Ms. Marvel

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      I wanted to applaud the author of this comic book as well as Professor Thomas for allowing us to read it in her class. This book was a perfect theme for so many young adult topics that need to be addressed in young adult literature as well as other books. This book addresses insecurity, religion, bullying, peer pressure, and even diversity and minority. This book presents a fun and cool way to address such topics in the classroom in an engaging my that entertains reluctant readers.
      Ms. Marvel by Alphora Herring focuses on Kamal Khan and she becomes the new Captain Marvel and saves her friends and the city from tragedies and disasters. I wanted to stress how rarely ever do we see a minority member as the main character of a novel or comic strip? Hardly ever. And that is an issue with our society, country, classrooms, and authors. It is refreshing to see this happen in this comic book to encourage individuals that they are just as capable as the white heroine. We see Kamala overcome her differences and accept who she is by the end of the story. This is refreshing and sends a strong message to minorities and adds lots of diversity to a classroom, if taught.
      Beyond the excellence of diversity, this novel also addressed topics such as bullying, peer pressure, and standing up for yourself. And more importantly, doing what's right. In the story we see Kamala save a classmate from drowning even though Kamala knows that she doesn't like her very well. This is where standing up and being the better person is relevant and understandable to the readers. It sends a strong message to always do whats right no matter the situation or who is involved.
      I believe this book would be great to teach in a classroom because of the various themes and motifs present. It would be an excellent tool to encourage self confidence and kindness to others. It is also an easy read and would attract reluctant readers which is a win win for everyone. I honestly believe I'll give this book a try in my classroom in the near future and excited to see where it leads.

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