Team ABM struggled...not to read two amazing books but to find the time and energy to talk through our choices. With this kind of lethargy you wouldn't expect an earth shattering result yet here we are.
All of our communication this round came through email and a google doc. Those participating unanimously selected New Kid to move on. This is not to say we didn't enjoy Clap When You Land. Novel in verse and diverse stories always have a welcome home in our classroom libraries and hearts. However New Kid, the Newbery Award Winner, Sarah reminds us brings a graphic novel and racism into a book that is easy to pick up. It's easy to teach all the visual outcomes in our curriculum and necessary as we want to put books that touch our hearts and heads to the forefront. Lisa said she loved the way it encourages readers not to label and stereotype. Angie loved the relationship between Jordan and his grampa and how the sketchbook visually shared Jordan's inner thoughts. Andrea discussed how the book looks at the desire to fit in and the toll of inequity. It highlights the importance of asking real questions about what is going on in the life of kids and it shows kids how change can be not perfect but good over time. Ben wasn't really thrilled with either selection but he hadn't voted for Clap in the last round and he is a loyalist in his book fighting.
I wrestled back and forth but thought what does it matter? Almost every vote Arlene and I cancel each other out. Frankly, I think this is the most amazing legacy of Smackdown. We both love books, reading, learning more about our teaching craft and we DISAGREE all the time. We are a living example of why readers need choice in reading - and that enduring classics (pay attention curriculum builders) are in the minds of the reader. Yet, every once in a while worlds collide and a New Kid finds us agreeing.
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