Culture 6: Inclusive Literature
Culture 6: Inclusive
A. Bibliography
Bailey, J. (2019). A friend for Henry. San
Francisco, California. Chronicle Books LLC.
B. Plot
Summary
Henry is a young child who attends school. He is
looking for a friend and finds reasons for others to not be his friend. Henry
is literal in his language and does not realize his friends do not understand
his actions. He finally befriends a child named Katie who shows a kindness and
ease of friendship with Henry.
C. Critical
Analysis Including Cultural Markers
A friend for Henry is
a picture book written in third person. The story is written simply and for an
audience of younger children. It can be used for older children, as well. In
the story, Henry is very literal with words and phrases. Henry knew a girl
liked rainbows, so he drew rainbows and her things and upset her. He thought he
was doing something nice, but she was quite upset with him. Henry’s job is to set
up the carpet squares for the students to sit upon. He has the edges lined up perfectly
and has a perfect pattern for the colors. One of the other students pretended
the carpet squares were a magic carpet, but Henry read the tag off the carpet
squares to prove his friend wrong. Henry was very rigid in his interactions
with others and could not befriend someone who was not in line with his
thinking.
D. Review
Excerpts
Booklist: “Henry, a young boy on
the autism spectrum, would like a friend. He appreciates people who are quiet,
share his sense of orderliness, and won't invade his personal space. Gilly the
goldfish is quiet, but she can't really play; Vivian flashes rainbow fingernails
in his face, but complains when Henry makes a rainbow of her paints; and Samuel
turns Henry's perfectly aligned carpet squares into a disorderly magic carpet.
Luckily, Henry notices Katie, who enjoys watching Gilly do fish things, is
happy to build a block tower that excludes the triangles Henry can't bear, and
loves swinging at the playground with Henry. Bailey's debut picture book allows
readers to empathize with a child who, despite overt differences, has needs
that are much the same as everyone else's. Song's ink-and-watercolor
illustrations depict a multiethnic, play-centered school. The cartoon art
includes many familiar classroom details and works well in conveying Henry's
emotional frustrations. As the number of diagnosed children on the autistic
spectrum increases, so does the need for informative and positive presentations
such as this.”
Kirkus: “A boy on the autism spectrum considers his classmates as
possible friends. “Henry was looking for a friend." The plot is that
simple and that complicated. Although it's never specified in the text, Henry's
autism can be seen in his behaviors and thoughts. He stands straight and still
as the multiracial class convenes, a steady pillar amid the bustle. Henry, who
presents East Asian, describes the other children in a manner that gives
insight to his point of view: One student is "a tangle of colors,"
while another is "a thunderstorm." Initially dismissed because she
likes the "Big Slide," brown-skinned Katie shares a moment with Henry
over the fishbowl. They play together, and readers see Henry standing straight
and steady once again but this time looking up with a smile of anticipation as
he "waited at the bottom for his friend." Ink-and-watercolor
illustrations interpret Henry's point of view well, giving context to his
perspective. Song's style allows for small impressions and intentional gaps,
like her rough hair textures and the outline of a fishbowl. It is in a state of
becoming, like the burgeoning friendship. Whether on the spectrum or not,
friends don't have to share everything, just enough, and this book sweetly
provides.”
E. Connections
Mosca, Julia Finley. The girl who thought in
pictures: the story of Dr. Temple Grandin. ISBN 9781943147304
Aponte, Carlos. Across the bay. ISBN 9781524786625
A. Bibliography
Lukoff, K. (2019). When Aidan became a brother. New
York. Lee & Low Books, Inc.
B. Plot
Summary
The story of a young child who was given a girl name,
a frilly girls room, and dresses and bows does not feel comfortable with any of
those things. The child chooses a new name, Aidan. The child gets a room
makeover and new clothes. Aidan really enjoys the new name, room, and clothes.
When Aidan finds out mom is having a new baby, they try to help with choosing
clothes, names, and room decorations. Aidan is nervous they made a mistake and
wishes the baby could choose their own things. Aidan learns that being the best
big brother is being a loving person.
C. Critical
Analysis Including Cultural Markers
This story is written in third person and avoids using
a lot of pronouns like “his” and ‘hers”. When Aidan became a brother showcases
how a young child given a girl’s name, a typical girls bedroom design, and
dresses and bows to wear is not comfortable with any of those things. The child
is supported by their parents and chooses a new name. After these changes, the
parents find a group of parents and kids who are having similar happenings in
their homes with their transgender children. Aidan really wants to help mom and
dad prepare for and welcome the new baby to the family in an experience that is
different from his own. He helps to choose names, bedroom décor, and clothing
that are not gender specific so the baby can decide what it likes.
D. Review
Excerpts
Horn Book Guide: “Brown-skinned (possibly
biracial) Aidan, who's transgender, knows how it feels to be misunderstood, so
he wants to get things right for his new sibling. Lukoff's straightforward
approach to Aidan's gender transition rings with authenticity, and he puts the
child-centered story ahead of message. Celebrating the family's close,
affirming relationship, Juanita's vibrant digital illustrations take cues from
the text, which models how to avoid the male/female binary.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “Everyone thought Aidan was a girl when he was born, but
Aidan knows that "he was really another kind of boy." "He felt
like his room belonged to someone else. And he always ripped or stained his
clothes accidentally-on-purpose." Finally, Aidan cuts his hair short, dons
clothes that suit him better, and tells his parents ("It took everyone
some time to adjust, and they learned a lot from other families with
transgender kids like him"). #OwnVoices author Lukoff (
E. Connections
Herthel, Jessica. I am Jazz. ISBN 9780803741072
Thorn, Theresa. It feels good to be yourself: a
book about gender identity. ISBN 9781250302953
A. Bibliography
Saeed, A. (2018). Amal Unbound. New York, New
York. Nancy Paulsen Books.
B. Plot
Summary
A young girl named Amal loves learning and going to
school. After her mother gives birth to her fourth child, Amal must miss school
and stay home to take care of the home, her mother, her sisters, and the baby.
Due to an unfortunate run in with the man in charge of the town, Amal must now
pay off her debt and work for him and his family. Amal proves she is strong and
smart when she figures out a way to end her servitude and go home.
C. Critical
Analysis Including Cultural Markers
The setting of Amal Unbound is a town in
Pakistan run by the Khan family. The power of the family was held first by the
father, then transferred to the son. In this culture males are the leaders of
the family and are viewed as more important than females. Pakistan has different social groups called
quoms and they are very similar to the caste system in India. In this system
there are very few groups at the top of the system which hold the majority of wealth
and power. This system also allows servitude, where private citizens can be
forced to work to pay off debts. Amal’s mother wore beautiful gold bangles
which were part of her dowry when she married Amal’s father. Another girl in
the village was getting married and had a dowry as well.
D. Review
Excerpts
School Library Journal: “Amal is an inquisitive young
girl living with her family in a Punjabi village in rural Pakistan. Inspired by
her favorite teacher, Amal dreams of becoming an educator. However, the tween
has to stay home to run the household while her mother recovers from postpartum
depression. Her ambitions fade away completely, though, after an accident
involving the car of the wealthy Jawad Sahib, and she becomes a servant in
Sahib's house to pay off her family's debts. Amal discovers the strength to
overcome her harrowing circumstances, while making new friends and finding
comfort in books and learning. What follows is Amal's social awakening. She
finds the courage to fight for justice on behalf of herself and her community.
Saeed's middle grade debut shares an empowering message about the importance of
family, literacy, and cultural ties. The rich storytelling, nuanced
characterization of an all-Pakistani cast, complex and layered look at the
socioeconomics of the region, and richly described setting make this ultimately
hopeful contemporary tale a good alternative to Gloria Whelan's Homeless Bird
and Patricia McCormick's Sold.
Publisher’s Weekly: “Saeed (
E. Connections
Hiranandani, Veera. The night diary. ISBN 9780735228511
Warga, Jasmine. Other words for home. ISBN 9780062747808
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A. Bibliography
Ali, S.K., Saeed, A. (Eds.) (2020). Once upon Eid:
stories of hope and joy by 15 Muslim voices. New York, Amulet Books.
B. Plot
Summary
This is a collection of fifteen stories centering on Eid.
Eid is a religious holiday celebrated worldwide by Muslims who are marking the
end of Ramadan. While each of the fifteen stories focus on Eid, there are all
incredibly different. There are different lessons the characters learn from
friendship, to generosity, and tradition.
C. Critical
Analysis Including Cultural Markers
Once upon Eid has
various settings as the fifteen different stories take place globally because
Muslims live across the world. The stories also take place on Eid, the celebration
at the end of the fasting during Ramadan. Eid celebrations consist of wearing a
special outfit, the giving and receiving gifts, an abundance of special foods,
and gatherings of family and friends. The stories have multiple examples of the
components of the Eid celebrations.
D. Review
Excerpts
Booklist: “For Muslims, there's no
better time to gather with family and reflect upon the joy of giving than
during Eid-ul-Fitr (which celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting)
or Eid-ul-Adha (the feast of sacrifice, which is connected to the Hajj, the
annual pilgrimage to Mecca). Here Ali (Love from A to Z, 2019) and Saeed (Amal
Unbound, 2018) have gathered a roster of #OwnVoices Muslim authors to highlight
the diversity within Islam and to explore the meaning of and otherworldly
feelings associated with Eid. In Ali's and Saeed's stories, Yusuf and Nadia
examine the importance of traditions and of allowing them to evolve to include
others. In Hanna Alkaf's story in verse, readers are introduced to Malay food
and a pain so poignant it can only be quelled by forgiveness. In "Seraj
Captures the Moon," Sara Alfageeh (who also illustrated the stunning book
cover) gives life to G. Willow Wilson's graphic story about a girl (and a
donkey named Pickles) on a quest to share the light of the moon. This special
anthology about family traditions, sharing meals, giving presents, and
delighting in the cultural uniqueness of people all over the world isn't just
for those who celebrate Eid; it's for all who want to share and learn about the
holidays.”
Horn Book Magazine: “This remarkably inclusive collection of short
stories by fifteen Muslim authors showcases some of the many Muslim
communities; cultural and familial traditions; and the universality of human
experience against the backdrop of the celebration of Eid. Like their authors,
the stories' protagonists live in majority non-Muslim countries -- in the
United States, Canada, Australia, and Greece, the exception being Hanna Alkaf's
Malaysian character, Alia, in "Taste." Stories range from simple
celebrations of joy and navigating everyday conflicts to addressing loss and
grief, but all are inextricably tied to community, identity, and faith.
Protagonists' experiences are inclusive of a variety of family structures,
differing socioeconomic backgrounds, Shia Muslims, and recent converts to
Islam. Though most stories are in prose, other formats include Alkaf's tale in
verse; a comic-format story by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Sara Alfageeh
(who also designed the cover and frontispiece for each story in the
collection); and a movingly powerful poem by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
celebrating the vivid imagery of Eid in the African American Muslim community
-- its history and connection to the memories and dreams of enslaved African
Muslims. As a whole the collection captures the spirit and feelings of Eid as
well as the many sensory elements: the collective "ameen" of a
congregation of worshipers, the touch and rustle of Eid clothing, and the
multitude of smells, sounds, and tastes that will resonate with Muslim and
non-Muslim readers alike.”
E. Connections
Lee, Lyla. Mindy Kim and the yummy seaweed business.
ISBN 9781534440074
Yoon, David. Frankly in love. ISBN 9781984812209
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