Robert’s Comments (group member since Jun 21, 2019)

Robert’s comments from the Multicultural Library EDGTE 480 group.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
By Benjamin Alirje

Aristotle (Ari) is a 15 year old Mexican-American boy who lives in El Paso. His brother is in jail and he struggles to connect with his parents. One summer, in an effort to escape the doldrums of his family life, Ari goes to the local pool. There he meets Dante who offers to teach him how to swim. Dante is also a 15 year old Mexican-American and the two bond over their classical names. The two become inseparable friends, a first for Ari. The two speak about their Mexican heritage and the feelings that they have about it. At the end of the summer, Dante will be moving to Chicago. Ari saves Dantes life by pushing him out of the way of a moving car, injuring himself in the process. Over the course of the next school year the two write letters to one another. Dante begins to realize that he is gay. Ari is supportive but spends his year trying to kiss a girl named Illeana. The next summer, Dante gets beaten up in an alley for kissing another boy and admits his love for Ari. Only after healing things with his parents and learning his favorite Aunt was ostracized from the family for being gay does Ari realize he too is gay and admits his love for Dante.

I chose this book initially because the title intrigued me. What I found was a wonderful book that explored not only themes of being a Mexican-American in Texas during the late 80s but also a touching love story about two LGBT teens. I think this is a good book for high school teachers to keep in their multicultural library. The two characters are relatable in the lives they live. Immigrant families can sometimes be less open to LGBT members of their family. Many latino families in particular are heavily Catholic and therefore even more hostile to LGBT issues. While the Catholic Church has taken some small steps toward correcting that behavior it can still be very hard for latino youth to grow up in that environment. The fact that this book has a happy ending is, in my opinion, it’s best feature. Students don’t need anymore reminders that the world isn’t all rainbows and puppies. What they do need is stories that provide them with hope.

I am Malala
By Malala Yousafzai

I am Malala is the story of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakastani girl. Actually, the Pakastani girl. No. The Pakastani. Malala is the most famous Pakastani in the world. She is because she was shot in the head on a school bus, while trying to attend school in the northern Taliban controlled region of Pakistan. She survived and has gone on to become an advocate for educating girls the world over. At the age of 17, she became the youngest Nobel Prize winner ever. Her book details her life of activism before she was attacked and after.

My reasons for choosing this book for a multicultural library should be obvious. Malala is a world renowned activist for education and has been since her early teens. She survived an attack by the Taliban, a group which has fended off attacks from both the former Soviet Union and the United States. Malala’s story is an inspiration to young people who come from areas of the world where the powerful have the monopoly on information. Many ELL students come from areas where authoritarians have limited their right to an education. The book serves to showcase how important education is and how far some are willing to go to recieve it.