What's next

 

Are we excited for poetry month! What month is that you ask? April of course! And all of our students will be participating in a poetry-activity filled month. The highlight of which will include a gift to each of their NSD/NSP/LSP houses of a magnetic poetry kit Original Edition. Students will use the poetry kits to create individual and group poems which we hope to compile and publish digitally at the end of the month. --Claudio Leon

Ink Knows No Borders: Poems of the Immigrant and Refugee Experience Edited by Patrice Vecchione and Alyssa Raymond

 

“You called twice a month,/ then your cousin said the gang you ran from/ in San Salvador/ found you in Alexandria.  Farewell/”   Javier Zamora’s “Second Attempt Crossing.”

In 64 breathtaking poems, writers invite readers to see the refugee, migrant, and immigrant navigating the experience of leaving, fleeing, crossing, arriving, moving, and living here in mainland America.  As the editors note in their forward, “[w]riting poetry will help you realize that you are stronger than you thought you were and that within your tenderness is your fortitude.” These poems document that.  

High school students and their teachers will find much to explore, discuss, and love from poets familiar (Martin Espada, Ocean Vuong, Gary Soto, Elizabeth Acevedo) and new-to-classrooms (Zamora, Emtithal Mahmoud, Craig Santos Perez, Leila Chatti among others.) Themes of isolation, self-doubt, confusion and dislocation are undoubtedly relatable to many of us, and to students experiencing incarceration and detention.  The variety of voices and perspectives that were born in Asia, Africa, Central America, the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East means that there is so much to learn and listen from.  To best envision the bridges they wish to build, the educator utilizing this book may be interested to review the brief contributor biographies that are included in the backmatter to learn more about the poets and find both connection points for their readers and experiences and identities not included in their classroom composition. This reviewer-librarian only wishes that there was an audiobook to accompany the print.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Joker by Brian Azzarello Illustrated by Lee Bermejo

Ever wanted to follow around a bad guy and see what his day to day is like? What if that bad guy was the Joker? In this graphic novel we step into the shoes of Johnny Frost, who is sent to pick up Joker on his release from Arkham Asylum. Johnny, who has always wanted to rise to the top of the underworld of Gotham City, is excited yet fearful at the opportunity to meet Joker. What follows is a nightmare ride as Johnny drives Joker around town to take back what he lost when he was incarcerated. Using every means at his disposal Joker creates mayhem everywhere Johnny takes him. As the story unfolds we begin to realise why Joker belonged at the asylum in the first place. Students who are Batman, and Superman fans should be sure to pick this up as it gives a unique perspective of one of DCs most notorious villains. --Claudio Leon

Azzarello, Brian. Joker. New York: DC Comics, 2019. Print