Arushi Raina's Blog
July 16, 2024
Launching a new book: "What We Saved"
Hi all
After years of writing, I'm delighted to announce that my book "What We Saved" is out today (and currently FREE to download) on Amazon Kindle.
The book is set in NY 2008 during the financial crisis. Its a story of siblings, families and going up against one of the biggest banks in the world.
Check it out today! https://a.co/d/crCQ6sH
After years of writing, I'm delighted to announce that my book "What We Saved" is out today (and currently FREE to download) on Amazon Kindle.
The book is set in NY 2008 during the financial crisis. Its a story of siblings, families and going up against one of the biggest banks in the world.
Check it out today! https://a.co/d/crCQ6sH
May 16, 2019
Writing in 4 Point of Views
I get asked a lot about my choice to write in four point of views.
Short answer: sometimes stories are not choices, they have a life of their own, and you're guided by what the story and the characters are telling you to do. This is the best part about writing.
Long answer: I am fascinated by the stories we tell ourselves, others and the world. I am fascinated by how much these stories are shaped by how we were brought up, where we are coming from. Like almost every story about a scarred past, a scarred present, "truth" is an unstable thing. South Africa's history is not a history, but "histories" -- and the beauty of it is how different truths jostle with eachother to the present.
This is not dissimilar to my experience of how race is portrayed, lived and communicated in the US in the present day -- so much has been shaped by what has been done, what has been said (and not said) and how much we listen to eachother.
So on this day, with so much aching going on in the world. I have only the knowledge that listening, empathizing, pushing forward is what we have.
Short answer: sometimes stories are not choices, they have a life of their own, and you're guided by what the story and the characters are telling you to do. This is the best part about writing.
Long answer: I am fascinated by the stories we tell ourselves, others and the world. I am fascinated by how much these stories are shaped by how we were brought up, where we are coming from. Like almost every story about a scarred past, a scarred present, "truth" is an unstable thing. South Africa's history is not a history, but "histories" -- and the beauty of it is how different truths jostle with eachother to the present.
This is not dissimilar to my experience of how race is portrayed, lived and communicated in the US in the present day -- so much has been shaped by what has been done, what has been said (and not said) and how much we listen to eachother.
So on this day, with so much aching going on in the world. I have only the knowledge that listening, empathizing, pushing forward is what we have.
March 20, 2019
Coming to DC!
I'll be in DC for the CABA awards this year, between April 5-7th.
I may even have room for a school visit so hit me up on twitter/etc if that's of interest!
Arushi
I may even have room for a school visit so hit me up on twitter/etc if that's of interest!
Arushi
March 12, 2019
Webinar: Teaching When Morning Comes in Schools
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to band together with the Children's Africana Book Awards to co-host a session on some potential perspectives on how to teach or explore apartheid South Africa through my book, When Morning Comes.
The webinar, as well as study guide, are all up here; check it out!
Webinar link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH_1u...
Other resources here:
http://africaaccessreview.org/global-...
The webinar, as well as study guide, are all up here; check it out!
Webinar link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH_1u...
Other resources here:
http://africaaccessreview.org/global-...
September 10, 2018
Teaching When Morning Comes in School
Hi Everyone!
One of the most inspiring things about my sidegig author life is workshopping and working with teens and teachers on sharing the themes of this book.
Over and over again I've heard the importance of this book in explaining not only the context of apartheid South Africa, but the context of young people fighting for justice, including racial justice, today.
Over and over again, I've been asked if I can do a talk in far flung places across North America and the reality is: sometimes I can't.
So here's the next best thing:
I'd like to share a webinar on "When Morning Comes" -- really targeted at teachers on explaining the context of the Soweto Youth Uprising and the themes arising from this work.
Check it out here: http://africaaccessreview.org/global-...
There's also a draft discussion guide on the link to help teach When Morning Comes at schools (Grade 9 and up) posted at the link above.
Also feel free to DM me on twitter @arushi101; if you'd like to get some clarification as an educator, reader or generally curious person. I'm always learning from the teacher and librarian community, for which I am so grateful.
One of the most inspiring things about my sidegig author life is workshopping and working with teens and teachers on sharing the themes of this book.
Over and over again I've heard the importance of this book in explaining not only the context of apartheid South Africa, but the context of young people fighting for justice, including racial justice, today.
Over and over again, I've been asked if I can do a talk in far flung places across North America and the reality is: sometimes I can't.
So here's the next best thing:
I'd like to share a webinar on "When Morning Comes" -- really targeted at teachers on explaining the context of the Soweto Youth Uprising and the themes arising from this work.
Check it out here: http://africaaccessreview.org/global-...
There's also a draft discussion guide on the link to help teach When Morning Comes at schools (Grade 9 and up) posted at the link above.
Also feel free to DM me on twitter @arushi101; if you'd like to get some clarification as an educator, reader or generally curious person. I'm always learning from the teacher and librarian community, for which I am so grateful.
