Becker, Beverly C. and Susan M. Stan. 2002. Hit List for Children 2: Frequently Challenged Books. Chicago: American Library Association.
For as long as libraries have existed, there have been challenges to the material that this selected for the shelves. The American Library Association, ALA, Office of Intellectual Freedom is continuously receiving reports of censorship attempts. The Director of the Intellectual Freedom Office Judith Krug says, “…some challenges actually prove to be valuable learning experiences for most of the parties involved” (preface, ix). While these challenges may prove to be learning experiences, challenges from parents and the community can be overwhelming and intimidating. Librarians may not know what to do or where to turn. This books offers information and lifelines for a librarian in the midst of controversy.
Hit List for Children 2: Frequently Challenged Books presents case studies for over forty books that have been routinely challenged. Each case study is separated into an individual chapter. These chapters are organized alphabetically by the author’s last name. A table of contents outlines the authors and books included. A concluding appendix provides information, websites, and other helpful support for librarians who are faced with a censor.
Each case study is presented in the exact same manner. It opens with a brief summary of the book. If an author has more than one book included, a summary for each book is available. Excerpts from positive reviews accompany each summary. After each summary, a brief outline of challenges the book has faced are listed. Reasons and explanations for the challenges provide librarians with the viewpoint of the potential censors. Many of challenge explanations also include the outcome of the challenge; unfortunately this is not the rule. Outcomes for all challenges are not included.
If a book is challenged, librarians will be expected to produce reviews, references, and other citations that prove the worth of each text. This information is presented in each case study. Citations for published reviews and informational articles, references about the author, awards that the author has won for this or other works, and sources recommending the books are published in each case study. This bibliographic support could prove invaluable to an embattled librarian.
The case study for The Giver by Lois Lowry is an excellent example. The first paragraphs provide readers with a detailed summary of the text. A quote from a review from Horn Book is interjected here. After the summary, several challenges are outlined and outcomes are given. Following this, users are given seven different review sources to consult. Five articles about the specific book are cited as well as four articles about Lois Lowry. Librarians faced with a challenge would find this information helpful. They do not have to search to find the support that they may need. It is provided in a concise manner.
When faced with a challenge, librarians are often overwhelmed and unprepared. Hit List for Children 2: Frequently Challenged Books provides the necessary information and support for a librarian in desperate need. In addition to the information in each case study, the appendix outlines what the American Library Association can do for any librarian in the midst of such turmoil. Censorship is never ending. In order to effectively combat this, librarians must be prepared. Hit List for Children 2: Frequently Challenged Books can provide and support any preparation the librarian has prepared or could be the sole scaffold for a censorship battle.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Module 8: National Geographic for Kids
National Geographic for Kids. May 2008. National Geographic Society: Washington DC. ISSN 1542-3042.
National Geographic magazine provides adults information about the natural world and locations. National Geographic for Kids provides this information for children ages 6 – 12. It is a collection of informational articles and entertaining graphics. There are articles about sports, world records, animals, books, and movies. Puzzles, jokes, and games are also included in the issue. One activity shows readers a picture that has been distorted and challenges the reader to decipher the picture. Another activity is designed to test observational skills by readers finding twins hidden in the full page illustration. Readers can learn about the new Indiana Jones movie or six tips for living a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. The variety of information is immense yet presented in bite size pieces for the average young reader. . This information is verified on each page with citations and references. The graphics are a combination of real life photographs and cartoon-like illustrations. The reputation that National Geographic has built within the adult community is strengthened by the quality of this extension of the magazine.
National Geographic magazine provides adults information about the natural world and locations. National Geographic for Kids provides this information for children ages 6 – 12. It is a collection of informational articles and entertaining graphics. There are articles about sports, world records, animals, books, and movies. Puzzles, jokes, and games are also included in the issue. One activity shows readers a picture that has been distorted and challenges the reader to decipher the picture. Another activity is designed to test observational skills by readers finding twins hidden in the full page illustration. Readers can learn about the new Indiana Jones movie or six tips for living a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. The variety of information is immense yet presented in bite size pieces for the average young reader. . This information is verified on each page with citations and references. The graphics are a combination of real life photographs and cartoon-like illustrations. The reputation that National Geographic has built within the adult community is strengthened by the quality of this extension of the magazine.
Module 8: Michaelangelo
Stanley, Diane. 2000. Michaelangelo. New York: Harper Collings Publisher. ISBN: 0-688-15086-1.
Michaelangelo loved sculpture from an early age. While apprenticing as a sculptor, a course of events lead Michaelangelo into the de’ Medici family. This is where he received this education and many of the contacts that carried him through the rest of his life. Michaelangelo was commissioned by many popes and leaders of the time. Some of his decisions proved to be wise, and others did not. His painting of the Sistine Chapel, first designed to be a form of punishment, proved to increase his fame and popularity. Despite the painting’s success, Michaelangelo was a sculptor at heart, and he continued to sculpt under varying circumstances until his death in 1564. Diane Stanley’s biography of this famed artist is complete and honest. The text details many aspects of his personal and professional life. Events are not glossed over. The reader sees this master’s faults and triumphs. Ms. Stanley included a detailed author’s note prior to the text. It serves as an excellent introduction. A comprehensive bibliography is included at the book’s conclusion. The illustrations profoundly compliment the text. The rich detail and color seem to come to breath and bring this amazing story to life.
Michaelangelo loved sculpture from an early age. While apprenticing as a sculptor, a course of events lead Michaelangelo into the de’ Medici family. This is where he received this education and many of the contacts that carried him through the rest of his life. Michaelangelo was commissioned by many popes and leaders of the time. Some of his decisions proved to be wise, and others did not. His painting of the Sistine Chapel, first designed to be a form of punishment, proved to increase his fame and popularity. Despite the painting’s success, Michaelangelo was a sculptor at heart, and he continued to sculpt under varying circumstances until his death in 1564. Diane Stanley’s biography of this famed artist is complete and honest. The text details many aspects of his personal and professional life. Events are not glossed over. The reader sees this master’s faults and triumphs. Ms. Stanley included a detailed author’s note prior to the text. It serves as an excellent introduction. A comprehensive bibliography is included at the book’s conclusion. The illustrations profoundly compliment the text. The rich detail and color seem to come to breath and bring this amazing story to life.
Module 8: Living Color
Jenkins, Steve. 2007. Living Color. Illus. by the author. Houghton Mifflin: Boston. ISBN: 0-618-70897-9.
Color is one of the first things learned as young children develop. Steve Jenkins uses this knowledge of color and explains the uses and value of colors in the animal world. Different animals use special colors for varying reasons. The first color profiled is red. Many animals’ usage of the color red for survival, hunting, or mating is explained. The word RED, the main heading for each explanation, and the parts of the animal are each a vibrant shade of red. The informational text is black. This contrast draws the reader’s eyes to each informational panel. In addition to red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, and pink are included. Readers have an opportunity to learn about the rainbow of color in the animal kingdom. Illustrations are detailed, vibrant, and masterfully done. They immerse the reader in each color as s/he proceeds through the book. At the conclusion of the book, a further examination of color is presented. Readers are enlightened as to why some animals are so dull and how colors are created. Following this section, specific physical details and descriptions about every animal in the book are included. This book will make the reader see color in a brand new way.
Color is one of the first things learned as young children develop. Steve Jenkins uses this knowledge of color and explains the uses and value of colors in the animal world. Different animals use special colors for varying reasons. The first color profiled is red. Many animals’ usage of the color red for survival, hunting, or mating is explained. The word RED, the main heading for each explanation, and the parts of the animal are each a vibrant shade of red. The informational text is black. This contrast draws the reader’s eyes to each informational panel. In addition to red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, and pink are included. Readers have an opportunity to learn about the rainbow of color in the animal kingdom. Illustrations are detailed, vibrant, and masterfully done. They immerse the reader in each color as s/he proceeds through the book. At the conclusion of the book, a further examination of color is presented. Readers are enlightened as to why some animals are so dull and how colors are created. Following this section, specific physical details and descriptions about every animal in the book are included. This book will make the reader see color in a brand new way.
Module 8: What do you do with a tail like this?
Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. 2003. What do you do with a tail like this?
Houghton Mifflin: Boston. ISBN: 0-618-25628-8.
This informational book appeals to an interest in animal adaptations. Every other page asks a question of the reader, such as “What would you do with a nose like this?” Close up illustrations of the questioned body part are shown. The following page reveals the animal that each body part belongs to and also explains how each animal uses that body part. The mouth, feet, eyes, tail, ears, and nose of a variety of animals are investigated. The illustrations are cut paper collage. The jagged edges, wrinkles, and non-uniform color assist in creating realistic images. The text closes with further explanation and insight into each animal profiled in the text. This reference section is accompanied by the illustration of the animal. Readers will easily associate the traits with the visual cues from the book. Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Page create an innovative way to present factual information. Young readers may often ask the questions presented. This book does the asking and answering of these questions.
Houghton Mifflin: Boston. ISBN: 0-618-25628-8.
This informational book appeals to an interest in animal adaptations. Every other page asks a question of the reader, such as “What would you do with a nose like this?” Close up illustrations of the questioned body part are shown. The following page reveals the animal that each body part belongs to and also explains how each animal uses that body part. The mouth, feet, eyes, tail, ears, and nose of a variety of animals are investigated. The illustrations are cut paper collage. The jagged edges, wrinkles, and non-uniform color assist in creating realistic images. The text closes with further explanation and insight into each animal profiled in the text. This reference section is accompanied by the illustration of the animal. Readers will easily associate the traits with the visual cues from the book. Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Page create an innovative way to present factual information. Young readers may often ask the questions presented. This book does the asking and answering of these questions.
Module 8: The Picture Book of Harriet Beecher Stowe
Adler, David A. 2003. A Picture Book of Harriet Beecher Stowe. Illus. by Colin Bootman. Holiday House: New York. ISBN: 0-8234-1646-1
This picture book follows the life of an American author, Harriet Beecher Stowe. This text follows her life from its beginning in 1811 to her passing in 1896. It briefly details her early life and on her life’s events that had a significant impact on her future actions and decisions. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote, “I do not want to live in vain”. This biography reveals that she did not. Her experience with slavery and encouragement from her husband lead to the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. This book is credited with being one of the causes of the Civil War. The painted illustrations enrich the tale and embed the text within them. The text and the illustrations are blended and balanced. Author’s notes, a timeline of important dates, a bibliography, further reading, and websites are included encouraging further research and validating the authenticity of the information in the text. This picture book is an informative and entertaining biography for all ages.
This picture book follows the life of an American author, Harriet Beecher Stowe. This text follows her life from its beginning in 1811 to her passing in 1896. It briefly details her early life and on her life’s events that had a significant impact on her future actions and decisions. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote, “I do not want to live in vain”. This biography reveals that she did not. Her experience with slavery and encouragement from her husband lead to the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. This book is credited with being one of the causes of the Civil War. The painted illustrations enrich the tale and embed the text within them. The text and the illustrations are blended and balanced. Author’s notes, a timeline of important dates, a bibliography, further reading, and websites are included encouraging further research and validating the authenticity of the information in the text. This picture book is an informative and entertaining biography for all ages.
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