Living with Anticipation
Newsletter #60
The Pros and Cons
This year I seem to be frequently looking forward to things. What’s the next show I’ll binge on Netflix? How many days until our next break? When will I get to eat manju? What are we going to do on our vacation? Which book should I start from my TBR pile? How long until I can retire? Most of those are fun things to anticipate and it makes me happy thinking about them.
But sometimes always thinking ahead means I forget about being present. I suppose it’s the planning nature in me that keeps me wondering about what’s next. Which means it’s harder for me to be in the moment and enjoy whatever I’m doing. I know I need to work on focusing on the now.
Limiting distractions and reducing multi-tasking will help me become more present. Being more conscientious of my forward-thinking tendencies can also contribute to this. Any other tips you can share? How do you stay present?
Book Report: HOME IS IN BETWEEN
Written by Mitali Perkins
Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu
Moving to a new place is hard, especially when learning a completely different culture. In this book the author Mitali takes us on the journey of Shanti and her parents from her village in India to a city in the United States. We see how Shanti finds comfort in the familiarity of home life where she dances, reads, and eats the same way she did in her home village. At the same time she learns new letters and language, holiday traditions, and cultural norms. While the text remains mostly positive with subtle changes, the illustrator Lavanya shows through facial expressions and details how learning to live in a different country can be confusing, tiring, frustrating, and overwhelming. I love how students can read the pictures and infer how Shanti and her family could be feeling in those discouraging moments. In the end, Shanti recognizes the benefits for being in between. A wonderful mirrors and windows book that beautifully compares and contrasts two beautiful cultures.
Themes: perseverance, hopes & dreams, love & acceptance, immigration
Discussion Ideas:
How have you felt the way Shanti does when experiencing certain moments in this story?
What does the title Home is In Between mean and why do you think the author chose it for this story?
Mentor Text For:
making inferences
reading the pictures
determining character emotions and change
compare and contrast
Link to Teacher Resources: Discussion Questions
Buy the book!
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Weekly Progress Report
This is a section for “stuff I did” that relates to my writing career. I believe in celebrating all wins, big and small alike.
met with an accountability partner
met with Uplift Kidlit to co-work on writing
read through feedback from my last critique group
wrote an intro bio for Co-ARA for an upcoming newsletter
attended another training for Co-ARA responsibilities and to share ideas
Sending you courage and grace in all you choose to do,
Susan