Nonfiction

Diverse Literature Part 1

/ Anthony Bartley / 1 Comment

As a teacher, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to read and discuss with students some excellent books by incredible authors. Living in New Mexico and next to the Navajo Nation, I tried to find novels that would appeal to my Native students. Here are a few selections to get young people started on the path of reading and learning about the many cultures in the U.S.

Native American Novels

Code Talker

Written by Chester Nez of the Navajo/Diné Nation, this book goes into great detail about the discrimination he faced as a young Navajo boy attending a boarding school to his time as a U.S. Marine in the Pacific. If you’re at all unfamiliar with the story of code talkers, this book will enlighten you to the incredible journey Mr. Nez had and how the code created by these courageous Navajo men helped the U.S. win the war in the Pacific. I had the opportunity to hear Mr. Chester Nez, Samuel F. Sandoval, and Thomas H. Begay speak about their time in the Marines. Bravery, honor, and nobility only begin to describe these heroes. Several lied about their age so they could join the military and service this nation at a very desperate time. For more information please read the Navajo Times article, “Remaining Code Talkers Honored.”

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

My first exposure to Sherman Alexie, a Spokane-Coeur d’Alene-American, came in 2003 when I read his darkly humorous short story “Indian Education.” The piece is filled with nods to reservation life as well as Junior’s desire to assimilate but also hold onto his Native heritage. These themes are developed much deeper in his novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. “Indian Education” PDF is available online and can be found with a simple Google search. Give it a read and you will get the general premise of Alexie’s novel. For another of Mr. Alexie’s books, check out his The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. This contains other short stories relating to life on the Spokane Indian Reservation.

Hearts Unbroken

A more modern take on Native life and from a young woman’s perspective, Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith is a poignant look into young love and the unforeseen hurdles a person of color may face, especially in a school where the thread of prejudice has been woven through the community over generations. This novel is currently available on Kindle for only 99 cents. Ms. Smith is a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and has another novel Rain Is Not My Indian Name coming out in February 2021.

How I Became a Ghost

Tim Tingle, a member of the Oklahoma Choctaw Nation, takes a more historical look at the prejudice and racism Native Americans faced in the 1830s with Trail of Tears. Although only 160 pages, this novel is powerful and heartbreaking. How I Became a Ghost will be/is part of a series written by Mr. Tingle. Like the previous authors, he has other great contributions to Native American Literature for young people.

Monster of the Week

/ Anthony Bartley / Leave a comment

Just last week, I wrote that I would not get political on the website. I hold to that idea, however, times demand a reaction, a response, to the recent and tragic death of George Floyd. This is why I’ve chosen a real life monster this week.

It is cliche now to state that monsters are real and blend in with the rest of humanity. Sometimes, they are the one who should be protecting us from said monsters.

I have several friends in law enforcement. They are good people who work to serve and protect. As a teacher, I’ve had the pleasure of working with student resource officers who make an actual difference in a student’s life. Not because the SRO brought the hammer down and punished the kid, but because he/she took the time to understand the situation this child was in and acted compassionately.

With that said, reforms are desperately needed. Too many young people of color have died tragically and unnecessarily at the hands of police officers using their power to menace and intimidate. Perhaps one of the most impactful statements I’ve heard over the last few day has been “Good cops don’t let bad cops get away with it.”

Black lives do matter, and a fundamental systemic change is needed to make sure that these lives are not taken because of police brutality, gang violence, poverty, and a myriad of other systems put in place to minimize an entire segment of our population.

I don’t consider this post political for simple fact that this is about humanity, dignity, compassion, and justice. These should be traits that appeal to both sides of the aisle. In America–a democratic-republic, the land of the free, a beacon of liberty–we have to do better. We have to be intolerant of abuse and support the just cause.

The monster of the week is not just the man who helped murder George Floyd; it is all racism, prejudice, discrimination, and hate.

The Wonders of Audible

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First, I am not getting paid for this plug. I have been a member of Audible for over a decade and have enjoyed my membership a great deal. The site has grown tremendously over the years. Those who are already fond of the audiobook company know just how much they offer. One of the membership perks is being able to download free Audible Originals content, which is what this post is about.

I recently obtained two excellent short narrations: “Wally Roux, Quantum Mechanic” by Nick Carr and “The Minuteman” by Greg Donahue.

Wally Roux is the story of a brilliant African-American boy who learns he has a talent for fixing quantum “breakdowns” thereby earning him the title of Quantum Mechanic. It is a story about self discovery, alternate timelines, and the power of relationships. The story is expertly narrated by the talented William Jackson Harper.  Clocking in at only one hour and fifty-five minutes, “Wally Roux, Quantum Mechanic” has tremendous amount of emotion and fun. As a former English/Language Arts teacher, I would love to have had this story in print and audio for my students as it deals with many of the concerns that young people have.

Another short work at one hour and fifty-four minutes, the nonfiction Audible selection called “The Minuteman” is narrated by the brilliant Jonathan Davis. Set in the early 1930’s, the story takes place in Newark, New Jersey detailing the struggle between the Jewish community and the rise of the Nazi Party within the city. It centers on a young man named Sidney Abramowitz, aka Nat Arno. Part of the Jewish Newark Mob and an ex-prizefighter, Nat forms a pseudo-militia group to combat the growing fascist movement with his community. It is a powerful look into a part of American history that doesn’t get enough attention. Recently, HBO produced a series called “The Plot Against America,” which deals with very similar themes.

Again, as part of an Audible membership, a person can get two free novels/stories/dramas from the monthly selections. Plus, members receive a credit toward any book they want.

If you have a long commute and are tired of podcast, give Audible a look. You will find a vast amount of options.

audible.com

Wally Roux info

The Minuteman info

Enjoy.