Dear America series...class discussion

In class on Wednesday, we'll be discussing one of the Dear America books:

Turner, Ann
The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow
The Diary of Sarah Nita, a Navajo Girl
New Mexico, 1864
Dear America Series
Scholastic, 1999
194 pages, b/w photos
grades 4-7

Click here for a critique of the book by Oyate, "a Native organization working to see that our lives and histories are portrayed honestly, and so that all people will know our stories belong to us. For Indian children, it is as important as it has ever been for them to know who they are and what they come from. For all children, it is time to know and acknowledge the truths of history. Only then will they come to have the understanding and respect for each other that now, more than ever, will be necessary for life to continue."

The Oyate website is an excellent resource!

In conversation with Dr. Debbie Reese

I just had to make a post about this because I simply can't wait to tell you about this!

I emailed Debbie Reese to ask her our class question about descriptors/terms/names to use (e.g. Native American or American Indian). She emailed me back right away and pointed me to a spot on her blog that reads: American Indian? Or, Native American? There is no agreement among Native peoples. Both are used. It is best to be specific. Example: Instead of "Debbie Reese, a Native American," say "Debbie Reese, a Nambe Pueblo Indian woman."

She also said, and this is the really exciting part, that she'd be more than willing to be in conversation with us about the topic of American Indians in Children's/YA Lit. Super cool eh?!

She welcomes responses to her chapter (1997) that we read for this past week and/or any other questions we might have for her. I know that some of you said you really enjoyed reading her chapter; others of you wrote down questions/concerns. Please do take her up on this offer - her email is: debreese@illinois.edu. What a wonderful opportunity for all of us!