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Middle Grade Monday: Intersection of Art & Identity

If you have a story to share, then share it. 

Three authors – Jonell Joshua, Huda Fahmy, and Sarah Myer – have done just that. They had the opportunity to share about the writing process and craft during their presentation at the 2024 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) annual convention in Boston this November. 

Me with Sarah Myer at NCTE, 2024


While the texts in this post are written for older middle grade and young adult audiences, the teaching tips can be adapted and used by all secondary teachers. 

The speakers shared that queer authors and authors of color teach us about craft and writing process, not just about reluctant readers or book bans. What follows is a summary of their books with a link to their websites. 

 How Do I Draw These Memories? by Jonell Joshua ~ Levine Querido

Jonell Joshua spent her childhood traveling between Savannah and New Jersey – living in grandparents’ homes during the times her mother, struggling with mental illness, needed support to raise her and her brothers.

How Do I Draw These Memories? is an illustrated memoir about nostalgia, faith, the preciousness of life, and unconditional love. Jonell is an absolutely beautiful artist and writer. This book analyzes what family can be – and how joy and hope can be found in the most ordinary and extraordinary moments.


Huda F Cares? by Huda Fahmy

While not exactly a memoir, Fahmy’s books are based on personal experience. I read this graphic novel, and it is really funny! A National Book Award finalist, Fahmy takes the reader on a road trip to Disney World. She experiences a 24-hour car ride with her sisters and what it’s like to be Muslim outside of her welcoming Michigan community. 

Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story by Sarah Myer


This graphic memoir is about Sarah, born in 1986 in South Korea, who was adopted at three months of age to white couple. Growing up in rural Maryland, there were plenty of farms and a lack of diversity. 

With an older sibling also from South Korea – albeit not biologically related – Sarah must find a way to fit in and find themselves. To escape racism and microaggressions at school, Sarah uses drawing and cosplay. 

Inspired by Gene Luen Yang’s book American Born Chinese, Myer found inspiration to write. 

‘Monstrous wouldn’t exist without his book,” Myer said in her presentation. Myer is an L.A. Times Book Prize and Eisner nominated comic artist, writer, and colorist. 

A panel from Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story


TEACHING TIPS


  1. Use as mentor texts to teach craft

  2. Use key questions to focus discussions:

    1. Who am I, really?

    2. Do my friends actually like me?

    3. In what ways might young people fit in?

  3. Use texts to address issues of identity, bullying, and fitting in

  4. Provide graphic novels to share the joy of cartoons, drawing, & comics

    1. As well as maps, pictures, & drawings

  5. Use comics and graphic novels to do Visual Literacy work in the classroom
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