Midterm Perspectives of 7E:123

So far I'm enjoying this class more than I had originally anticipated. I especially like the fact that we are able to choose the books we review. This gives me the opportunity to read and reflect upon books that I had enjoyed as a child - that I have most likely not read for over a decade. As I was saying in one of my previous blogs, I just love the fact that everytime I read one of the classic stories I loved when I was a kid, the images are still imprinted in my memories. As cheesy as it sounds, viewing these old images from the stories of my childhood brings me back and almost makes me feel like I'm a kid again.

Aside from the book reviews, one of the biggest aspects of the class that I enjoy are the discussions. Our discussion of "The Misfits" was pretty fun, in that my peers and myself were able to discuss our different experiences with name-calling, and other concepts that we never really paid attention to as younger kids. It's pretty cool to be able to trade our adult perspectives and reflect upon our different childhood experiences. I also find it pretty ironic and convenient that many adaptations of children's novels are being transformed into hollywood blockbusters - such as "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs." Using the different strategies to analyze and interpret children's novels I have learned in this class thus far, it is interesting to review these movies in a different light - with a broader background in children's literature.

"The Misfits" by James Howe

Overall, I thought "The Misfits" was an excellent book in that it touched on many ideas that all of us have most likely experienced while we were in school. Many of the themes in the story were fantastic, in that they encompassed a broad variety of controversial topics, such as homosexual peers, name calling, and multiculturalism. Personally, I was able to relate to many of the experiences - and there were many parts of the book where I personally related. For example, in one part of the book Addie (a student of color) does not want to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance. Consequently, Addie gets in trouble because the teacher perceives it as a sign of disrespect towards herself and her country. In my personal experience, I recall an Arab student in one of my classes not standing for the Pledge of Allegiance because of his beliefs that American government treated his people unfairly.

Aside from relating my own experiences to Howe's novel, I believe this story is essential in magnifying the consequences of name-calling in schools, and the detrimental effects it may have on the individual. I always found it interesting that some of the characters in the book nonchalantly name-called with no negative intentions - as they thought their friends didn't care. However, I am sure we all know as children that even if someone does not intend on hurting us with certain words, they can still bother us. This novel would be an excellent addition to any middle-school classroom. It covers many topics that children at that age are dealing with, as well as contains a multitude of characters that almost any child may be able to relate with. This story would be an excellent discussion tool in the classroom to spark conversations about name-calling, and their effects on their peers. If students are able to talk to each other on the same level about the same story, they may be able to be more sympathetic towards one another and be discouraged to use name-calling so casually.

"Daddy's Roommate" by Michael Willhoite

Similar to "Daddy, Papa, and Me" this is a story about gay marriage. However, this story is very different than the previous one I reviewed in that this one is very "in your face" about gay marriage. The story starts off with the father leaving the mother for a new boyfriend, and the child explains that he still has fun with his dad and his dad's new friend. The child then explains that he talks with his mother - and his mother actually uses the word "gay" to describe his father. She explains that being married and gay is the same as being straight and married, in that they both involve love, and that "Love is the best kind of happiness." The idea of the author using the actual rhetoric surrounding gay marriage is even more controversial than the previous story, in that it does not dance around the idea.

Aside from the controversial texts, the illustrations were actually very controversial as well. In one picture, it shows the father leaving the mother for his new boyfriend. On another page, it shows boyfriend putting lotion on the father's back at the beach, and the boyfriend and father sleeping together. Overall, I believe the author took a brave approach in putting these illustrations and words in your face, unlike many other controversial books that only touch on the concepts. I believe this story would be effective to read in a young classroom - after getting support from your principal of course.

"In The Night Kitchen" by Maurice Sendak

Staying on the topic of controversial Sendak books, it was only natural I should check out Sendak's most controversial children's book. When opening the first three pages of the story, it is fairly obvious why this book is controversial: the main character appears to be naked in some illustrations. Although there were no negative intentions by the authors, it is clear why some parents would be upset if this story was read aloud in class. Aside from the brief nudity, the illustrations in this story are rather creative - typical of Sendak's stories. Whenever the bakers or the main character say something - there is a giant word bubble coming from their mouth to express the tone in which it is said (whether it be very loud, or quieter).

Reflecting on this story, I really couldn't figure out why Sendak decided to make the main character nude in a few pictures. Obviously, parents have become more vocal about controversial aspects in literature over the past few decades; however, it is understandable that some would be a bit upset. If this was read in a younger classroom, I could forsee many students giggling and cracking jokes about the main character being naked - so I wouldn't reccommend reading it in a younger elementary classroom. Overall, this controversial book is a fun, simple story that would be good for 1-1 parent to child reading, but if read in the classroom I believe it could become a bit distracting to younger students.

"Where The Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak

Since the movie adaptation of "Where the Wild Things Are" just came out, I figured it was only fair that I a book review on it (considering it is one of my favorite children's books of all time). Although I haven't read this story in over a decade, everytime I see Sendak's illustrations it brings memories back. I absolutely love Sendak's stencil-like illustrations - and how he doesn't use too virbrant of colors. Any time an author dedicates an entire page to pure illustrations, I'm pretty content. It gives myself (and students) time to observe, think, and reflect on what is going on in the story, as well as relating their experiences to Max's. I don't know why some people consider this story controversial - except for the fact that Max "runs" away - thus some parents may think it is encouraging their children to rebel. Aside from that, I believe the movie did a fantastic job of adapting the story onto film.

In the movie, the director was able to creatively integrate Max's experience with monsters, to fit Max's personal experiences. Thus, when he went to "Where the Wild Things Are," the wild things represented people in his personal life - and his experience with the monsters reflected those with his family. I could see the movie being considered "controversial" by some parents, mainly because Max's mother is depicted as single working mother - opposed to the "typical" American family with a working father and a household mother. Overall, I believe the music in the movie, as well as the special effects and ideas expressed perfectly expanded on an already-classic children's short story to make it a phenominal movie.

"Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" by William Steig

This story is about Sylvester (a donkey) who discovers a magic pebble and begins wishing for random things. At first glance, one would be confused how this book is considered controversial. As one progresses through the book; however, there is a scene where Sylvester's parents are desperately looking for Sylvester and end up going to the police. Since every character in the story was an animal, one could only guess what animal the police were: pigs. This is the sole reason that this book is most likely considered controversial, in that it depicts police as "pigs." As everyone knows, pop culture and society has coined this term for police, thus painting police in a negative light.

Overall, this was not a bad book - and I wouldn't consider it controversial (in my perspective at least). This story has fun cartoonish illustrations, that use very soft colors. I see no problem reading this book in a K through 2nd classroom, considering 99% of the students wouldn't pick up the "pig" metaphor, let alone correlate it to something negative.

"Daddy, Papa, & Me" by Leslea Newman

The first controversial book I read was "Daddy, Papa, and Me" by Leslea Newman. This story is obviously pinpointed controversial from a conservative standpoint based on the notion of having two male parents. This concept of gay marriage in children's books has become increasingly prevalent in the past two decades. As elementary school curricula continues to become more liberal, there are still many parents who frown upon reading such books regarding gay parents.

I think this short story is a short and simple way to bring up the idea of gay marriage to younger children. As you read the story to the children, they will notice that one of the parents is wearing an apron, and they both partake in roles regarding the typical "American" family. However, children will soon be asking "Why are there two daddies... where's the mommy?" After children ask this question, the teacher would carefully be able to explain that many people have two mommies or two daddies, and that it is perfectly normal. Teaching these concepts at an early age is a great way to raise awareness of gay marriage to children at a young age, so that they may be more tolerant of such family structures in society.