The Rocky Hill High School library added to its collection books about India and Indian experiences, including literature, folk tales, and some modern choices.
Malgudi Tales, a collection of short short stories by R. K. Narayan, illuminates the life of the “ordinary man” in the 20th century. How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and other short stories by Sudha Murty challenges conventional morality and offers faith in one’s interpretations and relationships.
“I believe it’s important to make sure that everybody opens a book and sees someone that either looks like them or feels a connection to. I think the books in the new collection will make a connection for some,” said Elaine Malespini, the Rocky Hill High School media specialist.
She also shared a story about how the collection came to be. She said a student had asked what type of books were available for the Indian population.
“We had a few, but we did not have many. It was a good point as a large part of the population of this school has family from India if not themselves,” she said.
Malespini took it upon herself with the help of the Central Office to create the collection.
“I am really confident about it,” she said.
Books have already been checked out of the collection and students seem to be excited about it, if not to read them, but at least to know they exist.
“The experiences you have as an Indian are not the same for everyone,” one student said. “The different times the stories are set in is an important reminder.”