Emerging Scholars Summer Reading

I feel that the best book to present to these Emerging Scholars would be Black and White. First, my reasoning is academic. The other books that we have read and discussed in our Adolescent Literature class seem to be on a late elementary school and middle school reading level. Black and White seems like, while not necessarily a challenging read, but a more appropriate one. It would be insulting to dumb down the reading for these students would are ready to be challenged and enlightened.

Secondly, the topic is one the students will probably be able to relate to. Whether they've been in similar situations or a friend or family member has, they will probably be able to understand the bias that is targeted toward financially struggling households and prominently African American neighborhoods. My only worry is that they might be TOO biased toward Marcus's side, and wouldn't be able to appreciate Eddie's side of the story as well. This is perfectly understandable, and it would just have to be taught in with the curriculum with maybe another book for preventative action. The goal should be to recognize these biases and overcome them.