An Interview with the Dynamic Duo behind their Inspiring New Release
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Lesley Bracero and Natoia Franklin are educators, published writers, and literacy advocates who spend their time and talents spreading a love of reading to children around the country. They have developed several programs that focus on children’s emotional, mental, and academic development. By doing school visits and author talks, Bracero and Franklin are passionate about literacy and highlighting the importance of reading early on. Not only that, but they work with students to highlight strategies for improving reading skills and development. Their most recent book, BJ Doesn’t Cry was a PPGJ National Book Award Honoree Winner.
What inspired you to write the book that won this PPGJ award, and how do you believe it contributes to the promotion of literacy and diversity in literature?
The inspiration behind writing the book that led to winning the PPGJ award stemmed from a profound desire to assist boys in navigating and expressing their emotions in healthy and constructive ways. As educators, we keenly observed a prevalent need for young boys to develop emotional literacy, which is crucial for their overall growth and well-being. Our book was born out of this recognition, aiming to provide practical tools and narratives that empower boys to articulate their feelings confidently.
In what ways does your book reflect the importance of representation in storytelling, especially for readers from underrepresented backgrounds?
Our book serves as a prime example of what we like to call ‘mirror books,’ as it is crafted with the intention of helping students see themselves reflected in literature. Representation in storytelling is paramount, particularly for readers from underrepresented backgrounds, as it validates their experiences and identities while fostering a sense of belonging. Through authentic characters and relatable narratives, our book mirrors the diversity of our readership, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to see themselves represented positively in the stories they read. By featuring protagonists from various backgrounds and experiences, we aim to provide a multitude of mirrors for readers who may have previously felt marginalized or unseen in literature.
Moreover, our book goes beyond mere representation by actively engaging with the complexities of identity and culture. By delving into themes that resonate with readers from underrepresented backgrounds, we create pathways for empathy and understanding among all readers, regardless of their own lived experiences.
Ultimately, our book underscores the importance of representation in storytelling by demonstrating the transformative power of seeing oneself reflected in literature. By offering diverse perspectives and narratives, we empower readers to embrace their own identities and celebrate the richness of human diversity.
What was your approach to portraying diverse characters and cultures in your writing, and what steps do you take to ensure authenticity in your representation?
In recognizing the need for our melanated children to connect with literature that authentically reflects their experiences and identities, our approach to portraying diverse characters and cultures in our writing was deliberate and conscientious.
First and foremost, we conducted extensive research into the cultures and communities we aimed to represent, seeking to understand their nuances, traditions, and lived experiences. This involved engaging with community members, consulting cultural experts, and immersing ourselves in diverse perspectives through literature and personal accounts.
Furthermore, we prioritized authenticity in our representation by centering the voices and experiences of individuals from the communities we depicted. Through sensitivity readers and cultural consultants, we sought feedback and guidance to ensure that our portrayals were respectful, accurate, and free from harmful stereotypes.
Additionally, we approached the creation of diverse characters with depth and complexity, avoiding tokenism and caricature. Each character was imbued with a unique personality, backstory, and motivations, allowing readers to see them as fully realized individuals rather than mere representations of a particular identity.
Ultimately, our commitment to authenticity in representation was rooted in the belief that all children deserve to see themselves reflected positively in literature. By honoring the richness and diversity of our melanated children’s experiences, we aimed to create stories that resonate deeply and foster a sense of pride, belonging, and empowerment.
Can you share any feedback or reactions from readers who have found your book personally meaningful or impactful, particularly in terms of promoting literacy and celebrating diversity?
We’ve been deeply moved by the feedback and reactions from readers who found our book personally meaningful and impactful, particularly in terms of promoting literacy and celebrating diversity. One memorable response came from a student who shared that reading our book prompted her to reflect on her own life, specifically the challenges her brother had been facing. She expressed how the book helped her realize that it’s okay to express herself in healthy ways, echoing one of the key themes we aimed to convey.
Furthermore, we’ve received numerous messages from educators and parents who noted the positive impact our book had on their children’s attitudes toward reading and self-expression. Many emphasized how seeing characters who looked like them and faced similar struggles validated their experiences and encouraged them to engage more deeply with literature.
Moreover, several readers from underrepresented backgrounds shared how our book provided a sense of visibility and empowerment, allowing them to see themselves represented positively in literature. This not only bolstered their self-esteem but also fostered a greater sense of belonging within the literary community.
Overall, these heartfelt reactions reaffirm our belief in the transformative power of literature to inspire empathy, foster understanding, and promote literacy among diverse audiences. By creating stories that resonate on a personal level and reflect the richness of human experiences, we hope to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of readers everywhere.
How do you engage with readers and communities to promote literacy and diversity outside of being an author, and what advice would you offer to aspiring writers seeking to do the same?
1. Write Authentically: Write stories that reflect diverse experiences and perspectives authentically and respectfully. Authentic representation is crucial for connecting with readers and promoting understanding.
2. Engage with Communities: Actively engage with diverse communities to understand their experiences, perspectives, and needs. Building relationships with readers and communities fosters trust and strengthens your impact as a writer.
3. Be an Advocate: Use your platform as a writer to advocate for diversity and inclusion in literature. Speak out against stereotypes, support marginalized voices, and actively work towards creating a more inclusive literary landscape.
4. Listen and Learn: Listen to feedback from readers and communities, and be open to learning from their experiences and perspectives. Continuously educate yourself about issues of diversity and representation in literature.
5. Collaborate: Collaborate with other writers, educators, activists, and organizations working towards similar goals. Collaborative efforts can amplify impact and create meaningful change in promoting literacy and diversity.
By actively engaging with readers and communities and advocating for diversity both within and outside of their writing, aspiring writers can contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable literary landscape.
Looking ahead, what hopes or aspirations do you have for the future of literature in terms of promoting literacy, amplifying diverse voices, and fostering greater inclusivity in Storytelling?
1. Promoting Literacy: I hope to see literature continue to play a central role in promoting literacy worldwide. By fostering a love of reading and storytelling from an early age, literature has the power to empower individuals, expand their horizons, and unlock their full potential.
2. Amplifying Diverse Voices: I aspire to see a literary landscape that celebrates and amplifies diverse voices from all corners of the globe. This includes voices from marginalized communities, underrepresented groups, and traditionally marginalized identities. By providing platforms for diverse storytellers to share their narratives, literature enriches our collective understanding of the human experience and fosters greater empathy and solidarity.
3. Fostering Greater Inclusivity: I envision a future where inclusivity is at the heart of storytelling. This means creating stories that reflect the richness of human diversity in all its forms, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, and socioeconomic background. By embracing inclusivity in storytelling, literature has the potential to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create a more equitable and just society.
4. Empowering Readers: I hope to see literature continue to empower readers to think critically, question the status quo, and envision a better world. By presenting diverse perspectives and thought-provoking narratives, literature encourages readers to engage with complex issues, expand their worldview, and become active agents of positive change in their communities.
5. Driving Social Change: Ultimately, I aspire to see literature continue to drive social change and contribute to the advancement of social justice and human rights. By shining a spotlight on pressing issues such as inequality, injustice, and discrimination, literature has the power to inspire empathy, mobilize action, and catalyze movements for positive transformation.
In sum, my hopes for the future of literature revolve around its capacity to promote literacy, amplify diverse voices, foster inclusivity in storytelling, empower readers, and drive social change. By realizing these aspirations, literature can continue to serve as a beacon of hope, inspiration, and enlightenment for generations to come.
Purchase a copy of BJ Doesn’t Cry
Learn more about the PPGJ Book Awards
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