Immediately, I think that comic books are so helpful for students! It provides them a visual medium for text, and it is often less intimidating for them. What I really love about Martin's work is that it is quite bright and vibrant. It grabs the eye and is fun to take in as one is reading it. Too, Martin often does unique borders for his art here. Specifically, I liked the scene in the RV where other cells are above them as they travel.

We Need More Diverse Books Website

This website was very insightful. I looked at their programs, and they offer things like mentorships to marginalized authors to help them edit their work and seek publication. When it comes to what our students read, the literary canon has been the same for decades. Organizations like these are extremely helpful in getting material out that will reflect our students and current culture.

“Some of us slip and slide between an American-style name and a Mexican one.“

I thought this quote was very powerful and telling of the conflict that would be found throughout this book. The fact that there are American and Mexican names show a duality in identity found in these characters - the fact that they “slip and slide“ between these names/identities shows how they come and go based on their environment and other factors.

Comics Belong in the Classroom - video
I think what he said about the “permanence“ in comic books is an interesting idea. Giving students the ability to choose their own pace and the ability to go back and read something they did not understand is very helpful for a teacher. Instead of having to “hold the hands“ of the students, they can allow them their own autonomy to go back and reread the things they need to.

I just thought it was important to say - the layout in “Main Street“ is different than the other writing! When thinking of ways to get students to read, I feel like we have to break their expectations. Changing the layout of a text or the structure of it is a good way to grasp students. Plus, most of her breaks leave sentences isolated, and this makes the text less intimidating for readers who otherwise would struggle.

In “Sol Painting. Inc.,“ the moment where the girls disturb the paint is so interesting to me because a lot is going on. For one, the stereotype of “protective“ manhood is challenged - the narrator expects her father to be angry; he instead reacts passively. This is further complicated by the motivation for him acting this way: he doesn't want to ruin things for his children. I think there is an argument about how racism emasculates individuals.

“For people like you, ball is more than just ball.
It's a way out.“

Right off the bat, as an aspiring educator, I can see how the stories within this book are going to make an impact. The idea of a sport being “a way out“ will resonate with students who are not high achievers or have their own “ways out.“ Students like to relate to characters, and this can be helpful in engaging those students who do not feel academically able.