CJ Villegas

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

It’s disappointing that such a phenomenal series as Harry Potter isn’t very progressive in its portrayal of women. The lack thereof and belittling, as seen with Hermione, gives the impression that men are the heroes at the end of the day, and women are sidekicks #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

After discussing the family romance theory in terms of Harry Potter, it made me think how easy it would be for Harry to be an unlikeable character if the audience couldn’t live vicariously through him. I understand why some characters would be annoyed by his fortune. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

I enjoyed learning about the various forms of fantasy. The Hobbit is considered High Fantasy due to it creating a fantastical world all its own. Whereas Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland would be considered Dream Fantasy since the fantasy world involved isn’t real at all. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

The Hobbit is a great book to show children that you don’t always need to be the hero to have a great adventure. Through Bilbo we see that being an observer is just as valuable as being a fighter. One of the takeaways from Bilbo is the power of creation and observation. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

I found the in-class discussion about above and below as good versus evil fascinating. It’s true that even the human body is viewed as a sort of heaven and hell. Walk Two Moons explores this through cold/dormant sensuality versus carnivalesque bodily acceptance #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

Walk Two Moons is child centered through and through. I know we often search for the adult centeredness alongside the child centeredness, but I’ve found that most difficult to do with this novel. This story does a great job of honestly honoring the hardships children face #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

The hard hitting realities in Esperanza Rising made it a more complex children’s lit book. Topics of grief, mental health, and class struggles are all complex topics that children have to deal with and confront. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

Esperanza Rising has many adult centered impulses that come through in its simple structure and clear morals. However, it is still a very child centered story. Esperanza’s difficulties accepting her new life and her new sense of agency are real and relatable for children. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

Cassie is a strong, Black female protagonist for children. Her refusal to submit to the discrimination around her is not only bold, but also revolutionary. Black children can see Cassie and relate or be inspired to own who they are and reject mistreatment when they can. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

Mildred D. Taylor's book is an important and refreshing tale. Its refreshing to see Black characters as the main characters and the social norm while the white characters are what is out of the norm. Plus the book is important because it doesn't hold back the truth #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

The gender role swap of Jess and Leslie while obvious is presented naturally which I appreciate. The two characters face backlash for their socially gendered interests, but it doesn’t stop them from embracing them and supporting each other. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

Bridge to Terabithia does a great job at tackling serious topics and keeping readers engaged. I think it’s great for kids to have a book that covers real struggles such as coping with the loss of a loved one. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

I had no clue Alice in Wonderland was such a game changer. I’m glad it showed children’s literature authors that not all of their books needed to teach a lesson. Children deserve books for entertainment. Not everything needs to be something to learn from. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

It’s disappointing (but not surprising) to see how much different the film adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is from the book. Kids who only watch the movie don’t get the same non-didactic experience. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

I found it fascinating that illustrated and picture books are not the same thing. Whether a book is a picture or a illustrated book does not change its adult/child centeredness either. For instance, Where the Wild Things Are is a picture book full of child impulses. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

The fact that it’s never stated that Max is using his imagination is a child centered impulse in Where the Wild Things Are. Children can read this and believe like Max does that the world he travels to is real. I like that this book encourages imagination as an outlet. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

I had never read Where the Wild Things Are so I had no clue what to expect. My take-away from reading it was that it felt like a prodigal son tale. Max likes to cause "trouble" and so he finds other creatures that do the same, but unfulfilled, he finds his way back home #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

Baseball Saved Us feels like a prime example of the way adults censor history for children. While it educates the child about Japanese Internment camps, it shy's away from how horrific of an event it truly was and turns it into a baseball and learning how to fit in story. #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

I wish I had read Knock at a Star as a child. It felt like a more child centered approach, to learning about poetry than I experienced in school. Poetry about trauma and emotions is not limited to adults, this book shows children that those subjects are valid for them too #ECL501

[CJ Villegas @CJ__reads]

I distinctly remember learning the twisted Barney playground song from another child at church. I know that as a kid, singing that on a church playground felt very rebellious of the adult standards I was surrounded by. #ECL501