3 Good Reads on Self-Awareness and Multicultural lessons
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The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake
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This novel is about a girl named Maleeka and her new teacher Miss Saunders. Maleeka and Miss Saunders are a little bit different from the others. Maleeka has a dark black skin tone which she is bullied for. Miss Saunders has a large white patch of skin located on her face, which Maleeka fears her new teacher being made fun of for. To a surprise, Miss Saunders is very confident with her difference which really stands out to Maleeka! We are left to wonder will Maleeka gain the same confidence as her teacher?
This novel will extensively support young readers' personal growth. Students will grow in being able to understand wrongs from rights. They will be able to find ways to relate the differences they have to the characters found here in our story. They will also be able to identify a time that they may have judged someone based on a physical difference they noticed about them as well. Students will be able to understand and respect that differences are what make us so unique and special. The differences we hold are truly what make us who we are! The students will be able to be successful readers through the process of comparing and contrasting their own experiences with the experience that is taking place in the story. The overall purpose of this novel is to promote an understanding that differences are beautiful and that who you are is perfect!
Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman
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This novel is written about a character named Kabir. Kabir is from India and has been living a very interesting life since the day he was born. Kabir was born in jail while his mother was booked into jail for serving time for a crime that was not committed by her. Kabir does not know much about the outside world. Kabir does not know his father, family, or what the outside world is like. The only thing that he does know is his cellmates, his mother, and that he loves being in the classroom because he feels close to actually being in the outside world. As he continues to age, he eventually gets kicked out of jail and is given to an imposter who tries to sell him. Kabir did not expect life outside of jail to be like this. As Kabir escapes he needs to find a way to prove he deserves to live happily ever after with a successful life. Will his determination pull him through this rough patch in his life and help him create a successful life for himself and his future family?
This story is a very heavy story that continues to go through ups and downs with lots of struggle along the way. Students who read this story will observe how Kabir was born into a hard life and has to find a way to make a successful life for himself after being given the chance to live a free life. Young readers will have personal growth through this reading by taking a moment to put themselves in Kabir’s shoes. This reading will help students understand that everyone has a different story and a journey. Some people are more blessed than others, so it is important to make sure that we use kind words and actions as we do not know what someone is going through or what they have been through. This story promotes students being successful readers through being able to read a difficult text that tests courage, emotions, and strength. Students will be successful readers through their ability to put themselves in Kabir’s shoes and realize that every person has their own story.
Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young
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This Novel is written about a boy named Nathan and his grandma Nali who are both American Indian. This novel takes place in the summertime as Nathan is going to visit Nali at her mobile summer home on the reservation of Navajo. Nathan is not very excited to go visit his grandma because he knows during this time he will be very bored as there is no electricity or service where she lives, but something very exciting happens! Nathan finds a Holy Being from the Navajo Creation Story which is a Water Monster. Throughout the rest of this story, Nathan has to build the courage to save his new friend while also helping his Uncle.
This novel grows an understanding of students of another culture and a belief they have. Students can be more open-minded about another culture along with identifying and thinking of possible solutions to help Nathan with his problem. Respect can be given to Nathan for his courage in helping his friend and also being there for his Uncle. Students will grow as readers as they are able to identify how Nathan is courageous along with identifying a time when they had to show courage in a personal situation of their own. On top of being able to grow as a reader, students will grow in their respect of another culture they are or aren't familiar with and even take the time to compare this culture to their very own.
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