The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods
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Summery:
Violet, an eleven year old girl is biracial. Her father, who has passed away was black, her mother and her stepsister are white. She has a hard time fitting in anywhere, at school or at home. One day she learns that her grandmother who has broken off communication with Violets family since her father has died, is having an art show near by. After much pleading she convinces her mother to take her to the show. At first when she meets her grandmother it seems like a bad idea but slowly, and with much persistence, she and her grandmother construct a bond that helps Violet find her identity and place in the world.
Violet, an eleven year old girl is biracial. Her father, who has passed away was black, her mother and her stepsister are white. She has a hard time fitting in anywhere, at school or at home. One day she learns that her grandmother who has broken off communication with Violets family since her father has died, is having an art show near by. After much pleading she convinces her mother to take her to the show. At first when she meets her grandmother it seems like a bad idea but slowly, and with much persistence, she and her grandmother construct a bond that helps Violet find her identity and place in the world.
What I love: I love that this can teach students the hardships that biracial students must go through in order to find themselves. Not only a child from black and white parents go through this but all biracial students have to find themselves while straddling two different sides of themselves. I chose this book because I want students to know how it must feel to be in there peers shoes, and while that can't completely be done, I want to at least brush the tip of the iceberg.
My objectives:
Since I want my students to put themselves in the shoes of Violet Diamond I first want to have a classroom discussion, after the discussion (Link provided to discussion questions) I want the students to write the prompt to this question Mimi says, “My Diamond’s not missing anymore." Violet knew she was talking about her. What did she mean? If students can answer the question in a manner stating that she has found herself, they understand the concept.
Since I want my students to put themselves in the shoes of Violet Diamond I first want to have a classroom discussion, after the discussion (Link provided to discussion questions) I want the students to write the prompt to this question Mimi says, “My Diamond’s not missing anymore." Violet knew she was talking about her. What did she mean? If students can answer the question in a manner stating that she has found herself, they understand the concept.
Lesson plans:
https://www.teachingbooks.net/media/pdf/YHBA/BlossomingUniverse.pdf In this lesson plan there are many different varieties depending on the path that the teacher wants to take it. First there is discussion questions, then the class can either look up history, find different things that support their argument in the book or even life skills that can be taught through the book.
A place to buy the book-- https://www.amazon.com/Blossoming-Universe-Violet-Diamond/dp/0399257144
https://www.teachingbooks.net/media/pdf/YHBA/BlossomingUniverse.pdf In this lesson plan there are many different varieties depending on the path that the teacher wants to take it. First there is discussion questions, then the class can either look up history, find different things that support their argument in the book or even life skills that can be taught through the book.
A place to buy the book-- https://www.amazon.com/Blossoming-Universe-Violet-Diamond/dp/0399257144
![Picture](/uploads/9/4/2/8/94284409/woods2-169x275.jpg)
About the author: Brenda Woods is an African American women who was born and raised in Ohio, although her family was originally from New Orleans. Her writings have taken her all over the United States although she likes New Orleans best because of her deep family roots.
More about the Author- http://www.brendawoods.net/about.html
More about the Author- http://www.brendawoods.net/about.html