Transformative Text Set by Karen Skylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl TCH 208-007 Fall 2018 en-us 2018-10-29 03:50:30 UTC 2024-12-24 06:07:08 UTC hello@padlet.com Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña kskylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297866852 Brief Description: CJ is an African American boy. CJ rides the bus with his grandmother, and CJ asks his grandmother why other people have different things from him such as cars and iPods. CJ also learns about blindness. CJ learns about people’s differences and learns to see the positive in every situation from his grandmother. While CJ was hesitant to reach their destination, he was glad to volunteer at the soup kitchen.
Presents issue of poverty/economic backgrounds
How it is Transformative/Connections to Class 
Provides windows and mirrors (Tschida, Ryan, & Ticknor, 2014)
  1. CJ and his grandmother are African American.
  2. A blind man teaches CJ how to experience music.
  3. Pictures show people of different races.
  4. Pictures show people in wheelchairs.
Message on Different Lifestyles (Derman-Sparks, 2016)
  1. CJ learns that not everyone can live the same lifestyle: afford cars, iPods, food.
  2. Accurate depiction of life by showing economic differences in city neighborhoods.
  3. Shows diversity within a racial group: CJ and his grandma help other African Americans who have different socioeconomic conditions from them (Derman-Sparks, 2016, para 9).
“School should be a place where every individual feels valued, included, supported, and safe. The literature teachers assign can provide a modicum of safety and small—albeit important—opportunities to experience acceptance” (Dodge, 2015, para 4).
  1. CJ’s grandmother teachers CJ to find the positive and beauty in every situation.
  2. Teaches students to not judge one another for their differences and to see the best in people.
]]> 2018-10-29 03:54:10 UTC https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297866852 Dreamers by Yuyi Morales kskylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297867820 Brief Description: Yuyi leaves Mexico to come to the United States with her baby boy, Kelly. Although she had to leave everything she had in Mexico and does not know English, she still has her hopes and dreams. Yuyi and Kelly find themselves in the public library, where they are able to learn all about their new home.
Presents issue of immigration.
How it is Transformative/Connection to Class
  1. The achievements of girls and women should be “based on their own initiative and intelligence” (Derman-Sparks, 2016, para 7). Yuyi is teaching herself English and learning about the United States through reading books. This book is also transformative as it presents the issue of immigration. Yuyi leaves her home to live in the United States. This books shows her struggles and how she has to adapt, but how she also perseveres and her strengths. Our protagonist is also Mexican and female, and raising her baby on her own. This is also transformative as single-mothers are often invisible in media (Derman-Sparks, 2016, Box. 2).
]]> 2018-10-29 03:59:55 UTC https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297867820 And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell kskylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297870042 Brief Description: Two male penguins do everything together at New York’s Central Park Zoo. They are so close that a zookeeper determines that they are in love. When the two penguins make a nest to have a baby, they wait and wait but there is no egg. After finding an egg that needed care, the zookeeper decides to give it to the two penguins. The penguins care for the egg and hatch their baby, Tango.
Represents a family with same sex partners and adoption.
How it is Transformative/Connection to Class 
  1. “Incorporating texts that reflect the experiences of LGBTQ students is a way that teachers can be supportive of LGBTQ students and contribute to a school environment that validates their identities and values their experiences” (Dodge, 2015, para 5).This text has two male penguins that are in love, and the book shows them happy. This text brings up the subject of having a baby as a homosexual couple, and offers adoption as a solution. The text shows the fathers loving their baby and the baby loving them (Dodge, 2015). This book does not mention that is it weird for Roy and Silo to be a couple, but instead it is normal which is a positive thing for readers to see (Dodge, 2015). By making Roy and Silo a normal couple, the reader will see that nothing is wrong with them being together and instead focus on the love Roy and Silo have for each other.
]]> 2018-10-29 04:16:07 UTC https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297870042 Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman kskylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297870434 Brief Description: This book talks about different colors and how they are for both boys and girls. It also talks about things that are that color and how those things are also for both boys and girls. For example, the color brown is for girls and boys and teddy bears.
Presents issue of gender norms.
How it is Transformative/Connections to Class
  1. This books breaks the stereotype that boys and girls have to like and wear certain colors based on their gender. This book teaches that gender does not play a role in determining what you can like, and it teaches that you should not judge someone’s preferences just because of their gender (Derman-Sparks, 2016). By connecting the colors to objects the reader can see how colors are everywhere and not specific to just girls or boys.
]]> 2018-10-29 04:19:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297870434 Ballerino Nate by Kimberly B. Bradley kskylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297870645 Brief Description: Nate loves ballet, so his parents let him sign up for ballet class. But when his brother tells him that boys can’t be ballerinas and he is the only boy in his ballet class, Nate becomes hesitant about his passion. His mom decides to take Nate to see a real ballet performance where he sees all the male dancers that are a part of the ballet. After getting to talk with a male dancer, Nate learns that ballerinas are female dancers, but he can be the best ballerino (main male ballet dancer) there is.
Presents issue of gender norms.
How it is Transformative/Connection to Class
This book is transformative because Nate learned to keep his passion and to not listen to those who told him he could not dance. This book shows how others can cause us to form identities. In this case, it was that Nate could not do ballet because he was a boy. By seeing a professional male dancer Nate was able to regain his confidence and his passion for dance. This book gives both a window and a mirror to its readers (Tschida, Ryan, & Ticknor, 2014). Those who like to dance can see themselves in the book and even see those who have made a profession out of their passion. Those who think others cannot dance based on their gender learn that people can do what makes them happy and that they should not be denied their passions because of their gender.]]> 2018-10-29 04:20:36 UTC https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297870645 The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch kskylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297870876 Brief Description: When a dragon destroys Princess Elizabeth’s castle and clothes, and then kidnaps the prince she was about to marry, Princess Elizabeth sets out to rescue her prince in all that she has left, a paper bag. But when Princess Elizabeth rescues the prince, he tells her to come back when she looks more like a princess. Instead, Princess Elizabeth leaves and decides to live her life the way she wants.
Presents issues of gender norms and stereotypes
How it is Transformative/Connection to Class
This book breaks the stereotype of what a girl is supposed to look and act like. This book shows Princess Elizabeth saving the Prince. It also shows Princess Elizabeth becoming independent and not needing to be with someone who does not give her the respect she deserves. The Paper Bag Princess also shows how girls are strong, adventurous, and smart. Furthermore, this book does not show the stereotype that in order to be a strong girl you have to look “manlike” (Derman-Sparks, 2016, Box. 1).]]> 2018-10-29 04:22:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297870876 All My Stripes by Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer kskylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297871091 Brief Description: Zane the zebra has autism. He tells his mom about his day at school, and each time he felt different because of his autism. Zane’s mom then points out all the other traits Zane has that makes him who he is. Zane realizes that autism is just a part of him and that everything else makes him whole.
Represents those with disabilities/autism.
How it is Transformative/Connections to Class
This book is transformative because Zane shows all the strengths he has. Zane is not depicted as someone who needs to be pitied or cannot be independent (Derman-Sparks, 2016, Box. 1). We see how Zane interacts at school with his peers. He stands up for others, and he shows how he can get home because he knows his city so well. Zane also shows how he has struggles, but how he can overcome those challenges. Another way this book is transformative is that the protagonist is a young boy with autism which is not represented in media often.]]> 2018-10-29 04:23:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297871091 Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say kskylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297871416 Brief Description: The narrator tells the story of how his grandfather immigrated from Japan to the United States. You see Grandfather’s excitement as he is in a new country, but you also see his longing for his home in Japan. When Grandfather is in Japan, you can see him happy with his friends and family, but also longing for his home in California.
Presents issue of immigration and homesickness.
How it is Transformative/Connection to Class
Grandfather’s Journey is transformative as it provides a window (Tschida, Ryan, & Ticknor, 2014). This books provides a window into the life of someone who moved from another country. This window also shows some of the struggles that a person goes through when they leave their home such as homesickness. Another window that this book provides is that Grandfather could not visit California because of war. The reader is able to gain a better understanding of what war can do and how it can affect people's lives. Although Grandfather is not a refugee, this book can provide a window into the lives of refugees and the feelings they go through by having to leave their homes due to war and conflicts.]]> 2018-10-29 04:26:15 UTC https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297871416 Home At Last by Vera B. Williams kskylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297872360 Brief Description: Lester was a part of the foster care system and has just gotten adopted by a same sex couple. Lester is learning to not be afraid of abandonment and sleeping alone, while his fathers help him.
Presents issue of the foster care system while representing adoption and same sex couples.
How it is Transformative/Connection to Class
Home At Last is transformative because it shows an accurate depiction of those in the foster care system (Derman-Sparks, 2016). Lester does not have an easy transition from being in foster care to being adopted. The reader sees the concerns that Lester has, and the worries that his new fathers have. This book also showcases Lester’s parents as being the same sex. This book represents the LGBTQ community and shows Lester’s parents living a normal life together. This provides representation of same sex couples to those not in the LGBTQ community which can “help them expand their understanding of the nonheterosexual experience and build empathy” (Dodge, 2015, para 5).


]]> 2018-10-29 04:33:11 UTC https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297872360 Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts kskylakos https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297882301 Brief Description: Jeremy is a young boy who wants new shoes. These shoes are being worn by all the other boys in his class, but his grandma tells him they are too expensive. When Jeremy’s shoes become too worn out, the guidance council gives Jeremy a pair of shoes. Everyone laughs at Jeremy’s shoes except Antonio. Jeremy goes to a thrift stores with his grandma and they find a pair of the new shoes but they are too small. Jeremy still buys them, and in the end he gives them to Antonio. Jeremy is also reminded that his grandma gave him new boots for winter, and is happy.
Presents issue of poverty.
How it is Transformative/Connection to Class
  1. Those Shoes is a transformative book because it provides a window and mirror into different economic classes (Tschida, Ryan, & Ticknor, 2014). Jeremy wants new shows but his family is unable to afford them. His grandma even takes him to the store in hopes that her extra savings will be enough to afford them. When they find it is too expensive, Jeremy makes a comment that the thrift store may have a pair because there could be “a rich kid who outgrew his or got two pairs for Christmas”. This provides a window for students who come from wealthier families that not all families can afford the same things they can. Jeremy and Antonio are also different races which helps keep the stereotype away that only minorities are those in poverty as Antonio is white (Derman-Sparks, 2016).
]]> 2018-10-29 06:03:21 UTC https://padlet.com/kskylakos/c2c5wj0xroxl/wish/297882301