In Their Own Write

1. “Language Attitudes And The Pursuit Of Social Justice”  
   (Routledge Taylor & Francis Group) 

   

   In “Language Attitudes and the Pursuit of Social Justice,” edited by Mara R. Barbosa and Talia Bugel, the relationship between language attitudes and forms of inequality and oppression is explored. In doing so, the volume fosters greater awareness of how linguistic choices become political ones and encourages the search for practices that promote social justice. In the book, established and emerging scholars explore — via a collection of case studies spanning cultures and languages across the globe — the ways in which language attitudes are informed by extralinguistic factors. The collection urges the development of critical linguistic awareness and a view of languages that recognizes how linguistic practices shift and change across time and space. At Pitzer, Barbosa, who speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese, serves as an assistant professor of Spanish and Portuguese as part of the Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures Field Group. Her research encompasses sociolinguistics, Spanish in the United States, and bilingualism and language attitudes in the U.S. among other topics.  

2. “This Year: 365 Songs Annotated: A Book Of Days”  
   (Macmillan) 

   

   Cited as “a work of rapturous beauty,” “This Year: 365 Songs Annotated: A Book of Days” celebrates the creative life and musical genius of John Darnielle ’95 by way of his most meaningful lyrics. From his early days recording on a boom box, through the evolution of the Mountain Goats from a solo project to a full band, to his continued influence on indie music, “This Year” pairs the definitive texts of 365 Darnielle songs with first-person commentaries on his life and music which reveal how the songs came to be and the people who inspired them. Darnielle graduated from Pitzer with a double major in classics and English. He started his best-known band, The Mountain Goats, in 1991 and has gained a cult following since then for his prolific output and literary lyrics, prompting a contributor to The New Yorker to dub him as “America’s best non-hip-hop lyricist.” 
    

3. “The DBT Skills Workbook For Teens With BDP”  
   (Instant Help Publications) 

   

   This hands-on instructional workbook helps teenagers with BDP — borderline personality disorder — navigate intense feelings and thrive despite the challenges of the condition. The guide, written by Addison Kay ’21 and Blaise Aguirre, helps manage the intense emotions that are part of BDP. The workbook offers evidence-based tools to help sufferers find emotional balance, improve communication with others, and reach their fullest potential. Readers will discover how the core skills of DBT — dialectical behavior therapy — can help them stay grounded in the moment and see themselves more clearly, with empathy and self-compassion. And they’ll learn hands-on exercises to practice what they’ve learned out in the real world. Currently, Kay is completing his final year toward a master’s in social work education at Boston College with a goal of becoming a clinician and working with adolescents struggling with suicidality and self-injurious behaviors. Kay was deeply influenced by his time as a postbaccalaureate fellow at McLean Hospital, where he worked as a clinical residence counselor and educator. 
    

4. “Instructing The Mathematical Imagination: Charlotte Angas Scott And Bryn Mawr College, 1880s to 1920s”  
   (American Mathematical Society) 

   

   This book by Associate Professor of Mathematics Jemma Lorenat examines the creation and character of mathematical training at Bryn Mawr College between 1885 and 1926 under the leadership of Charlotte Angas Scott. Though designated as a college, Bryn Mawr boasted the world’s first graduate degree programs in which women taught women. The book rewards those interested in the disciplinary, epistemological, and material conditions of mathematical research by exploring how a sustained and visually grounded style of mathematics emerged in this setting. Lorenat pursued undergraduate studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, earned a bachelor’s degree (summa cum laude) from San Francisco State University, a master’s at the City University of New York Graduate Center, and a Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University (Canada) and Université Pierre et Marie Curie (France). 
    

5.  “The Women Before Us: Weaving Stories In My Huipil”  
   (Candlewick) 

   

   In this picture book written by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez ’02 and illustrated by Dana Sanmar, a young Guatemalan girl reveals the ways her huipil, or handwoven tunic, connects her to generations of women before her. Huipils use colors, imagery, symbols, and motifs to evoke everything from the wearer’s village to her social status, from her cultural heritage to the things that she loves. Employing vivid cut paper and digitally painted illustrations, the book ends with an author’s note exploring the history of this rich tradition and the challenges of keeping it alive. Armendia-Sánchez is the author of two other picture books, “Not Far from Here” and “Frida Kahlo’s Flower Crown,” and the forthcoming “Vroom, Vroom, Vámonos” by Scholastic. She strives for inclusivity and diversity in all her creative endeavors as she draws inspiration for her libros from her children and her Guatemalan and Basque heritage.
    

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