In the Name of God

With so much negative connotation in the world against Muslim people, this book, I feel was a brave one to pick. With that said, I had a few issues with this book, and don't see it as one that I would want to teach in a classroom.

I felt that having the story from Nadia's point of view was interesting, as it did shed some light on a teenage girls perspective of the faith and what she thinks about it. However, I didn't like how she criticizes and even judges those around her who aren't like her, yet when Western (American people) do the same about her, it's racist and not okay. I have a problem with double standards, and don't understand them.

I also had a very hard time with how un-American this book is. I bleed red, white, and blue, and had a hard time with her attitude towards America's. Though she lived in Syria, and I can sympathize with what she faces on a daily basis, I feel that American's are ALWAYS made out to look like the bad guys - in every sense. We are so politically correct and afraid to offend someone of a different culture, yet when it is reversed to the US, it is okay because we are "the bad guys." Again, it is that double standard.

Overall, this book was an interesting read, but one I had way too many issues with. I couldn't see myself, personally, teaching this book in the classroom. Though I believe teaching students about different cultures is a great thing, I don't like one that depicts America in such a bad light.

Maus 1 & 2

I have never really read a graphic novel, until I had read Kampung Boy in a class last year for children's lit. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed that book, and could relate a lot to that book. The graphics were soft and nicely colored, and it was a pretty quick read (not very long). I bring this book up because as a graphic novel, Maus was so different. It had harsher colors, context, colors, and the overall theme was harder to deal with.

The beginning of the story was a little slow, and took a bit to pick up because it was setting the story up. Also, I feel that just reading it in the form of a graphic novel maybe took me a little bit. But after that, I got in to the story. I am from a Jewish background, so the content it already a little hard for me to read, as it usually is. I liked the way that Spiegelman told the story from his father's point of view, but also in a narrative form. I kind of brought you back out of the story to the "real" world of what's going on. I also found the use of the specific typed of animals interesting and what they represent. How "mice" are often seen as dispensable, and pests, and cats are the top of that food chain. And Americans are dogs, which are above the German cats.

I can see using this book in a classroom to teach about the Holocaust. I feel that a book like this would keep student's interest easier and they might be able to relate more to the way the story is written. I was worried that this would have belittled the historical part of the Holocaust by making it a cartoon with animals, but it actually worked well and was able to get the point across in different ways. This book would take a lot of pre-reading to get the kids kind of updated on graphic novels, how to read them and interpret them, and also to pair it with such a heavy topic, the Holocaust would need a pretty strong introduction.

Edgar Allan Poe

I have always been a fan of Poe. From early high school to now, there is always something I learn from his poems or stories. What is nice about al of Poe's work, is that there almost seems to be different difficulty levels within all of his works. As a 9th grader, learning Tell Tale Heart wasn't that hard to understand, and had the creepy factor that really gives the true essence of "Poe." That's when I first because very interested in Poe.

I think Poe would be very relevant to teach in the classroom. With SO MANY themes, metaphors, similes, and so on, it is a literary treasure chest!! You basically have your pick as to what you want to the students to discover, or interpret. One thing about Poe is that is can and tends to be overdone, so I think by picking maybe some of his lesser taught work, or even maybe looked a the more popular ones from a different angle will keep the students (and you as the teacher) more interested. 

With Poe being so popular, there have been a lot of remakes of the stories, plays written about him/his works, and so much more. It would be entertaining to show students some of these clips or videos. For instance, The Simpsons re-did the Tell Tale Heart, and it is pretty funny and entertaining. It mixes Poe's text with "Simpson's" text, and I think that will read well for young students.

Overall, I think teaching Poe is important. There is no one in the literary world that comes even remotely close to his writings/themes/thinking. There is something so dark and mysterious about Poe as the person, which comes across in his work. I love The Fall of the House of Usher because there is much left to the imagination, and much speculation as to the characters. But mostly I love the description of the house and area. It sets the tone like crazy, and I am immediately brought into this world.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

I was nervous about reading this book, and the length it was. Though it had bigger text, I was like, "I don't have time to read this!!!" Well, little did I know, it was such a great read the it took me maybe two days. I was surprised at how well he wrote, and the little stories and anecdotes within the book. I found myself relating in ways I didn't think was relatable, and really enjoyed this book.

When I was little, my brother and I were basically the only Jewish kids in the Spokane Valley (at least, that we ever encountered). Like Alexie, we felt like we didn't belong in this school that celebrated Christmas, and didn't recognize OUR traditions. I know what it's like to be an outcast, or feel like one, anyway. And his humor basically made his writing (and maybe his life even) more bearable. I love the part where he wants to smell and kiss the book. I have had moments like that when I have loved the smell of an old book. Though his was for a different reason that ended up with a different outcome, I laughed at this part and TOTALLY relate to it.

I feel like no matter what a child's situation is, they can take some of this book and apply or relate to it somehow. This book will for sure be one I have in my shelf in the classroom. I can see teaching themes of friendship, pursuing your dreams, racism, and so much more. This should be a standard in schools, and after reading a few colleagues' posts, I came to learn that it is banned! I would be willing to fight administration for a book like this. It is done tastefully, with humor, and real experience. It is an important read.