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Articles by Alexa Dumas
The Story of Art Without Men: An Illustrated Guide to Amazing Women Artists
. Oct. 2026. 176p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781324125969. Gr 3-8 COPY ISBN Gr 3-8–An illustrated adaptation of Hessel’s adult nonfiction book by the same name, this work explores women artists from the Renaissance to the modern age. The browsable text is full of vibrant images and begins with a timeline of art movements.
No Ordinary Women: How Progressive Era Reformers Reshaped America
Gr 6 Up–Spotlighting the empowering stories of trailblazers from the United States’s Progressive Era of the late 1800s and early 1900s, this title introduces contemporary young readers to the women who were essential in the creation of social programs and labor protections that continue to influence American society today.
Boarding Schools and the Indigenous Story
Gr 5 Up–The newest title in the “Race to the Truth” nonfiction series is a powerful nonfiction narrative of the Indigenous struggle throughout United States history. The title starts with a story of Little Bear, an Indigenous boy taken from his family, where he is forced to remove cultural signifiers and attend a boarding school. The narrative is framed in a way for young readers to empathize with Little Bear’s situation and put themselves in his shoes.
72 Hours of You
Gr 9 Up–A novel that will leave readers thinking about life, love, loss, and living in the moment. On the outside, Sydney Hoffman seems like an introverted teenage girl, but she can see something that other people cannot: a pink clock that counts down the hours before someone is about to die. On her deathbed, Sydney’s Bubbe passed this cursed trait onto Sydney at a young age. Since then, Sydney has kept people and relationships at a distance to be sure to not interfere with their life’s clock.
Between the Lines: ‘Feed’ remains relevant, topical in modern times
By Alexa Dumas “We Americans are interested only in the consumption of our products. We have no interest in how they are produced, or what happens to them once we discard them, once we throw them away.” In the near-future, the world looks to be in danger. For Titus, the novel’s protagonist, people travel to the moon frequently to escape Earth, which has been irrevocably damaged by humanity. However, there is a piece of technology that is to blame: feedware. The feed is in everyone.
Between the Lines: ‘Drama’ encapsulates queer youth experience
By Alexa Dumas “It’s one thing to dream it…and another thing to actually build it.” Middle school often helps shape adolescents and who they are. Drama club is the only activity that gets Callie through one of the most awkward times in a person’s life. After her mother took her to a production of the musical “Les Miserables,” Callie became obsessed with the art of the stage. This inspired her to join her school’s stage crew.
Between the Lines: ‘Bridge to Terabithia’ explores love, loss
By Alexa Dumas “It was up to him to pay back to the world in beauty and caring what Leslie had loaned him in vision and strength.” Imagination is one of the largest aspects of childhood. These creative and fantastical elements allow children to think outside the limitations of their world. Children’s playful and imaginative nature greatly align with Katherine Paterson’s 1977 novel “Bridge to Terabithia,” explains how children creatively deal with obstacles in their lives.
Between the Lines: ‘The Hate U Give’ sheds light on police brutality
By Alexa Dumas “What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” Starr Carter was dividing her time between two places and two personalities: the Black side of Garden Heights where she lived, and the white side of Williamson where she attended school. Starr created two versions of herself to mask whichever place she was, mostly for her safety.
Between the Lines: Novel changes name, minds
By Alexa Dumas “She looked in the mirror and gasped. Melissa gasped back at her. For a long time, she stood there, just blinking. George smiled, and Melissa smiled too.” Six large letters in the colors of the rainbow sit on the cover of Alex Gino’s children’s novel, “George.” There is nothing else on the white cover, besides Gino’s name and the Scholastic Inc. logo. Despite what the title suggests, the main character is a 10-year-old transgender girl named Melissa.
Between the Lines: ‘Fahrenheit 451’ ignites discussion
By Alexa Dumas “If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you’ll never learn.” Imagine a world without books. Important writers and thinkers throughout history are pulled from personal shelves, thrown outside and burned. People are persecuted for owning all forms of literature, and the only way to gain knowledge is through television. This is the world of Guy Montag, the protagonist of Ray Bradbury’s 1951 novel, “Fahrenheit 451,” where owning books is punishable by fire.
Between the Lines: Young adult novel creates discussion on trauma, rape
By Alexa Dumas “You have to know what you stand for, not just what you stand against.” Melinda seems like the typical freshman high school student: shy, anti-social and an outcast. This feeling seems to be elevated, as the reason for Melinda’s “outcast” status is due to her calling the police to break up a party she attended over the summer. What is the real reason she called? Why is she being shunned by her peers? Why will no one listen?
Between the Lines: ‘Gender Queen’ battles ban
By Alexa Dumas “Sometimes I feel like my brain is a machine built by someone who lost the instruction manual.” How does society shape a person’s identity? How can society be harmful to one’s view of themselves? What does one do if they don’t feel like they belong within mainstream society? How does one combat those feelings of exclusion?
Between the Lines: Novel challenges reader’s viewpoint
By Alexa Dumas “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” Out of the blue, Janie Crawford made an unexpected return to Eatonville, Florida. Janie was seen as a respected person within the town, as her second husband was the mayor, but when she moved away to follow her younger third husband, the people of Eatonville thought she’d never return. “Their Eyes Were Watching God” depicts a woman’s journey of self-discovery as she navigates her feelings of love and desire.
Between the Lines: “Looking for Alaska” gives new outlook
By Alexa Dumas “The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive.” What is life’s great purpose? This is the question that Miles Halter wants to know. Nicknamed “Pudge” at Culver Creek boarding school in rural Alabama, the teenage boy moved from Florida in order to discover his purpose and “the great perhaps,” all before he heads off to college. There, he meets his roommate Chip “the Colonel” Martin, and becomes close friends with Takumi Hikohito and Alaska Young.
Between the Lines: “This One Summer” reminisces on youth
By Alexa Dumas “Awago Beach is this place. Where my family goes every summer. Ever since…like…forever.” Ever since Rose Wallace was a little girl, her family spent the summers at Awago Beach. This summer seems to be different, as Rose’s mother, Alice, is on edge emotionally. Once the family arrives, Rose is met by her friend, Windy, who lives nearby the Wallace’s vacation spot.
Final curtain closes on Sondheim
Nghi To / Cardinal Points By Alexa Dumas How do you say a proper final farewell to a legend? Stephen Sondheim, a monarch of Broadway composing and songwriting died Nov. 26 at the age of 91, in his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. After almost 60 years of quick, witty and catchy lyrics, Sondheim dominated musical theater with beautiful, memorable melodies. His intellectual and artistic approach to songwriting made him the most influential composer-lyricist of the latter half of the 20th century.
Rush’s lyrics speak to generations
Nghi To / Cardinal Points Alexa Dumas Long hair, friendship and socially aware lyrics are the defining characteristics of the infamous progressive rock group, Rush. With the complexities of their songs due to length and subject matter, Rush speaks to multiple generations of listeners. Formed in Toronto in the summer of 1968, Alex Lifeson on guitar, John Rutsey on drums and Jeff Jones on bass were the creators of Rush.
Gabbie Hanna plays victim to criticism
Alexa Dumas Drama-seeking and narcissistic are two of the best words to describe internet personality Gabbie Hanna. Recently, Hanna has been harassing internet personalities online for seemingly no reason. As the month of April came with a bang, so did the downfall of Gabbie Hanna. After making her debut on Vine in 2013, Hanna moved her platform to YouTube in 2014 after her popularity declined on the app. Her spunky and blunt personality drew a younger audience to her videos.
‘Roaring 2020s’ possibility post-pandemic
Alexa Dumas As more Americans start to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and immunity to the deadly virus starts to take effect, most people ponder what life will be like post-pandemic. Will at-risk individuals feel safer around their friends and family? Will schools go back to in-person education? Will social events such as parties, concerts and theater shows make a return? Will restaurants, bars and clubs be able to open up at full capacity?
New hope for Broadway stages arise
Alexa Dumas As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, aspects of live entertainment have been reimagined. No other industry has been impacted more than the theater community. Broadway, the leader in professional performing arts, has been heavily suffering from the lack of revenue. Performers, stage managers, costume designers, theater technicians and others who have dedicated their lives to the theater have lost their livelihood. Worst of all, Broadway fans miss seeing their favorite shows.
James Charles says ‘Bye Sisters’
Alexa Dumas Graphics: JAMES CHARLES-Zoe Is becoming famous all it’s cracked up to be? Social media can be a powerful tool when used correctly. Having a platform and becoming an influencer is a new concept with the birth of social media. Gaining millions of followers, having the “perfect” persona and living a luxurious life is something that anyone could envy. Influencers look like they have the perfect life on the internet, but in real life, they can be dangerous and predatory.
Education majors adapt to adversity
Alexa Dumas The field of education has faced many challenges in the past years, due to a teacher shortage. The COVID-19 pandemic has not helped with this issue. Not only are students heavily affected, but so are professors. While students have to adapt to the new environment of online learning, educators have to learn and create a new way of teaching. The challenges presented during the pandemic have led to concerns regarding the future of the profession.
Everard death ignites change, protest
Alexa Dumas Walking home alone is one of the scariest things a woman could do. No one knows if predators may be lurking in the shadows. Armed with keys, pepper spray, knives and tasers, women try everything in their power to make it to their destination safe and secure. Even after the rise in the #metoo movement, attacks against women are still on the rise.
Biden’s debt plan impacts students
Alexa Dumas The newly elected Biden administration has been enacting relief plans to aid the current economic crisis due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the effects of the pandemic. As Americans can now receive stimulus checks under the American Rescue Plan, most forget about students facing an economic crisis as well. How will they continue to pay for education? As of Jan. 8, President Joseph Biden asked Congress to pass a plan to immediately cancel $10,000 of federal student loan debt per student.
Childhoods attacked by cancel culture
by Alexa Dumas The newly elected Biden administration feels like a fresh start to some, while others fear the change in power will do more harm than good. Biden’s approval rating is seen at 53.6%, while his disapproval rate is at 40.3%, as of March 17. In 2021’s emergence, not only has new government representation been put into place, but aspects of American childhood have been recently examined.
Students reflect on shutdown anniversary
The emergence of the coronavirus pandemic has caused a change from normal life, especially in education. On March 16, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that all schools were to be closed for two weeks. A year later, no one could have predicted that schools would still be struggling with the effects of the pandemic. The initial shutdown came as a surprise to students, leaving some concerned about not returning back to campus for the remainder of the semester.
Students flock to campus meme account
The pandemic has seen many aspects of a normal college life fade into the shadows for a safer time. As more students make the move off campus to attend classes remotely, the campus experience isn’t the same as in previous semesters. An Instagram meme account based on campus life at SUNY Plattsburgh is changing that narrative. A picture of SUNY Plattsburgh’s mascot is the face of the popular account, burghys_sextape.
Psych program gets re-accredited
As many students count down the days until their undergraduate degree is complete, some may decide to continue to pursue higher education. SUNY Plattsburgh offers multiple graduate programs, which includes the recently re-accredited psychology master’s and certificate program. “It’s a training program to be a certified school psychologist in New York State,” Laci Charette, associate professor and school psychology graduate program director, said.
Feinberg Library utilizes curbside pick-up
By Alexa Dumas The start of the spring semester has been met with many difficulties, not just for students, but for faculty and staff as well. Some of these changes have greatly impacted the Benjamin F. Feinberg Library, which provides a multitude of services and support to students. As many students are choosing to attend classes remotely this semester, they can still access Feinberg digitally.
‘My Favorite Murder’ thrills listeners
By Alexa Dumas Spooky, scary, dark and disturbing. Stories of serial killers, cults, disappearances and murder victims may turn people away from the true crime genre. Could learning about these crimes be used for good, or even for a laugh? “You’re in a cult; call your dad,” is a popular quote from the popular true-crime comedy podcast, “My Favorite Murder.” Created in 2016, hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark dive into some of the toughest cases in the world of true crime.
Bobbitt talks theater, anti-racism
Alex Dumas l Cardinal Points By Alex Dumas The SUNY Plattsburgh Theatre Department sponsored A Conversation in Artistic Leadership with Michael J. Bobbitt, the artistic director at the New Repertory Theater in Watertown, Massachusetts last Wednesday. This Zoom event included Bobbitt discussing his experience in music and theater, anti-racism movements in theatre, and a live Q&A.
Conference aims to help online anxiety
Bella Friedman l Cardinal Points By Alexa Dumas Last Friday, SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury and SUNY Adirondack hosted the Anxiety and Learning: From Research to Practice Conference via Zoom. This annual conference was designed for students, educators, faculty, administrators, service providers and members of the Plattsburgh and Queensbury communities. Each conference the Queensbury campus plans has a theme connected to growing concerns in the community.
Environmental science classes continue in person, outdoors
Bella Friedman l Cardinal Points By Alexa Dumas Sitting in a classroom, listening to a lecture and having all classes in-person was what students used to expect from a standard semester at SUNY Plattsburgh. The outbreak of COVID-19 has dramatically changed the ways classes are being taught. Most are online, but the in-person classes call for mandatory face coverings, the cleaning of desks, using hand sanitizer and workspaces six feet away from other students.
Counseling center connects students virtually
Nghi To l Cardinal Points By Alexa Dumas Many students have returned to campus feeling anxious, lonely and even depressed during this time of uncertainty. With new changes around campus and even everyday life, students may need the support of others while having a break to be social after attending remote classes. Finding a safe place to express yourself and have your voice heard is important to students who are feeling overwhelmed, especially if they have been isolated.
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