Dear Lm_netters,
Wendy, I feel the same way you do and I am sorry I agreed to be interviewed
for the story. I think it gives the wrong impression of my position. I do
think this book offers all of us an important opportunity, parents and
educators, for discussion.
I think this book is different because, unlike the other Newbery Award
winning books we do not have in our grade 3-5 library, it is geared toward a
younger audience. Based on the cute illustrations, language, reading level,
font size, etc., that book will appeal most to our 8 year old, 3rd grade
girls, particularly with that shiny gold medal on the front. The word in
question is also not just a body part word used in passing, but central to
the story. Lucky is an orphan looking for a loving adult she can have open
and honest discussions with about all the things she is curious about. Our
students deserve the same thing, a responsible adult willing and able to
have that discussion with them.
I hope many, many children will read this book and have these discussions
with adults. I know they will have access to it in many ways, including the
public library. However, a school library is different. I serve 800
students. The entire collection is open to all the students. I wish I
could, but I cannot be there for each student when they need an adult to
discuss this with. Some parents would also prefer to be the ones the
students have these conversations with. Some children do not feel ready to
read these words/have these conversations and feel very upset when they come
across an uncomfortable word. At public libraries, parents can help
children select books and be there for them when the opportunity and need
for discussion arises.
I haven't decided what to do yet, but do appreciate the opportunity to have
this discussion. I just wish there was some way to for all of us to
understand each others positions and thoughts fully before jumping to
conclusions and criticizing.
Andrea Koch
kochandrea@msn.com
>
>Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 11:13:43 -0500
>From: Wendy Stoll <wendy40@AOL.COM>
>Subject: NY Times article.
>
>I have also sent this to the editors of the NYT.
>
>I must say, I rather resent this being cast as "librarians [pledging] to
>ban the book...." There is no mention of the role of an elementary school
>librarian. There is no mention of "serving our community." Especially as
>I was quoted simply as saying I would not stock the book, I'd appreciate
>some understanding of our situations.
>
>In the first place, my elementary school library exists to support the
>curriculum of the school. That is its main purpose. Definitely, part of
>that is fostering a love of reading, but in a library of only about10,000
>volumes, and an annual budget of $4000, it's hardly "censorship" to pick
>and choose where that money is spent. Add to that, that out of 640
>students, all but about 90 are under ten years old, how much sense does it
>make to spend $20 on a book that so few will read? And given the extremely
>conservative nature of the families of my patrons, why on earth would I
>seek to offend them?
>
>The fact that a book is a Newbery Award winner means that a group of
>educated people has deemed the book worthy of an award. It does NOT mean
>that it is the only fine example of children's literature published in the
>last year. I have not stocked the last three Newbery Award winners because
>they are not appropriate for the patrons of my library, NOT because I am
>interested in banning books. Newbery Award status is only one criterion by
>which to judge a book. In my opinion, purchasing a book because of a
>single award is a lot sillier than banning a book because it is not
>appropriate for one's patrons; in fact, I would consider it highly
>irresponsible.
>
>Wendy Stoll, Librarian
>Smyrna Elementary School
>Louisville, KY
>Wendy40@aol.com
>________________________________________________________________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home