DRITA, MY HOMEGIRL

DRITA, MY HOMEGIRL by Jenny Lombard

This book is about how the paths of two little girls from different cultures and race becomes friends (African-American and Kosovo). But the unusual relationship becomes a key element to healing in their lives. This story is a realistic fiction because it could possibly happen in the real world today and it does. It also could be considered a memoir from her (Lombard) experience as a teacher. America was becoming so diverse in its population that there was a need for more children books reflecting its multicultural diversity. So in 1975 Harriet Rohmer established the Children's Book Press. I feel that this book is an excellent way explore how nationalities are different only by what they believe and color should not be an issue. 

Motivational activities: We would explore nationalities and cultures from around the world by telling where they are from.
The next exercise would to explore the ways people celebrate holidays differently.

Questions:

1. What makes us different from one another?
2.  Should the race or nationality differences that we have be a reason to dislike or bully someone?
3. What has this experience taught you about the differences in the color of some one's skin? 

References:

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2010). Literature and the Child 7edition. Belmont: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Lombard, J. (2006). Drita, My Homegirl. New York: Scholastic Inc.