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I have been reading this thread with interest as we have just recently had
the first two library book challenges ever in my district.  All I have to
say about the whole thing is this....OMG, was it such a slow news day that
the New York Times had to write an entire article because one children's
book used the word scrotum?  Are there not more important things happening
in the world than this?  And should children 9-12 years old not be familiar
with the correct terminology for their anatomy?  I certainly made sure my
daughter was.  <Sigh>  I find this very frustrating when I pick up a book
like A Long Way Gone which talks about the critical topic of child soldiers
in Africa.  Just seems to me that there are so many books on so many life
and death issues that to waste print space on whether or not the word
scrotum is used in a children's book is criminal.  Just my two cent rant. 
Hope I didn't offend anyone.
 
 
 
Diane Gallagher-Hayashi
Teacher-Librarian
Stelly's School
School District 63 (Saanich)
Canada
 
daichan@shaw.ca
diane_hayashi@sd63.bc.ca
 
-------Original Message-------
 
From: Rocco Staino
Date: 18/02/2007 7:04:30 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: [LM_NET] LM Net Makes the front page of today's New York Times -
Too Bad
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/books/18newb
html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
 
Well LM-Netters, we made it to the front page of the The Sunday's New York
Times and I have to say I am a little disappointed.  The article is about
the use of the word scrotum in this year's Newbery winner, The Higher Power
of Lucky.
 
Unfortunately, the article portrays some of we lm-netters as censors of
books rather than selectors of books.  I am sad that in none of the quotes
from school librarians was the term "selection policy" mentioned.  Instead
we have library media specialists commenting on angry parent calls rather
than discussing how the title fits or doesn't fit within the scope of the
school or libraries selection policy.
 
Just because we add a Newbery winner to our library collection does not mean
it has to be read aloud to a class or be included in the curriculum.  I do
feel that it should be in the collection (if funding is available) so that
those children and parents who wish to experience the book can have access
to it.
 
Just my opinion.
Rocco Staino
Director
Keefe Library
North Salem Central Schools
230 June Road
North Salem, NY 10560
 
stainor@northsalem.k12.ny.us
 
914-669-5414 ext 2051
fax 914-669-5422
 
 
 
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