Dear David and Sharon,
I appreciate your concern regarding the inclusion of Bodhi Oser's book. As a
member of the Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers Committee, I can tell you that we
take our charge very seriously. We are to prepare an annual annotated list of
recommended books appropriate for reluctant YA readers. In the course of preparing
this list, we gather evidence to support the titles. This can be in a written form
or verbal feedback from RR's. The feedback is the biggest reason a book makes the
list.
We represent RR's from all walks of life-- we work with students in juvenile
detention centers, high schools, middle schools and public libraries. The Quick
Pick list is a selection tool for libraries. The list is meant to guide, but you
as the library professional knows what is appropriate for your area's young adult
population.
The book in question is not appropriate for all young adult reluctant readers, but
the anecdotal evidence that we gathered for Oser's book was powerful. We had tons
of comments from kids from all walks of life. We had the disenfranchised kids from
New York who rarely stop playing computer games in Teen Central who actually moved
away from the computers, gathered around the book and were mesmerized for quite
awhile-- their comments were unanimous that this was a cool book and they wanted
more like it. This book is what we call a gateway book, in that it leads RR's to
read more. The whole point is to get them reading.
This book met all of the criteria for a book that appeals to reluctant readers, it
had an appealing cover, it was very readable due to its format and graphics, and it
was self-selected and passed from one kid to the next. It appealed to a diverse
population. It may not be what we would select for them, but they are reluctant
for a reason and it is important to allow them to select materials that they are
interested in. (Much like the comic books that we were told to put down because it
was trash and good for nothing.) The bottom line is that the more they read, the
better they read. This book can lead them to become readers.
I have posted the Charge, Purpose and Evaluation of the Quick Picks committee
below. I would also encourage you to come observe our proceedings at Annual
Conference and Mid-Winter. As committee members, we all serve as volunteers (at
our own cost) read about 150 nominated titles and generally work very hard to
develop this list to serve our reluctant readers. We do not take this charge
lightly-- there was quite a lot of debate over this title and when all was said and
done we had to vote with the reluctant readers who had overwhelmingly endorsed this
book. We could not censor the list to serve our individual moral compass. We
trusted that the library professionals will use their best judgment to serve their
student population. I would hope that you would go back to the ALA Bill of Rights
before casting shame on the ALA for allowing this list to exist with Oser's Fu*k
This Book on the list.
I hope that this clarifies things and opens up a positive dialogue.
CHARGE
To prepare an annual annotated list of recommended books appropriate for reluctant
young adult readers.
PURPOSE
The list is for young adults (ages 12-18) who, for whatever reasons, do not like to
read. The purpose of this list is to identify titles for recreational reading, not
for curricular or remedial use.
Evaluation
All titles should have appeal as self-selected leisure reading for young adults.
Books should be evaluated by subject, cover art, readability, format and style.
Standard selection criteria consonant with the ALA Library Bill of Rights shall be
applied.
Librarianship focuses on individuals, in all their diversity, and that focus is a
fundamental value of the Young Adult Library Services Association and its members.
Diversity is, thus, honored in the Association and in the collections and services
that libraries provide to young adults.
"In the nonstop tsunami of global information, librarians provide us with floaties
and teach us how to swim." - Linton Weeks (Washington Post article, 13 January 2001)
Joy Millam
Library Media Goddess/Teacher
Valencia High School
500 N. Bradford Ave
Placentia, CA 92870
714-996-4970 ext-3250
<http://www.vhstigers.org/library/welcome.jsp?rn=6507>
http://www.vhstigers.org/library/welcome.jsp?rn=6507
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