March
22
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Where Are the Introverts–In Your Books and In Your Classroom By Donna Gephart
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Or something in between? An ambivert?
Before researching for my book, Abby, Tried and True, I’d have told you I’m an extrovert with a sprinkle of introvert thrown in for good measure.
Was I ever wrong!
After reading articles and watching Susan Cain’s wildly popular 2012 TedTalk, The Power of Introverts (nearly 27 million views), I discovered I might as well have a neon sign flashing across my forehead: “Stay back, people; I need my quiet space!”
Why did I consider myself an extrovert then?
Because we’re supposed to be extroverts. It’s prized and rewarded in our culture. The most charismatic person in a group, according to Susan Cain, is the one who is listened to and followed, even though there’s zero evidence that person has the best ideas. In fact, there’s research proving introverts are the best ones to lead a group, because they tend to step back and allow people’s talents and abilities to shine, rather than inserting themselves and their own ideas into the process.
To be clear, being an introvert doesn’t mean being shy – which is a fear of social judgement. Being an introvert means, among other things, that you thrive and create best in solitude.
Because I love traveling and meeting new people, I assumed I was an extrovert. But part of what I loved about traveling was the quiet time on planes and in hotel rooms with no distraction where I could go deeply inward, listen to podcasts and read books and enjoy the space to think and reflect. When I met people, I wanted to dive into meaningful, substantive conversations, not talk about the weather or latest sports scores. These traits, I learned, are signifiers of being an introvert.
As a writer, I’d been advised not to write “quiet” books, whatever that means. But I wanted to explore a quiet character with a loud mind – one who had a lot of thoughts and feelings bubbling below the surface. Stephen Hawking once wrote, “Quiet people have the loudest minds.”
Abby Braverman is a deeply sensitive introvert, who has one good friend with whom she shares her hopes and fears, so it’s a crisis when that friend moves to another country. I realized I was like Abby growing up – one or two close friends with whom I shared everything that I’d feel bereft without. Abby processes her emotions through poetry. I created meaning and understanding of my world and my place in it through writing poems and stories.
How could I not have realized I was an introvert, someone who preferred the quiet of a good book or a notebook and pen and the company of her own thoughts?
According to Susan Cain, one-third to one-half of the population are introverts. Extrapolate that to a classroom setting and that’s up to 50% of your students. What do introverts need to thrive? Less group work and more autonomy, solitude and opportunity to spend time in their own heads.
I wanted to make sure Abby’s character arc wasn’t one of going from introvert to the more popular extrovert. Life is more complicated and nuanced than that. Her arc is realizing her internal strength because she’s an introvert. Through interactions with her seriously ill brother, her two moms, her best friend (now 6,584.2 miles away) and her first sweet, sensitive boyfriend, Abby discovers the power of being exactly who she is. Like her pet turtle, Fudge, Abby learns to poke her head out of her protective shell beautifully exactly when she needs to.
Growing up, I did the same. I still do. And I love reading about people like me in books like, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson, Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech and A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban. It makes sense that I created a character who embodies the quiet strength of an introvert in Abby Braverman from my new novel Abby, Tried and True.
So, after reading this essay, do you think you’re an introvert, an extrovert or maybe an ambivert (a combination of the two)? Take this quiz to find out: https://www.quietrev.com/the-introvert-test/ and then consider the quiet power of introverts in the books on your shelves and in your classroom.
Pre-order a personalized, autographed copy of Abby, Tried & True and a pack of tissues to go with it at Inkwood NJ. Check out Donna’s The Paris Project for a MG novel about parental incarceration and financial insecurity set in the tiny town of Sassafras, Florida. Go Be Wonderful (Holiday House, 3/21) is Donna’s first picture book. For free reading guides and other resources, visit www.donnagephart.com.
Award-winning author Donna Gephart’s middle grade novels include: The Paris Project, In Your Shoes, Lily and Dunkin, Death by Toilet Paper, How to Survive Middle School and others. She’s a popular speaker at schools, conferences and book festivals. Donna lives in the Philadelphia area with her family and her canine office assistant, Benji, a sweet retriever mix. Visit her online at http://www.donnagephart.com.
I love that Stephen Hawking quote. Definitely an introvert here! It’s funny because my husband is the exact opposite.
The book sounds great. I’m going to add it to my list. Thanks for sharing this. 😉
Thank you!
Nice blog – wonderful book! My dissertation and business focused on cultivating effective leadership. I repeatedly told my clients to watch for the introverts. They know how to listen, think things through and come up with good ideas and solutions, and pay more attention to what co-workers need. This piece of advice often surprised the (extroverted) clients.
Anne O’Brien Carelli
@aobc
http://Www.anneobriencarelli.com
Exactly! I keep this in mind when I’m working with a group of students.
Thanks for this excellent post, Donna. I have felt strongly for many years that we needed to see many more introverted and powerful characters. It was so important to create and finally be able to find a publisher who welcomed the so-called “quiet” character and story in Reeni’s Turn. I’ve found Susan Cain’s QUIET POWER in relation to children to be a priceless resource and validation of the importance of creating a wide variety of introverted and strong characters in children’s lit.
I agree! I’ve said many times that every educator, parent, and manager needs to read Cain’s book. We were NOT all meant to be extroverts – the full title points that out! “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Won’t Stop Talking” That is probably one of my top 5, maybe top 3 important books for adults to read! Bravo to have an author giving youngsters the message. My favorite line from the post:
‘Her arc is realizing her internal strength because she’s an introvert.”
YES!!!
…and I immediately had to purchase this book — for myself, and then to pass on to my nieces… ❤
Thank you so much! I hope it resonates with you and your nieces.
What a great post~ I’m also an introvert. Can’t wait to read the book!
Thank you, Jessica! You’re always so supportive!
So . . . THAT’s what is wrong with me. THAT is why I would stash a book in my saddle bags and ride along reading a book while letting my horse direct the cattle along the trail to the barn. THAT is why I sat alone on the school bus or the school cafeteria and lost myself in a book. THAT is why, at a class reunion, someone told me, “I had a crush on you, but you never looked up long enough from the book you were reading to notice me.” Finally . . . I learn I am basically an introvert.
Dan, you are such a gem. A deeply creative person, a wonderful storyteller and a good friend. I’m glad you finally looked up from that book . . .
Root, root, root for the introverts! So glad you wrote this, Donna!
Thank you, Caroline!
YES! I did presentation at the 2018 NCTE conference on “The Power of Quiet” and introverts in the classroom with the amazing kidlit authors Erin Entrada Kelly, Jennifer Bertman, Nancy Tupper Ling, and Tamara Ellis Smith (all of whom are introverts who had stories to share from their own childhoods.) We talked about introducing students to the spectrum of introversion-extroversion and emphasizing that neither is better than the other, it’s just an inborn trait determining how a person thrives best and what their innate strengths and challenges are in school culture. We told teachers all about using MG fiction books to see the spectrum, and I had so many teachers come up to me afterwards and say “I had no idea!” I am *definitely* adding Abby Tried and True to my list of teachable introvert books. 🙂
This is wonderful! I’m sure that session was deeply appreciated! Thank you for adding Abby Tried and True to your list of teachable introvert books. Sounds like it will be in very good company.
Sounds like a great book! Can’t wait to check it out!