Oh friends, you have no idea how this 70 degree weekend is like the Balm of Gilead to my soul. Friday held indescribable heat in my second story classroom, a veritable pizza oven for the children and me. By 10:30 the downstairs hallways were filled with classrooms trying to cool off, and I decided it was best to suffer in silence in our own room. At least it was quiet. At least our semi-melted crayons were in reach, and I could show them books from my own rocker.
One of the books we discussed, in looking at how our perspective changes as we read, was Henry and The Kite Dragon by Bruce Edward Hall. It is based on a true story, and if you haven’t read it yourself, or to a child you love, I strongly suggest that you do.
Which brings us to Aarti’s challenge beginning September 14:
Because I read so much translated literature, it is not hard for me to find a novel written by “a person of color.” I have a plethora of books in Japanese literature, and I’d love to reread Sandra Cisneros‘ The House on Mango Street because I read not one book by a female author for Richard and Stu’s Spanish Lit Month a few months ago. Sandra Cisneros, Julia Alvarez, Isabelle Allende, are all Spanish authors I’ve loved. But, I think I’ll read Empress Orchid by Anchee Min for next week, and perhaps Small Island by Andrea Levy if I have time before September ends.
Of course, don’t forget to come back and chat about Haruki Murakami’s Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage on September 12. I will put up a few final thoughts I have about this marvelous book, and the discussions questions presented by Random House. Feel free to answer any of them that appeal to you, and know that I treasure the discussion that reading together affords.
Until then, may your week to come be cool.
Literally.
