Programming Spotlight: Drumfolk Pre-theater Workshops

Teaching artists Tyler and Will instruct St. John's students and teacher Elaine Latham in step dance movement.

Teaching artist Jaime and teacher Wanda Carter observe a student demonstrating footwork.

Dancing in the library!  Students learned about step dance, the Stono Rebellion, and the Negro Act of 1740 from extraordinarily talented New Vic teaching artists Signey Harriday, P. Tyler Britt, Ana Cantoran Viramontes, Jamie Roach and Will Seefried yesterday and today. The six sessions of pre-theater workshops were the highlight of instructional preparation for a trip to the New Victory Theater later this week.  Said one student "I was glad they came."  Another participant wrote on a program evaluation "This s*** was fire."  Experiential learning at its best.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson with Artwork by R. Gregory Christie

No Crystal Stair tells the inspiring story of businessman, bookseller, and activist Lewis Michaux who started the first black bookstore in the country and was the Harlem haunt of Malcolm X.  Told through many voices and perspectives, and thoroughly researched, the book is accessible and compelling for readers interested in history. Highly recommended for interdisciplinary co-teaching and middle and high school book clubs.  Includes research notes, family tree, source notes, bibliography, index, and suggestions for further reading.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

New Release: Everything I Been Through

Out today:  Everything I Been Through.  An anthology published by 826NYC with crucial funding  provided by Literacy for Incarcerated Teens.  This publication of student writing marks the culmination of the Born A Crime interdisciplinary unit students engaged in this fall.  A publishing party organized by our incredible Social Studies teacher, Celestine Thomas, here at Belmont brought the authors and artists together to celebrate yesterday.  Belmont's amazing Art teacher, Ms. Bespalova, displayed students' African masks along the bookcase tops.  --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Programming Spotlight: Mindfulness Coloring

Students and staff participate in mindfulness coloring workshop led by school psychologist Rebecca Fernandez.
Photo: Jessica Fenster-Sparber

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Over the last two days at Belmont all three non-secure detention groups participated in a mindfulness coloring program, co-led by Rebecca Fernandez, School Psychologist, and Jennifer Allen, School Social Worker.  Students learned about mindfulness and mindful coloring in a brief mini-lesson and then practiced it as a group with teachers and staff in the library while soothing music played in the background.  Thank you to First Book for providing us with copies of Johanna Basford’s beautiful Magical Jungle which all participating students are receiving today as a gift.—Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Permanent Record by Mary H. K. Choi

Pablo is in debt,  has left college, and is working nights at a bodega when mega popstar Leanna Smart comes in to buy some snacks.  She’s unrecognizable to him as he swoons over her at the checkout counter.  Eventually it becomes clear that their attraction is mutual and Leanna begins taking Pablo to places he’s never been. Soon Pablo is head over heels in love,  but in no shape to deal with the bills that are piling up, or the calls he is getting from the collection agency.

Will Leanna solve Pablo’s financial woes?   This fast-paced YA novel offers the confident reader both suspense and romance, and despite it’s 400 pages, it will be hard to put down. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Choi, Mary H. K. Permanent Record. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2019. Print.

Sneak Preview: What Lane? by Torrey Maldonado

Stephen is a Brooklyn sixth grader who is becoming  more aware of the criminalization of Black boys his age.  He coaxes Dan, his “white-white” best friend,  to develop his own awareness.  Then,  when Stephen is faced with the racist behaviors of Dan’s cousin and new neighbor,  Chad,   Dan allies himself with his friend.  As this  fast-paced novel unfolds, Stephen gets mixed messages from his parents, his teachers,  his friends, and his neighbors about his own identity.

Rippling with emotional intelligence, What Lane?  will appeal to readers aged 10-12 and to ELA teachers,  Advisory teachers,  and book club leaders.  Educators will appreciate how Maldonado makes the English language feel fresh and malleable with his artistic use of juxtapositions and doubling while writing for developing readers.  What Lane? is an essential addition to all libraries serving preteens,  and urban libraries are likely to want multiple copies.  --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Maldonado, Torrey.  What Lane?  New York: Nancy Paulsen Books- Penguin Random House, 2020. Print.*

*The copy reviewed was an advance review copy.  The book is due out this Spring.

Street God by Dimas Salaberrios

In this autobiography Dimas Salaberrios shares his struggles and the dangers he faced during his involvement in gang warfare in New York City.  As his gang vied with other gangs for power and control of the streets, Salaberrios went from feeling at the top of his game one day, to being shot at and robbed the next.  Salaberrios gives us a detailed account of his life before he turned towards Christianity and away from a life in the streets. 

The author maintains a fast pace throughout most of Street God,  but in the final chapters slows down to a snail's pace to explain his religious journey and his founding of a new church in the Bronx.  Students who have enjoyed Tyrell, Homeboyz and We Were Hereand are ready for a riveting biography,  should be sure to pick up this one.--Claudio Leon

Salaberrios, Dimas. Street God. Austin: The Fedd Agency, Inc. 2014. Print