#engl20512 Shadowshaper has filled a hole in the market for powerful, funny, and magical female character of color in a way that is memorable and realistic in her portrayal. This article discusses some of these aspects and more that Older has cultivated. womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2015/07/ya-urb…

#engl20512 voiceofoc.org/2021/02/celebr… This article discussed how #BlackJoy has become its own resistance movement. "The whole idea of oppression is to keep people down. So when people continue to shine and live fully, it is resistance in the context of our white supremacist world.”

#engl20512 The way Reynold's shows Will's emotional turmoil after the shooting gives us insight into the unfiltered humanity that is so often stripped from black stereotypes, especially when gun violence is involved. These people have whole histories and childhoods filled with..

#engl20512 In LWD, Reynold's portrays Will's emotional journey in such a raw way that the reader cannot help but to feel those same emotions to some degree. The graphic novel format adds a whole new layer of depth and tempo to his words, bringing the feelings to life on the page.

@BrookeJoyTV It shows who Sierra is as a person and the values she holds. It was definitely refreshing to see the novel end this way! The questions you bring up about this have are interesting to sit and think about. #engl20512

Overall, Shadowshaper was a refreshing read. It was nice to have something so fantastical also feel so real and imaginable because of the real elements tied into it. I think older did a great job telling a culture-rich fantasy story. #engl20512

I like how Shadowshaper is not only a story about fantasy, but also family. It really ties in how important family is in Sierra's culture and how that affects her everyday life. Tying the family aspect directly into the fantasy elements adds so much depth to the story #engl20512

@SophDugan23 I think this is an important point to bring up because of how important family is in her culture. Feeling betrayed by someone in her own home is a feeling I could never imagine to the extent that she feels it. #engl20512

@Eng205Lily The fact that you can take what you are reading and relate it to your own environment and experiences shows that Older is achieving his goals of accuracy in representation! #engl20512

@EvanRogers23456 Where stories come from is just as important as what they are. The fact that he admits it was a challenge but still made the effort to listen to outside voices shows how important it was for him to represent his goals accurately. #engl20512

This is one of the most impactful statements of the Pacific Standard article. People feeling angry about accurate representation shows that there's a bigger problem beyond just disproportionate representation in literature. #engl20512

@BrookeJoyTV I agree! Aside from negative experiences and successes, just the normal representation and stories of black people need to be told to make others, especially young children, feel less alone in who they are. #engl20512

This quote stood out to me because although there are stories about diverse people, they typically arent "normal" entertainment. It's not always what people want to consume. Leaving these people out of what is found "interesting" is detrimental to all people #engl20512

@SophDugan23 I like how you relate this to a domino effect. Once it starts it is so hard to stop and many people end up falling in line, continuing the effect. #engl20512

@Michael66858486 Looking to the backstories and driving forces is critical to understanding the purpose of this novel. I like how you bring up that many young people feel they don't have a choice because it is obvious that it what this novel is emphasizing. #engl20512

Reynolds allows us to empathize with the main character through this scene describing a common feeling among those involved in gun violence crimes. So often we do not see the other side of what is going on, the anger, the hurt, the emptiness driving these acts #engl20512

@IbeG6502 I think the lack of words allows for the artwork to be more impactful. It allows the story to be told in a much more vivid way. #engl20512

@paytonchandle11 I like your view on us actually being inside of his head, not just hearing his thoughts. I think that is an interesting perspective to look at it from that allows for a whole different experience of the novel. #engl20512

My first impressions of the novel was really engaging, I was very interested. The first part of the story was a great hook as it really allowed the mind to wonder about why her family was not discussion shadow shapers with her. #engl20512

Listen up yall, cuz this is it. #engl20512