[CASL-L] [EXT MAIL] Re: book recommendation

[Mrs. Zillich]

Nimona is a great choice too.

> On Apr 1, 2026, at 11:16 AM, Haddad, Christine via CASL-L <casl-l at mylist.net> wrote:
> 
> Maybe Flowers for Algernon? One of my favorites!
> Full disclosure:
> Gemini Prompt: A colleague is looking for a whole class read based on this:  a unit entitled Not That Different with the essential question - How does “othering” affect individuals and humanity in general? What does the way a person treats others reveal about them?  In this unit, students explore the phenomenon of othering, or treating someone as if they don’t fit into the norm.  I suggested Flowers for Algernon. Justify how this might work, along with a book summary that correlates with the description I provided.
> 
> "Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes is a poignant choice for a unit on "othering." It doesn’t just show a character being excluded; it forces the reader to experience the shifting boundaries of "normalcy" through the eyes of someone moving across those boundaries in both directions. "
> 
> The Norm
> Othering relies on a baseline of what is considered "standard." In this novel, Charlie Gordon is othered twice for opposite reasons:
> 
> Initially: He is marginalized for his intellectual disability, treated as a sub-human "experiment" or a punchline by his coworkers.
> 
> Later: As his IQ soars to genius levels, he is othered again. His intelligence makes people uncomfortable, leading to resentment and further isolation.
> 
> The Lesson: This reveals that othering isn't about a person's specific traits, but about the fear and insecurity of the collective group when faced with someone who doesn't fit their mold.
> 
> Christine
> 
> 
> On Wed, Apr 1, 2026 at 11:03 AM Cathy Andronik via CASL-L <casl-l at mylist.net <mailto:casl-l at mylist.net>> wrote:
> Great unit!
> 
> Take a look through the winners of the Schneider Family Book Award, which focuses on themes of disabilities.  
> 
> A couple of these  might be a bit young, but I highly recommend:
> 
> Show Me a Sign  (historical fiction, deaf girl on 1800s Martha's Vineyard is kidnapped by a scientist so he can "study" her and the island's congenitally deaf population in Boston; she must find a way home though she does not speak and no one in Boston understands her dialect of sign language)
> 
> Wildoak  (historical fiction; British girl who stutters is sent by her family to live in isolation with a relative in a manor house--whose grounds are home to a snow leopard purchased as a cub and abandoned)
> 
> The War that Saved My Life (historical fiction; girl born with a club foot is abandoned by her mother to a relocation program in WWII Great Britain and proves her strength, intelligence, and resilience)
> 
> The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle (contemporary; neurodiverse boy is a suspect in his best friend's death; author Leslie Connor  lives in CT!!)
> 
> Things Not Seen (contemporary; 15-year-old boy becomes invisible)
> 
> Here is a link to the entire Schneider list.  Schneider Family Book Award <https://www.ala.org/awards/books-media/schneider-family-book-award>.   I served on the award committee for two years ("Show Me a Sign" was one we chose!!!!) and highly recommend its titles for authenticity and quality.  Coincidentally, I'm currently teaching the "books about disability" part of a K-12 Collection Development course I teach.
> 
> Schneider Family Book Award
>  <https://www.ala.org/awards/books-media/schneider-family-book-award>
> 
> 
> 
> Cathy Andronik
> Retired--Brien Mcahon HS
> 
> On Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 09:29:04 AM EDT, Jessica Karjanis <jkarjanis at milforded.org <mailto:jkarjanis at milforded.org>> wrote:
> 
> 
> I think Starfish is a great choice. I also like the book Wink by Rob Harrell.
> 
> On Wed, Apr 1, 2026 at 9:25 AM Tracy Earnshaw via CASL-L <casl-l at mylist.net <mailto:casl-l at mylist.net>> wrote:
> I second Starfish, but there is also Wonder if they haven't read it yet.
> 
> Tracy Earnshaw
> Teacher Librarian
> Frank Ward Strong Middle School
> Regional School District 13
> 191 Main Street | Durham, CT 06422
> O: 860.349.7222 | tearnshaw at rsd13.org <mailto:tearnshaw at rsd13.org>
> Visit us at: http://strong.rsd13ct.org <http://lyman.rsd13ct.org/>
> "Books may well be the only true magic." --Alice Hoffman
> 
> Coginchaug Regional High School
> 135 Pickett Lane | P. O. Box 280 | Durham, CT 06422
> O: 860.349.7215 | tearnshaw at rsd13.org <mailto:tearnshaw at rsd13.org>
> Visit us at: http://crhs.rsd13ct.org <http://lyman.rsd13ct.org/>
> "Books may well be the only true magic." --Alice Hoffman
> 
> 
> On Wed, Apr 1, 2026 at 9:09 AM Cheryl Robertson <robertsonc at guilfordschools.org <mailto:robertsonc at guilfordschools.org>> wrote:
> If a graphic novel would work, I'd strongly recommend Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez <https://www.christinagonzalez.com/books/invisible>.  
> 
> Cheryl A. Robertson
> Library Media Specialist
> E.C. Adams Middle School
> CURRENTLY READING
> Collective Illusions by Todd Rose
> The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill
> Fortune Falls by Jenny Goebel
> CURRENTLY LISTENING
> The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
> RECENTLY FINISHED
> Dragonborn by Struan Murray
> The Storm by Rachel Hawkins
> The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
> The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
> The Last Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave
> The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhorn
> The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb
> Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
> The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
> On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
> 
> 
> On Wed, Apr 1, 2026 at 8:54 AM Musket, Kimberly via CASL-L <casl-l at mylist.net <mailto:casl-l at mylist.net>> wrote:
> Good morning, 
> 
> We are looking for suggestions for a whole class read for eighth grade. 
> 
> It's in a unit entitled Not That Different with the essential question - How does “othering” affect individuals and humanity in general? What does the way a person treats others reveal about them?  In this unit, students explore the phenomenon of othering, or treating someone as if they don’t fit into the norm.
> 
> Ideally, we would like a book on the shorter side. It should also be a fiction book.
> 
> We are considering Starfish by Lisa Fipps. 
> 
> Any other suggestions? 
> 
> Thank you
> Kim
> 
> 
> Kim Musket
> School Librarian
> James H. Moran, Sr. Middle School
> 
> Currently Reading:
> They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
> 
> Listening to:
> The Sun Does Shine: An Innocent Man, A Wrongful Conviction, and the Long Path to Justice by Anthony Ray Hinton, Lara Love Hardin, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
> 
> Recently finished:
> Just Mercy: A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson
> When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds
> Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers
> Candle Island by Lauren Wolk
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