Insider/Outsider... Again

After reading "Words of Jade and Coral: Latino Literature for Children and Adolescents" by Ada, I can't help but wonder if the entire subject of multicultural/diverse literature revolves around the insider/outsider debate. Ada herself admits that there are many books published about Latinos, but because they are not written by Latinos she chooses not to cover them in her article. Then in literally the next sentence she admits,
"The merit of a book is determined not by the heritage of the author or illustrator, but by their intention, knowledge, sensitivity, responsibility and artistry." (Ada, 37).
I understand that Ada then goes on to explain that she believes you cannot easily obtain the inner look to a culture, but I feel that she still contradicts herself. I feel that if she is going to complain about there being so few Latino authors, she must be more accepting of those who are trying to spread the Latino culture. I feel that she needs to accept these authors for who they are and their good intentions just as she wants to be accepted. I will be the first to admit that Latino literature seems to be severely lacking in the mainstream children books. The only books I can think of is "Esperanza Rising" and "Becoming Naomi Leon" both by Pam Munoz Ryan. This basically shows that there really are a low number of Latino authors. I would not know about these books if it were not for my TE literature classes. I can agree with Ada in this sense, but I also have to disagree when she does not look at authors who are not Latino. I believe that she must embrace all the authors who are trying to teach youth about Latino culture.

Schneider Family Book Award

Schneider Family Book Award

-Recognizes an author or illustrator’s book that shows a protagonist or secondary main character that’s dealing with an emotional, mental or physical disability. The disability may not be stereotypical, overbearing or pitiable. The character should be shown to live a full life in a realistic fashion.

-There are three categories for the award. Three different books receive the award each year. The first is for age 0-8, the second 9-13 and the third 14-18.

-The sponsor is Dr. Katherine Schneider. She came up with the award after struggling to find books in order to read when she was younger because she is blind. The award is given by the American Library Association (ALA) annually to three different books. The committee is made up of seven ALA members who all have various expertise, but with common experience and knowledge of what it is to live with a disability.

-The books must emphasize the artistic expression of the disability experience for children and/or adolescents.

-2008 winners:
(0-8) Kami and the Yaks by Andrea Stenn Stryer- Deafness
(9-13) Reaching for the Sun by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer- Cerebral Palsy
(14-18) Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby- Deafness

-Official website: www.ala.org/ala/awardsgrants/awardsrecords/schneideraward/schneiderfamily.cfm

Racism in Awards??

After reading the two articles, one by Marc Aronson and the other by Andrea Davis Pinkney, I am quite torn on the debate over awards that celebrate minorities in the childrens literature business. To be completely truthful, I can see both of their points. I can understand Aronson because I can see his point of these awards still causing some sort of uninclusion. I as a caucasion could never write a book that was eligible for the Coretta Scott King Award. On the other hand, I see Pinkney's point of view. I feel that without these awards, we may look over important books. I feel that we should include awards that celebrate ethnicty. We should encourage authors and illustrators to show difference in a positive light. If an award is what makes that, than so be it. I feel this is a debate that both has strong points and therefore will be going on long from now.