Kristian Rivera

Teacher and Learner

[Patt Dennis @DennisArt4]

I personally resigned with the statement, as a brown skin black girl. I never saw myself in literature, except for slavery and racism, black heroes was very limited. I didn't see anyone that looked like me, until I was introduced to Toni Morrison as a in high school. #NJLibChat

[Madi Palmer @MadilynPalmer]

We are what we see. Children do not understand why there are not books that reflect who they are, simply just that there aren’t books. Not having diverse literature readily available does a disservice to our next generation. #NJLibChat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

A5. I agree with this statement and unfortunately it is true. As a kid growing up second generation Puerto Rican, I loved to read but was disappointed not to see characters like me in my books. I am so proud of how far literature has come since then. #NJLibchat

[Dr. Кrista Welz @kristawelz]

Q5: Reflect on this statement:
"If children never see themselves reflected in literature, they receive the message that they are
not important to society." #NJLibChat

[Madi Palmer @MadilynPalmer]

I work in a high school— my favorite diverse YA books: You Should See Me in a Crown, I’m Not Dying With You Tonight, Fat Chance Charlie Vega, What If It’s Us, All boys Aren’t Blue, Children of Blood and Bone #NJLibChat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

@MadilynPalmer You have some great picks! I liked “I’m not dying with you tonight” I also added some of your titles to my reading list #NJLibchat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

A4. I have so many favorites! Some recent ones “From the Desk of Zoe Washington”, “Amari and the Night Brothers”, “Twins”, “Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish” but there are so many more! #NJLibchat

[Dr. Кrista Welz @kristawelz]

Q4: Name a few books that you have read that deal with diversity. Diversity can include stories that focus on different countries, race, religion, LGQBT, etc. #NJLibChat

[Dr. Кrista Welz @kristawelz]

Q4: Name a few books that you have read that deal with diversity. Diversity can include stories that focus on different countries, race, religion, LGQBT, etc. #NJLibChat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

@gupka2021 @kristawelz I agree. Awards like the Coretta Scott King award or Pura Belpre are two that I like to use when selecting books. #NJLibchat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

A3. One thing I do is read the book and look for any problematic aspects of the text. I also read reviews and get recommendations from trusted reliable sources like @ProjectLITComm. #NJLibchat

[Dr. Кrista Welz @kristawelz]

Q3: When choosing a culturally diverse children's book to read to your students, how do you assess it for authenticity and accuracy? #NJLibChat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

@MadilynPalmer I agree, diverse texts can open people up to sometimes difficult but necessary conversations. #NJLibchat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

A2. A school that is rich with culturally diverse texts is one where students have a better understanding of themselves, the world around them, and their place in it. Stories have the power to lift the reader up and open their eyes. #NJLibchat

[Dr. Кrista Welz @kristawelz]

Q2: Why is culturally diverse children's literature so important in our schools, particularly school libraries? #NJLibChat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

A1: Multicultural literature can help empower a child to be proud of their own identity especially when it’s represented positively. It also has the power to help shine light on how other cultures live making the reader more empathetic #NJlibchat

[Dr. Кrista Welz @kristawelz]

Q1: How does exposure to multicultural literature benefit children’s thought processes about race? #NJLibChat

Click the QUOTE RETWEET button and reply with your answer. Don't forget to use the hashtag!

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

@kristawelz Kristian Rivera 8th Grade Language Arts @ Bordentown Regional Middle School #NJLibchat

[YALSA @yalsa]

Check out the full list of Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2022) Quarterly Nominations Round-Up for Fall! https://t.co/k5vLY6xS3a

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

@ProjectLITComm All of the above! Too many great ones. I’ll choose 3. Scythe, All American Boys, Poet X. And there are a few titles I will be adding to my list!

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

@kristawelz A5: Its an unfortunate truth. But not only do they think they are unimportant but other people do too. This can be fixed by helping readers connect with diverse texts, honoring choice in reading, and challenging canon for stories that are missing or untold. #NJLibChat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

@deirdge I agree, this book was really good! #NJLibChat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

@kristawelz A4. The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater, This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewel, Dear Martin/Justyce by Nic Stone, Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (there are so many good ones, anything on this image or recommended by @ProjectLITComm) #NJLibChat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

@kristawelz A3: I think it is important to read it first and make sure that the content isn’t offensive or biased. I also try to rely on reviews from websites or other educators that I trust #NJLibChat

[Kristian Rivera @MrRiveraBRMS]

@penaranda_ms I agree, when you are growing up and don’t see yourself reflected in the authors or characters of your books it makes you feel as if your possibilities are limited. It is nice to see this is changing in YA books. #NJLibChat