Al Capone Does My Shirts

Throughout the reading of this narrative, I kept questioning why they would not say what exact condition Natalie had. I obviously knew it was some kind of form of Autism, but I didn't understand why they werent establishing it until reading the Author's Note at the very end. This book takes place in 1935 and Autism was not identified until 1943; but then I question is this book depicting all of the stereotypes that Tal describes in his article for disabled people? Common stereotypes in books "include portraying the disabled character as weak or pathetic, a burden to others, or incapable of participating fully in everyday life". Even though Natalie was able to participate in everyday life, she still had some major struggles. Al Capone Does My Shirts was published in 2004, 3 years after Tal's article about criteria for evaluating children's literature about disabilities came out. Therefore, when producing this text the author obviously knew all about different stereotypes that existed with children's literature. I know that all of Natalie's characteristics depict the elements of Autism, but it goes right along with the stereotypes within literature as well. I understand that the books setting takes place in 1935 so these "stereotypes" were not classified thus far, but reading the articles after reading the text really makes me question some of the factors in the text. Another thing I questioned while reading the text is the way Piper's character is used towards Natalie in the beginning. She uses words such as "retard", "stupid", and "different" to describe her. Also in the Tal article it goes on to explain ways to avoid stereotypes within text; "Information about the disability needs to be accurate and up-to-date, and the language describing the disability chosen with sensitivity and an awareness of current usage". With this quote it helps explain how important and crucial it is to be sensitive when portraying characters with disabilities in the text, because as shown in the Williams, et al article they too are considered their own "group". I am not trying to put this book in a bad light because I really enjoyed it and would really consider using it in my classroom; but if someone is not there to explain these different aspects to children will they really understand that along with differences there are many similarities between them and children with disabilities? Or will this be a way of justifying their actions when they use those types of words towards other students? Not every book is perfect and I can understand the different reasons as to why an author may or may not include certain things, but just as the Williams, et al article describes that by reading books about children with disabilities and chronic illness it opens the door for discussion thus helping to build a foundatino for acceptance of people who may look or act differently. This type of discussion is the exact ways I, as a future educator, will help my students realize the various aspects of text and make it relatable to their life while hopefully concluding with an accurate portrayal of certain groups.

Pura Belpre

The Pura Belpre Award was first established to recognize and honor Latino writers and illustrators whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in a work of children's literature. This award was first presented in 1996 and is presented biennially to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator. It has been in the works of changing this award to an annual award because there are more and more authors and illustrators and will begin taking place in 2009. The terms and criteria are extremely complicated within the criteria for the text and the criteria for the illustrations but I will sum up the overall terms:
1. Two medals shall be awarded biennially, one to a Latino author and one to a Latino illustrator.
2. The award-winning books must be published in the United States or Puerto Rico.
3. Recipients of the Pura Belpre Medal must be residents or citizens of the United States or Puerto Rico.
4. Only eligible books within these terms may be considered.
5. Fiction and nonfiction books for children published in Spanish, English or bilingual.

Within each of the different medals (text and illustrations) there are their own terms and criteria as well. They differ but stay along the same type of theme:
1. Identifying an author/illustrator of an outstanding book while having an accurate and positive portrayal of the Latino culture.
2. Considering other aspect of the book that make the book whole (illustrations vs text).
3. Not only is this award based on the illustrations and text but it is on how it portrays and celebrates the Latino culture.
4. Particular attention will be paid to the "insider's voice" and cultural authenticity.
etc.

The award is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA).

The selection committee is those that are part of the co-sponsoring committees.

There is no official website for the award but there are different resources that provide information about this award. Many library websites have posted a description of the award as a link. Some websites included:
1)ALSC: Association for Library Service to Children
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/belpremedal/belprmdeal.cfm

2)http://www.library.pitt.edu/libraries/is/enroom/awards/purabelpre.htm

3)Book Spot: http://www.bookspot.com/awards/belpre.htm

This award was first created in 1996 to acknowledge Latino authors or illustrators who best depict and celebrate the Latin cultural experience in children's literature. Pura Belpre was the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. This award was named after her to recognize all of her hard work to address the misconceptions as well as to promote the Latino culture as a children's librarian, an author, and a storyteller.

Some books that we chose to display in class were:

-"Parrot in the Oven" by: Victor Martinez
-"The Tequila Worm" by: Viola Canales
-"Magic Windows" by: Ventanas Magicas
-"Chato and the Party Animals" by: Gary Soto and Susan Guevara
-"Snapshots from the Wedding" by: Gary Soto

Nikole, Allison, Sarah

Looking at Poetry in a new light

I just finished reading Bronx Masquerade and even though I was skeptical at first, I ended up loving it. I haven’t ever seemed to get into the whole poetry thing, but after reading this book it totally put a new spin to what poetry can do in a classroom. When first reading it, I was getting confused with all of the different characters and what each of them represented through their poems but after getting use to the rhythm of it all, it really grew on me. I realized it wasn’t about putting a face with a theme, but by understanding the different themes that existed through each of the characters. With each of the poems, there was also a unique style portrayed in each of their writing. I also really enjoyed the use of Tyrone in the book. The way he narrated and worked through the different pieces made the poems even more significant to piecing the story together. After reading through a poem and the way I felt about it, I was always excited to see what Tyrone felt about it and how different or similar our views/takes were on the same piece. Through this, that is what I found most enjoyable about reading the poems, what different ideas/themes you are able to get out of a poem and comparing those ideas with others to see how different it is to theirs.
I was able to relate to the characters, because just like them, they weren’t at first sure of how well they liked poetry until they got into it. I feel like I have never been a fan of poetry because most of my poetry classes were about “finding the meaning” which meant, finding what my teacher wanted me to find. I have found that poetry has different stories within itself; it is about finding your own type of meanings because everyone’s life experiences are different therefore each poem is going to be read in a different light. Overall I really liked this book because it got me into a genre that I have never really enjoyed reading before. Just like books, there are all different types of poems that are out there, through this I have found the kind of poems that I enjoy reading and that I am able to relate to the most.

Nikki Grimes

After reading "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes, I became very interested in finding out more about the author and her ideas in creating this piece. As I began to research her name on the internet, the first website I came across listed a lot of her works; "Bronx Masquerade" not even being mentioned. Right then, because I really enjoyed this piece, I thought how great must her other pieces be if this one wasn't even mentioned. Nikki Grimes was born and raised in New York City, where she began composing verse at the age of six and has continued her writing ever since. "She is happy to own the title Poet." Nikki Grimes has traveled the world conducting both child and adult poetry readings and lectures. She has been "crossing the borders" on all different levels; especially through "Bronx Masquerade" Nikki shows how poetry can do extraordinary things between cultures. In the 1970's, Nikki found time in her busy schedule to even coproduce and host The Kids Show on WBAI in New York; she continued her way through the radio business when she hosted a radio program in Sweden for immigrants as well. On top of her traveling she has produced many award winning books for children and young adults including the novels Bronx Masquerade, Jazmin's Notebook, and many other poetry collections. Along with her numerous book awards, Nikki Grimes was a recpipient of the 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children and was awarded the Golden Dolphin Award by the Southern California Children's Book Association.
Nikki Grimes is not only talented in the art of poetry, she has made a name for herself in other creative arts through photography, jewelry, and handmade cards. Her fiber art, beaded jewelry, and handmade cards are all made from recyclable materials. Her work has been featured in fine art fairs and bookstores and have been seen all around the nation from Utah to New York City.
Nikki Grimes is an extremely extraordinary individual who has developed herself as an author, poet, lecturer, and educator all across the nation and world. As an author of more than two dozen books for children, Nikki Grimes has a talent that can touch many lives on all different levels while connecting different cultures through the art of poetry.