Another month has gone by…can’t believe it is March! This week I read only 2 books….life got in the way of reading. I wanted to share them with you anyway!
This week I finished the Pura Belpre winner Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, by Meg Medina. I did a reading log about this book and my thoughts, so check it out over here.
Overall, I really loved this book. I was a little bit confused with the blending of Spanish words and phrases. I did really, really get into the book. The author does a great job delving into the realities of being a victim of bullying, finding yourself as you go through high school, and discovering your strength. I really recommend this book for those who have ever struggled to discover who they are (aka all of us!).
My second book was a graphic novel for this week’s book club discussion. American Born Chinese, by Gene Luen Yang, blends the stories of Danny, Jin Wang, and the Monkey King. It is a colorful and beautifully illustrated graphic novel.
I have to say that my understanding has been enhanced by discussion with my husband. He knows more about Asian beliefs and sacred stories. He even helped me out with translating a few of the Chinese characters. Putting this book into the context has deepened my understanding. I would put this book in my “Restricted” section right now because I am not sure if all middle schoolers could read this book with an open mind-frame. However, once I know a student, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Well, that’s it for this past week! Coming up is mid-term break for CSC. That means more free time to read YA and share with you!
OZ and Other Lands 
I had mixed feeling when reading “American Born Chinese”. I felt sad that he thought that he had to change to become who he really was. Not a good feeling.
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I really felt like there were so many stereotypes that it was nuts. Yet, I wonder how many of today’s teens would recognize them as offensive. I thin that so many rural Wyoming students wouldn’t even realize that it is an exaggeration to make a literary point.
It is like I want to have them get as frustrated with the stereotypes as I did. But, is that their experience and world view?
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I am wondering since we live in areas that are not as diverse are more populated cities, is it something that they haven’t been exposed to yet?
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Could be. But the question becomes how do we help students become exposed to diversity?
The only thing that I can come up with is to fill my classroom library with diversity!
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I really liked both of these! I recommend them.
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These books sound very interesting. I hope you have a great week! Can’t wait to see what else you are reading.
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