Banned Books Week
Calling all rebel readers! Let's talk banned books (I'll also share all the other things I usually talk about here.)
LET'S TALK ABOUT IT an EMPIRE OF STORMS making a HOUSE OF EARTH AND BONES that TILTS. -ALLEGEDLY- LOVE LIES BENEATH, that it's NOT THAT BAD, THE HATERS, who are ALMOST PERFECT, (and we the BELOVED we the DAMSEL) to keep the UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS at bay, have THIRTEEN REASONS WHY the books must be BURNED. Yet through the SMOKE we rise, SPEAK, EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE we LIGHT IT UP PUSH and READY OR NOT THE HATE U GIVE will be LIGHTER THAN MY SHADOW. IT ENDS WITH US. -Poem using works that have been banned in the USA from July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. The list is from PEN America.
I am very passionate about book access for all- from lower income areas having books to book banning…it physically hurts when I know someone out there cannot access a book that might save their life.
So, this week (and this month) I hope to read and share more books that have been commonly challenged.
If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend checking out PEN America and their statistics. It’s…a lot. Check out the list and see if you find a favorite of yours-share in a comment if you do! How does it make you feel knowing a book you found value in was removed from the hands of a student?
As a growing reader, one of the most influential and one of my favorite books I read over and over again was ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY by Mildred D. Taylor. I attribute this book to my inclusive demeanor and my support for the communities that are hurt by the “majority.” I grew up with Mildred’s words, without fulling understanding them, but they stuck with me. Then, as I grew older and went to college, I really had my eyes opened by the injustices Black people face in our country and how the history I was taught was watered down. I became a History major because I couldn’t get enough of this “untold” history, and then went on to become a history teacher. I remember writing my philosophy of teaching and having an intense desire to teach the whole history, the whole truth, even when it’s tough. Unfortunately, becoming a history teacher was really difficult as most are hired to be coaches and are…male….and I was neither.
All that to say, the power of a book is strong. Books can be a spark to something bigger. Books are amazing, powerful things, which is why they are challenged. We must fight for the FREADOM to read.
*steps off soap box*
Books I Read
Last week I challenged myself to read 200 pages a day and then….life happened. My 10 year old was on an Among Us kick and so we pretty much played every night. AND THEN she became obsessed with HAMILTON (my dream) and so we watched it a few times. Then, we watched THE CROSSOVER (based on Kwame Alexander’s novel in verse) and I had such a great week with her. So, no regrets.
I did get some reading done though and was successful with the challenge on Saturday and Sunday.
Here’s what I read and you can read my reviews on my blog
Like I mentioned earlier, I am going to focus on banned books this month. I want to read spooky and witchy books too, so I’ll find a balance! Two books I am reading that have been challenged recently included FELIX EVER AFTER and THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN. Sherman Alexie’s novel is actually my Banned Book Club pick on Fable. This book is controversial (and the author) for many reasons and I am looking forward to a good discussion.
Read With Me!
I am part of a couple of book clubs and would love for you to join!
Read to Write KidLit (for middle grade writers)
Recent Podcasts and Videos
Mariama J Lockington talked with my writing friend and I on our new podcast, Read to Write KidLit.
Legit KidLit had a great time with Dianne Salerni-perfect timing for spooky season too!
KitKat Update
My black cat Twix keeps pooping outside of his litterbox, so any tips on dealing with that is much appreciated. We’ve called the vet, gotten new litter, added litter boxes, have a calming scent…and it’s not ALL the time…so I think it’s behavior. He’s…a stinker.
But I love him. I mean…look! He’s my buddy.
Reese’s aka Peaches is great-she’s such a scaredy cat though. But my daughter can do pretty much anything with her and she lets her. Funniest thing she does? Her routines.
My husband takes “floor naps” and she always crawls on his chest and immediately rolls off to the floor. She struggles with laying still.
In the mornings after my workouts in our basement, she waits outside the door and reaches up to me when I am done-making me carry her up the stairs.
She sits on the bathroom counter as we use the bathroom…stalker
Do your pets have cute routines?
Share your pet pictures and stories! I’d love to hear them.
Writing
Alright, you caught me. I was ALMOST going to skip talking about writing, but I just couldn’t.
My writing life is better-I read IN THE KEY OF US by Mariama J Lockington with a writer’s lens and I noticed so many things I loved that she did in her writing. I especially loved her writing poems as the summer camp’s point of view-so I tried it! I wrote some poems from the car’s perspective in my Mad Max inspired novel in verse. I also wrote a poem today! You just read it!
I am still trying to participate in the #FinishUrBookFall from Claribel Ortega…but have fallen behind. I did share my mood board though!
Here they are! What do you think? What do they make you wonder?
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry was a formative book for me. I can’t even recall the story today but if you were to ask me which book had a huge impact on you when you were a kid, this one would be it without hesitation. I remember how I felt. I remember how it changed the way I viewed the world.
People who endorse book bans truly don’t know the type of legacy they’re leaving behind. It’s an absolute tragedy. One that we can fight of course, but tragic that it’s even a fight to begin with.