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Dear Friends,
        Here is the hit many people asked for.  As you can see, most
of us figure getting reluctant readers to read outweighs the crummy
quality of the bait.  And most of us figure that once we get them in
the door, we can get them interested in better stuff.  Several people
mentioned kids taking out the non-reading books like I Spy and
Where's Waldo.  Here's how I handle that:  I don't let those I Spy
type of books circulate.  They form the basis of a collection that is
for the kids to use when they are done checking out books.  I have
quite a collection (including the Hunt For Hector and Look for Lisa
ones).  Then the books like Pokemon I have on a One At A Time list.
I explain to the kids that so many people want to take out these
books, we don't have enough for some kids to have two at a time (or
renew them.)  Stuff like Junie B Jones goes on that list until I get
enough to meet the demand.  But Pokemon will stay on it.  So there
are two ways to keep kids from obsessing on the junk.
*******************************************************
I purchase some inexpensive Scholastic paperbacks of these "hot"
items to entice reluctant readers.  I also feel that offering these
books increases my rapport and credibility with the kids when they
know that I'm "in the know" about what's "hot".  Additionally, it
increases traffic flow and even when the desired book is checked out,
chances are the student and I will have a chance to discuss what else
might
be of interest and the student leaves with a book of some kind.
***************************************
I have Sponge Bob, Spiderman, Batman, the Hulk, Scooby Doo, Bone,
Garfield, etc. in my LMC. I bought them because I know there are kids
who refuse to read -- at least books. But they will look at a comic
book. This move allowed me to interest them at least in some sort of
book. I figure it this way. Some kids are turned off by reading. It's
my job to help them find another outlet for reading materials.
***************************************
They have a place for the reluctant readers. These readers will read
Sponge Bob, Pokemon and Captain Underpants when they won't read
anything else. Getting them over that initial hump of beginning to
read for
fun is the jumpstart to reading other material.
***************************************
I am putting them in my library as well as other "asked for" books -
Spiderman, Pokemon, Mary Kate and Ashley, Scooby-Doo.  I cannot keep these
books on my shelves, they go out as fast as I can shelve them, and have even
had fights break out.  I don't rush out to buy them, and spend as little as
possible on them, but feel that if they are the vehicle to get the kids into
the library and reading, then perhaps later I can lead them into better

***************************************
I'm always on the fence with this...until recently most of our books
like that were donations. They are very popular, and I do see
students who otherwise might not take a book out taking those...so I
waver back and
forth.
***************************************
I did have a few of these over a period of two or three years.  I  stopped
trying to keep them a year or so ago.  The reason? They got  stolen.
***************************************
I buy them with AR tests and my kids love them. they are always checked out,
also the Goosebumps are always checked out!
***************************************
I have a lot (all also donations), and my kids love them.  I agree
that they are a fad, but for some of my
students, especially ESL, that's all they take.  It's better than
nothing.  At least they are reading....
***************************************
We don't have them. Any of them. Personally, I can usually interest a
kid in *something* to read (Eyewitness books, joke books, puzzle
books like I Spy, a Ranger Rick or American Girl magazine....
*something*) and I
don't want to spend our scarce budget dollars on ephemeral fad books.
***************************************
I struggle with this one too! I want to give the kids things they
will read, but cartoon characters are where I draw the line. I have
ARthur because he was literary before a cartoon. I cannot justify
Pokemon, and ScoobyDoo, etc. I let the kids order those from book
club and try to get things that are not quite as faddish from book
fair. I usually try to convince them that a more literacry book will
be just as good as the cartoon character. I won't add Pokemon, etc to
the collection even if they are donated. I just don't want to go
there. I do
have Junie B., Goosebumps, Magic Tree House, etc. so the kids are
suffering from lack of choices.
***************************************
I agree with you that I will not spend library money on them, but
when Goosebumps, etc. are donated, I try to find space for them on
our paperback rack for the same reason you mentioned--at least they
are "reading" something.  (Goosebumps have had a resurgance at our
gr. 4-5 school for some reason!)  I haven't had any donations of
Spongebob, but I'd probably do the same.  And I TRY to steer the
borrowers to other "fun" series(Zack Files, Time-Warp Trio, Chet
Gecko, Little Wolf, etc. [they don't need help finding Capt.
Underpants and the "Scary Stories" series!!!]) but, often, not
successfully.
***************************************

I am in a school 1-4. Spongebob, Captain Underpants and Spiderman are
the first books that the students clamor for. I feel that if they are
actually reading them that it is better than if they take a book home
and return it without reading. I buy them in paperback and replace
***************************************

>  If students know we have these fad books in the media center they
>will come in looking for them.  If we have them they can check them
>out.  If we don't have them I help them find something else.  Either
>way they are checking out, and that is my goal... to put books in
>students hands.
them when they disintegrate. It is interesting to see the book that
are worn---they are usually  these type of books.  I don't carry
Pokemon.
***************************************

We have several of these books in paperback form that we acquire from
the Book Fair.  We are big into self selection skills around this school
and I figure at least they are reading something.  As far as Goosebumps
go, they are still hot items at both of my schools.....never on the
shelf.  We also have a few Mary-Kate and Ashley books as well as Lizzie
McGuire. If any of these books fosters a love for reading, they are

***************************************
I have been of two minds about this so I understand your dilemma. I finally
decided to come down on the side of "not". In addition to letting my
Goosebumps books slowly fall apart and not replacing them, I do not buy the
Sponge Bob, Pokemon books etc. I also "deaccessioned" my I Spy and Where's
Waldo books (even though I personally think they are perfectly fine books).

The bottom line is that when these books are available in the library there
are certain students who will take nothing else and not move beyond them.
Limits, cajoling, suggestions, direction only work (and only on  a limited
basis) when I can personally monitor the borrowing of individual students
which philosophically and practically I cannot accomplish. Yet, if the books
are not available the students will borrow other books and move into
"better" literature. (Just as an FYI, I do have Captain Underpants, Ricky
Ricotta and other books considered by some to be less-than-quality
literature.)

Another rationale is that these books (Sponge Bob and Pokemon et al) can be
found in the discount stores, at the book fairs and the grocery store. I
want to spend my limited budget dollars on materials that students would
not/cannot access elsewhere.
***************************************
I don't have Spongebob, but I do have Captain Underpants and Goosebumps
and Marykate & Ashley, etc.  Mostly because I can get them for free from
my bookfairs.  Yes, they are very popular and that's how I justify them.
  I'd have cereal boxes if I thought they'd circulate.  But yet, you've
made me wonder why I  haven't put Spongebob or Scooby Doo.  I also won't
put Cirque de Freak books in the collection because I think they're too
intense.  I guess there is some subjectivity (or bias) to this
decision.
*************************************
I always have students asking for Scooby Doo-Pokemon-Sponge Bob etc.
Some kids can't even think of a book they might want to read that
isn't related to TV.  I won't spend $ on these books b/c I feel my
job is to promote literature not TV.  Those books are junk...I want
to expose them to literature that they won't find on TV!!!
--
Johanna Halbeisen, Library Media Teacher
Woodland Elementary School (K-4)
80 Powder Mill Rd, Southwick, MA 01077
johanna.newsong@rcn.com

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