The bottom line is what is the book appealing to in the individual.
Obviously, the title appeals to something no matter what is inside.
There are other more ethical ways of gaining attention. Gateway or no
gateway, this is the thoughtless, disrespectful and cheap way. As a
result, I will much prefer to look at different lists for book
recommendations. Your long and winding response indicates an ethical
uncertainty through over justification.
Titles are important, and I have noticed yours!
David Di Gregorio
Supervisor Library Media Services
Tenafly High School
Tenafly, NJ USA
www.librarymedia.net
201-816-6617
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Millam, Joy
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2007 2:00 PM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Oser, Bodhi and Quick Pics for Reluctant Readers
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
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home