Kateland's LIS 721 Reading Response Blog

Bowles, David. They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid’s Poems . Cinco Puntos Press, 2018. According to the back of the book, this collection is to tell the story of a child who  lives on the border between United States and Mexico. It discusses his challenges and how he overcomes them with his family's traditions and his group of friends. The purpose fills a need in the general collection, bringing forward stories of children and families that have to navigate two cultures simultaneously. The poems are appropriate and a strong narrative to the purpose. The compiler and author has the qualifications to tell this story, as a Mexican American who grew up along the border of Texas and Mexico. The intended audience appears to be middle school and older readers. The selections contain appropriate language and material for this audience. These poems might challenge readers who are unfamiliar with the difficulties that families along the border may face in their daily lives. This collection cou...

  Dembicki, Matt, and Joseph Bruchac. Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection . Chicago Review Press, 2021. Dembicki's purpose of Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection  was to provide a new way for readers to experience these stories, with an added visual element. A note from the editor states, " I hope this book serves as a bridge for readers to learn more about the original people of this land and to foster a greater appreciation and understanding among all inhabitants." The range of tales do meet this purpose, by working with a group that has the authority to tell these tales - indigenous storytellers. There is significant evidence of the scholarship and attention to authenticity. You can easily find background information about each person that provided a story, including where they first heard it and how they adapted it to this book (if at all). There is a clear attempt to preserve the originality of these stories. The tales sound as i...

Bingham, Winsome. Soul Food Sunday . CELA, 2023. Soul Food Sunday  is a delightful read about a family preparing their big Sunday meal! The illustrations not only correspond and complement the setting and plot, but they highly drive the story. Through the illustrations, you get to meet family members (even the ones in the background that aren't addressed). I also appreciated the care and effort that went in to representing Black hairstyles. Each character has a different hairstyle, and all seem to be well illustrated. The illustrations are symbolic to the story with their bright colors, warm tones, and vivid patterns, which match the warm tone of the family. The words chosen in this story are appropriate for young readers. The reader can enjoy the familiar family dynamics and appreciate the repetitive nature throughout the story. The grandma teaches the young child cooking skills, and though the young child's hand hurts from all of the chopping and preparing of the food, he sti...