Programming Spotlight: Nuttin' But A Word

 On Wednesday, February 7, Passages Academy’s school library at Belmont hosted a delightfully energizing pre-theater workshop co-led by the talented Ugo Anyanwu and Hassiem Muhammad through the New Victory Theater.  

Ugo and Hassiem are working actors who also serve as teaching artists.  They taught our Belmont students’  Blum group about choreographer Rennie Harris’s take on hip hop.  Then they engaged us all in learning four dance moves and a theater game or two.  

Reluctant at first, the students were highly responsive to the duo.  By the workshop’s end Blum’s participating staff members, my enthusiastic colleague, Ms. Thomas,  and the students were animated with movement and laughter.  We are ready to see Nuttin’ But A Word tomorrow at the historic theater. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

My Name is Marcus by Geoffrey Philp, illustrated by Shaquille Cross and Marcel Hemmings

 

For many years my Belmont colleague has asked  for a text for students about Marcus Garvey, and until now, there has been little to recommend beyond biographical entries in reference works.  This previous dearth of texts about Garvey, whose significance cannot be overstated, now makes this graphic novel for middle school readers remarkable.  

Although the book lacks a  bibliography or table of contents,  teachers who have been hungering for a book about Garvey will be delighted by this slick and richly colored slim volume.  Crosse and Hemmings’ serviceable digital illustrations get the job done,  and youth reading it in detention may appreciate the depiction of Garvey’s time in an American prison and the abuse he endured there.  They may also appreciate learning about President Biden’s recent posthumous pardon of Garvey, and teachers may use this newsworthy development as an introduction to Marcus Garvey’s role in American history and world history.  Backmatter includes a list of 75  facts about Garvey and 20 quotes without any further context provided. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Philp, Geoffrey.  My Name is Marcus.  Kingston: Blue Banyan Books, 2024.  Print.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

These Violent Delights takes one of the most recognizable stories - that of the lovers Romeo and Juliet - and twists it around.  Juliet and Roma belong to opposing families and although they were lovers in the past,  they’ve both been thrust into their family businesses and are now antagonists.  But when their respective gang members start to kill themselves rather than fight each other,  both Juliet and Roma have to discover what is happening before the "plague" destroys both their houses. Students who enjoy romance, suspense, or are interested in reading a take on a classic should be sure to pick up These Violent Delights.--Claudio Leon

Gong, Chloe. These Violent Delights. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2020. Print.

BLAME! by Tsutomu Nihei

In this captivating graphic novel humanity has lived within the megastructure for so long that its citizens have forgotten the real Earth. 

Kyrii seeks a unique gene in a world blurring the lines between biology and synthetic life. But the megastructure, a sentient entity, will stop him at any cost. What is the Net Terminal Gene? How vast is the megastructure? Can Kyrii succeed when anyone or anything can be turned against him? 

Blame! is a visual feast, relying heavily on graphic storytelling. Minimal text conveys its gritty, beautiful, and chaotic mechanical world. Manga and art lovers alike will appreciate the stunning artwork that drives the narrative.--Claudio Leon

Nihei, Tsutomu. BLAME! New York: Kodansha, 2004. Print