The Woodson Experience

The Woodson Experience

Jacqueline Woodson is a phenomenal author, and I know this from all that I have heard and from the book of hers that I have read. Her writing touches on so many controversial topics that are a significant part of our lives whether or not we choose to acknowledge them. From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun, is the only Woodson novel that I have read thus far, but I intend to read and use them in my classroom. This story in particular focused on a black, teenage boy living in an apartment in a community in Brooklyn with his single mother. And did I mention his mother is gay? There are so many topics we can take that I just listed and break them down and discuss them with our students. The topics might appear to be uncomfortable, but in the classroom we can set up a safe environment for all students to learn. These topics are going to be tough to talk about, but with novels that Woodson has written, we can help students think in different ways about these issues or possibly even make connections with them or the characters in her books.

Woodson’s work intends to make readers think about the topics that often get shoved to the wayside but are so prominent in our society today. Although every student might not relate to the story told by Melanin Sun, several of her other books offer many more perspectives on various other issues that can help young readers delve into topics that they may have never had the chance to discuss before.

I believe these controversial topics are what we as teachers should discuss rather than fearing we will corrupt our students. Children witness more than we would actually like to think and this naiveté we have for them only hinders them in their growth as not only students but individuals.

To read Jacqueline Woodson’s biography, visit her website by clicking the link in her name!