As I am going through my Google Reader from all the great news and posts that I missed while I was traveling, I have come across some great links that I wanted to share with you!! Please keep in mind that when I say I had to get caught up, I am talking just shy of 1000 new posts between my friends' blogs as well as my favorite book blogs!! Wow!! That took me a while!! So, you know that these particular links have got to be good if I am singling them out from all that!!
Literacy Lava: The Hottest Summer Read!!This eZine (featured over at
Share a Story - Shape a Future, among other sites) has some great tips and practical articles for reading to your child and promoting literacy in general. Every parent, teacher, librarian, caregiver, etc. will want to check it out! Thank you to Susan over at
The Book Chook for such a great idea!!
Jantsen's Gift Website LaunchedA while back, I posted a review for the book,
Jantsen's Gift by Pam Cope & Aimee Molloy. A new website has been launched for the book. You can find such information as how you can help, book club information, further discussions and much more. Don't forget to check it out when you get the chance!
Book Burning?Stephanie over at
Stephanie's Confessions of a Book-a-holic recently posted about another book censorship issue up in Wisconsin. A great debate has taken hold on her blog about book burning and censorship . . . always a lively discussion!!
Whenever I see this topic come up, I always get a horrible feeling in my stomach. In fact, a couple of years ago, I wrote a post in reaction to an article (link no longer working) in which a small independent bookstore going out of business was unable to get rid of their books, even for free, and decided to burn his stock of books (click here for my reaction). Of all people, I was sickened even more to know a fellow bookie did this! I also have had conversations with past classes that I have taught at the post secondary level regarding the banning of books (the Harry Potter series to be specific). In the end, it comes down to this for me: NO ONE has the write to decide for others what s/he can read or not read. Books are a form of speech and are therefore, covered by the first amendment. Instead of telling your child, acquaintances, etc. that they CANNOT read the book, why don't you read the book and open up a discussion about the issues that it raises . . . why you don't agree with them, how they disagree with your beliefs, etc. Afterall, in the end, won't this create a stronger faith in your beliefs? When it comes down to it, all the ruckus that one is making about censoring and burning is really only going to create more interest in the book. Seems a bit counter-intuitive to me!!
That's it for now! I'm working on a bunch of reviews and hope to be posting them all very soon! Oh, and did I mention that I've got another GIVEAWAY coming soon?!?! You will not want to miss it!!
Thanks for the link, Tif! It was and is a great discussion. Still gets my panties in a bunch thinking about it. But I appreciate everyone's opinion!
ReplyDeleteNo problem Stephanie!! Thanks for the great discussion! It's always interesting to hear where others stand and why!
ReplyDelete"Books are a form of speech and are therefore covered by the first amendment" - Great sentence!
ReplyDeleteAnd you're so right by writing that a big discussion with your kids about several books is much better than only challenge them!
Did you also hear about the "Leesburg Library case"? That was a similar case, where parents challenged to books. But finally they decided to keep two challenged books on the shelves in the Young Adult section without labeling or restricting them in any way. Great.
If you're interested in such a subject or wanna read more about that case just join our blog:
http://ncacblog.wordpress.com
We're glad about a lot comments (like your enrty here) as well as a lively discussion on our blog!
Greetings
Jana (Member of NCAC - Nation Coalition Against Censorship)
Hi!
ReplyDeleteOne more:
On June 18, the Litchfield District School Board in New Hampshire decided to remove four short stories from the “Love/Gender/Family” unit of an upper-class elective English class at Campbell High School. The stories, including “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway, “Survivor Type” by Stephen King, “The Crack Cocaine Diet” by Laura Lippman, and “I Like Guys” by David Sedaris.
The Kid’s Right to Read Project interviewed Andy Towne, a member of the Class of 2007 at Campbell High School after he authored an op-ed for the Nashua Telegraph about the School Board’s decision in Litchfield.
Here’s the link:
http://www.ncac.org/Kids-Right-to-Read-Opposes-LoveGenderFamily-Censorship-in-Litchfield-NH
I think you could be very interested in this, too!
Spread the word!
Jana (Member of NCAC)
Jana, thank you so much for the links and the information! I will definitely be checking these links out that you shared with me! This is something that I am VERY passionate about!!
ReplyDeleteJana, I just wanted to say thank you again for these links! I just checked them out and enjoyed viewing the sites. In fact, I just subscribed to the blog! :)
ReplyDelete