BarringtonLibrary Reads discussion

The 2020 Reading Across Rhode Island selection is Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore by Elizabeth Rush. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), our in-person library event and discussion were canceled. While the author event is being rescheduled, we can still discuss the book here! Leave a comment with your observations and thoughts on the book, the author, and climate change. We'll post some questions soon.

The 2021 Reading Across Rhode Island selection is Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds (adapted from Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. Leave a comment with your observations and thoughts on the book and the author(s).

Here are some questions to get the conversation going:

1. Reynolds describes this book not as a "history" book but as a "present" book. What does he mean?

2. Jason Reynolds introduces the concept of double consciousness: “A two-ness. A self that is Black and a self that is American” (page 124). Why might people of color feel this way?

3. The authors note how Richard Nixon would demean Black people in his speeches without ever saying “Black” and “White” by using words like “urban” and “ghetto” (pages 191-192). What are other ways we invoke race without overtly mentioning race?

4. Though published as a book for young people, how do readers of all ages benefit from Stamped?

The 2022 Reading Across Rhode Island selection is Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. From the publisher: "As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis dreams of studying medicine, but when her family is struck by tragedy, she puts her future on hold to care for her fragile mother."

Readers may also enjoy Tommy Orange, Louise Erdrich, Joy Harjo, and Rebecca Roanhorse.

Leave a comment with your observations and thoughts on the book and the author(s). Feel free to answer some of the following questions in your reply.

1. Daunis talks about keeping her various “worlds” separate, saying, “My life goes more smoothly when Hockey World and Real World don’t overlap. Same as with my Fontaine and Firekeeper worlds.” What are the ways in which we see Daunis acting to keep her worlds separate? Do you think she feels a stronger connection to one world or the other? Do you agree it’s easier to keep worlds separate?

2. Daunis often seeks wisdom and guidance from the Elders. How does the role of the Elders compare to the role of senior citizens in your community?

3. "I love you and I want you to be healthy. . . . You gotta do your work and I gotta do mine." (page 477) This is reminiscent of both Lily’s plea to Travis before he killed them both, as well as Aunt Teddie explaining her early relationship with Art. Discuss the power and strength behind choosing to express love in this way. In what other ways has love been expressed in this novel? What strength or harm was created in those methods of expression?

Reading Across Rhode Island Kick Off - Tuesday, January 25 at 7 pm online -- register here (free event): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reading-....

Reading Across Rhode Island introduces Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Readers are invited to join moderator Jim Ludes, Executive Director, Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, Lorén Spears, Narragansett, 2022 Reading Across Rhode Island Honorary Chair and Executive Director of Tomaquag Museum, Silvermoon Mars LaRose, Narragansett, Assistant Director of the Tomaquag Museum and Reading Across Rhode Island Education Chair Maureen Nagle for an engaging introduction to Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. (from Reading Across RI website)