Research Proposal

My research proposal is a comparative study of the magical worlds in adolescent literature and the influence they have on main characters. I will be pulling from many different types of books. So far I have read A Wrinkle in Time, The Borrowers, Twilight, Harry Potter and Peter Pan. I want to make it a point to use chapter books as well as picture books that young children could use too. I also want to focus on using the books I write reviews for as a part of my research collection for comparing magical worlds. I will argue that magical worlds are a means of escaping from some form of problem in the main character/character(s) living world. There has been a growing trend in fighting conflict through a separate world. In some genres the conflict is heavy, such as saving a life. In other magical worlds we see the need for order to be restored, and it seems to only happen through average humans from an otherwise mundane world.

I selected this topic because I enjoy reading the creativity of the author. In Harry Potter there is an entire monetary system, as well as a separate government from the non-magical world. This is a single example. Some authors describe new means of travel, and the climate and environment of the world around them. Other authors describe the emotions felt more so than the separate world their characters are engaged in. I will be seeking out different ways of communicating, traveling, eating, and virtually all means of living that are different to what we as readers are accustomed to. I specifically want to focus on what the main character is fighting or escaping from, and in this process, what they are experiencing in their alternate world. I am really looking forward to seeing the differences.

Dong Article

Dong's article is relative to our reading of Copper Sun and Esperanza Rising because it provides examples of teachers implementing multiculteral literature in the classroom. This article gave strong examples of teachers learning and growing from their students; it seemed to be effective in the classroom for the students and the teacher to switch roles. When teachers give their students time to research, collaborate with other students, and use creativity, everyone involved comes out with greater understanding. Esperanza Rising is a great choice for this because it provides insight from a young girl in Mexico, who in order to survive, had to come to America. We learn about her culture, family, language, economic status, etc. This is a big opportunity to encourage students to learn more about Mexico. As a side note, I believe a lot of teens can get a lot out of this story simply because there is a lot of debate about border affairs between America and Mexico. Hopefully students could understand that some Mexican families do not always have a choice; that they are individuals who deserve freedom as well. The classroom is a great arena to influence students about this issue.

Dong shows us that a lot can be gained in the classroom if teachers aren't afraid to bridge the "multicultural gap." Students won't always be able to place themselves in the position of Esperanza. But if students are challenged to research, and to identify with the characters on a personal level, then the class can break some ground. Esperanza Rising opens up avenues to learn about language, culture, religion, society, economy and family experiences within the Mexican community. Copper Sun has the ability to do this as well. I feel that Copper Sun and Esperanza Rising are historical eye-opening novels that students will find interest in. Esperanza Rising and Copper Sun speak about minorities and where they are coming from. Twilight and Harry Potter are more fictional novels that aren't exactly intellectually stirring. Both are great reads and do engage the imagination (which is always good), but do not give room to break into discussion about a different culture if taught in an American classroom.

Twilight/Harry Potter/Copper Sun Comparison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-tPoi0Yvmw

I just really like that video.

All three of these books are great reads. Should they be taught in the classroom? In my opinion Twilight should not be and Harry Potter, and Copper Sun should. I really enjoyed Harry Potter the most out of the three reads. Twilight wasn't intellectual enough. I understand why the media enjoys it; it's very appealing to a huge array of audiences. However, I don't think it will supplement a teen in any educational way. I realize that Harry Potter has no educational value either. But I think that Harry Potter should be allowed simply because it stimulates the imagination. Teens having facebook, twitter, myspace, text messaging, television, magazines, to focus their time on. A student doesn't have to use their imagination with any of these things. Harry Potter allows this. Copper Sun allows this. Copper Sun should definitely be taught in classrooms because it opens up an area of History that students can empathize with. Copper Sun isn't terribly deep but it opens up the reality of the world being harsh to students. I think this is something that they need to expound on before they go to college. Depending on the high school though, they probably have their own experiences. If the students do have experience then they can relate to the way Amari dealt with her circumstances.

Copper Sun Review

My personal reaction to Copper Sun is that it was appropriate for an adolescent to read. Copper Sun was realistic enough for a student to envision what happened to a slave. This novel was also subtle enough to hint at the cruelties slaves endured. I enjoyed the read. It was easy, quick and not difficult to comprehend. I didn't notice the nurturing undertones of Amari's character. Instead I identified her as a detached young woman. She could have been detached or "playing dumb" to protect herself from the horror she had already witnessed; or, she could have been pretending so as to secretly develop strengths (understanding the english language, learning about the land) she would need later. One thing I did learn was that slave children were used for alligator bait. The chapter in which Tidbit was subjected to being alligator bait was the most influential for me. At this point in the novel I became emotionally involved and feared for his life. I think I honestly believed that slave owners would wait until the slaves were a certain age until they tortured them. I didn't expect a slave owner to consciously hurt a child. As I am a history major, I am seriously interested in the Civil Rights movement. However, I cannot say that I am entirely knowledgeable about slave treatment. This book only further increased my interest to further pursue studying the Civil Rights movement. I suppose it does create a further appreciation for MLK day, tomorrow. I wouldn't say this book had a huge impact on me, but it did open my awareness for not taking slavery lightly; this includes anyone (not just blacks) who experienced slavery. I think Copper Sun is a great choice for a teenager to read. I know that if I had read it when I was around 14, I would have thoroughly enjoyed it.