At the beginning of this course, diverse literature to me was about a group of people, culture, race, religion, etc. that was underrepresented in literature. Little did I know there was so much behind what makes up quality diverse and multicultural literature.
I thought the course was very organized and before we even got to reading multicultural books I was thrown into the chaotic mix of what classifies as diverse/multicultural literature and who is allowed to write these books. The insider/outsider issue was one that was engraved into my head throughout the course of the semester. Even though all the books we read were written by insiders, not always were they a perfect, quality representation of a group. I believe overall the books were a good representation but by engaging in questioning the text and group discussions there were always extremely good points and questions brought up that made me question the text. I will continue to look for books by insiders and if so, by outsiders and treat them the same paying particular attention to what the purpose is and how the group of people is represented.
The readings that corresponded with the books on a particular group of people really changed how I read and interpreted the text. There is so much information out there that can help readers identify a quality and authentic multicultural book and I think these readings really showed me that in order to choose books for my collection I need to take several things into consideration. I know that I am unfamiliar with many aspects of other cultures and these readings have helped me learn the basics about what should be represented and what should not be represented. Even though it is hard to come across a book without a stereotype, I have learned that stereotypes can serve a purpose in a book and if you look into why the author chose to write the book the way they did then this question might be answered. I also really enjoy the list of books that many of the readings shared. This gave me an idea of some of the books I can go out and look for and by reading and analyzing these books there is a chance I will be able to pick up an unfamiliar book and decide whether it constitutes as a quality multicultural book.
After taking this course I have realized how important it is for students to have a variety of multicultural books available to them. Even though it may take time to develop a collection that represents everyone equally, I look forward to building a library for all that represents everyone. This course has showed me that my experience with multicultural literature as a student was very slim and with the exposure that I have gained this year, I believe that I would have been a better well rounded person with a more complete knowledge of my surroundings and people. I grew up in a place with a lot of diversity but the literature I was exposed to never represented my peers. I think that I, as well as my peers, would have benefited from more exposure to diverse literature.
This course has made me look forward to building a collection of multicultural literature but I am still unsure of if the books I choose will be an accurate representation. As I continue with my education and eventually get my own classroom where multicultural literature will be a MAIN part in the classroom I believe my understanding will increase and I will learn from books as well as my students.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Reflection on Text Set for Jewish American Literature
As a Jewish American I have always kept on eye out for text in which I could relate too. Many of the books that I have dealt with and have a Jewish association were of two kinds. They were either about the holocaust or about holidays primarily focusing on Hanukkah. These books did not give me a sense of something I could relate too other than what everyone refers to when they think of being “Jewish”. I enjoyed these books because they taught many of my peers who were unfamiliar about my religion but they didn’t provide me with anything special. So as I set out to find books to include in my collection I wanted to look for more books like Confessions of a Closet Catholic instead of the usual written to teach books.
As a whole my set includes a small variety of what is out there. I found several books to include although I did not review them all on this my blog. The four books I did decide to use spoke to me in a different way. The first one was always a favorite as a child and although it was about Hanukkah, it didn’t teach about Hanukkah in any way. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel is an excellent book that is interesting and exciting for all its readers and stands out amongst the literature about Hanukkah. The second book that I chose was Papa’s Latkes by Michelle Edwards which, is also a story that takes place at Hanukkah but does not teach about the holiday. It provides the story of a family coping with loss at a special time which many readers can relate too. Even though these two books are Hanukkah based, they are the exception to the wide variety of texts that are available to teach about the holiday.
The third book in my set is The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco, an author who we have recognized for being from Lansing, Michigan but never for her Jewish heritage. It wasn’t until I came across this book on a website with an extensive list of Jewish literature that I was able to think about her as an author who is of many different identities and writes about them. This was the first book that I have read of hers that shares a family’s history based off own life. The story of immigration and tradition is one that is not recognized often in Jewish Literature and I thought this was a great picture book for children to see how love, faith and tradition in a family are carried down. I was amazed at how much the pictures tell the story and exhibits their religious affiliation and cultural assimilation.
The last book in my set was one that opened the doors to much of the Jewish Literature that is out there today for children. The award that honors Jewish American literature couldn’t be named after a more appropriate author, Sydney Taylor. After reading All-of-a-Kind Family I was able to see why this prestigious award was named after her. This book opened the doors over 50 years ago for Jewish Children to relate too and for Jewish writers to share their stories. It was not based on one Holiday or one event but the life of a Jewish Family in America. It covers many of the Jewish holidays that are not brought up in literature and shares the meaning behind each and every one of them. This book is more than just an explanation of a Jewish family but a loving, close knit family growing over the course of a year together. I think it is very obvious that this is one of the first books about Jewish Americans because of the amount of events that Taylor chooses to address and cover. I believe many authors as a whole have learned from this book and its series how to go about different ways of writing Jewish American literature for everyone to read, learn and enjoy.
As a whole these text represent a variety of differences but many similarities. Each of these authors has written from experience and often based their book on their own lives in some way or another. They represent books that are overlooked by children and adults and could be included in a collection to brighten and open the minds of its readers for more reasons than just being Jewish literature. Other books that I would have loved to include are Night by Elie Wiesel and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry but chose not to because these are two of the very familiar Jewish texts that are used to represent this group of people in many libraries. Both of these are written about the holocaust which is the first popular theme in Jewish Literature that I mentioned which is very important but should not be the only way Jews are portrayed in books. I hope that my set speaks to people looking for literature that may be different than the Jewish Literature they have been exposed to because each of these books has a new story that children can relate to and learn from.
As a whole my set includes a small variety of what is out there. I found several books to include although I did not review them all on this my blog. The four books I did decide to use spoke to me in a different way. The first one was always a favorite as a child and although it was about Hanukkah, it didn’t teach about Hanukkah in any way. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel is an excellent book that is interesting and exciting for all its readers and stands out amongst the literature about Hanukkah. The second book that I chose was Papa’s Latkes by Michelle Edwards which, is also a story that takes place at Hanukkah but does not teach about the holiday. It provides the story of a family coping with loss at a special time which many readers can relate too. Even though these two books are Hanukkah based, they are the exception to the wide variety of texts that are available to teach about the holiday.
The third book in my set is The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco, an author who we have recognized for being from Lansing, Michigan but never for her Jewish heritage. It wasn’t until I came across this book on a website with an extensive list of Jewish literature that I was able to think about her as an author who is of many different identities and writes about them. This was the first book that I have read of hers that shares a family’s history based off own life. The story of immigration and tradition is one that is not recognized often in Jewish Literature and I thought this was a great picture book for children to see how love, faith and tradition in a family are carried down. I was amazed at how much the pictures tell the story and exhibits their religious affiliation and cultural assimilation.
The last book in my set was one that opened the doors to much of the Jewish Literature that is out there today for children. The award that honors Jewish American literature couldn’t be named after a more appropriate author, Sydney Taylor. After reading All-of-a-Kind Family I was able to see why this prestigious award was named after her. This book opened the doors over 50 years ago for Jewish Children to relate too and for Jewish writers to share their stories. It was not based on one Holiday or one event but the life of a Jewish Family in America. It covers many of the Jewish holidays that are not brought up in literature and shares the meaning behind each and every one of them. This book is more than just an explanation of a Jewish family but a loving, close knit family growing over the course of a year together. I think it is very obvious that this is one of the first books about Jewish Americans because of the amount of events that Taylor chooses to address and cover. I believe many authors as a whole have learned from this book and its series how to go about different ways of writing Jewish American literature for everyone to read, learn and enjoy.
As a whole these text represent a variety of differences but many similarities. Each of these authors has written from experience and often based their book on their own lives in some way or another. They represent books that are overlooked by children and adults and could be included in a collection to brighten and open the minds of its readers for more reasons than just being Jewish literature. Other books that I would have loved to include are Night by Elie Wiesel and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry but chose not to because these are two of the very familiar Jewish texts that are used to represent this group of people in many libraries. Both of these are written about the holocaust which is the first popular theme in Jewish Literature that I mentioned which is very important but should not be the only way Jews are portrayed in books. I hope that my set speaks to people looking for literature that may be different than the Jewish Literature they have been exposed to because each of these books has a new story that children can relate to and learn from.
Becoming an "All-of-a-kind" American: Sydney Taylor and strategies of assimilation
June Cummins. "Becoming an "All-of-a-Kind" American: Sydney Taylor and strategies of assimilation. " The Lion and the Unicorn 27.3 (2003): 324-343. Children'sModule. ProQuest. Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, Michigan. 21 Apr. 2008 .
When it came to finding a critical or scholarly review about a book there was one question to ask myself after an article is located. Do you find the article, read it and then read the book or do you find the article, read the book and then read the article? When I found the article "Becoming an "All-of-a-Kind" American: Sydney Taylor and strategies of assimilation, I decided to read the article first. Being a critical review of Taylor’s book All-of-a-Kind Family I believe that much of what I had read in the article contributed to the way I read the book.
In the article, June Cummins takes a look at the first book in a series of five and “focuses both on its depictions of positive Jewish cultural identification and on its treatment of cultural assimilation during a period when large numbers of immigrant Jews were moving into American society”. From reading the article I realized that these were two things I needed to focus on as I read the text and these were important to all readers. If I hadn’t read this article, the prominence of Jewish cultural identification would have exceeded the portrayal of an immigrant family assimilating to American ways. Just like Cummins explains, there is a lack of assimilation which was very important to all immigrants of this time. Cummins says “the characters do not discuss changes to their lifestyles or values, and no incidents occur that point to the acculturation process”.
Throughout the article, Cummins discusses the differences between the manuscript that is available to read and the actual printed book. For example, Cummins says in the manuscript there is a detail description of the fourth of July and its importance to America but it is taken on in the printed book. Apparently the editorial process can really affect what goes into the book. I think that it would have been important to have the meaning of the fourth of July explained in the text to one of the characters because this would have highlighted some of the assimilation to the American culture. But I would have never made this connection if it wasn’t for reading this critical review.
Overall this review has allowed me to get inside a critics head and the authors head and enabled me to read the book in a different way. To much contribution, I noticed many qualities as well as possible issues that All-of-a-Kind Family may have with its readers and without this article I would not have been able to think with such a critical eye. Scholarly reviews and critics are important to reviewing literature of any kind and can contribute to the way a text is read and used by its readers; it can enlighten readers to new ideas and possible complications and this will help supply children with a selection of quality multicultural literature where they can appreciate and learn from others
When it came to finding a critical or scholarly review about a book there was one question to ask myself after an article is located. Do you find the article, read it and then read the book or do you find the article, read the book and then read the article? When I found the article "Becoming an "All-of-a-Kind" American: Sydney Taylor and strategies of assimilation, I decided to read the article first. Being a critical review of Taylor’s book All-of-a-Kind Family I believe that much of what I had read in the article contributed to the way I read the book.
In the article, June Cummins takes a look at the first book in a series of five and “focuses both on its depictions of positive Jewish cultural identification and on its treatment of cultural assimilation during a period when large numbers of immigrant Jews were moving into American society”. From reading the article I realized that these were two things I needed to focus on as I read the text and these were important to all readers. If I hadn’t read this article, the prominence of Jewish cultural identification would have exceeded the portrayal of an immigrant family assimilating to American ways. Just like Cummins explains, there is a lack of assimilation which was very important to all immigrants of this time. Cummins says “the characters do not discuss changes to their lifestyles or values, and no incidents occur that point to the acculturation process”.
Throughout the article, Cummins discusses the differences between the manuscript that is available to read and the actual printed book. For example, Cummins says in the manuscript there is a detail description of the fourth of July and its importance to America but it is taken on in the printed book. Apparently the editorial process can really affect what goes into the book. I think that it would have been important to have the meaning of the fourth of July explained in the text to one of the characters because this would have highlighted some of the assimilation to the American culture. But I would have never made this connection if it wasn’t for reading this critical review.
Overall this review has allowed me to get inside a critics head and the authors head and enabled me to read the book in a different way. To much contribution, I noticed many qualities as well as possible issues that All-of-a-Kind Family may have with its readers and without this article I would not have been able to think with such a critical eye. Scholarly reviews and critics are important to reviewing literature of any kind and can contribute to the way a text is read and used by its readers; it can enlighten readers to new ideas and possible complications and this will help supply children with a selection of quality multicultural literature where they can appreciate and learn from others
All-of-a-Kind Family
Taylor, Sydney. All-of-a-Kind Family. 1951. New York: Taylor Productions, Ltd., 1979.
In the first of a series of 5, Sydney Taylor introduces the All-of-a-kind family and shares the lives of five sisters and their parents as they go about their daily lives in New York’s lower east side. Although money is short, these girls never fail to have a good time and engage in all life has to offer. Throughout the story readers will feel apart of the family as they live their everyday lives, celebrate holidays and traditions related to their Jewish culture and watch an immigrant family assimilate to the American. With the strong friendships they have with the other immigrants and the openness to meeting Americans, this family proves to be an overall caring and loving family that will leave you wanting to read more. The introduction to a new member at the end of the book encourages the readers to read the books that extend and expand the story and the lives of the all-of-a-kind family.
Based and written about the authors own experience growing up as a child in the lower east side of New York, All-of-a-Kind Family was one of the first and still well known books about Jewish American children. Written for Sydney Taylor’s daughter and other Jewish children due to the lack of books representing them, Taylor describes in details Jewish holidays and traditions that occur throughout the year in order. One implication is that she does not give the reader a sense of how far apart any of these holidays take place which could be problematic for people who know little about Judaism. But for both readers that are Jews and non-Jews, this books share the story of a family that many children can relate too. It also teaches in detail what many of the holidays are and how they are celebrated. Throughout the text there are also several Hebrew and Yiddish words that are all described in parenthesis to prevent confusion.
I believe that this piece of literature is very relatable to Jewish American Children although it may be repetitive for them. Since every Jewish holiday and the words that associate with the Jewish culture are explained, this could get boring for its insider readers. Although it shares the family’s traditions as well, I think there is a little to much in this book that teaches about the Jewish religion. Depending on the reader, I think if the purpose of the reading is to inform about the Jewish religion and culture than this book does an excellent job but if it is to be put on a bookshelf for Jewish American children to be able to relate to and enjoy a story with Jewish characters and backgrounds than it may not be the story they are looking for. Overall, I believe that this is a quality piece of literature that should be available to every one of all ages as it is one of the first and well-known books that represent Jewish Americans.
In the first of a series of 5, Sydney Taylor introduces the All-of-a-kind family and shares the lives of five sisters and their parents as they go about their daily lives in New York’s lower east side. Although money is short, these girls never fail to have a good time and engage in all life has to offer. Throughout the story readers will feel apart of the family as they live their everyday lives, celebrate holidays and traditions related to their Jewish culture and watch an immigrant family assimilate to the American. With the strong friendships they have with the other immigrants and the openness to meeting Americans, this family proves to be an overall caring and loving family that will leave you wanting to read more. The introduction to a new member at the end of the book encourages the readers to read the books that extend and expand the story and the lives of the all-of-a-kind family.
Based and written about the authors own experience growing up as a child in the lower east side of New York, All-of-a-Kind Family was one of the first and still well known books about Jewish American children. Written for Sydney Taylor’s daughter and other Jewish children due to the lack of books representing them, Taylor describes in details Jewish holidays and traditions that occur throughout the year in order. One implication is that she does not give the reader a sense of how far apart any of these holidays take place which could be problematic for people who know little about Judaism. But for both readers that are Jews and non-Jews, this books share the story of a family that many children can relate too. It also teaches in detail what many of the holidays are and how they are celebrated. Throughout the text there are also several Hebrew and Yiddish words that are all described in parenthesis to prevent confusion.
I believe that this piece of literature is very relatable to Jewish American Children although it may be repetitive for them. Since every Jewish holiday and the words that associate with the Jewish culture are explained, this could get boring for its insider readers. Although it shares the family’s traditions as well, I think there is a little to much in this book that teaches about the Jewish religion. Depending on the reader, I think if the purpose of the reading is to inform about the Jewish religion and culture than this book does an excellent job but if it is to be put on a bookshelf for Jewish American children to be able to relate to and enjoy a story with Jewish characters and backgrounds than it may not be the story they are looking for. Overall, I believe that this is a quality piece of literature that should be available to every one of all ages as it is one of the first and well-known books that represent Jewish Americans.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
Kimmel, Eric. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. New York: Holiday House, 1985.
In this unique and exhilarating Hanukkah tale, Hershel must try and save Hanukkah from the goblins and bring back the excitement and celebration of the festival of lights to the village. Hershel has to spend the eight nights of Hanukkah in the synagogue outwitting the goblins to keep the menorah burning each night. This book has been recognized as a Caldecott Honor Book.
Through this fictional story of Hanukkah, Kimmel incorporates traditional themes that relate to Hanukkah and uses them in ways that if you were not Jewish might confuse you. For example, when Hershel uses the dreidel game to trick the goblin he explains it with a twist which is not consistent with the way the game is actually played. The overall story is exciting and unique which is different than the majority of the Hanukkah literature out there for kids. It doesn’t persuade to teach about the holiday but uses the holiday to share a fictional, entertaining story. At the end of the book there is an explanation of the holiday and how it came about. It also explains the dreidel game clarifying that the game in the book is created by Hershel himself which helps outsiders prevent inaccurate information about the holiday and things that may relate to it. The explanation at the end also explains the word “Shammes” which is used through the text as well as the term Latkes which are also discussed and not explained in the story. By providing this information at the end of the book, it gives readers a chance to learn about the holiday if they would like without taking away from the actually story and leading it to be repetitive for many insiders.
A review of this book and explanation from the author, Eric Kimmel can be found in the article titled “Joy on Beale Street” which was published in The lion and the Unicorn, Volume 27, issue 3 on page 410.
In this unique and exhilarating Hanukkah tale, Hershel must try and save Hanukkah from the goblins and bring back the excitement and celebration of the festival of lights to the village. Hershel has to spend the eight nights of Hanukkah in the synagogue outwitting the goblins to keep the menorah burning each night. This book has been recognized as a Caldecott Honor Book.
Through this fictional story of Hanukkah, Kimmel incorporates traditional themes that relate to Hanukkah and uses them in ways that if you were not Jewish might confuse you. For example, when Hershel uses the dreidel game to trick the goblin he explains it with a twist which is not consistent with the way the game is actually played. The overall story is exciting and unique which is different than the majority of the Hanukkah literature out there for kids. It doesn’t persuade to teach about the holiday but uses the holiday to share a fictional, entertaining story. At the end of the book there is an explanation of the holiday and how it came about. It also explains the dreidel game clarifying that the game in the book is created by Hershel himself which helps outsiders prevent inaccurate information about the holiday and things that may relate to it. The explanation at the end also explains the word “Shammes” which is used through the text as well as the term Latkes which are also discussed and not explained in the story. By providing this information at the end of the book, it gives readers a chance to learn about the holiday if they would like without taking away from the actually story and leading it to be repetitive for many insiders.
A review of this book and explanation from the author, Eric Kimmel can be found in the article titled “Joy on Beale Street” which was published in The lion and the Unicorn, Volume 27, issue 3 on page 410.
Papa's Latkes
Edwards, Michelle. Papa's Latkes. Cambridge: Candlewick Press, 2004.
Papa’s Latkes is the story of a family’s first Chanukah without their mother. With beautiful oil and acrylic painted illustrations, Edwards shares the story of carrying on with traditions and coping with loss when Papa attempts to make latkes, a job that Mama had always done, on the first Chanukah celebration without her. Through remembering and maintaining tradition, this book shows the struggles of continuing life at hard times with the loss of a loved one.
Papa’s Latkes is the story of a family’s first Chanukah without their mother. With beautiful oil and acrylic painted illustrations, Edwards shares the story of carrying on with traditions and coping with loss when Papa attempts to make latkes, a job that Mama had always done, on the first Chanukah celebration without her. Through remembering and maintaining tradition, this book shows the struggles of continuing life at hard times with the loss of a loved one.
Although this is not the average Chanukah story explaining the holiday to its readers, this story reaches out to not only the Jewish American audience. Although it is based around Chanukah and making Latkes, the story touches on a deeper level trying to cope with loss and carry on traditions when a family member has passed. I think this is a quality piece of Jewish American Literature because the story does more than teach. Through the preparations and celebration of the first night of Chanukah, Jewish children can relate and outsiders can get a feel for what goes on as someone celebrates this well known holiday.
The Keeping Quilt
Polacco, Patricia. The Keeping Quilt. New York: Simon and Shuster Books for Young Readers, 1988.In The Keeping Quilt, Patricia Polacco shares the story of her family through a picture book that shares how a quilt is made to remember back home in Russia when her family immigrates to the United States. The quilt is passed on down from mother to daughter for generations and used to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, funerals, Jewish holidays, and so on. The pictures in the story are primarily black and white except for the quilt which is drawn in vibrant colors. As the story progresses, the Jewish family assimilates to the American culture but still keeping family and religious traditions. It is in the pictures where change is most apparent and the illustrator does an excellent job portraying change and tradition at the same time.
A winner of the Sydney Taylor Award, The Keeping Quilt not only shares the story of a family full of tradition but it also shares cultural ways of Jewish Americans. As a diverse piece of literature, Polacco chooses to share her story and not teach about the Jewish religion. With a lack of knowledge of Jewish traditions, some readers may have trouble understanding why things are they way they are; for example, the use of the huppa in weddings and the reason men and women do not always celebrate together. This information can be looked up and discussed to relate to outsiders who are unfamiliar. The pictures do an excellent job showing the assimilation through the generations of the family and I believe that everyone can find a way to relate to this book whether or not they are Jewish because of the role that tradition, love and faith play throughout the story but it can also connect to Jewish Americans because it is a book that’s purpose is not to teach but relate to the history of Jewish immigration and adjustment.
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