Skip to main content

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

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Middle Grade Mondays: A Weekly Adventure in Books

Lovers of middle grade books know their transformative power.  Geared toward readers ages 8-12, middle grade stories create a bridge for readers between early chapter books and young adult novels (for more about differences between the types of books, read this Writer’s Digest article).  While the age range does not equate to the age of middle schoolers, the purposes behind middle grade books and what middle school students might learn are often the same: encourage empathy, boost literacy skills, and foster critical thinking.  Recent Middle School Gems to Explore At the 2024 National Council of Teachers of English annual convention, the award committee of the Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children named a winner, five honor books, and eight recommended books. What follows are three middle grade Honor books. ( Link HERE for the complete list of winners ).  Middle Grade Honor Books This novel-in-verse fosters empathy by addressing topics of poverty,...
1 comment
Read more

‘24 Greatest Hits You Might Have Missed

According to Goodreads , I read 432 books in 2024. I am ranked as a Top 1% reviewer. My top genres: children’s fiction, middle grade fiction, and historical fiction. The books on this list include those genres and more.  In reality, I read hundreds of more books than that (I serve on a national book committee, and I don’t rate books that fall in that category until after the awardees are named each November). During the past year I was reintroduced to comics – specifically, those with a Western focus – thrillers, and speculative fiction. Poetry is always a favorite, and I am always trying to read more nonfiction.  If you’re looking to catch up on some middle grade reads that were released in 2024, then check out this list. The best part – these are titles you might have missed.  I will also dip a bit into children’s and young adult fiction, because a good book is a good book, and I want to share those, too. The list is categorized by genre and not ranked in any particular...
Post a Comment
Read more

This Thing Called Wrestling: A Poem for Moms (Version B, no pictures)

A wrestling poem for our daughters and sons In the arena of strength and might,  Warriors clash with all their fight,  Moms stand as guardians, guiding lights,  Moms of wrestlers, hearts take flight.  Singlets donned and shoes laced tight,  Our children step forth into the wrestlers' fight.  Warriors on the mat, relentless and bright, Moms cheer from the stands, with all our might.  Grueling practices and endless drills, A wrestler’s determination never stills.  With every takedown, pin, and win,  Moms witness their passion, their spirit within.  Wrestling rooms – sweat-soaked and tough, Wrestlers learn resilience, discipline, and all is enough.  Moms watch them grow, fierce and kind, True embodiment of body and mind.  Moms bandage their wounds, seen and not, With tender care, moms tend a lot. A mother’s love knows no bounds, Supporting their dreams, hearing wrestling sounds. In the face of setbacks and moments of doubt, Moms o...
Post a Comment
Read more