Becoming Naomi Leon

Reading this book made me very angry, mainly because of how irrational Skyla was being throughout the entire novel. I really do not have any connections with this book involving my own life, except for how Skyla treats Owen, but it just makes me angry at how she acts and treats everyone. The fact that she feels like she has a right to come back and then, one month later, take her child away and move to Las Vegas is just rediculous to me. It bothers me even more that situations like this have actually happened to children and that they have had to deal with. Naomi and Owen are obviously in much better care with there great grandmother, not to mention all of the support that they have in the community around them. I really hope to never witness someone being as selfish as Skyla is in this book.
The treatment of Owen is also something that really bothers because I compare it to how children with special needs may be treated. Owen is obviously a bright student, but Skyla can not see all that is within him. She defines who he is only by his physical limitations. I have seen this when I was in grade school with students with special needs. People need to get to know the person before judging them and who they are. I upsets me when someone makes a small comment in the wrong way about a person with special needs. The way that Skyla so blatantly dislikes Owen because of his physical appearance is just horrendous. This book brings up good points in many different ways, and it obviously got to my emotions as I read the story because of how I felt when I read how Skyla acted.

Asian-Pacific American Award

Asian/Pacific American Award Purpose: The goal of the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature (APAAL) is to honor and recognize individual work about Asian/ Pacific Americans and their heritage, based on literary and artistic merit.Selection Criteria:
Works eligible must have had premier publication during the calendar years from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007, and must have been published for general commercial release in the U.S.
Award categories are:
Adult (fiction and nonfiction)
Young Readers fiction and nonfiction – for text
Young Readers fiction and nonfiction - for illustrations-->
Works must be related to Asian/Pacific Heritage, not necessarily written by or illustrated by an Asian/Pacific American. The individual must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Works must have been published by a large publishing house, trade or small press/publisher located in the United States or one of its territories. Self-published works and exclusive internet publications are not eligible.
-->Anthologies or books containing the work of more than one author are not eligible.
-->Works must be originally written in English.
--> Works that have previously won other prizes or recognition are eligible.
--> If no books are found to meet the selection criteria, no award will be given. Sponsor: Asian/ Pacific American Librarians AssociationSelection Committee qualifications: Members of the APALA. Membership is open to all librarians/ information specialists of Asain/ Pacific decent working in U.S. library/ information centers and related institutions/organizations, and to others who support the goals and purpose of the APALA.Book Examples:2005 Award Winners:The Firekeeper's Son by Linda Sue ParkKira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata2006 Award Winners:Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) by Justina Chen HeadleyThe Year of the Dog by Grace LinHonorable MentionProject Mulberry by Linda Sue ParkSources:www.apalaweb.org