Book of the Month, June 2016
The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
The interweaving of four teen’s lives in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1970 will both inspire and break readers’ hearts. How we touch one another and give each other hope –often unknowingly–are the wondrous and magical aspects of this remarkable and well-written story. -Recommended by Holly Johnson
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by Holly Johnson, The University of Cincinnati
“Recognize yourself in he and she who are not like you and me.”
― Carlos Fuentes
To end this month’s blog on immigration, I thought I would discuss “the best of the rest,” those books I did not highlight in the last few weeks. Continue reading
by Holly Johnson, The University of Cincinnati
“When we came to America, though, we didn’t know what the right thing was. Here we lived with no map. We became invisible, the people who swam in between other people’s lives, bussing dishes, delivering groceries. What was wrong?
We didn’t know. The most important thing, Abba said, was not to stick out. Don’t let them see you. But I think it hurt him, to hide so much.”
― Marina Budhos, Ask Me No Questions (2007)
What is the immigrant experience like? Are all immigrant stories similar? What motivates a person to immigrate to another country? Continue reading
by Holly Johnson, The University of Cincinnati
My new home is in a new country.
I know very little of the language and culture.
Memories of my old country will be in my heart forever
The love of my old country will always remain.
I leave for a better life and new opportunities
Hoping to make a bright future for me and my family.
–Arty Rico Jones
Moving from one country to another, and knowing it will become “home” can evoke any number of emotions. Continue reading
by Holly Johnson, The University of Cincinnati
”Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere.”
–Jean Rhys
Books do make us immigrants! They take us to place in which we are unfamiliar, where we might be lost, but with a chance of being found and welcomed. This week, I wanted to share some picture books in which readers—regardless of age—can get lost, but from the journey we find a new understanding of the world, others, and ourselves. Continue reading
by Holly Johnson, The University of Cincinnati
“The land flourished because it was fed from so many sources–because it was nourished by so many cultures and traditions and peoples.”
My grandparents were immigrants. Like many Americans, I can trace my roots to other parts of the world. When I talked with my Norwegian grandmother about her experience of immigrating to the United States, it was one of adventure. Asked by her older brother to make the trans-Atlantic trip in 1920, she responded immediately, and gave her Oslo employer two weeks’ notice. She was 20 years old. Continue reading
by Holly Johnson, The University of Cincinatti
As I noted last week, on January 30, 2015, USBBY announced the Outstanding International Books for 2015. I also mentioned how terrific this year’s books are, and how indeed, there is something for everyone. I also noted that many of the books can be enjoyed and used across age categories. Last week I looked at four great books that highlighted wonderful artistic forms. This week, I turn to some fantastic picture books that can be enjoyed or used across age groups. Continue reading
by Holly Johnson, The University of Cincinatti
On January 30, 2015, USBBY announced the Outstanding International Books for 2015. The OIBs, as stated on the USBBY website are “deemed most outstanding of those published during the calendar year. For the purposes of this honor list, the term “international book” is used to describe a book published or distributed in the United States that originated or was first published in a country other than the U.S.” The criteria includes artistic style and literary merit, creativity of approach, distinctiveness of topic, uniqueness of origin, and qualities that engage and appeal to young people. Continue reading
by Holly Johnson
The month of May has allowed us to think about diaspora and movement. And with such movement, there is the question of the aftermath of such movements. Do those who were forced to move feel settled in their new homes? Is the new place even home? I would suggest that the aftermath may be similar to borderlands, whereby there is a hybridity of both the old mixed with the new. Continue reading
by Holly Johnson
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“When I am asked who I am, I say, I am an African who was born in America. Both answers connect me specifically with my past and present … therefore I bring to my art a quality which is rooted in the culture of Africa … and expanded by the experience of being in America.” (Tom Feelings, The Middle Passage)