Culture 6: Inclusive Literature - Characters with Disabilities

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA:

Lord, Cynthia. 2006. RULES. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439443821

PLOT SUMMARY:

Catherine is a young girl struggling to deal with her younger brother’s autism. Catherine loves David, but finds herself frustrated by his behaviors and his near constant need for their parents’ attention. Catherine worries constantly about David’s behaviors and even creates a book of rules for David to follow to help him behave more “normally.” Catherine’s perspective changes a bit when she befriends a boy she meets at David’s occupational therapy clinic. Jason, who is confined to a wheelchair and cannot speak, shows Catherine a different side of herself. As Catherine’s kindness to Jason grows and their friendship blossoms, she begins to realize that differences are not such a bad thing. Catherine realizes what is most important in life and begins to accept herself, her family, and her friends for who they are.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

In RULES, David’s autism is depicted realistically and accurately. Lord uses Catherine’s rules for David as a means for giving examples of some of David’s unusual behaviors, such as “No toys in the fish tank” and “If someone says ‘hi,’ you say ‘hi’ back.” Readers will quickly understand David’s differences while at the same time begin to view David as a unique individual.

David’s fascination with Lobel’s FROG AND TOAD books is a significant cultural marker for his disability. David has difficulty expressing himself through normal conversations and social interactions, so he fixates on the words of the books he loves and uses them to communicate with Catherine. Catherine understands David when he quotes the FROG AND TOAD stories, and David often appears to use them as a means to apologize to Catherine and reach out to her for help or forgiveness.

Jason’s disability is also explored authentically. Although Catherine does not know what is wrong with Jason, she explains that he is in a wheelchair and must use a communication book with word cards to communicate since he cannot speak. Although Jason’s disability plays a major role in the story, Catherine soon realizes that Jason is capable of holding normal conversations with her with the help of his communication book. She also realizes that Jason has many of the same likes and desires that she does, and to her surprise, they become fast friends.

Jason’s word cards serve as a significant cultural marker for the story in a variety of ways. As Catherine begins to help Jason create new word cards for his communication book, she is forced to examine the significance of the words she chooses and view communication in a whole new way. Catherine begins to understand how Jason could be frustrated by being limited to only the words in his book, and she makes it a point to create fun and eccentric words and phrases for him like “Awesome!” and “Stinks a big one!!!” Jason’s speech limitations parallel David’s struggles to communicate in some ways, and readers will recognize and sympathize with how Catherine helps both David and Jason overcome their struggles with communication to an extent.

RULES is a heartwarming story that readers of all ages will enjoy, and it is a great story to share with children to begin a discussion on individual differences. With exceptional characters, comical and endearing moments, and a wonderful message, RULES deserves a place on any library shelf.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:

From LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION (October 2006):
“The first-person narrative is very engaging, and readers will identify with Catherine's struggles and cheer for her at the end. This is a great book to help students gain some understanding about autism, while also providing a good read. The author is the mother of an autistic child.”

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (April 2006):
“Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. Her love for her brother is as real as are her frustrations with him. Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance. A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter.”

From KIRKUS REVIEW (March 2006):
“Catherine is an appealing and believable character, acutely self-conscious and torn between her love for her brother and her resentment of his special needs. Middle-grade readers will recognize her longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences.”

CONNECTIONS:

2007 Newbery Honor Book

Lamplighter Award

2007 Schneider Family Book Award

2007 ALA Notable/Best Book

Have students create their own personalized word cards (like the ones Catherine makes for Jason) that have special meaning to them. Then, ask them to make word cards to describe how they might feel if they had a family member or friend with a disability.

Culture 6: Inclusive Literature - Gay/Lesbian Characters

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA:

De Haan, Linda and Stern Nijland. 2000. KING & KING. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press. ISBN 1582460612

PLOT SUMMARY:

When the queen decides that it is time for the prince to marry and become king, the search is on for the perfect princess. The prince soon discovers that none of the many princesses who come to the castle to woo him are suitable to his tastes. However, when the last princess arrives with her brother, it is “love at first sight” between the two princes. The princes are married and then become known as “King and King.” True to the story’s fairytale style, “everyone lives happily ever after.”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The interesting thing about this story is that it offers homosexual literature for even very young children, which can be difficult to find. Presented in a fairytale format, this story follows a prince as he searches for his true love. The plot is fairly predictable in the beginning as various princesses in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds come to the castle in the hopes of charming the prince. Young readers will easily see the pattern of the prince’s less than enthusiastic response for each princess until the final princess arrives with her brother. Children will quickly put together the fact that the prince is in love with the other prince, not the princess. The plot is simple with an unexpected twist that serves the purpose of gently introducing young children to the concept of same sex couples.

Nearly all of the characters in the story are unique and eccentric in their own way. From the overbearing queen to the unimpressed prince, the characters are all very different from each other and offer readers a clear picture of individual differences. Even the princesses are all unique, opening up the door for a discussion on individuality with young children.

The bright and colorful illustrations will appeal to children and drive the message of the story home. The illustrations are full of activity with some comical aspects that children are sure to pick up on, such as the royal cat dressing up like the princesses in the background. The final illustration shows the two princes kissing with a heart drawn over their mouths to conceal the actual kiss, emphasizing the book’s usefulness and appeal for all ages.

This book offers young readers an introduction to same sex couples without offering graphic or overly confusing information. An upbeat plot, unusual characters, appealing illustrations, and a unique twist on an old tale combine to make this a celebration of love and differences for all ages.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:

From BOOKLIST (July 2002):
“The text is brief and lighthearted, and it presents the gay relationship with matter-of-fact ease. But it's the illustrations that really shine. Whimsical, textured collages mix beautiful papers, fabrics, and bright paint in scenes that show the bossy queen, the wildly imagined town, the eclectic princesses, the wedding, and finally, a kiss between the two starry-eyed princes. Adults will know what's coming early in the story, but many kids won't. They'll simply like the fun artwork and the final twist on conventions.”

From HORN BOOK starred (Fall 2002):
“In this mischievous twist on a familiar motif, a bachelor prince finds something lacking with each princess his mother draws to his attention until the last candidate brings along her cute brother. Silly but affectionate collage illustrations match the text for whimsical irreverence. Missing the political point, the young audience will probably come to the conclusion that this prince likes boys better than girls, which, of course, he does.”

From KIRKUS REVIEW starred (February 2002):
Move over, Princess Smartypants: this Dutch import arrives to take top honors in the fairytale-fracturing department. It is a joyful celebration that at the same time firmly challenges the assumptions established and perpetuated by the entire canon of children's picture books. Hurrah to newcomers de Haan and Nijland and to the publisher for bringing them to an American audience.”

CONNECTIONS:

Consider sharing the sequel to this story, KING & KING & FAMILY by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland.

Use this story to open up a discussion on individual differences.

Read a traditional fairytale and compare/contrast with KING & KING.

Culture 6: Inclusive Literature - ASK ME NO QUESTIONS

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA:

Budhos, Marina Tamar. 2006. ASK ME NO QUESTIONS. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781416903512

PLOT SUMMARY:

Nadira and her family are illegal aliens from Bangladesh, and after 9/11, their world is turned upside down as the United States government enacts stricter rules against Muslim immigrants. Nadira’s family is afraid of being discovered, so the feel forced to flee to the Canadian border to seek asylum. When Canada turns them down, Nadira’s father is arrested at the border. Nadira’s mother stays behind to be with her husband and sends Nadira and her older sister, Aisha, back to New York. The teenage girls live in fear of having to leave America as well as what might happen to them if they are discovered. In the end, Nadira must switch roles with her strong, confident, “perfect” sister in order to prove that her father has been wrongly accused due to a case of mistaken identity. Nadira reunites her family again as their appeal for residency is finally granted.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The characters in the story serve as cultural markers for immigrants from Bangladesh. The names of the characters, such as Nadira and Aisha, are authentic cultural names, and Aisha even makes a point throughout the story to remind others of the correct spelling and pronunciation of her name. The nicknames and forms of address used throughout the story also reveal some significant cultural markers. The terms “Abba,” “Ali-Uncle,” and “Ma” draw the reader into a piece of the culture of Bangladesh. The appearance of the characters is also significant to the authenticity of the story, and the contrast between Aisha’s and Nadira’s appearances establishes individual differences within the culture as well. While Aisha is described as “fair skinned and thin” with “frizzy hair,” Nadira is heavier and feels like an outsider in her own family at times. The clothing worn by the characters is equally significant. Aisha and Nadira embrace American clothing easily, while their mother maintains more traditional clothing styles for their culture such as a “shalwar kameez.” Eventually, their mother does transition to American clothes, signifying the family’s final transition to permanent life in America.

Food is also significant to the story, and Budhos again does a good job of contrasting two extremes as far as food is concerned. Traditional food items from Bangladesh, such as “moori,” “polao,” “luchis,” and spiced potatoes, are mentioned throughout the story. In contrast, American foods, such as sodas, Dunkin’ Donuts, and McDonald’s, are some of Nadira’s favorite foods. This contrast in foods reveals to the reader Nadira’s affinity for the American lifestyle. Interestingly, Nadira’s mother develops a habit of watching American cooking shows, revealing her slower transition to the American culture.

Language is another cultural marker for the story. While the girls speak English fluently, their mother is nervous about her limited English skills. Over time, their mother gains confidence in her ability to speak English as she begins to find her place within American society.

Budhos does an outstanding job of showing the reader how important American culture is to Nadira and her family. Although they are immigrants from Bangladesh and still embrace their culture and heritage, the idea of being Americans and living the American dream is extremely important to them. The characters of Nadira and Aisha make it clear to the reader that they are more comfortable living in America than they would be in Bangladesh, a place they hardly remember. Endearing characters, an exciting plot, and fascinating cultural dynamics combine to make ASK ME NO QUESTIONS an outstanding look at a family’s struggles to gain citizenship in the country of their dreams.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:

From BOOKLIST starred (December 2005):
“The teen voice is wonderfully immediate, revealing Nadira's mixed-up feelings as well as the diversity in her family and in the Muslim community. There's also a real drama that builds to a tense climax: Did Abba give funds to a political organization? Where has the money gone? Will Immigration hear his appeal? The answer is a surprise that grows organically from the family's story. Readers will feel the heartbreak, prejudice, kindness, and fear.”

From HORN BOOK starred (Fall 2006):
“Budhos's moving, quietly powerful novel explores the post-9/11 pressures on fourteen-year-old Nadira's Muslim family, Bangladeshi immigrants who have lived productively but illegally in New York for eight years. When they seek asylum in Canada and her father is detained at the border, Nadira realizes it is up to her to prove his innocence and hold her family together.”

From LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION (August/September 2006):
“Nadira's conflicted feelings, Aisha's meltdown, and the dynamics of the Muslim community as it faces the suspicions and bureaucracy of the immigration system are movingly conveyed through the narrator's voice. This book is a well-written and needed counterpoint in the body of September 11th literature. Many innocent, hard-working immigrants have experienced prejudice and fear, and this novel does an excellent job of telling their story. Highly Recommended.”

CONNECTIONS:

2008 ALA Notable/Best Book

YALSA Best Book for Young Adults

Have students create a diary and write from Nadira’s perspective throughout the major events in the story (being turned down at the Canadian border, her father’s arrest, her sister’s troubles, her father’s release, and finally achieving residency).