In this edition, we chat with Edward Underhill, author of "Always The Almost." And, we talk about the importance of LGBTQIA representation and joy as a form of resistance. For our entire conversation - click on the post's title.
Calling The Color Purple a Womanist work is like characterizing The Iliad as just another epic poem. It isn't merely an example of the genre in question, it's the defining text. To learn about Womanism, what The Color Purple has to do with it, and why it was banned - click on the post's title.
In this edition we talk with Jamie Jo Hoang, author of My Father the Panda Killer. We touch on generational trauma. And, how books engender empathy and understanding, which can help break the cycle of generational trauma. To check out our entire conversation - click on the post's title.
In this edition of our Power of Books Author Series, we talk with Dr. Michael Datcher about why it's important for stories about diversity to be told. We also touch on the damage that's being done when books about diversity are banned. To read our entire conversation about these important subjects - click on the post's title.
Joy Reid has a new book! And that’s gladsome news. Because Joy’s new work is about the overlooked legacy of civil rights icons Medgar & Myrlie Evers. Hopefully, this important and insightful book will end up in classrooms and on library shelves everywhere... and stay there. To find out more about Medger & Myrlie - click on the post's title.
Silent reading might be the norm, but reading aloud has cognitive benefits. So, what's the best form of literature for celebrating World Read Aloud day? Short stories. Here's a couple from Edgar Allan Poe... he's the one who said "There is a distinct limit, as regards length, to all works of literary art -- the limit of a single sitting. To learn about the benefits of reading aloud, and put what you've learned into practice with a couple of Poe's short stories - click on the post's title.
What actually happens when young people read “disturbing” books? Literary scholars Gay Ivey and Peter Johnston have studied this at length. And it's not the baloney banners spout to scare you. To discover the very real benefits - click on the post's title.
Families have a lot to gain from reading together. And that doesn’t just apply to toddlers and kindergartners. Reading aloud with our tweens and teens addresses a number of the issues that lead to the poor reading scores we see beyond the eighth grade. To discover how reading aloud boosts reading achievement - click on the post's title.
Arthur Miller’s account of why he wrote The Crucible also touches on how it is written, outlining the multi-layered nature of the work. Dig into it here - click on the post's title.
Literature is an excellent resource for school programs that address bullying. But not if books with themes of bullying behavior are banned. To peruse this list of books that address bullying - click on the post's title.
Why study literature? Why read fiction? Why spend one’s life teaching it? What’s the point? Because literature has something significant to impart. Gain some insight here - click on the post's title.
Albert Einstein is literally the face of the STEM education society is so pre-occupied with these days. A lot of us would be shocked to discover that he championed a liberal arts education. Find out why - click on the post's title.