Book help

[prairiemama]

I'm trying to pick out and order books for the spring semester to teach. My co-teacher is teaching A Hope in the Unseen, which is a story about an inner city kid who ends up at Brown University. It's written by a white guy but based on the true story of a young black man. I kind of have a problem with teaching a "true story" about a black man written by a white man, EVEN THOUGH the book has rave reviews and picks up on themes that always play well in my class. Last year we did Obama's memoir, which is good and students enjoyed.

What do you think??

REALLY, ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE WELCOME -- ESPECIALLY FOR GREAT YA BOOKS FOR GIRLS, LATINOS, AND AFRICAN AMERICAN KIDS.

Comments

[sandokai.livejournal.com]

I really liked Push myself. I had an online debate with other teachers who said it wasn't "literary" enough, but I found it quite thoughy-provoking. (Lots to discuss there in relation to literacy, culture, gender, race, socioeconomics, etc.)

[lolacat.livejournal.com]

I will check this out!