Tiffany Catledge

This is a really good book. I'm glad that I stumbled upon this book because it's a really good example of contemporary fiction. In society today their are lots of mixed children, a common issue with these kids is that they have issues fitting in with either the black or white kids. I feel that a children's book addressing this topic head on is needed and appreciated by all groups of people. Throughout the book, she discovers many different things that make her unique, such as her two different ethnicities. Through these realizations, she finds a happiness within herself and is proud to be who she is. From there, she goes on to elaborate on ways to be the best "me, I can be" , as quoted by the book. The moral from this books is to be proud of yourself, don't conform to people around you, be happy to be yourself.… (mais)

Summary

This is story about a girl named mixie, a mixed child trying to find answers. Her mom is white and dad is black she wondered at times what nationality she is. She is a strong young woman she let people know she is s human being first and foremost. A tale of pride and courage as mixie shares her black and white heritage with young readers. This is a book that will encourage mixed kids to love yourselves no matter what.

Personal Reaction:

This book hits home for me. I have three girls two are bi-racial and I know what this child has gone through. People would asked my ex-wife what color are my kids. Some kids would ask if their mom was their babysitter, I know that hurt them to their soul. If this book was out when my girls was growing up, I would have read this to them.

Classroom Extension Ideas:

1.As a teacher I will use this book to show that under our skin we are all the same- human and who we are matters most.

2.Ask questions about color to kids in class

3.Read the book and ask the kids prospective on it.… (mais)

Summary
This is a story about a young girl who is biracial. She has a black father and a white mother and people are constantly asking what she is. This point of the story is how this girl doesn’t understand why people keep asking what she is, she is human just like everyone else and it should be about what you are but who you are. This little girl is so annoyed with how people continuously ask her what she is that she accepts herself for being different and that is the moral of the story. Self-acceptance is a beautiful thing. Everyone is different but that doesn’t make you anything less than human.

Personal Opinion
I loved this story, it is a great motivation for those younger kids that might get picked on for their differences in skin tone, beliefs, traditions and so many more. My daughter is a biracial child and I know that this book will help her accept herself for those children who think she’s to dark to be white but to light to be black. Being able to love yourself unconditionally when others are judging you is going to create a strong and beautiful child who will accept everyone because she knows what its like to be judged for things out side of her control.

Classroom Extension
1. You could do a fun color mixing activity, allow student to mix multiple colors together and than allow them to journal their observations, what does blue and green make together. This can go under a science observation or allow them to create a fun banner to place across a wall where they each add new color mixtures until the banner is filled with tons of different shades and contrasts of colors
2. You could have the class write down interesting facts about them, their favorite color, their favorite food, their age, their birthday and allow them to opportunity to color and design their pages as they see fit. Than once they are done the teachers can print out pictures of themselves and place on the picture and hang up in the classroom to see the differences between each student.… (mais)