An Interview with Author Renée Watson
I know it is going to be a wonderful and productive week when Colby Sharp and I kick it off with a Sharp-Schu trifecta. Today, we're celebrating Renée Watson's Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills. It is an inspiring and well-told picture-book biography that garnered many positive reviews from our students.
Are you ready to hop from blog to blog?
Mr. Schu: Thank you for introducing my
students and me to Florence Mills. Why did you decide to write a picture book
about her?
Renée Watson: I
wanted to tell a story about an African American woman who did extraordinary
things, that young people might not know about. We learn about the brave and
legendary women Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman often. I wanted to add an unsung
hero to the list.
When
I learned about Florence, I knew her story was the one to tell. I was moved by
her boldness to stand up for her beliefs at such a young age. My hope was that
young people—regardless of if they wanted to be a singer—would be inspired by
her story and see that you’re never too young to make a difference and that
regardless of where you come from, you can achieve great things.
Mr. Schu: What do you hope young readers
take away from Harlem's Little Blackbird?
Renée Watson:One
thing that I hope resonates with young readers is the power of one’s voice. I
hope young people close the book asking, “What can my voice do?”
Mr. Schu: I read that you teach writing
and creative drama therapy. How could an educator use Harlem's Little
Blackbird in a creative drama activity?
Renée Watson: I’ve
used drama, art, and writing activities with Florence’s story. One drama
activity I’ve facilitated is having students choose a scene from the book when
something unfair happens to Florence. I ask students to think of a new ending
to that scene: How should Florence have been treated? What would you do in this
situation? They act out the scene with a new ending and we discuss it.
Role-play is a powerful tool in the classroom and giving students a chance to
right a wrong and practice being good citizens prepares them for life outside
of the classroom. This activity was inspired by my mentors, educators Linda
Christensen and Bill Bigelow.
Mr. Schu: Please recommend a resource for
a fifth grader who wants to learn more about Florence Mills and the Harlem
Renaissance.
Renée Watson: Bill
Egan, author and jazz researcher, has a website dedicated to Florence with
photos, timelines, and articles.
Mr. Schu: Please complete these sentence
starters:
Picture books are my first love.
Reading is how I learned to put myself
in someone else’s shoes.
Music is as necessary as food. I
listen to it as I shower, write, cook, clean, walk, drive. Music has always
been a big part of my life.
Mr. Schu, you should have
asked me what
students say they want their voices to do. I ask this question at the end of my
school visits, reminding them that Florence used her voice for things big and
small. Here are some of the answers from third graders in Portland, Philly, and
New York:
“I want my voice to stand up
against bullies."
“I want my voice to sing loud
like the birds outside my window.”
“I want my voice to calm my
baby brother when he is crying.”
I am giving away a copy of Harlem's Little Blackbird.
Rules for the Giveaway
1. It will run from 2/17 to 11:59 P.M. CST on 2/19.
2. You must be at least 13,
3. Please pay it forward. :)
Renne Watson is today's Nerdy Book Club blogger. I predict you'll share her post with many of your students and friends throughout the year. A paper copy is going on my inspiration board.
Mr. Colby Sharp reviewed Harlem's Little Blackbird.
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