International Human Rights Day

The author of Midnight Sweatlodge, Waubgeshig Rice, spoke about Canadian First Nations, the Media and Human Rights at Lisgar Collegiate Institute to help mark International Human Rights Day. In highlighting the role of "digital smoke signals" he pointed to increasing frustration with unresponsiveness of the Federal Government especially with regard to complaints about Bill C-45 and how talking about how social media is helping to mobilize opposition. He made specific reference to #IdleNoMore on Twitter.

Interestingly, many of issues mentioned in his IHRD discussion are also mentioned in his short novel, Midnight Sweatlodge where stories touching upon every issue from substance abuse and traditional healing to land rights and political corruption emerge from the sweatlodge.

Returning to the Project

Between my work as a teacher-librarian, my work as an editorial board member for the OSLA's Teaching Librarian and my work as editor of the Voices for School Library Network's School Libraries in Canada, I got side-tracked from my vocation as a blogger.

Now with the prospect of my school day starting 90 minutes later than usual and ending an hour earlier than usual as a consequence of the dispute with the Government of Ontario, I think I may have some time for blogging about some interesting books for engaging young adult readers.

One book you probably won't find unless you go out of your way is How to Make a Golem and Terrify People. Written by Alette J. Willis, an alumnus of the high school where I teach (who now works at Edinburgh University), this novel won a book of the year award for Scottish Children's fiction.

Although it is aimed at a slightly younger audience, this book would be engaging for many Grade Nine readers and this fictional examination of the dynamics of fear, bullying and friendship has entertainment value for a much broader audience.

Welcome to Literacy Buoys

This blog is intended as a forum for sharing resources that can be used to promote literacy by promoting reading amongst reluctant readers, particularly teenage boys. You are invited to share your ideas and any resources that you have found useful. Please participate in this exploration of wikis and blogs.