Blogging

To be quite honest I do not really care to much for blogging. I don't really like to respond all the times sometimes I will just read something that someone has said and move on. Nevertheless, I know that blogging is useful because it gets people and their thoughts exposed to others. I could most likely use blogging in the future maybe....as a weekly check up. The kids would just talk about how they are feeling that week...and it would give me a little insight into their thoughts and feelings about school or home life. I do not have any questions for blogging or any ideas at this moment about a discussion or mini lesson. Lo Siento!

Nikki Grimes

Nikki Grimes is a great author. I read Bronx Masquerade almost two weeks before it was assigned for us to read it. I searched Google and found some information on her from www.nikkigrimes.com/bio.html . She grew up in New York and has been writing poetry since she was a little girl. Ms. Grimes has written other books besides Bronx Masquerade, such as, Jazmin's Notebook, Danitra Brown Leaves Town, and Under the Christmas Tree. She has reached worldwide exposure and fame and has other talents like singing and jewlery making. Here are a few more websites with pretty much the same info and one with an interview with her.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikki_Grimes

http://www.tracievaughnzimmer.com/Nikki%20Grimes%20Interview.htm

Insider vs. Outsider Debate

First things first we need to specify what an Insider is and what an Outsider is. If an outsider is just someone who does not belong to the group then I think that both the Insider and the Outsider can write good quality diverse literature the key factor is if this person has researched their particular group or topic. I feel this way because even if an author is of that particular group does not mean that they are going to write an award winning book, just because I am black does not mean I know all there is to know about Black culture. The utmost important thing on both sides is if they have done their research! Some questions I would like to explore further would be "Is it possible to make all readers happy about a particular diverse lit. book since everyone has their own perspective?" There may be a book about a young girl from Japan written by a Japanese author, yet some people in Japan may say that the author did not draw her the right way, or put to little Japanese culture in the book or to much which makes it look stereotypical. Secondly, "Where would someone go to do research about a particular group since individuals in the group are all different?" I do not think there is any book titled "Asian culture book" "Latino culture book" "Black culture book"...people within these cultures are all different.