hholzer Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 I need ideas for a replacement novel for Their Eyes Were Watching God. Would love to find one that still details a significant journey, as well as utilizes a different culture like TEWWG does. Looking for something more engaging or thought-provoking for a predominantly middle class white classroom. I desperately want these kids to understand that not everyone thinks and acts like them, but TEWWG just never captures them. Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3andme Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Okay - this may be totally off base since I have not read either of these books :huh: but you might take a look at Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock High. This is a nonfiction memoir by Melba Peals, one of the Little Rock 9. It is on the reading list for Illuminating Literature When World's collide. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and didn't get to read it but it seems to encompass a significant personal journey, colliding cultures, and a historical perspective on societal changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nart Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 For what grade(s)? High school? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hholzer Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 Yes, high school. Junior English class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Love TEWWG--I'm sorry and a bit mystified that this one isn't flying for you. It has always been a hit in my classes. Cry the Beloved Country is another favorite. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Okay - this may be totally off base since I have not read either of these books :huh: but you might take a look at Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock High. This is a nonfiction memoir by Melba Peals, one of the Little Rock 9. It is on the reading list for Illuminating Literature When World's collide. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and didn't get to read it but it seems to encompass a significant personal journey, colliding cultures, and a historical perspective on societal changes. I've not read this one, but I did read A Mighty Long Way by another one of the Little Rock Nine. Their story is pretty amazing. One thing that I didn't realize is both how much effort President Eisenhower put into breaking the segregation and also what efforts the state was willing to go to to keep it. At one point, all the high schools in Little Rock were closed, with "private" schools opened for white students only (in some cases renting space in public school buildings). On the other hand, it is memoir, not literary fiction. One thing I've seen high schoolers struggle with is inferring and interpreting what they read. Not in the "what is the symbolism of the blasted tree" level, but understanding that when a character says something, they might be lying, that what the characters say may not be what the author holds as an opinion, or understanding the significance of sentences that undercut what is happening. Also, you may simply want to stick with Their Eyes Were Watching God. If part of the point is to have them grapple with viewpoints outside their experience, you might have to accept that they won't connect completely with it. Maybe The Road to Memphis by Mildred Taylor? (Written about teens, but at a lower reading level than Their Eyes) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 (edited) I need ideas for a replacement novel for Their Eyes Were Watching God. Would love to find one that still details a significant journey, as well as utilizes a different culture like TEWWG does. Looking for something more engaging or thought-provoking for a predominantly middle class white classroom. I desperately want these kids to understand that not everyone thinks and acts like them, but TEWWG just never captures them. Help! BTW, our book club did this in the spring. The woman who picked it played a section on audio by a reader who really captured the speech patterns of the different characters. You might consider having them listen at the beginning or read and listen to the whole thing. ETA: I think this is the audio my friend played. https://www.amazon.com/Their-Eyes-Were-Watching-God/dp/B000C1X8GK/ref=mt_audio_download?_encoding=UTF8&me= Edited October 27, 2016 by Sebastian (a lady) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hholzer Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share Posted October 28, 2016 I really appreciate all of the suggestions so far--thank you! Of course, as an avid reader and teacher, I can see all of the beautiful qualities of TEWWG. I've taught the book for 3 consecutive years, and it just doesn't capture the students. I have them listen to the audio book narrated by Ruby Dee, which is immensely helpful, but so many of them just give up or don't care because they simply can't identify with any part of the book, story, or characters. I usually have about five out of each class that sticks with the book, and the others just don't bother or only skim sparknotes. My assessments are always higher-level questions and writing, so many end up doing poorly on the unit. I would really like to try something different next year just to change things up and see if I can get better engagement. This is the only book I have this problem with all year. The kids really get into studying Langston Hughes' poetry, art from the period, etc. but the book is just a no-win. I'm sure the demographics and local culture have a lot to do with it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 If your goal is having them empathize with an experience they don't share you may need to drop the reading level. Mildred Taylor might work. Road to Memphis hit me hard, but I really like Taylor's books. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry is usually the first read, but the kids might be familiar with it. Books I haven't read or haven't read lately that came up when I searched include Invisible Man Women of Brewster Place Black Like Me Native Son You would have to read and see if any met your needs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneezyone Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 (edited) Second vote for Native Son. It is extremely provocative and ripe for discussion, timely. The interplay of both white and black characters makes it a bit more relatable too (although the story is obv. Told from the perspective of a black man). The Women of Brewster Place is, meh, a bit cheesy and the characters are too stereotypical for my taste. FWIW, I didn't enjoy TEWWG either. Edited October 28, 2016 by Sneezyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellifera33 Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Have you considered I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneezyone Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 (edited) Have you considered I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou?I don't think you could get away with that in most high schools. Great book tho. Edited October 28, 2016 by Sneezyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellifera33 Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 I don't think you could get away with that in most high schools. Great book tho. Really? My conservative suburban high school assigned it in 11th grade. Maybe the giant brouhaha that year over AIDS peer education overshadowed the English class choices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneezyone Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Really? My conservative suburban high school assigned it in 11th grade. Maybe the giant brouhaha that year over AIDS peer education overshadowed the English class choices. Could be. I always thought it was on the frequently banned book list, so is Native Son if I remember correctly. I read it in 6th grade tho. 😂 Rebel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendyroo Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 What about The House on Mango Street? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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