Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A Possible Newbery, But Already A Winner

                          Tuesday Slice of Life can be found at the Two Writing Teachers blog


In my reading life, I’ve been trying to read books about which others are whispering NEWBERY, NEWBERY!  The most recent book I’ve read is Breadcrumbs, by Anne Ursu and illustrated by Erin McGuire.  The book is marketed for middle grade readers, yet I know I would encourage my middle school aged students to read it, too.  It speaks with such compassion about the pain that children feel when they are suffering from tragedy in their lives that not only young adults, but parents and teachers should also read this poignant tale.  And tale it is, including the heroine, Hazel who saves her knight, Jack, because that is what friends do.  The book is over three hundred pages, yet I imagine that reading it aloud to a class would open up such opportunities for immediate personal sharing in either conversations or in writing workshop that it would be worthwhile to spend the time.  It is about friendship, bullying, heroism, reversing the stereotype of the prince saving the princess, and being true to oneself.  It is about so many things important to growing up.
On one level, I can see that students will love the sweetness of Breadcrumbs about a friendship and the things one can imagine doing for a friend, even challenging and defeating the Snow Queen.  On another level, if a student has been often immersed in fantasy, the subtle references to other favorite tales delight often.  Not only are there references to stories of Hans Christian Andersen, but from Philip Pullman and J.K. Rowling, too.   From the viewpoint of a teacher, one can read this book to see examples of the incredible strength of childhood/young adult friendship, and the alarming disconnect of these same children with the adults in their lives.   I know we teachers make strong connections with our students, and I am proud of those relationships; yet I have also known that many of my students did not tell all. 
Read this passage from Ursu:  ‘Hazel Anderson’, said Mrs. Jacobs, who was the thing that had deflated, ‘would you sit still?’ / Someone sniggered.  From somewhere in the back of the room, someone else sneered, ‘Yeah, Hazel,’ which was not the greatest insult ever, but one thing Hazel had learned at her new school was when it comes to insults it’s the thought that counts./Mrs. Jacobs looked at her with weary eyes, and Hazel froze.  She was still like the snow-covered morning.  She did not even breathe, at least very much.  She was going to listen, she was going to try, because she was not a little kid anymore, because it was her job to sit still and listen to the teacher and we all have to do our jobs in the world, even if we don’t like them very much.  There are other times in the book that Hazel tries to do what everyone wants her to do, to say the words they want her to say, and I felt sorrowful that I have probably been that teacher sometimes, and watched as the student dried up, became quiet, and did as he or she was told. 

Later in the book, the main story shows Hazel defying the rules and taking back the pieces of her self in order to save her friend.  The story of this friendship as told so clearly by Ursu, although couched in fantasy terms, shows fantastical heroism as the metaphor for the real-life saving done by children for their friends. 
And my approach to curriculum seems to have changed lately, perhaps because of conversations I’ve been having with teachers I coach about their students.  This book, Breadcrumbs touched me so much because it showed the ability of a child to be lost in a class lesson when experiencing personal turmoil.   I’ve been thinking more about the student’s personal and emotional support that leads to improved success in the curriculum.  To integrate thoughtful lessons that connect to the personal seems critical.   There are writing experiences that do come from the heart, and do help us know our students.  If we are not gaining the trust needed, if students aren’t personally ready for the lesson (no matter how well prepared is the lesson), plus if students aren’t getting the care they need—rest and food first, then we have a battle like Hazel’s to fight, to forge the good relationships in order that we might teach well.  What to do?  What to do?

14 comments:

  1. Linda, I'm beginning to wonder if I can afford to keep reading your blog! You have been sharing such wonderful sounding books that my TBR list is growing rapidly. I want to own them all.

    This one sounds terrific and I love that you shared your thoughts on using it in class. Thank you!

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  2. Do you suppose it could touch the hearts of teachers of high school?
    http://readwriteinspire.blogspot.com/2011/11/taking-action.html
    Could it be a "teacher workshop"?

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  3. I enjoyed your thoughtful reflection on the book and how you connected it to your own teaching. It's so easy to forget how fragile those teacher/student relationships are, and how the world looks from the point of view of a 12 year old.

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  4. Wow, just the snippet you shared was very riveting. What a wonderful read aloud!

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  5. Bring on the recommendations! I had read a piece on some other blog about this book awhile back, but you really hooked me! It is now on my Christmas wishlist.

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  6. Christy's Comment Part Two:

    The more I think about it, you are also teaching me a thing or two about a good book review/book talk. The pieces of your post that really got to me were the short excerpt and the connection you made between the book and your current thinking. Because the book meant something to you, I feel like it could mean something to me.

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  7. This sounds like a book I would like to have in my life. I live with characters and can't get them out of my mind. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  8. I haven't come across this book yet Linda. Thanks for the tip-off about it. I will have to get a copy of it.
    -Stacey

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  9. I think it's so great to find a new book to use with students. I find myself in a rut sometimes. Using mentor texts to make connections for students that then can carry into the writing makes lessons so authentic. So much of what we do day to day becomes automatic and routine. Breaking it up with something new helps!

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  10. "To forge the good relationships in order that we might teach well."
    This sentence says it all. This is what we need to remember every time we walk into the classroom. Even though at times we've resorted to being that teacher we never wanted to be, we must dust ourselves off and come back for another try keeping in mind the importance of relationships to teaching and learning well. Thanks for the post!

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  11. Oh, this is one of my all time favorites this year. I loved reading your thoughts about the story.

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  12. I haven't read this book yet, but noticed it's also on the Anderson's Bookshop Mock Newbery list:
    http://www.andersonsbookshop.com/mock-newbery-sibert-award-winners
    I'm putting it on my TBR list now, too.
    I was struck by your comment about students needing to be "personally ready for the lesson (no matter how well prepared . . . the lesson)." I just read something similar in a journal for teachers and I am trying to figure out how I can be sensitive to this in my writing workshops for both children and adults.
    Thanks for a great post!

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  13. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment on my post! I always look forward to comments from you -- you have such an encouraging, sensitive way of making me feel special and valued! I'm flattered and embarrassed that you actually told your colleagues about my "3-school circus" during the year. :-) Actually, this is a step up for me, as the first two years of teaching I was in SIX different buildings during the year. (I changed every trimester like I do now, but I also traveled between 2 schools each day. I also traveled from room to room for each class at each school. Pure insanity!)

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  14. I've read quite a number of mixed reviews about the book - can't wait to read it for myself. Sounds like a 'winner' indeed. :) Thank you for such a thoughtful post, as always.

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