Sherri Winston's Blog, page 6
November 11, 2019
FIRST TRIP ABROAD
In twenty-one days, I take my first European vacation. I feel like Chevy Chase! Paris here I come.
It’s been a life-long dream to travel to France. I even created a character in my newest book—Jada Sly, Artist & Spy—who lived for five years in Bordeaux, France, before moving back to her hometown, my other favorite city in the world, New York City.
I’ve been immersing myself in all that is ooo-la-la. Back over the summer, I started using the Duo Lingo app to study French. It’s a great app, but with only weeks left until time for me to leave, I realized I wasn’t learning fast enough. It’s a solid learning tool, but unless I bump into Paul or Marie and want to use their “voiture” (car), I need more help.
I’ve added Mango languages to my learning repertoire. Now I can sound like a bumbling American on two separate platforms!
To keep myself on my toes, every day between now and departure I will post updates on my preparations. I thought it would be fun to share details of my upcoming departure as well as fun details about my favorite young spy, Jada Sly. Until tomorrow, bonsoir!
foreign languagekid literaturekid spylearningmiddle grade fictionParispersonal journeytravel
November 8, 2019
The Baddest Chick
WHY YOU SHOULD SEE HARRIET
So, I’ve heard that Black Twitter has drawn swords over the recent biopic, Harriet. Well, too bad. I like it. A lot. And I think you and your family will enjoy it, too. Here’s why:
1. Rather than focusing most of the story on the well-trod story theme of slavery’s brutality—which it does not gloss over—the focus is on Harriet and her journey. Her fight! It highlights the truly bad assness of this woman, who upon securing her own freedom, went back and helped free family, friends and strangers.
2. One angry Twitterer remarked on the inclusion of a black slave catcher was sacrilege and lacked historical accuracy. Um, it’s a movie about events in the 1800s. Was Twitter there? I have never seen any historical movie that made me feel it was one-hundred percent accurate. Black overseers did exist. Did black slave catchers, too? I don’t know. But I’m going to look into it. Not to prove the filmmakers wrong, but because it brought up a thought-provoking subject. I want to know.
If this movie motivates one child or adult—black or white—to use Google for something other than Fortnite, to actually go in search of facts and truths, it would a beautiful thing.
3. The movie is well-acted, fast-paced despite a two-hour runtime.
I’ve never been a big fan of slave narratives. Being a black kid and avid reader, well-meaning teachers and librarians were always trying to get me to read books that extolled the sorrows and tragedies of slavery. When I complained to my mother that I wished I could find more books about contemporary black girls. Stories about girls like me, living in working class neighborhoods with factory-working fathers. Girls who wanted to grow up to be journalists or advertisers or artists; who wished they could ride horses or become cheerleaders. My mother took a long draw on her Kool cigarette and said, “Well, Sherri Denise, I guess if that’s what you want, you’ll just have write it yourself.”
Years later, I’ve been able to do just that. History and contemporary fiction both have value. So do fictionalized versions of historical characters and events.
If you’ve heard the negative hashtags about Harriet and think you know the story, think again. The movie is a good conversation starter. A great reminder of how far we’ve come as a society and how truly brave people living in slavery and escaping slavery had to be. Go see it. Keep an open mind. Google some stuff afterwards if you have questions. Dare I suggest, even stop in at your local library.
But don’t boycott this film because a few self-serving, self-righteous folks have decided they own black history and anyone who differs from their narrative is deserves to be socially whipped. I used to review movies for a living while writing entertainment for Tribune’s Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Know what I learned? It’s not genius work, being a critic. You take a few hours, dissect someone else work, and subject it to your point of view.
Mama was right. If you don’t like it, do something else. Do it better. Until then, it’s the right time to start a conversation about black history and slavery that centers around empowerment, struggle, perseverance and redemption. But don’t let me keep you. I think you’ve got a movie to see.
June 8, 2019
DARK PHOENIX
Reviews for the latest installment of X-Men Dark Phoenix were not kind. I was never a huge X-Men fan and was especially unimpressed with the taciturn, fractious nature of one of their lead female characters, Jean Grey. So when I heard the poor reviews for this latest film featuring the backstory of Grey, it did not inspire me to pay hefty movie fees for a night out.
However, my daughter and nephew wanted to see it. My sister, too. Who was I to say otherwise? Heck, if nothing else, I’d get popcorn and a few hours away from the scornful glares from my fractious and taciturn cat.
Ah, yes. My assessment of the movie. Here it is:
Dark Phoenix was a fun, bright, loud, fiery spectacle. Grey (played by smoldering actress Sophie Turner Jonas) became imbued with a power she couldn’t control and gained knowledge she was never supposed to possess.
Look, when I was a newspaper columnist at the Sun-Sentinel newspaper in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. I did my fair share of movie reviews. It taught me one thing–don’t EVER base your decision to see or not to see a movie on one or two dyspeptic reviewers. What I wrote as a reviewer on any given day was as much about my mood that day as it was on the merits of a film. Any reviewer who claims otherwise is liar-liar pants on fire.
Okay, I’ve talked long enough. Dark Phoenix is the perfect intro to the season of summer popcorn movies. If you’re into superhero sh%& and want to see a woman float through air and crush the souls of several condescending males, lace up your Wonder Woman bustier, slip on your boots and cape and get thee to the theater. Go. I mean it. GO!
June 1, 2019
Come see me!
I love you, Central Florida. Please come hang out with me today, 2 p.m. at Writer’s Block bookstore, 124 E. Welbourne Ave., Winter Park.
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Today I’m celebrating the release of my new book, Jada Sly, Artist & Spy. I would love to share my story of perseverance with your kids as I discuss how I turned my lifelong dream of being an author/illustrator into reality.
Jada Sly is a book that has fun, intrigue and adventure. It also deals with complex issues of loss, grief and anxiety. It’s a great story and a fast-paced read. So bring the kids and come get the perfect book for your child’s summer reading.
March 13, 2019
A DREAM COME TRUE
In a few short weeks the culmination of 10 years work, and a life’s worth of hoping and praying will come true:
My first novel illustrated by me!
Jada Sly, Artist & Spy releases on May 14. I am so excited and amazed and a bunch of other stuff.
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Jada is a 10-year old wannabe spy who returns to her birthplace—New York City—after her mom dies in an accident. Or did she? Convinced her mother is alive, Jada uses the move back to The City to prove her father is wrong and her mother Is alive. Can she succeed? Or will her mission crash and burn?
In the Classroom (and Anywhere for that Matter): We MUST Do Better, Fellow White People — educating alice
From Teaching Tolerance: Slavery Simulations: Just Don’t We’re saddened by the news of yet another classroom lesson on slavery involving a troubling simulation—but we’re not surprised. Our research has shown some common pitfalls when teaching and learning about slavery. In this edition of The Moment, we explain why mock auctions—along with simulations of the Middle […]
In the Classroom (and Anywhere for that Matter): We MUST Do Better, Fellow White People — educating alice
December 19, 2018
THE SPIDER-VERSE
“One of the best movies I’ve ever seen. Not just a must-see, but a must see again.”
Spiderman : Into the Spider-Verse
[image error]Photo represents art from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Found on this website https://kotaku.com/the-art-of-spider-...
If you’re into stunningly vivid artwork, jaw-dropping action, and a story that feels real and honest, Into the Spider-Verse is the movie to see.
I saw it in 4D-X or something like that. Let me tell you, ladies you’re gonna need your strongest foundation garments! It was like watching a movie on a rollercoaster. Seeing the movie in 4D is a next-level sensory experience.
The visuals in this movie were mind-bending. And as a mama of color, seeing that movie with my family and seeing the larger-than-life images of people of color reflected back on their faces, it warmed my soul. See the movie!
July 25, 2018
PRAYING FOR DEMI
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Addiction.
It sucks!
I wanted to be all poetic and throw in some amazing metaphors and similes, but, alas, ‘it sucks’ is all I’ve got.
Beautiful, soulful singer, Demi Lavato,, 25, was rushed to the hospital after a reported drug overdose Tuesday. Of course, the Twitter-sphere and other social platform are abuzz, feeding on whatever cadaverous nuggets of flesh the singer’s misfortune may have left behind.
That sucks, too.
My kids grew up on the Miley generation of the Disney Channel, which included That’s So Raven, The Cheetah Girls and the star platform for Demi, Camp Rock. [image error] The endearing brunette had an open smile and a voice that would elevate her above the bulk of her Disney peers.
And even then, she had her demons.
I’m not sure what happened this week in Los Angeles, but it was bad. A young woman who has struggled with past demons found herself in a nightmare. I want to pray for her not because she is a pop star or famous, or because she’s wealthy and beautiful and gifted. But because despite all of those things she is human, vulnerable and hurting.
I pray that she can forgive herself and love herself enough to take the blessing that was given to her in the form of not dying during her incident. I’m rooting for you, Demi. As a human, as a mom, as a fellow being on this imperfect earth, I am rooting. For. You.
July 21, 2018
A Writer’s Delight!
Serendipity is a beautiful thing!
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An unexpected email led to a delightful afternoon.
Hometown grandmother Nancy knew I grew up in Michigan and wondered if I’d autograph a book for her granddaughter visiting from Washington state. Then she realized I now lived in Florida. She expressed how much her daughter loved her new book, President of the Whole Sixth Grade—Girl Code.
Well, just so happened I was in Michigan for the wonderful author-illustrator experience, Nerd Camp, in Parma, Michigan. I reached out to Nancy, set a date, and it was on.
Meeting Nancy and Sarah was a true highlight to my week. Sarah, 10, was adorable and very smart. We sat around chatting like ladies who lunch.
Divine!
And if that wasn’t enough of the serendipity sauce, Nancy brought along a friend—my middle school civics teacher whose habit of teaching us to read newspapers in her classroom directly led to the plot of the third book in the President series—Mrs. Western. Now, I’m sure the woman has a first name but I still feel like raising my hand when I see her so I didn’t ask.
Thanks Sarah and Nancy for renewing my understanding of why I write stories for children. Your kind words motivated me to carry on. And thank you, truly, to Mrs. Western, whose caring yet no-nonsense teaching style helped open my eyes to the world around me, inspiring me to see greater and be greater. Thank you, ladies for a wonderful day.
June 16, 2018
WHO’S WATCHING THE CHILDREN?
We are being led astray.
Since May, the United States government have detained almost 1,500 parents or guardians at the southern border and separated them from almost 2,000 children. It is disgusting.
According to a report by CNN, Department of Homeland Security spokesman Jonathan Hoffman defended the policy during a conference call to reporters. Hoffman declared that the administration was following its new policy of charging 100 percent of the people caught crossing our borders.
Since the government is charging the parents, they claim the legal right to separate them from their children—then warehousing the babies, toddlers and teens in, according to CBS Late Show host Steve Colbert, abandoned Walmarts.
You know what, America, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi movement mesmerized Germans, convincing them that they’d gotten a raw deal with World War I. With each advancement of the Nazis, Hitler declared it a point of national pride, a way for all Germans to feel empowered after being mistreated by the entire world.
Make America Great Again.
Sound familiar?
As Colbert stated in his broadcast, in honor of Father’s Day, ask yourself, “What can I do to reunite these children with their fathers?”
If you’re uncertain who your representative is, got to house.gov. We’re on our phones all the time anyway. It’s time to step away from Candy Crush, and crush something that matters. In the name of all that is honest, decent and right, we are Americans people. And we cannot let this stand.
Call.
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 224-3121
TTY: (202)-225-1904
