This stuck out when I was scanning BBC World News Headlines. At first I was going to use it as an example of how our Western, Israel-backed media usually emphasizes one side over the other. Remember how the West Bloomfield schools banned the book, Habibi? From my not-all-knowing perspective, I think that the book ban was not a productive action. It surprised me (in a growing, mind-expanding way) in Habibi when the author discussed violence against the Arabs in Jerusalem. I think is a good, balancing idea to show how there really is violence on both sides--contrary to what I usually hear about in the news. Habibi showed mostly one view--and our media shows another. It reminds me that all people--not just the victors--have a story.
Here's the article:
"Residents of Israel town describe Arab-Jewish rioting"
Did it surprise you too?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Sydney Taylor Award
The Sydney Taylor Award, created in 1968 (originally named Shirley Kravitz Children's Book Award)
Purpose: to recognize a real portrayal of Judaism in children's literature, to encourage publication of outstanding books of Jewish content, emphasize highest literary quality while informing parents, students and teachers.
Selection Criteria: "best exemplifies the highest standards of literary expression, attractive illustration/design, compelling content, and authentic portrayal of the Jewish experience" and broad appeal to both Jewish and non-Jewish audience (Gold Medal winner). (The Honor Book wears a silver medal and may have a narrower audience, excellent but not best literary expression).
There are two categories: picture book/short informational [younger readers]
novel/longer nonfiction [older readers]
Sponsor: Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL)
Selection Committee:
6 members
must be members of AJL National
must have broad knowledge of Judaic children's literature
Coincidentally, all members (as of 2003) are librarians or directors of libraries across the nation, including Rachel Kamin of West Bloomfield, MI!
The winners this year (2008) are:
The Bedtime Sh'ma: A Good Night Book by Sarah Gershman
The Entertainer and the Dybbuk by Sid Fleischman
Purpose: to recognize a real portrayal of Judaism in children's literature, to encourage publication of outstanding books of Jewish content, emphasize highest literary quality while informing parents, students and teachers.
Selection Criteria: "best exemplifies the highest standards of literary expression, attractive illustration/design, compelling content, and authentic portrayal of the Jewish experience" and broad appeal to both Jewish and non-Jewish audience (Gold Medal winner). (The Honor Book wears a silver medal and may have a narrower audience, excellent but not best literary expression).
There are two categories: picture book/short informational [younger readers]
novel/longer nonfiction [older readers]
Sponsor: Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL)
Selection Committee:
6 members
must be members of AJL National
must have broad knowledge of Judaic children's literature
Coincidentally, all members (as of 2003) are librarians or directors of libraries across the nation, including Rachel Kamin of West Bloomfield, MI!
The winners this year (2008) are:
The Bedtime Sh'ma: A Good Night Book by Sarah Gershman
The Entertainer and the Dybbuk by Sid Fleischman
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
And the award goes to...
"The danger, which to some degree has become the reality, is that this kind of rule balkanizes literature...
[note: this is a word with a history: "1920, in reference to the Baltic states"]
...There is less pressure on the general public to read, understand, appreciate and develop a fine critical eye for African-American literature..."
Marc Aronson suggests.
I think this is a weak argument. First of all, in class time and again we discuss the dangers of the label "children/adolescent literature"...it's like the Disney movies: we think that, because it's for children, it is therefore innocent. We know that this is not true. I think society runs into the "danger, which to some degree has become the reality" that people don't--for ANY children's lit--"develop a fine critical eye". We in this busy society don't always have time to scour through every book in the children's section. We want a quick solution and a shiny, metallic medallion gleaming on a book is like a beacon of "PICK ME! I'M THE BEST!!!!!".
[note: this is a word with a history: "1920, in reference to the Baltic states"]
...There is less pressure on the general public to read, understand, appreciate and develop a fine critical eye for African-American literature..."
Marc Aronson suggests.
I think this is a weak argument. First of all, in class time and again we discuss the dangers of the label "children/adolescent literature"...it's like the Disney movies: we think that, because it's for children, it is therefore innocent. We know that this is not true. I think society runs into the "danger, which to some degree has become the reality" that people don't--for ANY children's lit--"develop a fine critical eye". We in this busy society don't always have time to scour through every book in the children's section. We want a quick solution and a shiny, metallic medallion gleaming on a book is like a beacon of "PICK ME! I'M THE BEST!!!!!".
Joe Reilly!
Hey everyone!
A few weeks ago I heard this guy play. I grew up with "Barney and Friends" and knew that it was corny even back then. BUHHHT this guy is truly great. He pseudo raps about the environment and how we're all connected.
It is lovely!
Check him out!
(You might want to use his music in your classroom some day)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SRqy0pfPOc
A few weeks ago I heard this guy play. I grew up with "Barney and Friends" and knew that it was corny even back then. BUHHHT this guy is truly great. He pseudo raps about the environment and how we're all connected.
It is lovely!
Check him out!
(You might want to use his music in your classroom some day)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SRqy0pfPOc
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Word!
What about that Bronx Masquerade huh? Gorgeous! Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"I've got no use/for lame excuses/or imitation love/that packs/a punch" (p.16).
"I told her it made no difference at all. Dead is dead, and lonely is lonely and both stink" (p.53).
I always find it intimidating at first to discover that a book incorporates poetry, but usually I end up loving it in the end. I guess it's linked to growing up without teachers who were enthusiastic about poetry. My senior year AP teacher treated poetry like it was something dead, something to suffer through "for the academics". How could we go through life without poetry! As Coleridge once said, "[Poetry is] the best words in the best order."
I love how this book is all about our common humanity! There were so many voices to juggle, but Nikki Grimes wrote in such a way that I didn't feel overwhelmed. I was reminded of my struggles with The Hobbit. I don't know how many times I picked up that book and had to give up with trying to handle all of the names (those dwarves, man!). Finally I just stopped being so uptight about it and I kept reading-not paying so scrunitious attention to the names-and I got through...MORE than fine. Same deal with this book I feel.
p.s. Anyone else find it...interesting that the character Steve who bleached his hair, has an earring, and wishes to be a set designer on broadway, "kicked my doubts back to the closet," (p.116). Interesting choice of words. Ah, stereotypes and how they infiltrate! (not to suggest that the author is supporting a stereotype--just poking fun at my initial exclamation before I caught myself)
"I've got no use/for lame excuses/or imitation love/that packs/a punch" (p.16).
"I told her it made no difference at all. Dead is dead, and lonely is lonely and both stink" (p.53).
I always find it intimidating at first to discover that a book incorporates poetry, but usually I end up loving it in the end. I guess it's linked to growing up without teachers who were enthusiastic about poetry. My senior year AP teacher treated poetry like it was something dead, something to suffer through "for the academics". How could we go through life without poetry! As Coleridge once said, "[Poetry is] the best words in the best order."
I love how this book is all about our common humanity! There were so many voices to juggle, but Nikki Grimes wrote in such a way that I didn't feel overwhelmed. I was reminded of my struggles with The Hobbit. I don't know how many times I picked up that book and had to give up with trying to handle all of the names (those dwarves, man!). Finally I just stopped being so uptight about it and I kept reading-not paying so scrunitious attention to the names-and I got through...MORE than fine. Same deal with this book I feel.
p.s. Anyone else find it...interesting that the character Steve who bleached his hair, has an earring, and wishes to be a set designer on broadway, "kicked my doubts back to the closet," (p.116). Interesting choice of words. Ah, stereotypes and how they infiltrate! (not to suggest that the author is supporting a stereotype--just poking fun at my initial exclamation before I caught myself)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
