Laura-
Do you have a "Citizen's Request for Reconsideration" form? (I've attached one for
you) Having a formal piece of paperwork is often helpful for parents in this
situation. Two important questions for me are "have you read the work in question?"
and "what specific parts of the work do you wish to call attention to?" This helps
ensure that this is just not a boilerplate response to a popular book controversy
("Harry Potter?") or simply the title ("Murder!")
I try to avoid language like "challenge" or "ban." This is a concerned parent, and
their student (and they) may have been surprised by the book. I like
"reconsideration." It may be possible that THIS BOOK is not correct for your
library. (Or maybe it is!) As elem/middle school librarians, I think we face this
more often. What is correct for one sixth grader may not be for another. (And I
shelve books that are for 8th graders, too!) This parent is doing an important job
directing their child's reading. Sometimes parents need to be alerted to the
"bigger picture," though! Be very generous with your conversations with parents
about this ("THANK YOU for bringing this to our attention, we'll give it careful
consideration!" <-mean it!) but never promise anything other than that
consideration.
Make sure you've got paperwork describing the book and its merits. Baker and Taylor
provides really solid reports with book reviews and recommendations, including
age/grade recommendations for materials. The ALA can also help you with these
materials. Have a colleague read the book to serve on the reconsideration committee
with you.
This happened in our district last year, and we decided that the material (not Avi,
another book) was more appropriate for a MS/HS audience, and moved the book
accordingly.
It's very helpful if you've met with your principal in advance to explain how this
works before it happens, but it's probably not too late...
Good luck!
Let me know if I can help any more!
Harry
Let me know if I can help
Harry F. Coffill
hcoffill@egrps.org
Media Center Specialist
East Grand Rapids Middle School
Drama Department
East Grand Rapids High School
There's no use going to school unless your final destination is the library.
-Ray Bradbury
>>> On 12/3/2009 at 8:21 AM, in message <200912030821992.SM05064@[10.1.12.0]>,
>Laura Cornwall <lcornwall@RUTLANDHS.K12.VT.US> wrote:
I was hoping someone could offer some insight on a book I'm having challenged. It
is Murder at Midnight by AVI. I have a parent of a third grader (we are a 3-6
school) who is demanding that we take the book off the shelves and wants to talk to
the school board etc. She thinks it is too graphically violent. It is a new book
that we just got through our Junior Library Guild subscription. This is my second
year and first challenge, so any tips would be appreciated. The principal is
supportive and is getting her the formal steps to challenge the book.
Thanks,Laura Cornwall
K-8 Librarian
Rutland City Public Schools
Rutland, VT 05701
(802) 773-1932 x245
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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, you send a message 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
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
* LM_NET Supporters: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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, you send a message 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
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
* LM_NET Supporters: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home