Well, it’s already pretty apparent that I like to read and that I like to use books to lead discussions in my classroom. So, I thought I would share a few of those that lend themselves to meaningful conversations with students. When I think of critical literacy, I consider books that students can read and reflect on, and that may raise a variety of points of view for the students to think about. Keeping in mind Rosenblatt’s transactional theory, I understand that what each reader brings to the story will impact on how he/she engages with the text. It stands to reason that if each of us brings a different perspective to the discussion, this should leads to critical conversations that will deepen the meaning for us all.
I am careful when I chose texts to know why I am providing them to the students, and how to facilitate learning during those times. Unless I am thoughtful about my choices, the books, poems, or media resources, may not be conducive to helping students to learn through their own discovery.
Those of you who have already read my critical incidents write up will recognize the names of the first two books, which I referred to in my vignettes. Each of these books provides a different perspective on a life far different than mine. I believe it is important for us all to be aware of what has happened and continues to occur in the world today. Children who know of war only through Rememberance Day and the media may not have a good understanding of war today. I think it is important to talk about the realities of war, and how war impacts the lives of many of so many.
Skin Again
By: Bell Hooks
Skin Again is a simple, beautiful book with a very strong message for us all.
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
By: Deborah Hopkinson
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt is a story about black heritage and the risks people take to find freedom.
How Many Days to America?
By: Eve Bunting
Eve Bunting describes the risks that families take as they seek a new life in another world. The quote on the back of the book reads “A Thanksgiving story that knows no season or race, but is for everyone all year ‘round.” (Publishers Weekly)
The Lotus Seed
By: Sherry Garland
The Lotus Seed speaks to the fear experienced as a child hurriedly left war torn Vietnam and emigrated to a new country.
Feathers and Fools
By: Mem Fox
Feathers and Fools provides an interesting viewpoint on the fine line between war and peace.
The Librarian of Basra
By: Jeanette Winter
In this true story The Librarian of Basra we learn not only about war, but of the lack of power of women in Iraq, and one woman’s true love of books.
Mud City
By: Deborah Ellis
The Breadwinner
By: Deborah Ellis
Parvana's Journey
By: Deborah Ellis
Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak
By: Deborah Ellis
Deborah Ellis is one of those unique individuals who speaks with a passion for her topic, which is children and war. Her books the Breadwinner, Mud City and Parvanna’s Journey, increased my awareness of the impact of war on the children and families.
Ellis’ book Three Wishes Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak caused a great deal of controversy in Toronto earlier this year.
It is my understanding that religious groups actually pushed for the book Three Wishes to be removed from the school classroom and library shelves because of it’s content which they believed encouraged young people to idolize suicide bombings. Deborah Ellis and many others disagreed and expressed the need for educators and parents to read and discuss the book together.
I was unable to access the articles from the Toronto Star but did find a response from Deborah Ellis that I have included here.
Interestingly enough, in Brenda McMahon’s article she used the Toronto District School Board as an example when she discussed “the disparity between the development of policies and their actualization in school classrooms” (Page 266). I think it is important for all of us to understand that policies themselves do not ensure equity, fairness, and inclusion.
AUTHOR OF BOOK ON PALESTINIAN, ISRAELI CHILDREN SPEAKS OUT
WebPosted Thu, 23 Mar 2006
Canadian author Deborah Ellis says it's absurd to say children can't handle the contents of her controversial book Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak.
In February, the Canadian Jewish Congress put pressure on the Ontario Library Association and Ontario school boards to remove the book from their reading lists for Grades 4 to 6.
The Toronto and York school boards pulled the book from their reading programs. But the Ontario Library Association decided to keep the book on its Silver Birch reading program which encourages children in Grades 4 to 6 to read independently.
The CJC said the book was inappropriate for children in that age group. Ellis's book allows Palestinian and Israeli children to tell their stories in their own words.
"The people who are raising the objections are good people … I just happen to disagree with them," Ellis told CBC Radio Thursday, in her first interview since the book was restricted by the two school boards.
"There's a desire to protect children from the horrors of the world at the same time other children are being exposed to it," said Ellis. "The more information kids have about things that are going on in the world, the better decisions they will make."
Ellis interviewed Israeli and Palestinian children involved in the conflict in 2002. Among the children she met was a young girl whose older sister was a suicide bomber.
The CJC says children can be impressionable and may view suicide bombings and killing of Israelis as "acts worthy of emulating." It cites comments from the book such as this one from an 11-year-old Palestinian boy: "Killing an Israeli will make me feel glad. It will make me feel strong."
The Ontario Library Association says it picked the book because, "without taking sides, it presents an unblinking portrait of children victimized by the endless struggle around them."
Ellis says she didn't speak out about the controversy until now because she felt it would die down. She says she is disappointed by the decision made by the school boards.
"In Toronto, where we have such a wonderful mixture of people from all around the world, there are kids in every classroom whose parents have experienced this violence in some form. So to say they can't handle the truth and the things that are contained in this book strikes me as absurd."
The author says she gets emails from young readers who say they can identify with the children in the book and liked reading it.
Ellis says the controversy has only served to highlight the issue of children living in the midst of war.
Copyright (C) 2006 CBC. All rights reserved.