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Reply To: Should this book stay on the list?

Jaimette — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:29:27 +0000

I think that is a good point, about avoiding the stereotypical south.

Reply To: Important topic, written by the wrong author?

Becki — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 19:04:24 +0000

I absolutely understand and applaud the questioning and think that is an important part of the message. But I also think she was writing to a group who would not (probably) have read the same book by a POC. I heard similar complaints about Razorblade Tears but I think it’s ok to write for the audience you have. Now as we learn more, part of that education is to seek out the POC books that help us continue to understand. It’s a jumping off point.

Reply To: Should this book stay on the list?

Stacie — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 03:39:26 +0000

Absolutely! This was a very good book. And the content matched with this location demonstrates that such situations can happen anywhere in this country. I actually feel that it was more “genuine” than if the author had placed this story in the South. That may have felt too expected, typical.

Reply To: Important topic, written by the wrong author?

Jaimette — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 11:01:04 +0000

I like the distinction between like the book and respected. I loved the book and really like the author and her approach / formula for different topics. But maybe need to put an * next to it and others , like American Dirt which I also loved and didn’t realize the controversy until after I read it.

Are there others, like this? I feel like an uninformed reader sometimes and this group is helping me be more informed prior to selecting a book.

Reply To: Important topic, written by the wrong author?

Sheridan — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 02:22:02 +0000

This is one of my favorite books from one of my favorite authors of all time because she really grappled with the perspective of the white supremacists and how they change. If you read the author’s note at the end, you know that she worked really hard to get into these opposing viewpoints heads and through the events of the plot, to show them trying to understand one another, and how they changed one another, even though they were never going to like the other. As a teacher, I often have to do the same thing, to try to understand the perspective of someone who – on the surface – I don’t understand or like very much and see their humanity. I think this is what Picoult tried to do and did a splendid job of doing. Not many authors could do these two diametrically opposed perspectives and pull it off. This is one book that I believe is being challenged in some districts in FL – and it’s one I will fight to keep on classroom shelves.

Reply To: Important topic, written by the wrong author?

Kris Ingra — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 17:39:12 +0000

I, too, thought of American Dirt and its authorship controversy while I read this. I did think of the Personal Librarian, too. I did wonder why there was no co-author. I did like the book- a lot. I am finding there is a difference between liking and respecting a book. I think I might have respected it more with a co-author. I really respected The Personal Librarian for providing that.

Reply To: Should this book stay on the list?

Kris Ingra — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 17:30:02 +0000

Absolutely. Great and relevant thematic material.

Reply To: Should this book stay on the list?

Shannon — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 16:18:52 +0000

Definitely keep this book. I did think it fit well with the location. People think blatant racism only happens in the South, but it happens everywhere.

Reply To: Important topic, written by the wrong author?

Shannon — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 16:16:32 +0000

I really liked this book, and haven’t read much by Jodi Picoult. With books like this, I always make sure to read the Author’s Note at the end, since it helps put things into perspective on how she developed the story. I appreciate how much research she puts into her books. The only other one I’ve read is Mad Honey.

I do believe there’s some “saviorism” going on in this book, but watching the lawyer change throughout it, even while she told herself she wasn’t racist, she was learning. We all can stand to learn more where we fall short on racial relationships. There are plenty of books on racism by both BIPOC and white people, and sometimes we need another white person to call us out on our own racial prejudices.

Reply To: Important topic, written by the wrong author?

Tammy Wasserman — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:41:20 +0000

Jodi P has a huge fan base and I think her writing encourages her readers to think more deeply about hard topics.
I loved this book and it’s perspective. It really made me think about racism in a different way. I am a retired teacher(white)….how would I have felt/responded if a family did not want their child with me based solely on race?