tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post2460862379535244657..comments2024-03-27T14:08:51.191-05:00Comments on American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): Sharon Creech's WALK TWO MOONSDebbie Reesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972409006633565859noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-75769640742888347602010-02-20T11:16:07.154-06:002010-02-20T11:16:07.154-06:00to the point of subtly sneering at American Indian...<i>to the point of subtly sneering at American Indians</i><br /><br />I don't see this. It is true that Creech engages in some Noble Savage stereotyping, all meant to be affirmative and Romantic of course, but the emphasis is very much on the protagonist's self-described status as a "country girl" who has been removed from her country life and thrust into new and unfamiliar circumstances. At no point do I see "sneering" in the text. Granted, Creech makes some pointed comments about the way we talk about American Indians, or Native Americans (that issue of labeling is the subject of a sidelong treatment in one of the chapters). This might be construed as insensitive, or it might be view as brave. YMMV.<br /><br /><i>I couldn't find the main character someone to whom I could relate...</i><br /><br />That's fair. But notice how this very personal criticism shades over into a sweeping, all-condemning ideological critique of the book. To me this kind of all-or-nothing dismissal of a book is a very blunt instrument.Charles Hatfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00420624399042669001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-37457636125267682732007-02-15T16:42:00.000-06:002007-02-15T16:42:00.000-06:00This book is used in AP and PreAP trainings hosted...This book is used in AP and PreAP trainings hosted by the College Board in Texas and probably other states as well. When I took my AP training, we were all told to bring this book and it was used as a major teaching piece with lessons revolving around it provided to all of the participants. I never used the book in the classroom, but it seems likely that it is being taught in PreAP classes using those lessons.opalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05138252634963698948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27760240.post-40712812728904947562007-02-06T21:56:00.000-06:002007-02-06T21:56:00.000-06:00Yes, I did indeed wonder about and feel disturbed ...Yes, I did indeed wonder about and feel disturbed by how American Indians were represented in this book of FICTION, and that's an important point to remember in reading it; it is FICTION. but it's fiction that's gone too far into a very unrealistic, fantasy world--to the point of subtly sneering at American Indians and very much so stereotyping them, I felt. I couldn't find the main character someone to whom I could relate--a lot of show and no go here, and one wonders, very much, what reviewers are thinking to give the writing of this author so much acclaim.<br /><br />It is not just that we can write well enough to move and even change the hearts and minds of others; it is also IN WHAT DIRECTION our writing moves and changes others that is equally important. If it is not in a positive direction of increased understanding of others, then I say the writing fails big time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com