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Celebrating Banned Books: The Hate U Give

April 6, 2023

Several years ago, I wrote a series of blog posts in celebration and observance of Banned Books Week. To date–along with Replacing Required Reading–this series has been by far the most popular thing on The Plucky Reader. But I’ve noticed an interesting trend. As more books are being challenged and banned in conservative states, my posts about banned and challenged books have been gaining more traction. And it makes sense: people want to know about the things that are being brought into question. So as a staunch supporter of the freedom to read, I feel it is not only my duty to celebrate these challenged books, but also to provide some statistics and information about the state of book bans in America.

I will also take a look at another of my favorite banned books, The Hate U Give. I have written briefly about this book in the past, but I figured it was time to show it the love it deserved.

But first, some history and statistics (I’m still a teacher a heart, after all.)

Taylor Swift, Healing, and Unity

April 5, 2023

This past weekend, I had the most incredible experience. It was part religious experience, part Met Gala, and part traveling art piece.

I am talking, of course, about The Eras Tour.

A sign promoting Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour. — Taken outside of AT&T Stadium.

It was the single greatest concert experience of my life. If I’m being honest, it’s one of the greatest experiences of my life, period. The music was incredible. I was there with some of my absolute best friends. And I felt refreshed and renewed in a way that I haven’t since 2019.

How Banning TikTok Could Lead to Voter Suppression

March 29, 2023

The Congressional hearings to ban TikTok in the United States have been a hot topic of discussion recently. While there are concerns about the app’s security and data privacy, there is another issue that is not being discussed: the potential for a TikTok ban to lead to voter suppression.

Young people, who are a key demographic in elections, make up a significant portion of TikTok’s user base. By banning the app, the government would be disenfranchising a large group of voters who use TikTok as a platform to express their political opinions and engage with others about elections. It is important to remember that the youth vote is crucial in many elections and can often be the deciding factor in close races.

Breaking Free: Tools and Techniques to Overcome Creative Block

March 27, 2023

What Helps Me Stay Motivated

I’ve made it my mission to write at least posts each week between the two places where I’m writing these days. I’m also working on the first draft of a new novel, all while working full-time, and parenting. It’s a lot sometimes, and unfortunately, it leads to burnout and writer’s block quickly if I don’t stay on top of it. So I’ve had to learn to take some measures to avoid burnout and plow through that ever-looming threat that is creative block.

A pen writing on a sheet of paper — Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Free Writing

Free writing is a liberating exercise where you let your thoughts flow onto the page without worrying about grammar, structure, or coherence. Set a timer for 10–15 minutes, and just write whatever comes to mind. The goal here is to loosen up your creative muscles and rediscover the joy of putting words on paper. You never know, you might stumble upon some hidden gems that can help you break out of your slump!

Celebrating Women’s History Month: The Heroines of Comic Book History

March 27, 2023

As we commemorate Women’s History Month, I feel want to celebrate the incredible women who have made their mark on the vivid and imaginative realm of comic books. These trailblazing heroines have defied expectations, shattered stereotypes, and created a lasting legacy with their remarkable talents. So, fasten your capes, and join me as we embark on a thrilling journey to appreciate the extraordinary works of these comic book legends!

A photo of glasses, a mug of coffee, and a comic book and a table. — Photo by Mahdiar Mahmoodi on Unsplash

Replacing Required Reading: Catcher in the Rye

March 24, 2023

I’m not sure if it’s because AP Exams are approaching, or because half of America is banning books in some kind of strange throwback to the 1930s, but for whatever reason, my Replacing Required Reading series has been getting a lot of traffic lately. And since this is a series I’ve enjoyed writing, I am excited to add to it and provide more options for replacing outdated required reading texts.

Graphi that reads "Replacing Required Reading. Times are changing; our reading lists should too."

The next book on the chopping block is Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. Now, for full transparency, I will confess this is my least favorite Salinger work. I’d gladly trade it any day. But it has earned its spot in high schools, and for many is an important book. But before I get ahead of myself, a little bit about Catcher in the Rye.

“The Catcher in the Rye,” is a classic tale of teenage angst and rebellion. It’s a book that’s been loved, hated, and debated for generations, but there’s no denying its impact on the world of literature. So, let me regale you with a synopsis of this renowned novel by J.D. Salinger. (Beware, spoilers lie ahead!)

The Harmful Impact of School Choice Policies and Charter Schools on Public Schools and Students with Disabilities

March 22, 2023

Students in an elementary classroom — Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Last week, in what seems a poor attempt at gaining attention or support for her platform, a lobbyist for the defunding of public education attempted to engage the successful, hilarious, and brilliant Quinta Brunson. Jeanne Allen seemed to take issue with Brunson’s lack of support of charter schools in America, and accused her of being duplicitous, having attended charter schools exclusively for her entire education. Fortunately for petty readers like me — and unfortunately for Allen — Brunson was willing to set the record straight.

But this begs the question: Who even is Jeanne Allen, and what stake does she have in education? (And don’t let that blue checkmark fool you — she paid for it. Her following is nowhere near substantial enough to garner a free one.)

10 Diverse Comic Book Characters Worth Checking Out

March 17, 2023

The first time my son saw Miles Morales, his eyes lit up, he snatched up the magazine that the picture was in, and he hugged it tightly. When he finally found the words to talk, he said, “Daddy, it’s me.” It was an absolutely heartwarming moment for me. As a former educator, I have long been a proponent of representation in media. I have always understood its importance and seen the difference it has made for my students, but to see it affect my son so strongly — to see him hug that advertisement for Miles Morales so tightly — was truly life-changing.

That’s one of the many reasons I love comic books. They have been around for almost a century and have always been a reflection of our society. They have brought to life some of the most iconic characters in popular culture, and as the medium has evolved, so has the diversity of its characters. So here are 10 characters in comic books worth checking out that aren’t your basic white man.

The Damaging Effects of Conservative Policy on Public Schools

March 15, 2023

The education system in the United States relies on public schools to provide a free education to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. However, conservative policy has been undermining public schools by promoting charter schools and school vouchers, diverting funds from public schools and undermining their ability to provide quality education to all students. This trend is alarming, and research has shown that these policies have disastrous consequences for public schools. Conservative policy is also responsible for a host of other problems, including opposing comprehensive sex education and LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum, implementing standardized testing and punitive accountability measures, resisting efforts to reduce class sizes, ignoring the needs of students with disabilities, dismissing the importance of cultural competency and diversity training for teachers, opposing policies that address poverty and income inequality, and denying students admission based on arbitrary factors. These policies harm students’ educational experiences, perpetuate the cycle of inequality, and neglect the needs of some of the most vulnerable students in our education system.

Managing Mood Swings with ADHD: 5 Strategies for Self-Regulation

March 13, 2023

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder that affects approximately — at last count — 10% of the population. This number, however, is on the rise as diagnostic tools are becoming more refined and ADHD is becoming less stigmatized. Between conversations around mental health becoming more casual, and apps like TikTok and Instagram teaching adults with ADHD how to identify the traits in themselves, we are seeing a rise in people seeking and accepting a diagnosis without the backlash that was common in the early 2000s and before.

I was not diagnosed with ADHD until I was an adult (though I found out later that most of my elementary school teachers had their suspicions.) Since my diagnosis, I have been seeking to understand its impact on my daily life. Every day it seems more pieces fall into place for me, and I realize that the things I don’t always like or get about my personality are actually just uncontrolled ADHD. (To be fair, a lot of my favorite things about myself are also byproducts of my ADHD, too, so with the bad comes the good.) I’ve also learned that with the right regulation techniques, proper treatment, and better understanding of how my brain works, those less desirable things don’t have to be hindrances.

What Helps Me Stay Motivated

Free Writing

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