Final Post

To say the least this class has been very beneficial for me. I have been exposed to new levels of multiculturalism that I haven't even thought of before in such depths. One of the most interesting things that I have discovered through this class is that there is always two sides to a story. I say this while I am thinking about the analyzations of different books. A book that may seem incredible to one person may be the worst book ever written to another and the most offensive thing they have ever read. With this in mind one of the key things I have learned is that you can never take a book a face value when you are presenting to your students or even when you are reading it for yourself. You may be thinking that the book you are reading is presenting you with very valuable information, while it is feeding you completely off the mark information. It has been amazing to see the books that have been well known and prominantly read in school that have presented great problems with certain groups of people. I have learned that I have to be able to take the time to do a little bit of extra research so that I am doing myself as well as my future students justice when I say that I am presenting to them a book deserving to be read and studied.

I enjoyed being able to dig deeper into finding out about a minority I didn't know much about and also practicing these necessary research skills during the final project. This project expanded my level of thinking when considering what books to present before others. It also made me realize how uneven the representation of groups can be. I chose to research muslim-american books and quite honestly this was quite a difficult thing to do. It made me sad to realize that a people that are becoming quite prominent within the United States do not have the ability to often see themselves in literature; as if life in the U.S. isn't already hard enough for muslim-americans.

So all in all I have gained a new appreciation for the importance of simply building a library that is as much inclusive for all as possible. For some students it may mean the difference between mediocracy and greatness. And if I can play any part in a student being the greatest they can be then I will do whatever enables that. And I have come to find out how much this does enable that . I really appreciate what this class has exposed me to, and I will apply what I have learned throughout my career.

Final Project Reflection Post

I think that it is important for me and can be very beneficial to others that I have decided to focus by project on Muslims in America. This is because it is so relevant to the current world that we live in. Day to day we see a world where it seems like America and the Muslim world are at rivalry, and day to day more people are building unfair stereotypes and carrying them out on an undeserving group of people. It is important for books like these to be more discussed and placed more in the hands of our children, because it is a key for accomplishing the goal that we as Americans say we strive for; equality. Muslim-Americans are terribly under-represented in our society and the sad part is the fact that people try to justify it. Muslim-Americans are people just as any other minority and the majority, and they should have fair, accurate representation on the bookshelves of our children just as any other. Through these books people can learn that we all have much in common, and people can also learn that the differences that are obvious to us are actually quite amazing differences that we should all know about and be able to embrace in some shape or form. Muslim-American students also need these sort of books, just as any other minority. They need to see a representation of themselves within our classrooms. It will enhance their sense of identity, which many youth of all kinds seem to struggle with. So they should have fair access to understanding their identity as well. There are so many benefits that schools and even this nation could receive by embracing books such as these. I only hope that we will choose to do so, and that a greater representation of Muslim-American literature will come to be.

Professional Resource on My Name Is Bilal

Aman, Mary Jo. Domes. Milwaukee: Fall 2005. Vol. 14, Iss. 2; pg. 111


When Bilal accompanies his sister, Ayesha, to their new school, he is frightened by two bullies, who tug at Ayesha's headscarf and almost pull it off. He is too afraid to come to her aid, and in class, he announces that his name is "Bill", also afraid that his new classmates will discover that he is Muslim.
His teacher, Mr. Ali, promises to keep his secret, but he also brings Bilal a book about another Bilal -- Bilal Ibn Rabal -- "the first person to give the Muslim call to prayer during the time of the Prophet Muhammed...." (p. 9) After reading of the steadfastness of his namesake, in the face of those who wanted him to recant his religion, Bilal found a deeper respect for who he was, new courage, and new friends.
This is a simple picture book that relates, not only some of the problems that Muslims -- young and old -- face in America, but it also gives the reader some insight into the fitual call to prayer, to which Muslims resond five times a day. A well written introduction to Islam for ages five to eight, which should be in all picture book collections.

One Green Apple by Eve Bunting

Bunting, Eve, & Illustrated by Ted Lewin. (2006) One Green Apple. New York: Clarion Books.

This is a story that portrays what many students go through. Farah, who is new to the United States, is in her second day at a new school as they go on a field trip to the apple orchard. She doesn't understand English which everyone speaks and she is obviously a misfit amongst her classmates, which is made even more noticeable by the dupatta she wears on her head is what she expresses in the book. During the book she expresses her struggles and frustrations with not being able to reach out to anyone and being so different, and not even being able to connect with her teacher which talks to her almost as if she is stupid. When the students get to the orchard they go out to pick an apple and she alone picks out a green apple from the smallest tree to be found. This is almost a representation of who she is amongst her new peers. After this she slowly but surely develops confidence and is able to realize that the situation shes in won't always be so and the situation she is in now isn't as bad as she may have thought it to be.

This book tackles a rather complex societal issue and makes it so simple and accessible in this children's picture book. This is a book that is needed in today's society. It is applicable to children of all types with a down to earth story that takes place in almost every school today. And a story like this is needed to show how all children, no matter their background, face many of the same struggles, and we need to take time to focus on some of our similarities rather than the obvious differences. For this reason this book by Eve Bunting has great value, and should be taken into consideration for reading by many teachers today. Not only that, but this book give recognition to a group of people that need more recognition in our books. Muslim-Americans are becoming more a part of our society in positive ways and we need literature that portrays this just as with any other minority and the majority. This book does this!

Magid Fasts for Ramadan by Mary Matthews

Matthews, Mary, & Illustrated by E.B. Lewis. (1996). Magid Fasts for Ramadan. New York: Clarion Books.


Magid is an eight year old boy that feels that he wants to and should be able to fast for Ramadan just as the rest of the people in his family are doing. The only thing is that his parents tell him he is too young and are adament in telling him that he cannot fast with the rest of them at his age. Magid is determined to be what is considered as a good and obedient muslim, but during his struggle of trying to complete the fast without anyone finding out he is forced to realize some other very important values of being muslim. This story gives great incite into the background of Ramadan and how it came to be, as Magid's grandfather tells and portrays to him what the true qualities of being Muslim are. The writings of this book are still very relatable because even though the plot may be different than what most may be used to the values of a close-knit family still shine through in this informed writer's work; Mary Matthews.

This book is also a representation of the very few available books that represent the Nation of Islam which is becoming so prevelant in America. It gives a straight forward look into a world that is all around us, meaning Americans, but so few of us know much about. This gives parents and children alike the opportunity to begin to understand and talk about Islam, which is important in the time that we live in where it seems that America and the Nation of Islam seem to be at rivalry. It is important for children to be able to understand and begin to ask questions to know about their peers around them so equality can be instilled. And this book can be a tool that is used to begin such a thing.

My Name is Bilal by Asma Mobin-Uddin

Uddin, Asma Mobin (2005). My Name Is Bilal. Honesdale , Pennsylvania
Boyds Mills Press.


My name is Bilal is a well written text that fulfills an ever so present need of placing Muslim-American experiences in the hands of readers. It does this while still showing experiences that will relate to all readers. Bilal is a young boy who struggles with a new school, bullying, and finding his own identity. Being the minority in a new school is difficult for Bilal and his sister Ayesha, who are Muslim. The first day of school he allows for his sister to be bullied because of her apparel and is scared to stand up for her becuase he is afraid of letting others know that he is muslim as well. His teacher, Mr. Ali, who is also Muslim finds out about how is struggling with accepting his muslim identity and offers him a book to read. The book is about a man named Bilal who played a vital role in helping the prophet muhammad make the call to prayer; which is a deeply rooted Muslim tradition. After this the boy Bilal realizes something within himself and encounters a series of events where he can step up and truly embrace his identity. This is a great story that accurately gives incites into Muslim tradition while portraying a theme that applies to everyone which is gaining other's acceptance is very possible if you accept yourself first.

This book opens up a new world for youth that is important to discover. The author, Asma Mobin-Uddin, does a wonderful job of giving accurate incite into some history and tradition of the Muslim faith. With this religion becoming more in the public view and Americans often falsely portraying the Nation of Islam it is important for books such as these to be able to get into the hands of young minds, and even some adults. This book allows children to be exposed to a minority that is becoming more apart of their surroundings and texts like this should be included on bookshelves just as any other. It is important because it will benefit some children in embracing their identity, just as with Bilal, and also it will supply knowledge to others who do not understand the Muslim background. This book is a must read!

Semester Reflection

As I reflect on this past semester in this class I realize that this class has been very beneficial for me and has expanded my way of thinking when considering multiculturalism. I think the last class session was beneficial in the sense that I was able to recollect pretty much all of the ideas that we covered in class over the semester. I feel that I have gotten to the point where I would be comfortable with and confident in presenting these ideas before my future classroom. I think that taking this class will definitely benefit in a positive way my future classrooms. I think that it is important in this present time for all future teachers to take a class similar to this and to be able to talk about, understand, and present these ideas before their students. This is important because these issues exist and effect my children in this country. Teachers need to be able to relate to their students on this level as well as any other topic that is traditionally covered within the classroom.