Worthy of Protecting: Ari Tison Faces Down Monsters With Words

The Reading Culture

“I talked about how I didn't process things in my journals. Well, in poetry, I did. All of a sudden, it was cracking that door open.” - Ari Tison

When we’re kids, the world still feels so big. Everything is a discovery, from why flowers bloom to why we go to school and what it feels like to make friends… everything is new. But for some kids, life can hit faster than they’re ready to process. The logical side, the “why,” isn’t as important as the safe space to feel the emotions. In Ari’s native Bribri culture, monsters play an important role in stories, but for Ari the monsters were also present in her real life. She was young and unable to understand or logically process her trauma when she experienced it, but through reading and writing poetry, Ari found an emotional outlet.

A debut author, Ari has already gained critical acclaim for her novel, “Saints of the Household,” which earned accolades such as the Walter Award, the Walden Award, and the Pura Belpré Award. She’s also an accomplished poet, using her craft to delve into deep themes of identity, healing, and self-discovery.

In this episode, Ari shares how art connects her to her ancestral heritage. She discusses her unheard call for help with poetry, healing at her own pace, spirituality, the poets who shaped her writing, growing up between multiple places and cultures, and much more.

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Ari’s reading challenge, YA With Creative Structures, is inspired by her forthcoming novel, “Together We See.” She has curated a list of books that take unconventional approaches to structure, from the use of time to the inclusion of unexpected narrators. Learn more and download Ari’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/ari-tison.

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This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Jared Lessard, Branch Manager for the Calcasieu Parish Public Library System in Southwest Louisiana. He told us about an experience that constantly reminds him about the power of libraries in rural communities.

Contents

Chapter 1 - Thrown In

Chapter 2 - Safety in Letters (art)

Chapter 3 - Because of Because of Winn-Dixie

Chapter 4 - The Voices That Came Before

Chapter 5 - Justice and Healing

Chapter 6 - Reading Challenge

Chapter 7 - Beanstack Featured Librarian

Links

• The Reading Culture
• The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup
• Ari Tison - Official Website
• Saints of the Household on HarperCollins
• Ari Tison’s Poetry on Split This Rock
• Ari Tison on LitHub
• Ari Tison on Twitter
• Ari Tison on Instagram
• Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo
• Calcasieu Parish Public Library
• Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producers: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey