Re: [LM_NET] [CALIBK12] TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR

[Debbie Reese <debreese@UIUC.EDU>]

Sarah,

If everyone knew enough about Native people, I 
could agree with you that it is not important. 
However, that is not the case, and people just 
read the Native content thinking it is all correct.

Please do read the article in the NY 
Times...  Read what the Tlingit people said about 
the actual incident. The things we give children 
to read have context and ramifications for the well being of all people.

I think a rule of thumb might be..... Imagine 
giving TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR (or whatever book 
under consideration) to a Tlingit (tribe the book 
content is about) child to read. Or, imagine 
reading it aloud to a Tlingit child. If you're 
uncomfortable with the thought, then maybe it shouldn't be read to anyone.

Or, what about turning in the reading of the book 
into a critical literacy lesson? Have the 
students read the NY Times article. It will 
definitely teach them that the printed word is fallible...

Debbie


At 12:50 PM 5/5/2008, Sine Sarah wrote:
>I just wanted to say that this is a fabulous 
>book.  It is a work of fiction and as such it 
>gets to play "fast and loose".  It doesn't claim 
>that the "facts" contained about the Native 
>tribe mentioned are true to their actual 
>beliefs.  The story isn't even really about the 
>tribe so much as it is about the main character 
>and how he evolves throughout the story.  In the 
>front of the book there is a Japanese proverb, 
>"Fall seven times, stand up eight" and that is 
>what this book is all about - perseverance and 
>strength of character.  I think we should be 
>careful to dismiss stories like this that have 
>so much depth and raw character because the 
>premise facts are skewed.  I mean no disrespect 
>to the the tribes mentioned in the book or the 
>person posting the information about the 
>incorrect facts, but I feel strongly about his 
>book and this author and I'd hate for someone to miss out on its value.
>
>Sarah Sine, LMT
>Foster Elementary School
>San Diego - SDUSD
>619-582-2728
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: calibk12-bounces@lists.sjsu.edu on behalf of Kelly Sunderman
>Sent: Mon 5/5/08 9:19 AM
>To: Debbie Reese; lm_net@listserv.syr.edu; 
>ISLMANET-L@LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU; tlc@txla.org; 
>oztl_net@listserv.csu.edu.au; calibk12@lists.sjsu.edu
>Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR
>
>Hi Debbie,
>
>Would it be possible for you to cut and paste 
>the text of the blog to send to the group?  Many 
>of us are teachers who are unable to access blogspot due to our filters.
>
>I just this morning had a teacher ask me to 
>order this book, and I want to make sure she has 
>all of the facts before proceeding.
>
>Thanks!
>
>~Kelly
>
>From: calibk12-bounces@lists.sjsu.edu 
>[mailto:calibk12-bounces@lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Debbie Reese
>Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 12:02 PM
>To: lm_net@listserv.syr.edu; 
>ISLMANET-L@LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU; tlc@txla.org; 
>oztl_net@listserv.csu.edu.au; calibk12@lists.sjsu.edu
>Subject: [CALIBK12] TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR
>
>Good afternoon,
>
>There's a wildly popular children's novel called TOUCHING
>SPIRIT BEAR that plays fast and loose with Native ideas
>of justice, and, that attributes things to the Tlingit that are
>not correct... (See May 4th entry below).
>
>Below are updates to American Indians in Children's Literature
>for the last three weeks. Brief descriptions are below. To read the
>entire essays and reviews, please go to
>americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com
>
>If you wish, you can forward this email to parent, teacher, and educator
>listservs you're subscribed to.
>
>Tuesday, April 22, 2008
>Joseph Bruchac's BUFFALO SONG
>--A review by Beverly Slapin
>
>Wednesday, April 23, 2008
>Van Camp and Leitich Smith at Illinois Youth Literature Festival
>--Two of my favorite Native authors will be in Illinois Oct 2008!
>
>Thursday, April 24, 2008
>Presentation of American Indian Library Association Youth Lit Award
>--Information about for anybody attending the 
>American Library Association's conference this summer
>
>Saturday, May 3, 2008
>Jorge Argueta's ALFREDITO FLIES HOME
>--A review by Beverly Slapin
>
>Sunday, May 4, 2008
>A Response to Richie's review of GHOST OF SPIRIT BEAR
>--There's a sequel to TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR, and 
>a review of it has been circulating on the 
>internet. I find the original book problematic, 
>and the review of the sequel demonstrates what is wrong with the original book.
>
>Thanks!
>Debbie
>
>
>
>Visit my Internet blog and resource: American 
>Indians in Children's Literature.
>To get to it, go to my faculty bio and click on 'Web Page'
>http://www.nah.uiuc.edu/faculty-Reese.htm
>
>Debbie A. Reese (Nanbé Ówîngeh)
>Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies
>University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
>Native American House, Room 2005
>1204 West Nevada Street, MC-138
>Urbana, Illinois 61801
>
>Email: debreese@uiuc.edu
>TEL 217-265-9885
>FAX 217-265-9880
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Visit my Internet blog and resource: American 
Indians in Children's Literature.
To get to it, go to my faculty bio and click on 'Web Page'
http://www.nah.uiuc.edu/faculty-Reese.htm

Debbie A. Reese (Nanbé Ówîngeh)
Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Native American House, Room 2005
1204 West Nevada Street, MC-138
Urbana, Illinois 61801

Email: debreese@uiuc.edu
TEL 217-265-9885
FAX 217-265-9880







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