Oxfordian Life
Talking With the Author at IBD 2021
Our 4th, 5th and 6th grade students who took part in International Book Discussion 2021 received a wonderful surprise: the chance to spend time with Ángela Cervantes, author of “Me, Frida and the Secret of the Peacock Ring”.
After a decade of accepting the invitation of the Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library in Edinburg, Texas, this year we removed the barriers of distance to experience an exceptional event — the first online IBD, alongside St. Matthew’s and Vanguard Academy from our neighbouring country.
The participants were excited to be able to talk and exchange ideas in English about the book and to carry out activities related to the story; what they did not imagine was that the writer herself would join the online meeting to answer all their questions.
The expressions of surprise were visible through the monitor, and our students seized the chance to talk with Ángela Cervantes.
Ángela Cervantes drew on the mystery of Frida’s lost ring, which disappeared shortly before her death, to write Me, Frida and the Secret of the Peacock Ring, and during the conversation she gave details of that experience.
The surprise guest answered countless questions, among them one from Romina Bocanegra Martínez on what motivated her to write stories about Latino teenagers. The author explained that from a very young age she loved reading, but could not find characters she identified with, so she began creating her own stories. The interview ran on for a long while; the students had a great deal to discuss with her.
During the event they also carried out other playful and artistic activities through which they learned more about the artist Frida Kahlo and her work, including a self-portrait in which each of them captured moments of importance to them.
Finally they heard from the event’s organisers and participants, and from the directors of our campuses: Ms. Tamayo, Ms. Arellano and Ms. Contreras.
Once again this bicultural encounter took place, strengthening our ties with our neighbours and offering a great opportunity to share our culture through the English language.
