Let's Talk Books!

This week I completed my first ever book talk! While it was challenging for me to remember all of the parts to say during the talk, I did it! I have provided my talking notes for you, below.

Separate is Never Equal

by Duncan Tonatiuh (Toh-nah-tee-YOU)

About the author:

Duncan Tonatiuh is a Mexican-American author and illustrator. He grew up in Mexico (San Miguel de Allende), but went to college in New York at Parsons School of Design. His artwork is primarily inspired by the pre-Columbian era of art, specifically Mixtec Codex. You can see in his illustration of ears that he uses what appears to be a 3; this is inspired from the Mixtec art style.

Plot:

An 8-year-old girl, Sylvia, and her brothers are told they are not allowed to attend the white school, and need to attend the underfunded, dirty, electric fence-surrounded Mexican school that was further from their home. Sylvia’s father, along with 3 other families from different backgrounds, decided to take it to court in order for their children to receive a better education. The schools claimed that Mexicans needed to attend a separate for many reasons that are proven to be untrue. After facing all of the challenges that they do, Sylvia and her brothers learn that it will still not be easy, and they must keep their heads held high.

Characters and Setting:

Sylvia: a young Mexican girl who is told that she and her brothers must go to the Mexican school, which is located in Westminster. The school, Hoover Elementary” was located next to a cow pasture, and surrounded by an electric fence that would shock the children if they touched it.

The White school, on 17th street, was a beautiful white building with wide hallways, a playground, and was very clean and well supplied.

The courthouse was also an important setting in the book, seeing as it was where many people from many different ethnic groups testified in order for their children to attend the better schools. It was ruled, after 2 years, that the children could attend any school they would like.

Counter Narrative:

Not only is this book countering the idea that Mexicans, or other diverse students, should no be allowed to attend white schools, it is also based off of a young, Mexican female. The young girl was an activist for her race and cultural background, proving that women of color can make a difference. Just like Ruby Bridges, Sylvia stood for change because she believed she deserved the same rights and benefits as any other child.

PG. 18-19: This spread shows the recognition or racism and segregation, as well as the feelings behind it. It shows the Mexican children trapped behind bars, unable to get to the clean, blue pool with all of the blue-eyed, light haired white children. This image is used as a turning point in the story, since Mr. Mendez decides he wants to hire the lawyer, Mr. Marcus, and pursue the fight for desegregating the schools.

PG. 28-29: This spread shows many children of different ethnicities testifying in court. This image is powerful and shows the author/illustrator combatting racism and segregation by speaking their truth and feelings in front of a judge. The white school leaders and education specialists appear either angry or worried, while the diverse people appear passionate.

How does it open up a platform?

This book is a fantastic resource for teaching about now only the history of our education system, but also about being an activate for yourself, your race or ethnicity, and also other races and ethnicities of those around you. The story shows the non-violent ways in which three families fight for change. Wouldn’t you love to see your students being activists for what they believe in, in a respectful, non-violent way?