Posts tagged Cris Beam

This Book Is for Everyone: Embracing Diversity within Identity

November 23, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Novels, Realistic · Tagged , , , , , , ,

We all know that there are very good books out there that depict characters of diverse backgrounds, making it easier to reach out to the kids we know from diverse backgrounds. But finding those titles and including them only on displays or in themes entitled Diversity is a disservice both to the books and to kids.

Books featuring characters of color, characters with disabilities, or LGBT characters belong in standard collections, thematic units of study, and in the hands of all readers—not only in those of the communities they represent.

Here are some new titles that deserve to be read—and not only by the young people they represent.

Black Boy White School by Brian Walker chronicles a powerful year in the life of Anthony Jones, a streetwise and academically able 14-year-old growing up in a gritty neighborhood in East Cleveland. After finding that he has been awarded a full scholarship at Belton Academy, an overwhelmingly white prep school in Maine, “Ant” witnesses the horrific murder of a close friend and decides to go, despite reservations about leaving home and entering a daunting new environment. During Anthony’s freshman year, he grapples with racism and socioeconomic tensions as he struggles with his own identity. A thoroughly likeable character caught in two difficult worlds, Anthony has a lot to share. Rough language and violence underscore Walker’s important story.

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills and I Am J by Cris Beam share a similar premise—both protagonists are young men who were born in girls’ bodies. In Beautiful Music, Gabe (born Elizabeth) has a passion for music and a part-time night DJ gig at a community radio station. His show—Beautiful Music for Ugly Children—attracts some local attention—mostly good, but also a couple of hateful young men bent on destroying Gabe. With the support of his friends, Gabe finds a way to pave a future for himself.

In I am J, Cris Beam draws on her experiences as a teacher at an LGBT high school in Los Angeles to tell the story of J, who was born as Jennifer. While he is living as a girl, J feels alienated from his family and friends, but he knows that they wouldn’t accept him as a boy. He feels trapped and running away seems like the only answer, which is a common choice among LGBT youth. J finds help in a high school similar to the one in which the author taught, where he learns about transitioning, starts to build a support system, and finally begins to feel comfortable in his own skin. Teen readers may find that they relate to J’s outsider status and his frustration with labels that don’t quite fit, even if they have no experience with transgender individuals.

Include the above titles in an Identity theme or unit—inclusive of everyone—encouraging students to tackle questions such as, “How do you know when you have found your place in the world?” and “How and why do people change?” And challenge kids to try books featuring characters unlike themselves!

Bibliography of Titles for Identity Theme:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. 9780316013680. 2007. Gr 9-12.

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills. 9780738732510. 2012. Gr 9-12.

Black Boy White School by Brian Walker. 9780061914836. 2012. Gr 9-12.

Black Helicopters by Blythe Woolston. 9780763661465. March 2013. Gr 9-12.

The Book of Jonas by Stephen Dau. 9780399158452. 2012. Gr 11-Adult.

Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier. 9780439357623. 2002. Gr 7-12.

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick. 9780316127974. 2012. Gr 7-12.

A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt. 9780375846915. 2007. Gr. 8-12.

Carly’s Voice: Breaking through Autism by Arthur Fleischmann. 9781439194140. 2012. Gr 11-Adult.

Darkroom: A Memoir in Black and White by Lila Quintero Weaver. 9780817357146. 2012. Gr 11-Adult.

Dead to You by Lisa McMann. 9781442403888. 2012. Gr 10-12.

Double by Jenny Valentine. 9781423147145. 2012. Gr 9-12.

Flip by Martyn Bedford. 9780385908085. 2011. Gr 9-12.

I Am J by Cris Beam. 9780316053617. 2011. Gr 9-12.

Jumpstart the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde. 9780375866654. 2010. Gr 10-12.

The List by Siobhan Vivian. 9780545169172. 2012. Gr 9-12.

Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Pena. 9780385903295. 2008. Gr 9-12.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth. 9780062020567. 2012. Gr 9-12.

Guestblogger:  Lori C.

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Mindy’s Caldecott, Schneider, & Stonewall Award Picks

January 16, 2012 · Filed under High School, Novels, Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Realistic · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

My brain is still in picture-book mode from choosing the picture book titles for our Booktalk Now! Spring Webcast, so I must say I am really looking forward to the Caldecott picks this year.  There are so many great books that I could see taking the award or an honor, but I’ve narrowed down my predictions to just four:

  • Grandpa Green by Lane Smith – I really love this book.  It is a tribute to grandparents that will be treasured by many families, but it is also an opportunity to inspire kids to think about the way that art can capture history—personal or otherwise.  I’d love to see young people sculpting their own memories after reading this book or perhaps creating some other tribute to what has come before them.  What better book to win an award for the art than one with such potential to inspire young artists!
  • Won Ton: A Cat Tale in Haiku by Lee Wardlaw and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin – I wouldn’t call myself a “cat person” but even I was charmed by the cat in this picture book.  Wardlaw’s haiku match with Yelchin’s graphite and gouache illustrations to create a character in the cat to whom you can’t help but relate.  PW called this book “surprisingly powerful,” and I think the book’s overall design plays a role in its emotional impact, which makes it a strong contender, in my opinion.
  • I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen – This pick will likely have some naysayers, but I, for one, would love to see more humorous books get honored.  This book is wickedly funny, and its use of color to tell the story is really interesting.  It’s different, for sure.  Maybe too different for the committee?  We’ll see!
  • Underground by Shane Evans – Underground  proves that you don’t need a lot of words to tell a powerful story. Each spread is dominated by dramatic illustrations with only a few well-chosen words to tell the story. If you want to talk about Black History with younger kids, this is the book to use.  Evans puts readers there without overwhelming them.  It’s intense, but it’s compelling in a way that few picture books are.

I also have my eye on a couple of other awards this year.  I’m always interested in the Schneider Family Book Award picks given my personal interest in the way that disabilities are portrayed in fiction.  I like Rebecca Elliott’s Just Because for the picture book category.  The book opens up the idea that there aren’t answers for why some people can do things others can’t. Sometimes the answer is “Just because.”  I highly recommend sharing this book with young people regardless of whether they have anyone in their lives with a disability for its simplicity and charm. For older readers, I enjoyed Now Playing: Stoner & Spaz II by Ron Kortge and The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen for their complex look at life with physical differences.

There are some serious contenders for the Stonewall Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award this year.  In particular, I am J by Cris Beam stands out as an authentic look at a transgender teen who hopes one day his parents will accept him.  Other highlights from my favorite list include Shine by Lauren Myracle and Sister Mischief by Laura Goode.

I’d love to know your picks for any of these awards!  Please feel free to share in the comments!

Blogger:  Mindy R.

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