Course Schedule

Download PDF: Schedule PRLS Course_ Banned Books_ Reading and Teaching Latinx Youth Literature

Contents

Week-by-Week Overview

WeekDates and ModalityLatinx Literature FocusCritical Lens Focus
Week 1In-person class 1/28
In-person class 1/30		Class Introduction, Censorship & Book Bans of Latinx Books 
Week 2In-person class 2/4
In-person class 2/6		New York City Libraries and Latinx Changemakers Arturo Schomburg and Pura Belpré
Week 3In-person class 2/11
In-person class 2/13		Latinx Youth Literature as TestimoniosLatinx Youth Literature as Testimonios
2/18 Conversion Day: Classes follow a Monday schedule. We will not meet on 2/18.
Week 4Online class 2/20
Online class 2/25		The Poet X by Elizabeth AcevedoLatinx Critical Race Theory
Week 5In-person class 2/27
In-person class 3/4		VariedLatinx Critical Race Theory
3/6 Conversion Day: Classes follow a Wednesday schedule. We will not meet on 3/6.
Week 6In-person class 3/11
In-person class 3/13		Pride by Ibi Zoboi  Latinx Critical Race Theory
Week 7Online class 3/18
Online class 3/20		Middle-Grade Novels in verseLatinx Youth Literature as Testimonios
Week 8Online class 3/25
In-person class 3/27		Middle-Grade Graphic NovelsLatinx Youth Literature as Testimonios
Week 9In-person class 3/31
In-person class 4/3		Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby RiveraQueer Theory
Week 10Online class 4/8
Online class 4/10		Varied Queer Theory
4/12 – 4/20 Spring Recess
Week 11In-person class 4/22
In-person class 4/24		When We Make It by Elisabet VelasquezTranslanguaging
Week 12Online class 4/29
Online class 5/1		Shadowshaper by Daniel José OlderTranslanguaging
Week 13In-person class 5/6
In-person class 5/8		VariedTranslanguaging
Week 14In-person class 5/13
In-person class 5/15		Latinx Youth Lit Advocacy Plan PresentationsStudent Choice

Course Schedule*

Week One: Introduction to Latinx Youth Literature and Book Bans

Tuesday, January 28th In-Person Class

Media before class: Hinojosa, M. (Host). (2023, August 11). Meg Medina: Let Kids Read Freely. In Latino USA. PRX. [Audio podcast episode]. https://www.latinousa.org/2023/08/11/megmedina/

Read before class: Course website: https://prls3316.commons.gc.cuny.edu/

Bring to class: CUNYFirst Login information to sign in on BC Library site and library card

Thursday, January 30th In-Person Class

Media to watch before class: “Brooklyn Public Library’s Initiative to Combat Book Bans in America” Scripps News segment (watch https://youtu.be/4djacTGIIqM?feature=shared)

Read before class:

Rodriguez, S. & Osorio, S (2024). Censorship in Early Childhood: A Critical Content Analysis of Banned and Challenged Latine Picture Books. Research on Diversity in Youth Literature, 6(1). https://iopn.library.illinois.edu/journals/rdyl/article/view/1400

Bring to class: Bring one picture book by a Latinx author to share with the class along with your sticky notes throughout the book to show your thoughts as you read it.

In-Class Texts on Censorship:

PEN America: Frequently Asked Questions (What is a book ban?) https://pen.org/book-bans-frequently-asked-questions/

PEN America: Update on Book Bans. Scholastic Says Schools Can Exclude Diverse Titles from Book Fairs. https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa-state-laws-supercharge-book-suppression-in-schools/

In-Class Latinx Children’s Literature:

Week Two: New York City Libraries and Latinx Changemakers Arturo Schomburg and Pura Belpré

Tuesday, February 4th In-Person Class (Location: Library Room TBD)

Media (before class)

Read (before class):

Bring to class: Annotated reading with one question and answer for small group discussion.

Thursday, February 6th In-Person Class

(Location: Library Room TBD)

Watch (before class)

“Eric Velasquez: Bringing Arturo Schomburg’s Legacy to Life”. https://youtu.be/O4nlqavNk8o?feature=shared

“The Root: Global Blackness and the Legacy of Arturo Schomburg / Mi Gente Afrodescendiente”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9rH5SCeYPE.

Read (before class)

  • “From the Ground Up: Pura Belpré, Arturo Schomburg, and Afro-Boricua Pedagogies of Literacy and Resistance” in Side by Side: US Empire, Puerto Rico, and the Roots of American Youth Literature and Culture by Marilisa Jiménez García. https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/S/Side-by-Side

Bring to class: Annotated reading with one question for guest speaker.

In-Class Latinx Children’s Literature:

Week Three: Latinx Youth Literature as Testimonios

Tuesday, February 11th In-Person Class

Media (before class)

Read (before class)

Bring to class: Latinx children’s literature reading response sheet for one book

Thursday, February 13th In-Person Class

Media (before class)

Read (before class)

Bring to class: Latinx children’s literature reading response sheet for one book

In-Class Texts:

  • Morales, Y. (2018). Soñadores (T. Mlawer, Tran.; First edition.). Neal Porter Books.(BCL here) Engle, M. (2015).
  • Drum dream girl : how one girl’s courage changed music. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. (BCL here)
  • Tonatiuh, D. (2014). Separate is never equal : Sylvia Mendez & her family’s fight for desegregation. Abrams Books for Young Readers. (BCL here)
  • Danticat, E. (2015). Mama’s nightingale : a story of immigration and separation. Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group USA LLC.(BCL here)
  • All Around Us by Xelena González and Adriana M Garcia Teacher Guide
  • Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & her family’s fight for desegregation Teaching Resource here

Week Four: The Poet X 

2/18 Conversion Day: Classes follow a Monday schedule. We will not meet on 2/18.

Thursday, February 20th Online Class

Media (before class)

Read (before class)

Ed Collab Gathering [The Educator Collaborative, LLC]. (2018, September 29). Opening Keynote with Elizabeth Acevedo, Fall 2018 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0frlzlSv8MoElizabeth Acevedo: 2018 National Book Festival. (2018). (Available at the Brooklyn College Library to watch online here)The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (BCL here)

Bring to class: Three poems from The Poet X annotated 

Tuesday, February 25th Online Class

Media (before class)

  • Acevedo, E. (2020). PBS NewsHour. Author Elizabeth Acevedo on writing a coming-of-age novel : extended interview (J. Brown). NewsHour Productions. (Available at the Brooklyn College Library to watch online here)
  • Velshi Banned Book Club: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (watch the segment here)
  • “Portrait of Elizabeth Acevedo” on NPR (listen here)

Read (before class)The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (BCL here)

Bring to class: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (BCL here) with three poems annotated 

In-Class Texts:

Gregory, J. (2021, January 12). The Poet X Goes to Court. Intellectual Freedom Blog: The Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association. https://www.oif.ala.org/the-poet-x-goes-to-court/

“Rat Ode” by Elizabeth Acevedo. http://www.acevedowrites.com/poetics

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (BCL https://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CUNY_BC/7l284q/alma9994496506906124)

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo audiobook excerpt (available here)

Week Five: Latinx Critical Race Theory

Thursday, February 27th In-Person Class

Read (before class)

Group #1: Chávez-Moreno, L. C. (2024). Examining Race in LatCrit: A Systematic Review of Latinx Critical Race Theory in Education. Review of Educational Research, 94(4), 501–538. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543231192685 (BCL https://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CUNY_BC/ljnr3v/cdi_unpaywall_primary_10_3102_00346543231192685)

Group #2: Pérez Huber, L., Camargo Gonzalez, L., & Solórzano, D. G. (2023). Theorizing a Critical Race Content Analysis for Children’s Literature about People of Color. Urban Education (Beverly Hills, Calif.), 58(10), 2437–2461. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042085920963713 (BCL herehttps://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CUNY_BC/ljnr3v/cdi_proquest_journals_2885868142)

Bring to class: One reading annotated

Tuesday, March 4th In-Person Class

(Location: Library Room TBD)

Read (before class)

Group #1: Baxley, T. P., & Boston, G. H. (n.d.). Blending Narratives, Blending Lives: Immigration, Desti[Nation], and Identity in Latina Young Adult Literature. In (In)visible Presence: Feminist Counter-narratives of Young Adult Literature by Women of Color  (pp. 85–94). SensePublishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6209-689-9_6 (BCL https://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CUNY_BC/1ni3efl/cdi_springer_books_10_1007_978_94_6209_689_9_6)

Group #2: Garcia, L. M. (n.d.). Mira Muchacha: The Latinx Bildungsroman in Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X. CUNY Academic Works.  (BCL https://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CUNY_BC/7l284q/alma991029117083506121)

Bring to class: One reading annotated

In-Class Latinx Children’s Literature:

Plátanos are Love by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, illustrated by Mariyah Rahman

Plátanos Go With Everything by Lisette Norman, illustrated by Sara Palacios

3/6 Conversion Day: Classes follow a Wednesday schedule. We will not meet on 3/6.

Week Six: Pride

Tuesday, March 11th In-Person Class

Read (before class)Pride by Ibi Zoboi (BCL https://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CUNY_BC/7l284q/alma990092835970106124

Or: audiobook sample read by Elizabeth Acevedo at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=317402662399144 )

Media (before class)

Bring to class: One chapter from Pride annotated

Tuesday, March 13th In-Person Class

Read (before class)

Week Seven: Middle-Grade Novels in Verse

Tuesday, March 18th Online Class

Media (before class)

Read (before class)

Bring to class: Three poems from The Moon Within annotated

Thursday, March 20th Online Class

Read (before class)

Bring to class: TBD

In-Class Texts:

Week Eight: Middle-Grade Graphic Novels

Tuesday, March 25th Online Class

Media (before class)

Latinx KidLit Book Festival Mexikid Book Club

Read (before class)

Calderon-Berumen, F., & O’Donald, K. (2019). Promoting Curriculum of Orgullo: Latinx’s Children’s Books and Testimonio. The Journal of the Association of Mexican American Educators, Inc. (Print), 13(1), 124-. https://doi.org/10.24974/amae.13.1.449

Bring to class:  Latinx children’s literature reading response sheet for the Latinx KidLit Book Festival Mexikid Book Club video

Thursday, March 27th In-Person Class

Read (before class)

Saavedra, C. M. (2019). Inviting and Valuing Children’s Knowledge through Testimonios: Centering “Literacies from Within” in the Language Arts Curriculum. Language Arts, 96(3), 179–183. https://doi.org/10.58680/la201929942 (Available at the Brooklyn College Library to read online here)

Bring to class: annotated reading

In-Class Texts:

Week Nine: Juliet Takes a Breath

Tuesday, March 31stIn-person class

Media (before class)

Read (before class)

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera (Available at the Brooklyn College Library to read online here)

Bring to class: 

Thursday, April 3rd In-person class

Read (before class)

Bring to class: 

Week Ten: Queer Theory

Tuesday, April 8th Online class

Read (before class)

Martínez Reyes, C.. (2018). Lesbian “Growth” and Epistemic Disobedience: Placing Gabby Rivera’s Juliet Takes a Breath within Puerto Rican Literature and Queer Theory. Centro Journal, 30(2), 324–346. (Available at the Brooklyn College Library to read online https://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CUNY_BC/ljnr3v/cdi_proquest_journals_2117119291)

Bring to class: TBD

Tuesday, April 10th Online class

Read (before class)

Group #1:
From the National Council of Teachers of English English Journal Volume 113 Issue 6 (Available to read online at the NCTE English Journal website)
“A Two-Year Timeline to Anti-LGBTQ+ Book Bans in America’s Heartland” by James Joshua Coleman and Petra Lange
“I’ve Seen Literacies Move Mountains”: A Queer of Color Critique as a Guide toward Reading and Teaching beyond What We Know by shea wesley martin, Ileana Jiménez, Shamari Read, Abdul-Qadir Islam and René M. Rodríguez-Astacio 

Group #2: Bittner, R., Ingrey, J., & Stamper, C. (2016). Queer and trans-themed books for young readers: a critical review. Discourse (Abingdon, England), 37(6), 948–964. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2016.1195106 (BC Library https://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CUNY_BC/ljnr3v/cdi_proquest_journals_1937680398)

Group #3: (book chapter selection TBD) Miller, sj. (Ed.). (2016). Teaching, Affirming, and Recognizing Trans and Gender Creative Youth : A Queer Literacy Framework (1st ed. 2016.). Palgrave Macmillan US. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-56766-6 (BC Library https://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CUNY_BC/7l284q/alma9994288725806124)

Group #4: Meixner, E. S. (2016). Theory as Method: Queer Theory, LGBTQ Literature, and a Path to Professional Development. English Leadership Quarterly, 39(1), 9–13. https://doi.org/10.58680/elq201628680 (BC Library https://cuny-bc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CUNY_BC/ljnr3v/cdi_proquest_reports_1810016223)

Group #5: Gonzalez, A.R. (2020). Reclaiming Our Selves: Healing toward Gender Autonomy in Our Classrooms. In S.W. Woolley & L. Airton (Eds.), Teaching about Gender Diversity: Teacher-tested lesson plans for K-12 classrooms (pp.169-177). Canadian Scholars.

Bring to class: TBD

4/12 – 4/20 Spring Recess

Week Eleven: When We Make It

Tuesday, April 22nd In-Person Class

Media to watch before class

Read before class

Bring to class: Annotate three poems in When We Make It

Thursday, April 24th In-Person Class

(Location: Library Room TBD)

Media to watch before class

Latinx Rebels Poetry Slam on the Latinx KidLit Book Festival YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpfmTBlLFl8

Read before class

Bring to class: Annotate three poems in When We Make It

Week Twelve: Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older

Tuesday, April 29th-Online Class

Media to watch before class:

Read before class:

  • Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older (first half)
  • García, M. J. (2018). En(countering) YA: Young Lords, shadowshapers, and the longings and possibilities of Latinx young adult literature. Latino Studies, 16(2), 230–249. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41276-018-0122-2

Bring to class:  One reading annotated and at least two questions for guest speaker.

Thursday, May 1st Online Class

Media to watch before class

“Daniel José Older on Shadowshaper and Diverse Books” on Daniel José Older YouTube

Read before class

Bring to class:  One reading annotated

Week Thirteen: Translanguaging

Tuesday, May 6th In-Person Class

Media to watch before class

Critical Reading Group #1:  Herrera, L. Y., & España, C. (2021).Translanguaging literacies and Latinx children’s literature: A space for a transformative and liberating pedagogy. In M. T. Sánchez and O. García (Eds.), Transformative translanguaging espacios: Latinx students and their teachers rompiendo fronteras sin miedo. Multilingual Matters. 

Critical Reading Group #2: En Comunidad: Lessons for Centering the Voices and Experiences of Bilingual Latinx Students by Carla España & Luz Yadira Herrera (chapter 1)
Critical Reading Group #3: Espinosa, C., & Ascenzi-Moreno, L. (2021). Rooted in strength: Using translanguaging to grow multilingual readers and writers. Scholastic. (chapter 1)

Critical Reading Group #4: Textured Teaching: A Framework for Culturally Sustaining Practicesby Lorena Escoto Germán (chapter 1)

Bring to class:  One reading annotated

Thursday, May 8th In-Person Class

Media to watch before class

CUNY IIE “Not Too Young: Immigration in Elementary School Video Series”Indies Unite Yuyi Morales and Areli Morales: Bright Star and Arelis is a Dreamer: A True Story

Read before class

Bring to class:  Quotes (at least two) and questions (at least two) for our guest speaker.

In-Class Texts:

Week Fourteen: Latinx Youth Literature Advocacy Plan Presentations

Tuesday, May 13th and Thursday, May 15th (Both In-Person Classes)

Extra Credit 

See the description on our course site.

Option #1

Young Lords in NYC Text Set  

  • NYC Site: Museum of the City of New York (Activist New York ongoing exhibit)
  • Documentary: Morales, I. (1996). Palante, siempre palante!: the Young Lords. Third World Newsreel. (Available on the Brooklyn College Library site to watch online here) OR The New York Times [The New York Times]. (2021, October 12).
  • Takeover: How We Occupied a Hospital and Changed Public Healthcare Op-Docs. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK_ALMA1NMk.
  • Journal article: Polleck, J. & España, C. (Fall 2017). Revolutions and resistance: Creating space for adolescent agency and advocacy through a critical reading of Sonia Manzano’s The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano.
  • The ALAN Review (The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the National Council of Teachers of English). Middle-Grade Novel: The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano (Available to borrow at the Brooklyn College Library here)

Option #2

Puerto Rican Diaspora

  • NYC Site: El Museo del BarrioDocumentary: Select one digital collection from the Centro for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College
  • Journal article: “Exploring the Impact of Latinx Children’s Literature on Bilingual Teacher Preparation: A Study of Beauty Woke and Le dicen Fregona” by Carla España, Luz Yadira Herrera, and Maricruz Sánchez Hernández (forthcoming)
  • Picture Book: Beauty Woke by NoNieqa Ramos, illustrated by Paola Escobar. 

Option #3

Schomburg Text Set  

  • NYC Site: Schomburg Center
  • Documentary: Select from digital collections
  • Journal article: Valdés, V. K. (2021). “The Love of Race”: The Visual Imagery of Arturo Schomburg. African American Review, 54(1), 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1353/afa.2021.0008 (BCL here)
  • Picture Book: Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Eric Velasquez