The thing that gets to me about all of this, having been cited out of context in
the article, is that the word "scrotum" did not even figure into my questioning of
whether or not to have this book in my library. In my heavily conservative
Christian community, there would have been far more problem with the "higher power"
question, and other more difficult questions with which the child is grappling. I
have actually ordered the book, realizing that with all the controversy I would
have an audience after all. It's rather a high reading level for most of our
children, but a few will show interest, and I imagine that at this point the
teachers might like to read it.
Wendy Stoll, Librarian
Smyrna Elementary
Louisville, KY
Wendy40@aol.com
-----Original Message-----
From: rasmone101@ALLTEL.NET
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] AOL & "Lucky"
I have been hesitant to join in this discussion; I am often on the minority
side of such debates, and my comments may or may not serve the purpose or
intent that I wish. I do feel strongly, however, that calling an anatomical
part by its correct, scientific name is a positive statement for education
and intelligence, instead of a negative one. I would feel the same way if
the body part had been the clavicle or the patella. Sixth through eighth
grade students are not too young to know and use the correct scientific
names for things. Whether or not the scrotum of the dog (based on an actual
occurrence, I believe I read) was the ideal choice of a first page incident
is obviously open for (much) debate. I, personally, do not have a problem
with it. I have more concern over the absentee (although, ultimately
financially responsible) character of the father or the "lost," unsupervised
wanderings of small children in a horrible storm. My initial impulse would
be to shelve this book in our K-8 library. However, I teach at a Catholic
school, and therefore, feel the responsibility to consult my principal for
input and discussion and probably, ultimately, follow her directive. I
would hope that we are in agreement. I realize that may be a compromise of
my principles, but I am experienced enough to know that there are many ways
to bring information, literature, and education into children's lives. I
think the Newbery book has many redeeming qualities, and I hope none of us
have to base our selection choice for our own libraries on the use of one
word.
Janelle Quick Simon
Librarian
Christ the King School
Lexington KY 40502
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Kathy Reel
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2007 12:02 PM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: AOL & "Lucky"
Yes, I have AOL email, too, and saw the hot button on this matter last
night. One item of interest to me was the picture of the librarian they
have, a thin woman with a bun. How stereotypical can they get? I am
mortified that our profession is being portrayed by buns and bans. I fear
that this type of publicity is very damaging to our efforts to connect with
youth, gaining their trust and developing a mutually benefiting relationship
in the love of reading. I will definitely read The Higher Power of Lucky
now, as I agree with the sentiments expressed by Pat Scales in the news
article, that if we exclude a book based on a single word without reading
that book in its entirety for its overall value, then we are indeed
practicing censorship and not selection. Pat is no novice to the area of
book censorship. Her book, Teaching Banned Books: 12 Guides for Young
Readers, is an excellent resource for educators. I'm not disallowing for the
fact that some books are more age appropri!
ate than others, and quite honestly, I'm not sure exactly how I feel about
"the word" in question in children's literature, but I know that I will have
to read the whole book to determine my opinion about this book. I, also,
want to add that my words here are in no way a condemnation of any of the
wonderful librarians who have responded negatively to this "word" in this
book. I know that there are tremendous outside pressures that must be dealt
with in the real world when placing a book on the library shelf. I just
would like to give the book a fair shake by reading it as a whole, as I
haven't heard too much about the book in that respect yet.
Kathy Reel
Former English/Writing Teacher
New Librarian Looking for Job
Owensboro, KY
-----Original Message-----
From: LLomers@AOL.COM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 7:44 AM
Subject: Re: Gen: AOL & "Lucky"
One of AOL's hot button topics today teases with the lead..."Librarians
Ban
Books". _www.aol.com_ (http://www.aol.com) I'm still waiting for the link
to post your comments to come up. You all must have found it already :)
Leslie Lomers
Fairhope High School
Fairhope, AL
_LLomers@aol.com_ (mailto:LLomers@aol.com) (home)
_LLomers@bcbe.org_ (mailto:LLomers@bcbe.org) (school)
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