CCBC-Net Archives
[CCBC-Net] LUCKY/UNLUCKY
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From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 22:15:46 -0600
Thank you, Susan and Fran, for reminding the CCBC-Net community about PEN and its essential services to beleaguered defenders of free expression and the First Amendment. The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom is always extremely helpful, as well. And great appreciation to Eliza for writing such a cogent letter to the NYT Public Editor and sending a copy to the CCBC-Net community.
It's essential to have an environment where opinions can be aired, regardless of whether or not there will be agreement or even consensus. It's always encouraging when CCBC-Net discussions involve freely expressed differences of opinion. Would I respond to any of the hysteria launched against this Newbery winner (on another listserv on the day after the award was announced) if the attacked book was not one I admired without reservation? I'd like to think I would, although this discussion demonstrates that apparently we all have a place inside our heads making it possible to overlook professional standards and even the fair practices of a democracy. I welcome the argument from nay-sayers who have actually read the entire book and more than the pages supplied by Amazon.com.
The CCBC website has a Q & A called the "What IF...Forum" http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/freedom This is where the nation's school librarians, teachers, and public librarians can ask practical questions related to Intellectual Freedom theory and practice. I hope someone will query the "What IF...Forum" concerning whether or not to order an award-winning children's book based upon hearing about one word on its first page taken entirely out of context.
Most of all I hope others will speak up in their communities later this year if they become aware that children in a handful of local elementary schools and libraries do not have library access to "The Higher Power of Lucky." (Yes, Marc, this really is a children's book, probably not one appealing to 13 and 14 year olds, though in the future it might be incorporated into a high school social studies or literature curriculum about banned books.) Maybe there will be formal complaints from parents
& other community members or co-workers. Maybe even a few of the unlucky students will complain after finding out that a few self-appointed guardians of the young have restricted library access on their behalf to this marvelous Newbery Award book.
Young readers... The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. Yes, that's where we were... Young children learn to read. They need books they're able to read. Books they'll be successful in reading. Books they want to read. Books they'll enjoy. Oops. Isn't that the type of book the Geisel Award honors?
Irony knows no limits.
Peace, Ginny
Received on Mon 19 Feb 2007 10:15:46 PM CST
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 22:15:46 -0600
Thank you, Susan and Fran, for reminding the CCBC-Net community about PEN and its essential services to beleaguered defenders of free expression and the First Amendment. The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom is always extremely helpful, as well. And great appreciation to Eliza for writing such a cogent letter to the NYT Public Editor and sending a copy to the CCBC-Net community.
It's essential to have an environment where opinions can be aired, regardless of whether or not there will be agreement or even consensus. It's always encouraging when CCBC-Net discussions involve freely expressed differences of opinion. Would I respond to any of the hysteria launched against this Newbery winner (on another listserv on the day after the award was announced) if the attacked book was not one I admired without reservation? I'd like to think I would, although this discussion demonstrates that apparently we all have a place inside our heads making it possible to overlook professional standards and even the fair practices of a democracy. I welcome the argument from nay-sayers who have actually read the entire book and more than the pages supplied by Amazon.com.
The CCBC website has a Q & A called the "What IF...Forum" http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/freedom This is where the nation's school librarians, teachers, and public librarians can ask practical questions related to Intellectual Freedom theory and practice. I hope someone will query the "What IF...Forum" concerning whether or not to order an award-winning children's book based upon hearing about one word on its first page taken entirely out of context.
Most of all I hope others will speak up in their communities later this year if they become aware that children in a handful of local elementary schools and libraries do not have library access to "The Higher Power of Lucky." (Yes, Marc, this really is a children's book, probably not one appealing to 13 and 14 year olds, though in the future it might be incorporated into a high school social studies or literature curriculum about banned books.) Maybe there will be formal complaints from parents
& other community members or co-workers. Maybe even a few of the unlucky students will complain after finding out that a few self-appointed guardians of the young have restricted library access on their behalf to this marvelous Newbery Award book.
Young readers... The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. Yes, that's where we were... Young children learn to read. They need books they're able to read. Books they'll be successful in reading. Books they want to read. Books they'll enjoy. Oops. Isn't that the type of book the Geisel Award honors?
Irony knows no limits.
Peace, Ginny
Received on Mon 19 Feb 2007 10:15:46 PM CST
