Guidelines for a Fresh-Eyed Reading of Kid/YA Classics

We're starting our Cuci Mata ("washing of the eyes" in Indonesian) read of a classic children's books this week. Once a month, we'll read a standalone novel written by a beloved author and tap into the power of communal vision. Let's ask ourselves:

When it comes to race, ethnicity, gender, and class, what stands the test of time?
What might the author wish to change for today's young readers? 
I could do this alone, I suppose, but there's so much more to see when we share a story together. So won't you join me?



If you read or re-read EMILY OF DEEP VALLEY by Maud Hart Lovelace  from November 1-5, tweet your thoughts about race, class, culture, and gender with hashtag #kidclassic or blog a review and leave the link below. I'll compile all tweets and review excerpts in a final post.



(Full disclosure: I wrote the foreword to the re-issue of this novel from HarperPerennial as a labor of love, but don't let that stop you from seeing it with fresh eyes and speaking to us about what you see.)



Next up:



December 1-7 An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott



January 3-7 The Well-Wishers by Edward Eager

Come visit me on the Fire Escape!