From: Ryan, Pat <PRyan_at_aclibrary.org>
Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:59:38 -0800

I know I'm supposed to edit out the previous post, but this is just too goo d not to repeat. So often when parents want books on honesty, or lying, or bullying, or responsibility, or whatever lesson they want their child taugh t in one neat little package, it is very hard to get them to understand tha t's what children literature is: a way in an entertaining format for kids t o learn about life and about themselves. Added to the examples set by frien ds, family and the community; not a textbook or self-help DVD.

Patricia Ryan Children's Librarian Union City Library 510-745-1464 ext. 19
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From: J.L. Powers
 Sent: Friday, November 11, 2011 9:37 AM To: Lyn Miller-Lachmann Cc: ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu Subject: Re:
 Social Justice and Publishers/"social justice nove ls?"

I also wanted to say that I don't think there is such a thing as a "social justice" novel or if there is, it sounds awful-- very didactic and "instructive" and nothing I'd want to read myself, much less put in the hands of a teenager. What I like to read (and what I look for when I'm featuring a book on The Pirate Tree) are well-written, entertaining novels whose plots and character development are layered and sophisticated and which naturally and organically explore deeper questions and issues related to our humanity. While this may be a very vague and sloppy way to think about "social justice," it's how I approach it.

Also, books that are not intended to raise deeper questions and issues--or which are read primarily for entertainment--can be examined for the underlying messages they provide about society, gender, nature, and prejudice. Thanks for letting us be part of this discussion.

Cheers,

Jessica (J.L.) Powers www.jlpowers.net www.thepiratetree.com www.fertilesource.com
Received on Sat 12 Nov 2011 11:59:38 AM CST