me if I had a book about an (Asian, African American, fill in the blank) kid. That's not to say there haven't been kids who haven't wanted one!!! I'm sure they'd feel horribly uncomfortable asking. But I also imagine they'd feel uncomfortable, although perhaps in a different way, choosing books from a multicultural section, or with a multicultural sticker. That feels extremely distasteful to me. As if .... the "regular" books are for "regular" kids, who are white, while the "multicultural" books are the "special" books, for kids who are .... "special?" (And whatever the teacher tells you, all kids know ... special is NOT GOOD.) And if a book is "multicultural" but also "historical fiction" or "science fiction" or "realistic fiction," which label would trump? If it's "multicultural" (which is likely), then what does that say? Hmmmm.
I think it's much more helpful for kids to have all books presented as an "adventure" or "fantasy" or even "historical fiction" (though I think as I may have mentioned in an earlier post, I like to add a second genre to my "historical fiction" books when possible). Having said that, as Barbara suggests, it is a useful personal tool for me to keep running lists of the "multicultural" books (really struggling for a better word here, who's got one?) that I purchase so that I can keep myself accountable for continuing to make efforts to add titles representing different cultures/ethnicities to our collection, and so that when I create displays or do booktalks, I can quickly find "multicultural" titles to include as part of every display. I wish I did not have to do this. I look forward to the day (which probably won't be in my lifetime) when all of this just happens naturally. But at least for now, I have to work at it.
And another thought about If I Ever Get Out of Here:
I imagine kids reading this book and not even thinking about how much they are learning about Native culture/experiences, although most will learn plenty, because they will be absorbed in the particulars of Lewis's individual story. There's no info-dumping in this book. Gansworth is a master at imparting information but making it an integral part of the story. I imagine kids will see Lewis and find windows and mirrors in the best sense of those words--wonderful new ways of seeing and thinking about the world--and also validation of and insight into their own lives. I can't wait to get this book--not on my library shelf--but off it!
Maggie Bokelman Eagle View Middle School Mechanicsburg, PA
Date: Sat, 01 Mar 2014 03:18:52 +0000 (UTC)
I'd like to expand a little on Barbara's excellent points about library categorizations of "multicultural" books. I agree that categorizing books as "multicultural" is not useful as a library classification, whether you're literally separating the books in sections, putting stickers on them, or just telling a kid or teacher what "kind of book" a certain title is. I cannot remember, ever, a child asking me if I had a book about an (Asian, African American, fill in the blank) kid. That's not to say there haven't been kids who haven't wanted one!!! I'm sure they'd feel horribly uncomfortable asking. But I also imagine they'd feel uncomfortable, although perhaps in a different way, choosing books from a multicultural section, or with a multicultural sticker. That feels extremely distasteful to me. As if .... the "regular" books are for "regular" kids, who are white, while the "multicultural" books are the "special" books, for kids who are .... "special?" (And whatever the teacher tells you, all kids know ... special is NOT GOOD.) And if a book is "multicultural" but also "historical fiction" or "science fiction" or "realistic fiction," which label would trump? If it's "multicultural" (which is likely), then what does that say? Hmmmm.
I think it's much more helpful for kids to have all books presented as an "adventure" or "fantasy" or even "historical fiction" (though I think as I may have mentioned in an earlier post, I like to add a second genre to my "historical fiction" books when possible). Having said that, as Barbara suggests, it is a useful personal tool for me to keep running lists of the "multicultural" books (really struggling for a better word here, who's got one?) that I purchase so that I can keep myself accountable for continuing to make efforts to add titles representing different cultures/ethnicities to our collection, and so that when I create displays or do booktalks, I can quickly find "multicultural" titles to include as part of every display. I wish I did not have to do this. I look forward to the day (which probably won't be in my lifetime) when all of this just happens naturally. But at least for now, I have to work at it.
And another thought about If I Ever Get Out of Here:
I imagine kids reading this book and not even thinking about how much they are learning about Native culture/experiences, although most will learn plenty, because they will be absorbed in the particulars of Lewis's individual story. There's no info-dumping in this book. Gansworth is a master at imparting information but making it an integral part of the story. I imagine kids will see Lewis and find windows and mirrors in the best sense of those words--wonderful new ways of seeing and thinking about the world--and also validation of and insight into their own lives. I can't wait to get this book--not on my library shelf--but off it!
Maggie Bokelman Eagle View Middle School Mechanicsburg, PA
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Received on Fri 28 Feb 2014 09:19:33 PM CST
