From: Ellen E. Moore <emoore>
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:31:43 -0400 (EDT)

Sorry, not done yet. I inadvertently sent when I just wanted to start a new paragraph.

Anyhow, it seems the question then is where we draw the line between allowing our children some freedom to explore their world, build their creative sides and even feel their own personal power without creating victims or monsters.

All the books I've been thinking about during this discussion are for adults, but they are all pretty good and I think people on this list will enjoy them.

Babel Tower by AS Byatt is part of a wonderful trilogy, but also stands alone. It explores many topics, including how children left unsupervised can create a system of exploitation.

The Big Turnoff: Confessions of a TV-addicted Mom Trying to raise a TV-free Kid by Ellen Currey-Wilson is a fun little nonfiction title that explores a very hands-on approach to parenting. I really enjoyed this book. I think Currey-Wilson is the closest I have come to finding a soulmate in parenting philosophy (and she doesn't even know I exist!).

The Way the Crow Flies by Anne-Marie MacDonald is another wonderful thought-provoking novel on a wide range of topics, including child-child violence and bullying. It is also by far the best audio book I have ever heard (and I include Jim Dale). It is read by the author, who is also an actress.

Thanks for reading this far. I wouldn't have had so much to say if you all hadn't given me so much to think about.

Ellen Moore Youth Services Peter White Public Library Marquette, MI
Received on Sun 23 Mar 2008 01:31:43 PM CDT