Blog Post #5
Just Ask!
A Boy Called Bat
Just Ask; Be Different, Be Brave, Be you
Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Rafael Lopez, is a powerful tool to use in the classroom. The story begins before the reader might realize. On one of the first pages the author, Sonia, wrote a letter to the reader, explaining who she is and her story. She tells us at 7 years old she was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. As the book continues we learn that Sonia and many children like Sonia deal with pretty important things everyday. It is important that if you have questions about what someone might be doing or why it's ok to Just Ask!
An idea is introduced in the beginning of the story that the world is like a garden. Everyone in it is unique and special just like the flowers and plants in a beautiful garden. Some flowers are more sturdy and some need a little more watering. This theme of a garden is seen throughout the entire story and is beautifully portrayed through the art in the book.
After we meet Sonia we also meet other extraordinary children like Anthony who uses a wheelchair or Vijay who is deaf. Each child in the story has something about them that makes them unique and special. They see, hear, and get around in the world differently but their stories help the reader understand they are just as capable and equal as anyone else. After we learn a little bit about the kids in the story they ask us some important questions. I loved this aspect of the book because it opens up many opportunities for discussion and further thought in the classroom. For example, after Anh tells her story of her stutter she asks us if we ever wonder if people can understand us? Some students in the class might be able to relate to this struggle or others will be curious to find out if any of their peers have felt this way. Taking time to ask each question posed in the book, will make the power of this story even greater. The book ends back with Sonia surrounded by the rest of the children we learned about in the story. This powerful image along with her heartwarming words make this story one of my favorites.
I particularly loved the text because of how intentional each story was. The reader was able to connect with each character and each story provided important information that makes the reader a better peer, teacher, friend, or citizen. Each curious and smiling face in the story made me want to immediately turn the page to meet our next friend who has a incredible story to share.
Sonia Sotomayor, is a Supreme Court Justice and the illustrator Rafael Lopez, is an award winning artist. The book Just Ask was A #1 New York Times bestseller and the Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award! In the NPR interview with Sotomayor and Lopez they discuss the garden that was introduced in the book. Lopez states how the garden begins very stark and dry and as more and more children are introduced the garden grows brighter and bigger. This is something I did not fully notice the first time I read the book. After listening to the interview and each time I read the book again I fall more and more in love with it and notice something new on each page.
A Boy Called Bat;
Bixby Alexander Tam, better known as Bat, is a bright third grader on the autism spectrum. The chapter book A Boy Called Bat, takes the reader through Bats life after a very exciting guest comes to stay at his house. Bat's mother is a veterinarian. One day she brings home a baby skunk or a kit. Bat's favorite thing is animals. He is passionate about them and think of them as his confidantes and friends. Bat creates an instant connection with the skunk and is determined to keep him as a pet. As the story progresses we see the world through Bat's eyes and watch him struggle with family relationships, school, and making friends. We also learn a lot about how people on the autism spectrum might react to certain stressors and how they might navigate in the world. Bat shares his safe place, his room, how we prefers routine, and his distaste for loud noises. Each person on the spectrum is unique and different. Bat's story is a look into a way some individuals with the disorder live. This book won the Crown Award in 2019.
This story is a special one because the author, Elana Arnold, never uses the term autistic when referring to Bat. She seamlessly includes his unique characteristics into the story instead of focusing on a diagnosis or a label. I felt connected with Bat and the people in his life.
A Deeper look into the way disability is represented in the book can be determined by a few simple questions. Is Bat's character multidimensional? Through out the text we see Bat go through many diverse life events. He is not strictly developed through his label, he is well-developed through the things he experiences. Another question we should ask ourselves when we read these texts is about voice. Bat's voice is thoroughly represented because we follow his story and how we navigates his world. We feel his emotions right there with him. He experiences authentic relationships and is present in an authentic way. As I have mentioned with several of the books written about in this post, I the reader, created connections and felt I was there in the story with the characters.
A Friend For Henry
A Friend For Henry is another award winning children's book that can teach us a lot about inclusion and disabilities. The story follows Henry around his day at school. Henry doesn't have many friends and is desperate for one. Over and over Henry gets disappointed when he continues to struggle to make friends. When he tries to become friends with Vivianne her rainbow colored nails and loud shoes overwhelmed Henry. Henry still tried to be her friend by painting her shoes rainbow because he thought she'd like them, but she was mad at him and said he ruined them. When Henry tried to be Samuel's friend, Samuel accidentally messed up Henrys perfectly placed carpet squares. Henry lost his temper. Finally as Henry was starting to feel completely defeated, he met Katie. Katie was not too loud or too hyper. Katie liked to read alone and didn't get in Henrys personal space. They were a perfect pair. Henry finally had a friend.
This story about Henry is a humanizing tool to use in the classroom because similarly to A Boy Called Bat, there isn't a label or diagnosis stuck to Henrys character. We learn about the ways Henry is unique in the story and how he navigates his classroom and classmates without having him labeled. Henry is outcasted in the classroom and this story could be a relatable text for students who might deal with the same struggles of making friends. Henrys perspective and voice is really heard in this story. We see his reactions and his emotions. We see Henry being ostracized the whole book and finally he meets someone who makes him feel apart of something special. The author, Jenn Bailey, does a great job of representing an authentic relationship built on 2 children liking similar things and having similar personalities.
Next Steps;
After a shared reading of the book with the entire class I think It is important to take a deeper look into the emotions of Henry in the different stages of the story. Using a Jamboard and posting spreads from various parts of the book, the students can identify what Henry is feeling when he meets Vivianne, Samuel, the aftermath of each encounter, and finally when he meets Katie. One color sticky note can represent the emotions he might be feeling and another color could provide a explanation why he might be feeling this way. This method will open up discussions about friendships, things that might frustrate us, what happens when we feel alone, and more. I would end the lesson with asking the students to think of 2 questions about people in the class they would like to learn more about and interview a peer or 2 they dont know that well. This will hopefully open up possibilities for further friendships and to allow at least 1 student to feel heard that day.
Author & illustrator information
A Boy Named Bat
Just Ask!
A Friend For Henry
References
Arnold, E (2017). A Boy Called Bat. Harper Collins Publisher.
Sotomayor, S 2019. Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You. Penguin Random House Publishing.