Coincidence is a funny thing. I have been fortunate enough to meet author Jason Reynolds several times, and when I met him in this past year at the Library of Congress National Book Festival, I was lucky enough to receive his book, StuntBoy, in the Meantime.
Get ready for the coincidence…
Listening to NPR today, you might want to check out the podcast from Saturday’s weekend edition, by Miles Parks, titled, “A new picture book helps kids cope with grief.” I realized, this picture book called Cape, coincided with the very reason StuntBoy works so well, there are picture book, graphic novels, and yes, even anime that helps students cope with struggles of their own, parental conflicts, as well as dilemmas that impact their personalities, daily routines, and life in general. There are individuals that are not simply technology experts that help guide students to ways to find ointments for these issues. Sometimes in the form of books, a conversation, relating an experience, or a project that helps them redirect the frustrations they experience and find a safe place.
In a world where a majority of educational institutions look down on maintaining a certified librarian to implement these skills for the benefit if a student population, educating individuals on what exactly the role of a certified librarian is in a new age, and how they guide students towards having more confidence –
-certainly the expertise that certified librarians receive is not taken for granted by some, thanks goodness.
Maybe unintended consequences of Jason Reynold’s book, but from his conversation and his continuance to find ways to promote paths for youth to find their voice and confidence, he has paved the road for certified librarians to lead students as well. Now all we need is your voice to continue to ask for, insist, and help move our educational institutions towards making this a fact in every school. Especially for students as they navigate life with superpowers they did realize they contained.
All this from a graphic novel? Absolutely. Check it out and you will be rewarded with your own superpower of insight.
PAVEing a Blog 