Monday, November 23, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving Reading?-books to avoid

Trying to organize a Thanksgiving Day book display can be problematic.
Many of the stalwarts such as those found on the New York Public Library's http://kids.nypl.org/holidays/thanksgiving.cfm
and other lists
http://wildrosereader.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-book-lists-book-reviews.html
are also found on Oyate's Books to Avoid list ( Note Oyate has discontinued this list but you can find the list at
http://journalstar.com/news/local/education/books-to-avoid/article_5d0d1834-c648-5adb-bc7e-239252337d66.html

The books found on the Recommended Books list from Oyate:

Bruchac, Margaret M. (Abenaki), and Catherine Grace O’Neill, 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2001, grades 4-up
(Juv.394.268 G729s)

Hunter, Sally M. (Ojibwe), Four Seasons of Corn: A Winnebago Tradition. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1997, grades 4-6.
(Juv.394.1 .H947f)

Peters, Russell M. (Wampanoag), Clambake: A Wampanoag Tradition. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1992, grades 4-6.
(Juv.974.48 P481c)

Regguinti, Gordon (Ojibwe), The Sacred Harvest: Ojibway Wild Rice Gathering. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1992, grades 4-6.
(Juv.977.6 R334s)

Swamp, Jake (Mohawk), Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message. New York: Lee & Low, 1995, all grades.
(Juv.299.79 S7919)

among others show respect for Native American traditions and don't employ or further the mythological Pilgrim-Indian friendship, first thanksgiving with turkeys and feathers.
See http://www.oyate.org/resources/longthanks.html
However, they may not be as attractive to students and teachers.

The problem is how do we critically examine ourselves, our perspectives and our transmittal of these myths to the next generation by employing the familiar books and stories in our teaching

Some books that might help in that exploration are listed below:

E98 .P99 H57 1999
American Indian stereotypes in the world of children : a reader and bibliography

E175.85 .L64 2007
Lies my teacher told me : everything your American history textbook got wrong

LC1099.3.T47 2009
Culturally proficient leadership:the personal journey begins within

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