A. Capone

I just recently finished reading Al Capone Does My Shirts. I must say, I really really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down! I had started reading at about 11 and I stayed up until 2, just so I could finish it! I think it is a great novel. Disabilities and people with disabilities have a special place in my heart. Although my family has no one with physical disabilities, there are some mental disabilities. When first starting to read the book, I wanted to know what was "wrong" with Natalie. As the book went on I figured that she had autism. Not exactly sure why but I have learned a lot about autism and what its about. I am a big fan of Jenny McCarthy and her son has autism. She has been on Oprah a few times and has written a book, although I have not read it.  I heard that she had stated that food and what a person with autism eats really effects them. I know wheat is one of those things. I think that is very interesting. Also while reading this book I felt really bad for Moose. He was the younger brother but I felt like his mom made him feel bad for being without a disability, and the fact that he felt it was his fault that Natalie was like this really bothered me. Coming from a middle child perspective, and having a younger brother with a severe form of ADHD, I can see where he is coming from, but it is still upsetting. I know that I was looked over sometimes because my parents had to focus more on my brother and what was going on with him, although that is why I am so independent. But I think that children with disabilities are not given a fair chance at schools and education. I have learned over time that children with disabilities need to be placed in the real world, and not necessarily "babied" Giving them responsibility and allowing them to function in normal society gives them a chance at becoming independent and living a normal life. I think schools need to do more for those with disabilities. Its not fair and it really bothers me. Although I am not a special ed major, I still feel very strongly about this. I am not sure what question I am going to ask for my paper but I know that there is a lot here to work with, and I am looking forward to the discussion in class next week and to hear every one's opinions on this book and about disabilities in general. 

Book Awards

After reading the articles about awards for literature, I am somewhat on a fence. Some things stated in the first article we read by Aronson I don't know how I feel about. I like all awards for books no matter who or what the race of the author is. I think once we get into class and can discuss more about what these awards are all about and go into more detail I will have a better understanding. Although one statement made in the Aronson article stood out to me "The problem is that if the award is from the community to the community, then it is up to the surrounding communities to decide if those experiences-which they are inherently excluded from completely understanding-vitally important to them" I think this is a good discussion starting off point and sparks an interest in who is awarded books, and why. In terms of the debate, I think I connect and understand with more of what Pickney was saying, although the quote by Aronson is very interesting to me. I think it is important for all cultures to be honored with awards and we must remember that this books are for children and that all races and cultures should have the feeling of honor knowing someone like them can be honored for an outstanding work of literature. Also after researching some information about my award group, The Coretta Scott King Award, I think I find it more necessary to have awards such as this as it pinpoints great books that should be shared with all races/cultures, etc. 

how is blogging going

So far, I have been enjoying blogging. I find it fun to write down my ideas and talk about how I feel on certain subjects and then post responses. I also find it enjoyable to read other peoples blogs and see how they feel about their readings and what they have to say. I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and thats why these blogs work out perfect because we can all see eachothers ideas without anyone feeling like they should hold back becuase of what someone else might possibly say or respond with. Last weeks class was fun and enjoyable. I enjoyed talking about Bronx Masquerade and what others thoughts on it where. I was surprised that some classmates did not care for the book as much as I did. I thought it was a really good. I am looking forward to next weeks class and what that will bring! 

Class/Readings

Even though I had to miss class on Wednesday, which I am upset about because I hate missing classes, but I had to. Anyways, I did do the readings for class that day and I know I only got a fraction of what was most likely talked about in class, but I do feel I have a more understanding on insiders/outsiders views and about native American's and what it is like to be either an "insider" or an "outsider" based on the readings. Now, the readings for next week's class, which I am writing a questioning the text paper on the Bronx Masquerade. Before reading this book I had no idea what it was going to be about, what it was, the author, I really had never heard of any of it before. So I was very open to what I was about to read. I read the book in about two days. I thought it was an easy read, but it was also very very interesting. I related to almost every character in a way. The character I related to the most though was Janelle. I felt or have felt everything she described before in the book. I also really enjoyed how much the students got into the poem readings. In one of my classes in high school we did slam poems and similar to like what we did in our class where we each read our poems out loud we learned more about each other and learned we were more then just 'classmates.' I really enjoyed also how Tyrone who seemed to be lost until he found himself enjoying school and the poems, how he commented on the students poems after they read. That really added something to his character as well as the overall concept of the book. Also with all the diversity in the classroom, each background brought something else as well. The class room had all different races and cultures. I am looking forward to writing my questioning the text paper, I hope it goes smoothly! 

insider/outsider

I just want to say that I think our last class went very well. I think the discussion we had, and the "debate" was well played out and I learned a lot. I still am not sure on how I stand with the insider/outsider. I think that it is important to learn from an insider because they have the emotion behind the context and the spirit to not have a bias towards what is being presented. I also feel that an insider can be someone who used to be an outsider, so where do you draw the line? I think I am just going to try and find books that are written well, and written in a way that gets the message across without leaving out or offending anyones culture or race. I know there are many good books, and there are many bad books, good ones written by insiders and bad ones written by insiders, and vice versa. It all depends on what you feel you can explain to your students, and what you want them to be reading. In the upcoming class, looking at the syllabus we are going to be talking about biases and different perspectives, I think this will be interesting. Learning about the Arab culture has always been an interest to me, and the readings have already got me thinking.