Comments on: The Tiger’s Choice: Looking at Naming Maya http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/ Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:29:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Tiger’s Choice: Carrying on Naming Maya’s Conversation http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/#comment-242099 The Tiger’s Choice: Carrying on Naming Maya’s Conversation Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:23:06 +0000 http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/?p=622#comment-242099 [...] me to “get the most out of it.” More food for thought can be found by going to thecomment section below each post for Naming Maya, and by reading the Papertigers interviewwith Uma Krishnaswami. And [...] [...] me to “get the most out of it.” More food for thought can be found by going to thecomment section below each post for Naming Maya, and by reading the Papertigers interviewwith Uma Krishnaswami. And [...]

]]> By: Janet http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/#comment-254 Janet Tue, 13 May 2008 17:03:53 +0000 http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/?p=622#comment-254 Sherry, what a wonderful resource to know about! I have to get your book asap. I'm so delighted that you've joined the discussion, while bringing new suggested titles with you. Yes, Katia's phrase "the weight of things never said" does cross all lines doesn't it? Maya's difficulty in finding words for her emotions is one that "transcends culture"--and age and gender to plague every human relationship. And as Aline said, "building respect for and understanding of each other's experiences" is the key to finding the way out of that universal dilemma. And yet in Naming Maya what is also brought out are forms of language that go beyond words--Kamala Mami is a mistress of achieving communication of that sort, don't you think? Sherry, what a wonderful resource to know about! I have to get your book asap. I’m so delighted that you’ve joined the discussion, while bringing new suggested titles with you.
Yes, Katia’s phrase “the weight of things never said” does cross all lines doesn’t it? Maya’s difficulty in finding words for her emotions is one that “transcends culture”–and age and gender to plague every human relationship. And as Aline said, “building respect for and understanding of each other’s experiences” is the key to finding the way out of that universal dilemma.
And yet in Naming Maya what is also brought out are forms of language that go beyond words–Kamala Mami is a mistress of achieving communication of that sort, don’t you think?

]]> By: Sherry York http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/#comment-253 Sherry York Tue, 13 May 2008 03:18:18 +0000 http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/?p=622#comment-253 A booktalk on "Naming Maya" is included in my latest book, "Booktalking Authentic Multicultural Literature: Fiction, History, and Memoirs for Teens," recently published by Linworth Publishing, Inc. Although I have never been to India, I was transported into that world as I read "Naming Maya." 'The weight of things never said' is a concept that transcends cultures. Other East Indian American-authored titles included in my book of booktalks are "Blue Jasmin," (Kashmira Sheth) "Born Confused," (Tanuja Desai Hidier) and "The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen" (Mitali Perkins). A booktalk on “Naming Maya” is included in my latest book, “Booktalking Authentic Multicultural Literature: Fiction, History, and Memoirs for Teens,” recently published by Linworth Publishing, Inc.

Although I have never been to India, I was transported into that world as I read “Naming Maya.” ‘The weight of things never said’ is a concept that transcends cultures.

Other East Indian American-authored titles included in my book of booktalks are “Blue Jasmin,” (Kashmira Sheth) “Born Confused,” (Tanuja Desai Hidier) and “The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen” (Mitali Perkins).

]]> By: » Blog Archive » The Tiger’s Choice: Carrying on Naming Maya’s Conversation http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/#comment-252 » Blog Archive » The Tiger’s Choice: Carrying on Naming Maya’s Conversation Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:04:54 +0000 http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/?p=622#comment-252 [...] me to “get the most out of it.” More food for thought can be found by reading the comment section below each post for Naming Maya, and by reading the Papertigers interview with Uma [...] [...] me to “get the most out of it.” More food for thought can be found by reading the comment section below each post for Naming Maya, and by reading the Papertigers interview with Uma [...]

]]> By: Janet Brown http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/#comment-251 Janet Brown Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:42:21 +0000 http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/?p=622#comment-251 I'm so glad you found your way to this discussion, Katia, because you're bringing so much to it! I too loved "What will four people say?" That's a piece of Indian culture that migrated to Thailand and has put down deep roots there. (I lived in Thailand for four years and much of Naming Maya took me straight back there.) Language, spoken and unspoken, is what has occupied my thoughts--especially with the second and third reading. "The weight of things never said" is such a beautiful phrase--thank you for that. Do you still live in India? Would you mind sending us your blog address? I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to read more of your writing. I’m so glad you found your way to this discussion, Katia, because you’re bringing so much to it! I too loved “What will four people say?” That’s a piece of Indian culture that migrated to Thailand and has put down deep roots there. (I lived in Thailand for four years and much of Naming Maya took me straight back there.)
Language, spoken and unspoken, is what has occupied my thoughts–especially with the second and third reading. “The weight of things never said” is such a beautiful phrase–thank you for that.
Do you still live in India? Would you mind sending us your blog address? I’m sure I’m not the only one who would like to read more of your writing.

]]> By: Katia Novet Saint-Lot http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/#comment-250 Katia Novet Saint-Lot Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:40:17 +0000 http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/?p=622#comment-250 Yes, Janet, it does. I have now finished reading it a second time, and enjoyed it even more than the first. Maybe because I've now made my home in India for almost 4 years and some details now speak to me in a way they did not before. "What will four people say?" I laughed out at that one. I didn't know that it was told in that particular way - I wonder if it's only in Tamil, or also in Hindi - but I've come to learn that indeed, as Auntie Lakshmi mentions in the book, Indians are very much brought up to mind what any four people around might say. I adore the character of Kamala Mami. And there are so many layers to this book : communication between mother and daughter, definitely, with the weight of things never said that permeate everything between them; Maya learning to feel her way in this place that's so much part of what she is and feels familiar with, in a deep, instinctive way, and yet, is not home in the sense that New Jersey is for her ; and the symbol of the two-gifts, that comes back as a leitmotiv, because she's been doing it with her American best friend, but also because it helps her make the connection with her own self, her own identity, and everything comes full circle when Kamala Mami gives her her own two-gift. Thank YOU so much for launching this conversation. I'm so glad it gave me the opportunity to read this book again. And thanks to Uma for writing it, obviously :) If you don't mind, I'll be posting this in my own blog and I'll link it to his, here. Yes, Janet, it does. I have now finished reading it a second time, and enjoyed it even more than the first. Maybe because I’ve now made my home in India for almost 4 years and some details now speak to me in a way they did not before. “What will four people say?” I laughed out at that one. I didn’t know that it was told in that particular way – I wonder if it’s only in Tamil, or also in Hindi – but I’ve come to learn that indeed, as Auntie Lakshmi mentions in the book, Indians are very much brought up to mind what any four people around might say. I adore the character of Kamala Mami. And there are so many layers to this book : communication between mother and daughter, definitely, with the weight of things never said that permeate everything between them; Maya learning to feel her way in this place that’s so much part of what she is and feels familiar with, in a deep, instinctive way, and yet, is not home in the sense that New Jersey is for her ; and the symbol of the two-gifts, that comes back as a leitmotiv, because she’s been doing it with her American best friend, but also because it helps her make the connection with her own self, her own identity, and everything comes full circle when Kamala Mami gives her her own two-gift. Thank YOU so much for launching this conversation. I’m so glad it gave me the opportunity to read this book again. And thanks to Uma for writing it, obviously :) If you don’t mind, I’ll be posting this in my own blog and I’ll link it to his, here.

]]> By: Janet Brown http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/#comment-249 Janet Brown Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:58:31 +0000 http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/?p=622#comment-249 Thank you, Katia, for joining the discussion and bringing up the point that this is a wonderful selection for bi-cultural children. I'm happy that you're rereading Naming Maya--a test of a good book for me is if it still enchants and enthralls and provokes thought with a second--and maybe third--reading. Naming Maya certainly does! Thank you, Katia, for joining the discussion and bringing up the point that this is a wonderful selection for bi-cultural children. I’m happy that you’re rereading Naming Maya–a test of a good book for me is if it still enchants and enthralls and provokes thought with a second–and maybe third–reading. Naming Maya certainly does!

]]> By: Katia Novet Saint-Lot http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/#comment-248 Katia Novet Saint-Lot Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:32:01 +0000 http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/?p=622#comment-248 I also read Naming Maya about the time that it came out, and as I had recently moved to India, I was enthralled by the description of city life in South India - it was Chennai, but to my entrained newcomer's eyes, it could have been Hyderabad. Reading you all makes me want to read it again, and I got it out of the bookshelf. But from what I remember, yes, it would be a great mother and daughter book. And I'm glad for this conversation, as most issues in the book are issues that indeed, displaced children, bi-cultural children - and their parents - can relate to and learn from. I had "forgotten" the two-gift concept, and yet, I remember that when I read the book, I loved it. I love the symbolism and generosity of it. I also read Naming Maya about the time that it came out, and as I had recently moved to India, I was enthralled by the description of city life in South India – it was Chennai, but to my entrained newcomer’s eyes, it could have been Hyderabad. Reading you all makes me want to read it again, and I got it out of the bookshelf. But from what I remember, yes, it would be a great mother and daughter book. And I’m glad for this conversation, as most issues in the book are issues that indeed, displaced children, bi-cultural children – and their parents – can relate to and learn from. I had “forgotten” the two-gift concept, and yet, I remember that when I read the book, I loved it. I love the symbolism and generosity of it.

]]> By: Janet Brown http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/#comment-247 Janet Brown Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:18:02 +0000 http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/?p=622#comment-247 I hope other mothers read your comment and explore Naming Maya with their daughters--"building respect for and understanding of each other's experiences" is crucial for all parents and children--so many thanks, Aline! I hope other mothers read your comment and explore Naming Maya with their daughters–”building respect for and understanding of each other’s experiences” is crucial for all parents and children–so many thanks, Aline!

]]> By: Aline http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/the-tigers-choice-looking-at-naming-maya/#comment-246 Aline Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:45:07 +0000 http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/?p=622#comment-246 Yes, Janet, I think Naming Maya will be a very good book to explore with my daughter when she's older. Like Maya, Anabella is also being raised bilingual and is growing up, in a way, "between cultures;" and like Maya's mom, I'm trying my best (and not always succeeding) to make the Portuguese language and her Brazilian heritage meaningful things in her life. When the time is right, I think there will be lots in Maya's story to help us both in our lifelong journey of building respect for and understanding of each other's experiences –– and reading it together might just be the way to get the most out of it. Yes, Janet, I think Naming Maya will be a very good book to explore with my daughter when she’s older. Like Maya, Anabella is also being raised bilingual and is growing up, in a way, “between cultures;” and like Maya’s mom, I’m trying my best (and not always succeeding) to make the Portuguese language and her Brazilian heritage meaningful things in her life. When the time is right, I think there will be lots in Maya’s story to help us both in our lifelong journey of building respect for and understanding of each other’s experiences –– and reading it together might just be the way to get the most out of it.

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