Book cover image retrieved from http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/All-American-Boys/Jason-Reynolds/9781481463331
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Book ReviewAre all American boys treated fairly by the Police? Do all American boys have to choose between their beliefs and their friends and family? Will all American boys ever fit one mold? Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely's fictional All American Boys, challenges readers to read news headlines with more empathy, and consider what it means to be American. Rashad and Quinn go to the same school, both play basketball, and though they do not know each other well, are both connected by an act of police brutality. Quinn is white and Rashad is black; Quinn witnesses Rashad's assault by a police officer who happens to also be Quinn's friend. Rashad's injuries land him in the hospital; Quinn's internal struggle to reveal what he saw and stand up for human rights, or keep cool and not make trouble with his friends and coach lands him in a moral dilemma. All American Boys, which is told from both Quinn's and Rashad's perspectives elicits necessary conversations about race, peaceful protest, human rights and friendship. Some readers may be but off by some strong language and references to drinking and partying, and the writing is not particularly strong, but this novel should be read by every high school student. Reynolds and Kiely have given this book as a thesis we all must develop into a well developed discussion.
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Teaching Ideas |
English
3. 11.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze relationships among American literature, history, and culture.h) Explain how an author’s specific word choices, syntax, tone, and voice support the author’s purpose. In a language study, the teacher will select short passages with examples of powerful diction. These passages should illustrate how the authors use character voice, tone, and language to reveal something about the character. Rashad speaks to Spoony differently than his mother, his friends, and the nurse. Students should have a frank discussion about the impact of curse words in the narrative and discuss the effect they have on the story. This can happen in the form of annotating for specific tone. After the annotation, students will write a reflective paragraph about their findings and how the use of language affects meaning. Art 4. AI.16 The student will evaluate how social, cultural, and historical context contribute to meaning in works of art and design. The art teacher will curate a collection of digital graffiti images that reveal reactions to police brutality. There are many graffiti artists who have taken on the subject and their work is displayed online through galleries like this one in Soma CA. Individual students will select a piece of art they think shows a similar theme as one in the novel. In a blog post, students will show the piece of art, write a post connecting it to the theme, and then respond to other artist's posts in the class. Family Life 5. 8.4 The student will identify the issues associated with friendships. Descriptive Statement: The student accomplishes this by reviewing the characteristics of appropriate and inappropriate friendships, by discussing the qualities of a good friend, and by relating the characteristics to changes as one continues to advance through the growth and development process. One of the conflicts in the novel is the internal struggle between Quinn and his loyalty to Paul and his coach- who want him to either pick sides or forget about the violence he saw. The novel certainly focuses on racial issues but also friendship and loyalties. It would be an interesting activity to have students role play possible discussions that should/could have happened in the novel. These discussions can happen ideally in person, but they can also be in the form of an online discussion board. |
Partner TitlesFormer President Barack Obama speaking about his greatest disappointment as president: the inability to push gun safety legislation forward.
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1. YA novel Playground by 50 Cent
This illustrated YA novel is written by a popular rap artist and focuses on bullying from the bully's point of view. It would be interesting as part of point of view study to include this title. Reference: Cent, 50., & Akana, L. (2011). Playground. New York: Razorbill. Print. 2. Classic poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes This poem uses imagery and nuance to reveal the effects of conflict on an older mother and shares many themes with the novel. An interesting shift of voice here from the male voices of the novel. 3. News Article: "The Children Who Marched into Civil Rights History" The novel ends with Quinn and Rashad heading to a community march in protest of police brutality. This article gives historical context to kids expressing their beliefs in this way. 4. Speech: President Obama on his Biggest Disappointment as President. The President spoke at the end of his last term after a series of shootings and racial police brutality. It would be interesting for students to hear his comments on the subject. 5. Graphic Novel: March Book 3 This book connects well to historical background of themes in the novel, but in a non-fiction, graphic form. Reference: Lewis, J., Powell, N., & Aydin, A. (2016) March book 3. Marietta: Top Shelf Comics. Print. |
Further Exploration |
1. NPR interview with the authors
Jason Reynolds and Brendon Kiely talk about racial issues this book has brought to conversation. Since one author is black and one is white, they share another unique connection to the narrative. 2. Black Lives Matter website Teachers should snoop around this site to learn facts about the movement that they can share with students. The site contains art, writings, and a link to the womens branch of the movement called Herstory. 3. Blue Lives Matter website In an effort to present each side of the story, teachers should know and be able to present information from the point of view of police. This website offers an important and interesting perspective. 4. Ten Hip Hop songs against Police Brutality Students are moved by music possibly more than any other art form. These songs would be worth a listen to possibly use in class or as a flipped assignment. 5. How to talk to children about racism. This CNN article gives some good advice for talking about this sensitive subject. There are sections for teachers and parents. 6.Graphic charts/statistics of Police violence The 2017 statistics of police violence in the Washington Post would be interesting to share with students and discuss. Interesting explanation of methodology is provided too. |
References
Education, V. D. (n.d.). Standards of Learning. Retrieved July 07, 2017, from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/