Who are we in the eyes of others?
A famous Spanish saying, roughly translated into English is Tell me who you walk with and I will tell you who you are. This saying has impacted me greatly in my life since the day I was given it by a good friend and Spanish teacher. I was relating to her that I wanted a theme for my classes when I taught them Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story and she said this statement to me. I took the quote and ran with it. I asked students to think about what the statement was saying and then asked if they agreed or disagreed with it and why.
I'm not sure why, but the last year in particular I've spent many days thinking on this statement and reflecting on how impacting it truly is. Basically, the sentiment is that your friends are a reflection of your own values and beliefs. Whether you agree or disagree with the statement, the larger question becomes how do we overcome the stereotypes and assumptions made by others because of who we befriend, where we live, or what we do. More importantly, how do we impress upon our youth not to flagrantly accept what they see and learn to study and search for their own truth and insight?
The answer to this weighty subject is not simple, nor does it have just one answer. One of the greatest ways to teach this is by using novels. This allows students to think about and explore their opinions and viewpoints, challenge each other, and grow using a safe environment. By using the situations in the book, they aren't having to expose their own personal lives to anyone, they are able to explore and think in a more abstract sense which allows more growth because it isn't as high in risk-taking. I know that I'm a huge advocate for risk-taking, but I also believe in building a place where students feel safe in order to risk take. Sometimes that means finding alternative methods to find the safe haven. Below are some novels that can start conversations about stereotypes, empathy, and point of view in a way that allows students to grow in their mindsets:
Wonder by R. J. Palacio: August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school- until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. This novel starts from Auggie's perspective but then jumps to his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, etc. to present a unique story. This is soon to be a motion picture, but it also inspired the Choose Kind Movement and it's own hashtag, #thewonderofwonder
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine: Caitlin has Asperger's. In her world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That's the stuff Caitlin's older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon's dead because of a school shooting, and Dad is no help at all. Caitlin wants to get over it, but she doesn't know how. When Caitlin finds the word closure, she realizes that is what she needs. In her search for it, Caitlin discovers that not everything is black and white- the world is full of colors, messy, and beautiful.
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park: This is two stories, told in alternating sections. Nya- a girl in the Sudan in 2008 who fetches water from a pond that is a two hour walk from her home. She makes this trip twice a day. Salve, a boy in 1985, who becomes one of the "lost boys" of Sudan. These are refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact wit hkiller lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya's in an astonishing and moving way.
Bruiser by Neil Shusterman: When Bronte starts dating Brewster "Bruiser" Rawlins- the guy voted "Most Likely to get the Death Penalty" her twin brother, Tennyson, isn't surprise. But then strange things begin to occur. Tennyson and Bronte's scrapes heal unnatrually fast, and cuts disappear before their eyes. What at first seems like their good fortune turns out to be more than they bargained for... much more.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker- his classmate and crush- who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. Clay spends the night criss-crossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and as he follows Hannah's recorded words, throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever. This is being made into a Netflix series, and is an excellent book; however, the content is mature in its nature and I strongly suggest parents preview it and/or read with their students to discuss. Because of the mature nature of the book, the Libratory is not able to stock it.
What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plum-Ucci: The close-knit residents to Hackett Island have never seen anyone quite like Lani Garver. Everything about this new kid is a mystery: Where does Lani come from? How old is Lani? And most disturbing of all, is Lani a boy or a girl? Clair McKenzie isn't up to tormenting Lani with the rest of the high school elite. Instead, she befriends the intriguing outcast. But within days of Lani's arrival, tragedy strikes and Claire must deal with shattered friendships and personal demons- and the possibility that angels may exist on Earth. This book is in the Libratory, but I still suggest parents preview it or read with their studnets to discuss.
