Re: [LM_NET] Book fair challenged title

[Lisa Hunt <lisa3moon@YAHOO.COM>]

First, Golden Compass is not a book for Kindergartners, and I don't expect that the 
movie will be either.  I expect the movie to be intense with violent fighting 
scenes.
   
  This is the time to be proactive.  I have been reading the posts on LM_NET and I 
feel prepared to deal with anything that might come up.  I have spoken with my 
principal twice.  Once to let her know about the possible problems of the book when 
the movie comes out, and then the second time when I learned that the book was in 
the book fair.  It was just an FYI conversation, so that she knew that I was fully 
prepared to answer questions that might come.  I also explained that the book fair 
book is NOT the same as the real book.  Scholastic is presenting a "movie" book, 
somewhat like the Mr. Magorium movie book.  My book fair is this week.
   
  My school is not conservative, so I didn't really do anything before the flyers 
went home.  I have been explaining to buyers of the book that this is not the 
original book, AND our AR quiz is NOT for this book fair book.  "If you read this 
book, do not take the quiz."
   
  I think if my school was really conservative I might have decided that I would 
not be selling this title.  I chose not to sell their plastic pencils that are not 
good for the school pencil sharpeners.  Scholastic is quite favorable about schools 
making the decisions they need to make about merchandise.
   
  I think the big problem comes when questions arise that catch the librarian 
unaware.  I got a call from a new LMS in my district last night.  She asked, "Do 
you know about this book that's a movie?  It's about a compass?  There was a mom 
screaming about it at our PTA meeting?  What should I do?"  We had a long 
conversation about how hard it is to regain your ground when you are surprised by 
the angry parent and your come back isn't ready.

Deb Ennen <dennen@ISD2135.K12.MN.US> wrote:
  Good morning
Our Scholastic book fair is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. The fliers have gone 
home. Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass is on the flier. This morning I had a 
phone call from an angry parent of a kindergartener wondering why this "horrible 
book" was going to be at the book fair. She has not read the book and stated that 
she won't because it "is about killing Pullman is an atheist." I directed her to 
the MSNBC interview from the other day and suggested that she read the book. She is 
planning on calling every parent she knows to let them know how terrible this is. 
Any ideas of how to head this one off at the pass? Has anyone had a similar 
problem? This is a K-4 school in a small conservative community. 
TIA
Deb Ennen, Media Specialist
Maple River Schools
Mapleton, MN
dennen@isd2135.k12.mn.us

--------------------------------------------------------------------
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://lm-net.info/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------



        Lisa Hunt, NBCT 2005
  School Library Media Specialist
  Apple Creek Elementary
  Moore, OK
  lisa3moon@yahoo.com 





 __________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.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://lm-net.info/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------