[CALIBK12] TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR

Mon May 5 11:36:26 PDT 2008

I have to say I loved the book too.  But this doesn't mean I did not re-assess after studying Debbie's review and looking at other sources.  
I feel some groups are depicted in certain ways that does not afford a deeper look at the complex relationship we all have with society.
I support Debbie in her posting and her "critical" analysis of literature.   
Remember when people of color (other than white) were most often depicted as either REALLY GOOD or REALLY BAD? Homosexual depictions were probably even worse.   Even women-Red and the Black & Madame Bovary to name a few.  The literature has become much richer because people have examined cultural norms and do not accept stereotypes as easily of different groups.  Our literature and other media depictions will become richer as we examine the many native cultures found throughout our society and world.
Sarah Passonneau
Media Resources Coordinator
Orange County Department of Education
200 Kalmus Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714)966-4208

-----Original Message-----
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Sine Sarah
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 10:51 AM
To: Kelly Sunderman; Debbie Reese; lm_net at listserv.syr.edu; ISLMANET-L at LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU; tlc at txla.org; oztl_net at listserv.csu.edu.au; calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR

I just wanted to say that this is a fabulous book.  It is a work of fiction and as such it gets to play "fast and loose".  It doesn't claim that the "facts" contained about the Native tribe mentioned are true to their actual beliefs.  The story isn't even really about the tribe so much as it is about the main character and how he evolves throughout the story.  In the front of the book there is a Japanese proverb, "Fall seven times, stand up eight" and that is what this book is all about - perseverance and strength of character.  I think we should be careful to dismiss stories like this that have so much depth and raw character because the premise facts are skewed.  I mean no disrespect to the the tribes mentioned in the book or the person posting the information about the incorrect facts, but I feel strongly about his book and this author and I'd hate for someone to miss out on its value. 

Sarah Sine, LMT
Foster Elementary School
San Diego - SDUSD
619-582-2728

-----Original Message-----
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu on behalf of Kelly Sunderman
Sent: Mon 5/5/08 9:19 AM
To: Debbie Reese; lm_net at listserv.syr.edu; ISLMANET-L at LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU; tlc at txla.org; oztl_net at listserv.csu.edu.au; calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR

Hi Debbie,

Would it be possible for you to cut and paste the text of the blog to send to the group?  Many of us are teachers who are unable to access blogspot due to our filters.

I just this morning had a teacher ask me to order this book, and I want to make sure she has all of the facts before proceeding.

Thanks!

~Kelly

From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Debbie Reese
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 12:02 PM
To: lm_net at listserv.syr.edu; ISLMANET-L at LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU; tlc at txla.org; oztl_net at listserv.csu.edu.au; calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: [CALIBK12] TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR

Good afternoon,

There's a wildly popular children's novel called TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR that plays fast and loose with Native ideas of justice, and, that attributes things to the Tlingit that are not correct... (See May 4th entry below).

Below are updates to American Indians in Children's Literature for the last three weeks. Brief descriptions are below. To read the entire essays and reviews, please go to americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com

If you wish, you can forward this email to parent, teacher, and educator listservs you're subscribed to.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Joseph Bruchac's BUFFALO SONG
--A review by Beverly Slapin

Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Van Camp and Leitich Smith at Illinois Youth Literature Festival --Two of my favorite Native authors will be in Illinois Oct 2008!

Thursday, April 24, 2008
Presentation of American Indian Library Association Youth Lit Award --Information about for anybody attending the American Library Association's conference this summer

Saturday, May 3, 2008
Jorge Argueta's ALFREDITO FLIES HOME
--A review by Beverly Slapin

Sunday, May 4, 2008
A Response to Richie's review of GHOST OF SPIRIT BEAR --There's a sequel to TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR, and a review of it has been circulating on the internet. I find the original book problematic, and the review of the sequel demonstrates what is wrong with the original book.

Thanks!
Debbie

Visit my Internet blog and resource: American Indians in Children's Literature.
To get to it, go to my faculty bio and click on 'Web Page'
http://www.nah.uiuc.edu/faculty-Reese.htm

Debbie A. Reese (Nanbé Ówîngeh)
Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Native American House, Room 2005
1204 West Nevada Street, MC-138
Urbana, Illinois 61801

Email: debreese at uiuc.edu
TEL 217-265-9885
FAX 217-265-9880

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