Ross, Sherise Eunique Jean2010-09-032010-09-032010-07https://hdl.handle.net/11299/93633University of Minnesota M.A. thesis. July 2010. Major: Education, Curriculum & Intstruction. Advisor: Lee Galda. 1 computer file (PDF); v, 74 pages, appendices A-C.This study investigates readers‟ use of text and discussion to understand unjust topics. In this study, four African American girls who have experienced the effects of Hurricane Katrina, read and discuss The watson’s go to birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. The participants engage in independent reading and journal writing, followed by a group discussion to share their responses. Topics such as discrimination, racism, economic status, and violence are included in the text, prompting several types of responses. A shared response among the girls is text to life connections; other individual responses include their use of morals, values, and background knowledge.en-USValuesAfrican American girlsReadLife connectionsEducation, Curriculum & IntstructionThesis or Dissertation