LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Further to the R.L. Stine debate:
I believe that while students are in the Resource Centre reading and
borrowing then we have the opportunity to guide them towards what is
considered quality literature. Without R.L. Stine some of them would never
be in the RC reading and borrowing and we would not have that opportunity
with those students.
We have a similar debate with the wonderful books of an Australian author
Paul Jennings who writes with the most appropriate humour for children but
many adults consider it gross to say the least. I find Paul Jennings and
now R.L Stine with the 'Goosebumps' series, ideal books for bridging the
gap for young readers into what they call "Chapter Books". From here we
aim to move them on but I see no harm in sitting a while with Stine and
Jennings. After all, the world is still criticising Enid Blyton, whose
Secret Seven, Famous Five and Bobsy Twins took me from picture books to the
Narnia series many years ago! Sorry Americains - they are probably very
English books - Oz was very English in the days of my childhood! But the
point is that without "popular" literature, some students would never read
at all. It is our role as teacher-librarians to cash in on this reading
fever and encourage the reading of a wide variety of literature.
I highly recommend Paul Jennings as an author for emergent readers. I hope
you can buy his books in the US and other countries.
Read on!
Chris XYZ (short for Skrzeczynski)!
Chris Skrzeczynski, Teacher-librarian <cxyz@gil.com.au>
Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School
1 Kenmore Road Kenmore, Qld 4069
Australia Ph: (07)33782412 Fax: (07)38783160
Chris Skrzeczynski, Teacher-librarian <cxyz@gil.com.au>
Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School
1 Kenmore Road Kenmore, Qld 4069
Australia Ph: (07)33782412 Fax: (07)38783160
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