Knightly News

“Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created or recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of a larger human experience. Reading, then, becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books.”

     ― Rudine Sims Bishop, professor emerita at Ohio State University

When new Lower School Librarian Sara Gomez was offered the opportunity to have Alda Dobbs visit Episcopal students, she didn’t hesitate to say yes. Dobbs is the author of the new historical fiction novel “Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna,” which tells the story of the Mexican Revolution through the eyes of 12-year-old Petra Luna. As Dobbs spoke with fourth, fifth and seventh grade students in the Greer Center, she shared that Petra Luna and her journey were inspired by her great-grandmother’s childhood experiences.

Dobbs related to the young crowd and shared her great-grandmother’s tales of soldiers and spies. She highlighted living conditions in Mexico in 1913 with most unable to read or write and only a fraction of people owning land. Dobbs stressed the importance of family stories and what can be learned from them. “Find out what your parents and grandparents went through,” she advised. “Every time you have an opportunity to get a story, get it. Once that person is gone that information is gone.”  

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Dobbs’ Episcopal visit coincided perfectly with Episcopal’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. In Morning Meeting, faculty and staff celebrated individuals of Hispanic heritage who have contributed to the world. Students related success stories ranging from that of astronaut Ellen Ochoa and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Maria Sotomayor to baseball player Roberto Clemente and singer Jennifer Lopez. Students watched videos highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month, and a range of resources was shared with faculty and staff. “It’s important for students to appreciate and respect diversity in our world and within our community, and with student leaders eager to showcase Hispanic individuals (and people from other heritages) who have made a positive difference in the world, they not only learn about their cultures and contributions but may also be inspired to make a positive difference in the world in their own special ways too,” says Lower School Division Head Beth Gardner.

In the library, Gomez, who joined Episcopal this August, is intentional about celebrating diversity through books. “One of my goals for this year is to further diversify our collection and build upon what we have,” she says. Gomez says it has been a challenge for libraries across the country to procure new reads over the past two years, and during that time “tons of new really great books” have been released. Now, she is excited to bring those books to Episcopal. Gomez points out that diversity in children’s literature has been widely discussed on the national scene, and she appreciates that librarians have a key role to play. “I have a responsibility to make sure we have books for everyone,” she says. She says while not all books available will offer a mirror, they may offer a window into another perspective and culture.

Fostering a Sense of Belonging

Lower School faculty and staff are focusing on the theme of “Belonging” this school year. Gardner says to encourage a sense of belonging, faculty will continue celebrating diversity within the Episcopal community. “It’s our hope that students gain a deeper appreciation for various cultures that make us the very special community we are,” says Gardner. “We want all students to be proud of their heritage, comfortable talking about who they are and what makes their families and their family’s traditions special and important. By both recognizing and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month; and others such as Indigenous Peoples Day, Native American Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Asian Pacific Heritage Month, we have the opportunity to grow this sense of Belonging within our school family. Our community is stronger when all students are proud of who they are and understand our community is made up of many types of families and important traditions, worthy of respect and celebration.”

Discovering Inspiration through Writing

Back in the library, hosting an author visit is cause for celebration. Gomez says there are numerous benefits to such an experience. “Students get the chance to interact with someone that a lot of us think is unreachable,” she says. “It lets kids see this is a real job, and you can pursue this.” In addition, Gomez says author visits traditionally spark discussions about writing. She says students may gain valuable writing strategies and an understanding of the importance and relevance of writing. She also likes that interacting with the author helps students gain a deeper connection with the story and its characters.

When Dobbs was asked what challenges she faced in writing the book, she had an answer to inspire the students. Dobbs grew up speaking Spanish, and as a result, she was afraid to write in English. She says she lacked the confidence to tackle a story in English despite her love of storytelling. She initially became an engineer and delayed her dream of being an author. Eventually, her husband encouraged her to write, and her book was published this fall. “Follow your heart and confidence will come,” she says.

Hispanic Heritage Month may have concluded, but there are ample books still to be read. Here are just a few that families may want to read together.

“Watch out for clever women! = Cuidado con las mujeres astutas!: Hispanic folklore” by Joe Hayes

“Tales our abuelitas told: a Hispanic folktale collection” by Isabel Campoy

“In my family” by Carmine Lomas Garza

“Abuela” by Arthur Dorros

“Bread is for eating” by David Gershator

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.