I finally read the article that Lippy Libby posted in her recent post "Flaunting It." I normally don't think of the ALA as an "extreme advocate" of banned books. I think Kinzie school acted abominably, but is the ALA to blame? Doesn't the ALA argue for a review board so that librarians and teachers can deal with parental complaints fairly? Maybe having a "banned books" week is enough to make Byrne call the ALA "extreme," but I thought he could have done a better job educating the reader about the proper procedures schools should take when a book is challenged.
I'll be sharing Byrne with a sophomore English teacher who does an annual banned books project. Each student reads a banned book and then uses the ALA's Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom to research each challenge. This year, these students will not be writing a paper. Instead, they'll be debating this question: "should this book be taught in middle school?" This article is perfect for them!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Stephen King
In her last post, SuperStarLibby talked about the publishing industry being all about profit. I've been thinking the same thing, but I've been contemplating one author--Stephen King. His name really sells books...and short stories....
In our recent "Halloween Reading" promotion, Stephen King was the most popular author....with faculty. I knew students really liked him, but I was a bit surprised that several adults picked him. Could it be that they are thinking back to their experience reading him and find it really memorable? Or did they read him recently? I guess it doesn't really matter. He is definitely a bestselling writer. It will be interesting to see circulation statistics after this display comes down.
I haven't read King's horror novels in over 20 years, but I do read his columns. I try to catch his Entertainment Weekly column, and I really enjoyed this essay in the New York Times Book Review: "What Ails the Short Story" (Sept. 30). He jokes about his experience editing the Best American Short Stories anthology and says that he found himself crawling on the floor in bookstores' periodical sections for the latest literary magazines. He explains that short stories do not get the prime shelf space, and reflects upon why. (The next time you are in a bookstore, check it out---do you have to crawl on the floor to browse lit magazines while the knitting 'zines, Cosmo, and Time are all at eye level?) Maybe with King's influence, the short story's status will change. There are already signs that it has. A couple of weeks after his essay was published, the Best American Short Stories made the NYTimes paperback bestseller list! Last week, it was #20; this past week, it was at #15, right in between two Jodi Picoult books. The NYTimes has more categories than ever for these lists, and they now list the top 20 instead of 10, so maybe the anthology's appearance isn't because of Stephen King, but he probably helped. After all, in his essay, he says "There isn’t a single one in this book that didn’t delight me, that didn’t make me want to crow, 'Oh, man, you gotta read this!'” He was probably picked to BE the editor because he would be an effective bridge between the hoity-toity short story reader and the popular culture reader. It worked for me. I'll be reading this collection.
In our recent "Halloween Reading" promotion, Stephen King was the most popular author....with faculty. I knew students really liked him, but I was a bit surprised that several adults picked him. Could it be that they are thinking back to their experience reading him and find it really memorable? Or did they read him recently? I guess it doesn't really matter. He is definitely a bestselling writer. It will be interesting to see circulation statistics after this display comes down.
I haven't read King's horror novels in over 20 years, but I do read his columns. I try to catch his Entertainment Weekly column, and I really enjoyed this essay in the New York Times Book Review: "What Ails the Short Story" (Sept. 30). He jokes about his experience editing the Best American Short Stories anthology and says that he found himself crawling on the floor in bookstores' periodical sections for the latest literary magazines. He explains that short stories do not get the prime shelf space, and reflects upon why. (The next time you are in a bookstore, check it out---do you have to crawl on the floor to browse lit magazines while the knitting 'zines, Cosmo, and Time are all at eye level?) Maybe with King's influence, the short story's status will change. There are already signs that it has. A couple of weeks after his essay was published, the Best American Short Stories made the NYTimes paperback bestseller list! Last week, it was #20; this past week, it was at #15, right in between two Jodi Picoult books. The NYTimes has more categories than ever for these lists, and they now list the top 20 instead of 10, so maybe the anthology's appearance isn't because of Stephen King, but he probably helped. After all, in his essay, he says "There isn’t a single one in this book that didn’t delight me, that didn’t make me want to crow, 'Oh, man, you gotta read this!'” He was probably picked to BE the editor because he would be an effective bridge between the hoity-toity short story reader and the popular culture reader. It worked for me. I'll be reading this collection.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
YA and Adult Books: A Perspective
Today I had the opportunity to attend a conference presented by Michael Cart, who is a well known expert on YA books. He was fantastic! The presentation was on adult books that appeal to YAs, and I must say, by the end of the day, I wanted to go out and read nearly every book he mentioned! His descriptions were marvelous. I will definitely be scouring Baker & Taylor with my bibliography in hand. I was pleased that I had heard of at least a few of the books mentioned, and that they were in the GBN library. The ones I was most familiar with were:
The Book Thief
I am the Messenger
The Lovely Bones
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Tamar
Goat
Diamond Dogs
Water for Elephants.
So I'd say we are on track! :-)
Here are some books that I am dying to read. I highlighted quite a few, but these stuck out:
Mistik Lake by Martha Brooks
Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You by Peter Cameron
This is all: the Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn by Aidan Chambers (this was a Booklist starred review)
As Simple As Snow by Gregory Galloway
Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat
The Dead Father's Club by Matt Haig
The Beautiful Miscellaneous by Dominic Smith
When We Get There by Shauna Seily
Two other points about the conference:
1. The definition of YA books is flexible and is really more of a marketing term for publishers than anything else. Michael Cart emphasized that teens and young adults will read what interests them, regardless of its labeling. If a book has a strong narrative thread, features a young adult character, addresses the developmental needs of young adults, features a story about a media personality, or is a nonfiction account of a great adventure, then it will probably appeal to a young adult. So that's something to keep in mind.
Also, in regards to the YA labeling of 12-18....well, Michael Cart pointed out that in some cases, YA can mean up to 25...or even 30. This amused me because I fit in that age group. After some thought, I decided that it is essentially true. I am a young adult! I am in my first job, living on my own, and learning how to live in the real world. I say this because I spent the last 6 years out of high school living on a college campus and acquiring degrees. It is quite different from the realities of a full time job! So I am definitely facing a lot of similar issues to many YA characters...searching for identity, establishing relationships, establishing one's place in the world, etc. I don't want to get all philosophical-metaphysical, but I think there is some merit to the idea of childhood/YA-hood being extended well into the 20s. Perhaps I can do a sociological study someday....
And now, on to point #2:
The publishing industry is all about marketing and profit. Perhaps that sounds obvious, since publishing is a business, and all businesses seem to be about marketing and profit. It was fascinating to hear Michael Cart's insider view on the publishing industry. Publishing books is a risky business, and editors essentially have to predict what books will sell. It's a lot like movies, I suppose, but with far smaller profit margins. I also never realized that certain publishers get paid by advertisers for product placement in their books. This makes sense, especially in the Gossip Girl context. Every Gossip Girl book is full of designer labels and names. I never thought publishers could be so devious! I guess I am just too trusting. My ideal view of publishers publishing the best books, solely based on their literary merit has been shattered! However, I am now developing an interest in the publishing industry. I hope to write a book someday, so I think it's a good idea to gather as much information about publishing as possible.
I was very happy to be able to go to this conference! I enjoyed meeting librarians from around the area, and I am looking forward to reading the pile of books that will soon be appearing on my desk!
The Book Thief
I am the Messenger
The Lovely Bones
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Tamar
Goat
Diamond Dogs
Water for Elephants.
So I'd say we are on track! :-)
Here are some books that I am dying to read. I highlighted quite a few, but these stuck out:
Mistik Lake by Martha Brooks
Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You by Peter Cameron
This is all: the Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn by Aidan Chambers (this was a Booklist starred review)
As Simple As Snow by Gregory Galloway
Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat
The Dead Father's Club by Matt Haig
The Beautiful Miscellaneous by Dominic Smith
When We Get There by Shauna Seily
Two other points about the conference:
1. The definition of YA books is flexible and is really more of a marketing term for publishers than anything else. Michael Cart emphasized that teens and young adults will read what interests them, regardless of its labeling. If a book has a strong narrative thread, features a young adult character, addresses the developmental needs of young adults, features a story about a media personality, or is a nonfiction account of a great adventure, then it will probably appeal to a young adult. So that's something to keep in mind.
Also, in regards to the YA labeling of 12-18....well, Michael Cart pointed out that in some cases, YA can mean up to 25...or even 30. This amused me because I fit in that age group. After some thought, I decided that it is essentially true. I am a young adult! I am in my first job, living on my own, and learning how to live in the real world. I say this because I spent the last 6 years out of high school living on a college campus and acquiring degrees. It is quite different from the realities of a full time job! So I am definitely facing a lot of similar issues to many YA characters...searching for identity, establishing relationships, establishing one's place in the world, etc. I don't want to get all philosophical-metaphysical, but I think there is some merit to the idea of childhood/YA-hood being extended well into the 20s. Perhaps I can do a sociological study someday....
And now, on to point #2:
The publishing industry is all about marketing and profit. Perhaps that sounds obvious, since publishing is a business, and all businesses seem to be about marketing and profit. It was fascinating to hear Michael Cart's insider view on the publishing industry. Publishing books is a risky business, and editors essentially have to predict what books will sell. It's a lot like movies, I suppose, but with far smaller profit margins. I also never realized that certain publishers get paid by advertisers for product placement in their books. This makes sense, especially in the Gossip Girl context. Every Gossip Girl book is full of designer labels and names. I never thought publishers could be so devious! I guess I am just too trusting. My ideal view of publishers publishing the best books, solely based on their literary merit has been shattered! However, I am now developing an interest in the publishing industry. I hope to write a book someday, so I think it's a good idea to gather as much information about publishing as possible.
I was very happy to be able to go to this conference! I enjoyed meeting librarians from around the area, and I am looking forward to reading the pile of books that will soon be appearing on my desk!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Flaunting it?
This article from yesterday's Chicago Tribune raises the perennial parental challenge of required reading titles. Though the particular title and the grounds for objection are not new, this is the first time I've read anyone who has voiced anger at educators (including librarians) who seem to flaunt banned books. On reflection, it seems an accurate assessment. Are we doing this to appeal to the rebel in our students? To agitate? Probably so...after all, we want to capture kids' attention and passion. Nothing better than a "forbidden" book!
We librarians are fortunate because, unlike classroom teachers, we do not generally require students to read a particular title, excusing us in a way from most challenges. High school librarians are even more fortunate because some of our students are 18 years old--legal adults. The value in this article is the admonition that we need to be sure to take our displays/flaunting beyond attention-grabbing and agitation. We have the obligation to help kids understand that meaning is conveyed in many ways and that they should learn to be discriminating. If not, I would say parents are entitled to be angry.
We librarians are fortunate because, unlike classroom teachers, we do not generally require students to read a particular title, excusing us in a way from most challenges. High school librarians are even more fortunate because some of our students are 18 years old--legal adults. The value in this article is the admonition that we need to be sure to take our displays/flaunting beyond attention-grabbing and agitation. We have the obligation to help kids understand that meaning is conveyed in many ways and that they should learn to be discriminating. If not, I would say parents are entitled to be angry.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Primary Sources
My class load has been light recently, but I have been helping a lot of students with their research on U.S. Supreme Court Cases. One student came in the other day looking for primary sources relating to the case Osborn v. Bank of the United States, from 1824.
ProQuest Historical only goes back to 1851 for the New York Times. The other library databases, which are so useful for obtaining scholarly sources, did not have much to offer in the way of primary sources.
So, I decided to peruse the Internet. A great site for primary source documents on a variety of topics is the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/modules.html This site is nice because it is well organized by era and it allows the user to search the primary source documents in an easy to use interface. A search of this website yielded a letter written by John Marshall to Henry Clay discussing the case Marbury v. Madison. This letter is a fantastic resource, and I know I showed it to the student who was working on that particular case. However, no such luck for the Osborn student.
Now, before I go too far, I just want to mention that I am aware of the fact that primary sources (or any source, for that matter) do not have to directly mention the topic at hand. For example, the student could potentially use the Marshall letter in his discussion of the Osborn case as a an example of Marshall's active involvement in shaping the Supreme Court into the powerful institution that it is today.
That is beside the point. What I want to emphasize instead is the issue of finding primary sources that predate the Civil War Era. Gilder Lehrman is an excellent resource, and there are many others, including the University of Idaho's repository of primary sources related to the history of the Western U.S. and Canada-http://www.uidaho.edu/special-collections/west.html
(makes me want to do a project on history of the American West!!) and
the Alex Catalogue of Electronic texts featuring about 14,000 "classic" public domain documents from American and English literature and Western philosophy-http://www.infomotions.com/alex/
However, these websites are rather confusing to search unless you know exactly what you are looking for, and while they are reliable sites, you never know when it might just disappear....
In lieu of referring students to a list of primary source websites, I would like to have a database that includes primary sources, perhaps in addition to scholarly sources. When I suggested this idea to TeachingLibby, she recommended that I take a look at Thomson Gale's History Resource Center. Our library already has Biography Resource Center, Literature Resource Center, both of which I have used extensively in my work with undergraduate students. (We also have Science Resource Center, but I have not used that database as much as the others)
History Resource Center seems like it has everything that I would like in a history based database. It has reference encyclopedias, scholarly articles, links to digitized special collections, numerous search options, and of course, extensive primary source documents. This database is focused on U.S. History, which is fine with me, because most of the upper level research is done by U.S. History classes. I am currently looking into possibilities with this database. I realize that no database is perfect, and one resource will not have everything, but I think that this might be very useful for students struggling to find primary source documents.
Oh, and the fate of the student who needed primary sources relating to Osborn? A search of "Early American Newspapers Series I (1690-1876)" was very helpful. Another database that might be worth purchasing...
On another note, I was considering purchasing a volume of the Papers of John Marshall, but I realized that it is a 12 volume set, and at $80 a volume, it is probably best suited for an academic library with cash to spare! I wish there was an abridged version of what seems to be an excellent resource. I suppose that's what interlibrary loan is for, but that is a whole other discussion all together!
ProQuest Historical only goes back to 1851 for the New York Times. The other library databases, which are so useful for obtaining scholarly sources, did not have much to offer in the way of primary sources.
So, I decided to peruse the Internet. A great site for primary source documents on a variety of topics is the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/modules.html This site is nice because it is well organized by era and it allows the user to search the primary source documents in an easy to use interface. A search of this website yielded a letter written by John Marshall to Henry Clay discussing the case Marbury v. Madison. This letter is a fantastic resource, and I know I showed it to the student who was working on that particular case. However, no such luck for the Osborn student.
Now, before I go too far, I just want to mention that I am aware of the fact that primary sources (or any source, for that matter) do not have to directly mention the topic at hand. For example, the student could potentially use the Marshall letter in his discussion of the Osborn case as a an example of Marshall's active involvement in shaping the Supreme Court into the powerful institution that it is today.
That is beside the point. What I want to emphasize instead is the issue of finding primary sources that predate the Civil War Era. Gilder Lehrman is an excellent resource, and there are many others, including the University of Idaho's repository of primary sources related to the history of the Western U.S. and Canada-http://www.uidaho.edu/special-collections/west.html
(makes me want to do a project on history of the American West!!) and
the Alex Catalogue of Electronic texts featuring about 14,000 "classic" public domain documents from American and English literature and Western philosophy-http://www.infomotions.com/alex/
However, these websites are rather confusing to search unless you know exactly what you are looking for, and while they are reliable sites, you never know when it might just disappear....
In lieu of referring students to a list of primary source websites, I would like to have a database that includes primary sources, perhaps in addition to scholarly sources. When I suggested this idea to TeachingLibby, she recommended that I take a look at Thomson Gale's History Resource Center. Our library already has Biography Resource Center, Literature Resource Center, both of which I have used extensively in my work with undergraduate students. (We also have Science Resource Center, but I have not used that database as much as the others)
History Resource Center seems like it has everything that I would like in a history based database. It has reference encyclopedias, scholarly articles, links to digitized special collections, numerous search options, and of course, extensive primary source documents. This database is focused on U.S. History, which is fine with me, because most of the upper level research is done by U.S. History classes. I am currently looking into possibilities with this database. I realize that no database is perfect, and one resource will not have everything, but I think that this might be very useful for students struggling to find primary source documents.
Oh, and the fate of the student who needed primary sources relating to Osborn? A search of "Early American Newspapers Series I (1690-1876)" was very helpful. Another database that might be worth purchasing...
On another note, I was considering purchasing a volume of the Papers of John Marshall, but I realized that it is a 12 volume set, and at $80 a volume, it is probably best suited for an academic library with cash to spare! I wish there was an abridged version of what seems to be an excellent resource. I suppose that's what interlibrary loan is for, but that is a whole other discussion all together!
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