Worst Blog Ever, but Yay for Dragon Hoops

 

In a month that has been an uninterrupted flurry (weather punning partially intended) it’s maybe no surprise that we struggled to find time other than through some disjointed email correspondence to really sink into what may have indeed been a smackworthy battle. I’m somewhat more surprised that after an extended and necessary break for us all, I somehow completely forgot to craft a blog until now. So, no craft really, but here’s where we landed. I think our QE team clearly held both books in high regard and we had good arguments for both to go through. Both books are carefully crafted and deal with a range of significant issues that are relevant to our students. In regard to Me and Banksy, There was a sense that while the larger issue of privacy, particularly in the cyber world, was one our kids at the high school would be eager to engage with, some of the specific socio-economic context and (This is just me) the overly cutesy pitter patter dialogue, may not speak to our kids quite as much. This is our second sitting with Dragon Hoops and I think it confirmed our sense that it is a book that has broad appeal - both in content and in form - for our students. We’d like to see Dragon Hoops move on into the final round.

Ellerslie Campus votes for Land of the Cranes!

For whatever reason, we had a hard time getting into Furia this round. The details were believable and realistic... the coming of age premise mixed with the constant pressures to fit into societal norms and familial expectations is one that will resonate with many readers... I'd definitely recommend this novel to older Div 3 and 4 students. 

On the other hand, we fell hard for The Land of the Cranes. Everything about the text draws readers in. Land of the Cranes is gut wrenching and humbling demanding great empathy and compassion from readers. This is a highly engaging text told through the eyes and words of a young poet at heart as she grapples with in/justice and humanity in the face of dehumanizing immigration policies. We highly recommend this text in any Div 2-4 classroom (with guidance and supportive conversations for readers as this is a heavy hitting text with a lot to unpack).

"Trigger warnings: deportation, ICE, family separation, physical and emotional abuse, child abuse, recollection of sexual assault, racist and xenophobic slurs' 

Banksy vs. Dragon Hoops

I liked both books this round, and I think I could recommend either to my students. My vote goes to Dragon Hoops this round, simply because I know it will be a popular choice with many students who don't like reading but like basketball. Right now I have two boys asking me for it every time they come in, when normally they just fake read during our independent reading time. Banksy is a better novel overall, but Dragon Hoops will be more popular with kids. 

 The Kids from Sweet Grass blog about:

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Vanessa: I’ll make this quick, my vote is for Banksy.  Although Dragon Hoops was fine, I have read the last four books now and the other 2 (Land of Cranes and Furia) are both better than these two.  So whatever goes out on the side will be my Zombie pick.  Much has been said about Banksy and Hoops in previous rounds.  Banksy was better.  That is all.

Norma: Dragon hoops was a graphic novel that I did appreciate.  I think a lot of that had to do with a subject area that was of interest to me.  I enjoyed Banksy as well.  My vote is for Banksy,

Mel: Banksy all the way on these two.  It did take me about half-way through to start to like it but felt it picked up as things went along. NO to Graphic Novels for me.  I am confused by characters and storylines when a story is told with pictures.  I admit it.  I give up. I would have enjoyed the story if it was written out.    Land of the Cranes is still my pick (even over Banksy).

Emily: Dragon Hoops was fine. The sections that dealt with the history of basketball were cool to read, but the narrative failed to grip me. Banksy hooked me right from the beginning. I was far more invested in this story, and it was a much more satisfying book to read. I vote Banksy.

Stephanie: Well, I have surprised myself with this one. I loved the book Me and Banksy; however, my vote is for Dragon Hoops. I thought Dragon Hoops was cleverly written. I actually thought the meta techniques of the author and his writing process were interesting. It allowed us to see the choices that a writer has to make and how really difficult the Phelps history was for him to tell, especially when no verdict was officially given and all of the players that he knew personally had such a different impression of him. I was so engaged in all of the different histories of basketball. I honestly couldn’t put the book down, and Lionel stole the book from me on numerous occasions after constantly sneak-reading over my shoulder. Clearly, it’s an excellent book, if a 4 foot 11 Comparative Literature major and lover of art chooses it over Me and Banksy!!

Rushmi: I can appreciate a book about sports, and learn the history as we go. In the form of a graphic novel, it was easier to learn the history too. However, reading about an author who doesn’t know what to write about for the duration of the book did not win me over, and my interest fizzled out. Bansky on the other hand had me asking more and more questions, wanting to find out about the true Bansky. The typical highschool happy ending was regular but overall this one takes my vote.

Jon: Read Dragon Hoops, did not finish Banksy therefore, abstained from voting at the time of publishing.