I liked what Kittle said about introducing students to book talks. You model what you want for them, and then you release responsibility to them to go and do their own book talk. I think pairing this with things like TikTok and Instagram could be super fun! There is literally a whole side of TikTok called “BookTok“ that is basically mini book talks. Having students interact with one another on there and post is a cool way to be relevant.

“The only way out is through.“

What a line! In dealing with difficult emotions and anxiety, the only (true) way to escape them and be free is to face them head on. I think this line works well with the magical realism elements too, and the ominous forest is a cool thing to relate mental health issues too. When one finds themselves in the woods, the only way to get out is to go through the woods; the same applies to mental health issues.

I think this book is why young adult literature shines. It takes a serious topic like mental health and presents it in an appropriate and manageable way for young adults. This generation is the most anxious generation (because of the “darn phones“), and so I feel like, to some extent at least, most students can relate to the events in the book. When thinking about engagement, having characters or situations that students can relate to matters.

One part I liked that Kittle mentioned when discussing Book Talks was when she suggested reading a short passage. I think this is such an important thing to do for our students. Not only does this show students what the prose of the book is like, but it also allows us to teach them how to read. What I mean by that is they can hear us use different inflection and emphasis as we speak, and they can take that into their own reading experience.

“We are who we are and we'll be who we'll be. A book can make us feel that, but it can't invent that. It is already inside of us.“

This sounds sweet at first, but I do not like this idea. This idea assumes that we cannot change as people, and that we cannot choose to act/not act on the things we feel. I think it is pretty clear that in everything in life, what you put into something is what you're going to get out. Acknowledging this is important

According to the article, 15-24 year olds only read for fun 7-10 minutes everyday. That is wild! For us as aspiring educators, it is an uphill battle to get kids to read and actually engage with texts. I think it is so important for us to be aware of the reality of education and reading - students are not going to be reading everything we assign. They may not read at all. That is why it is important for us to use multiple avenues of engagement.

Banned in the USA Web Article

10,046 book bans! That is a ton of instances of books challenged/removed in a school. Something this made me think about was the litigation (?) of it all. The school year is already so tight with time, and having issues like book bans can take up even more time. I think the topics banned are understandable to me - there are so many issues and viewpoints that it is hard to please everyone.

I really like the topic of banned books. I think this, even, is a book that could be banned in some places, and I love the meta aspect of it all. A book like this helps students think about what constitutes a worthy ban for a book, and having this in a narrative format is a really interesting and unique way to stir up discussions. I think, regardless of how students feel on the LGBTQ issue, thinking about these topics are relevant.

Immediately, I think that comic books are so helpful for students! It provides them a visual medium for text, and it is often less intimidating for them. What I really love about Martin's work is that it is quite bright and vibrant. It grabs the eye and is fun to take in as one is reading it. Too, Martin often does unique borders for his art here. Specifically, I liked the scene in the RV where other cells are above them as they travel.

We Need More Diverse Books Website

This website was very insightful. I looked at their programs, and they offer things like mentorships to marginalized authors to help them edit their work and seek publication. When it comes to what our students read, the literary canon has been the same for decades. Organizations like these are extremely helpful in getting material out that will reflect our students and current culture.

“Some of us slip and slide between an American-style name and a Mexican one.“

I thought this quote was very powerful and telling of the conflict that would be found throughout this book. The fact that there are American and Mexican names show a duality in identity found in these characters - the fact that they “slip and slide“ between these names/identities shows how they come and go based on their environment and other factors.

Comics Belong in the Classroom - video
I think what he said about the “permanence“ in comic books is an interesting idea. Giving students the ability to choose their own pace and the ability to go back and read something they did not understand is very helpful for a teacher. Instead of having to “hold the hands“ of the students, they can allow them their own autonomy to go back and reread the things they need to.

I just thought it was important to say - the layout in “Main Street“ is different than the other writing! When thinking of ways to get students to read, I feel like we have to break their expectations. Changing the layout of a text or the structure of it is a good way to grasp students. Plus, most of her breaks leave sentences isolated, and this makes the text less intimidating for readers who otherwise would struggle.

In “Sol Painting. Inc.,“ the moment where the girls disturb the paint is so interesting to me because a lot is going on. For one, the stereotype of “protective“ manhood is challenged - the narrator expects her father to be angry; he instead reacts passively. This is further complicated by the motivation for him acting this way: he doesn't want to ruin things for his children. I think there is an argument about how racism emasculates individuals.

“For people like you, ball is more than just ball.
It's a way out.“

Right off the bat, as an aspiring educator, I can see how the stories within this book are going to make an impact. The idea of a sport being “a way out“ will resonate with students who are not high achievers or have their own “ways out.“ Students like to relate to characters, and this can be helpful in engaging those students who do not feel academically able.