Challenges to Library Materials
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: Blog Notes Leave a comment
Rather than repeating several paragraphs in each of my blog entries, I included a bit of challenge information in each entry, specific to that entry, and I am including the long version here.
The first step in protecting the library collection is making certain that the library has a clear and well-communicated collection development policy. Secondly, the policy must be followed. The collection development policy, approved by the appropriate powers that be, then becomes the document that supports all items in the collection. So, when an item is challenged, the library has the collection development policy to back up the decision to include the item.
Additionally, libraries can prepare for challenges by keeping copies of reviews and other sources used for choosing materials, for example award lists. These items can be kept in a file, electronic or otherwise, particularly for books that have already been or are very likely to be challenged. Positive Reviews can very often easily and quickly be found on Amazon.com, usually the information on a book’s webpage includes one or two professional reviews. Additionally, the Oakland Public Library’s website provides a link to multiple reviews of most of the items in its collection, so that is a sources for a more extensive listings of reviews, though, this is not as comprehensive a collection as Amazon’s. One can also find book reviews in online subscription databases like LISTA (Library, Information Science Technology Abstracts and Full Text) and Library Literature & Information Science Full Text. Reviews, of course, can also be found in one of many publications dedicated to literature reviews like School Library Journal, Library Journal, Multicultural Review, Young Adult Library Services, and many, many more.
Lastly, I wanted to share a collection of resources that could prove useful for dealing with challenges to materials or other intellectual freedom issues.
Intellectual Freedom and Challenge Resources
ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom
National Coalition Against Censorship
National Council of Teachers of English Anti-Censorship Center
PEN American Center is the U.S. branch of the world’s oldest international literary and human rights organization.
Cooperative Children’s Book Center, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Intellectual freedom information and resources.
Cooperative Children’s Book Center, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Intellectual freedom links: education and advocacy groups.
The Center for Children’s Books: What to Do When a Book is Being Challenged in Your Library
Random House First Amendment First Aid Kit
What do the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the Association of Booksellers for Children, the Children’s Book Council, the Freedom to Read Foundation, the National Coalition Against Censorship, the National Council of Teachers of English, the PEN American Center, and the People for the American Way Foundation have in common? They are all sponsors of kidSPEAK!, which was initially called Muggles for Harry Potter. (In the Harry Potter series, a Muggle is a non-magical person.)
An Explanation of Genre Assignments
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: Blog Notes Leave a comment
Genres included in the blog were largely derived from the second edition of Diana Tixier Herald’s Teen Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests. This book only deals with fiction and books, so for non-fiction and other media the genre/genres assigned to each item closely matches one of Herald’s where possible, and otherwise were created by me with usability in mind.
The format for the Genres is as follows. Under the heading “Genres” I have listed all the possible Genres from Herald’s book, many of the entries in this blog fit into more than one genre, so they are listed with commas in between. Where I felt it was necessary, I added additional genres. I added the genre “Realistic Fiction” because, for those unfamiliar with Herald’s work, many teen novels fit into this category, so I wanted it to be there to make the blog more user friendly. Also, I added a genre called “Urban Fiction” to some of the titles, as this is a genre I have read about and researched and I feel it warrants being included.
Under the heading “Subgenres/Themes” I have detailed the genres into the subgenres and themes specified by Herald. I have started with the genre, then a colon for the next level of theme or subgenre and then another colon for a sublevel, where relevant. For example, the genre section for a book about a teen drug dealer in the inner city would look like this:
Genre: Issues, Realistic Fiction, Urban Fiction
Subgenre/Theme: Issues: Social Concerns: Crime and Criminals
Reference:
Herald, D. T. (2003). Teen Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, Inc.
Matched by Ally Condie
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: Matched by Ally Condie | Tags: Ages 13 - 18, Choice, Conformity, Dystopia, Family, Love, Science Fiction Leave a comment
Bibliographic Information: Condie, A. (2010). Matched. New York, NY: Penguin. ISBN: 0525423648. 384 pages.
Plot Summary: Cassia lives in a “Society” where everything is decided for her and the rest of the members by Society Officials. From her meals to her wardrobe, everything is predetermined, thus lessening the potential “stress” decision-making might cause Society members. When Cassia was young she did not think much of the lack of self-determination in her life. Now, she is 17, of age to be given her “match,” her ideal life mate that Society Officials will choose for her, as determined by algorithms and scientific data. At the match ceremony Cassia is happy to be matched with her close childhood friend, Xander. Their match is an unusual one, as the scientific method of determining matches makes it statistically unlikely that both people in a match will be chosen from the same Borough, but Cassia and Xander are that exception, and they are both pleased. They are each given a “match microchip” to view on their “ports” once they return home. Match microchips contain information about your match, so you can get to know your match better. Even though they have known each other for years, Cassia puts the microchip into her home’s port. And then something unpredictable, irregular, and seemingly erroneous happens, which, in a society built on predictability, regularity, and precision, stuns Cassia. While watching the match microchip about Xander, a face other than Xander’s flashes on the screen. And she knows who it is: Ky Markham, a boy who cannot be matched with anyone, because he has been classified an “aberration” by the Society because of some unsanctioned actions that his father took. And Cassia knows Xander is the match for her, or is he? Ever since his face appeared on the screen, Cassia cannot stop thinking about Ky, and the Society Officials are trying desperately to recover from this error.
Critical Evaluation: As far as Dystopian novels go, Matched is a great one. Condie weaves intricate details of a freedomless, future society with the authentic thoughts and feelings of a 17-year-old girl. Matched is its own novel, with nods to the dystopian novels, particularly The Giver and The Hunger Games, who have come before it. The voice of Cassia is strong and clear as she struggles with her feelings, her obligations, and her new found perspective on the society she has lived in and followed the rules for all of her life. The reach of the Society’s control is demonstrated again and again, by small events in addition to the larger ones. For example, Cassia receives an artifact from her grandfather for her matching ceremony. Artifacts have mostly been disposed of, as they are considered unnecessary, but her grandfather has held on to this one, a metal compact, from Cassia’s grandmother. In a tiny, unnoticeable compartment Cassia finds a small slip of paper with a bit of a poem written on it. Most poetry has been eliminated from Cassia’s society, except for a few works that have been archived. This bit of a poem was on an older type of paper, and Cassia was fairly sure that if she put the paper in the incinerator at her home, Society Officials would be able to determine that a foreign, even forbidden, object had been incinerated. She could get her whole family in trouble for burning a wisp of paper, so she finds another way. And this way of thinking, this trying to outsmart Society Officials, continues as Cassia starts to see her way of life differently. This book is accessible for teens of all ages and its message leaves much to be discussed and considered.
Matched was favorably reviewed and received several awards and honors. Matched is a New York Times Best Seller, was named number six on YALSA’s 2011 Teen’s Choice Top Ten, was on the 2011 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers and Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers lists, and was on Publishers Weekly’s Best Children’s Books of 2010 list as well.
Reader’s Annotation: Cassia lives in a “Society” where everything is determined for her and the rest of the members of the Society. So, when something unplanned happens, when there is a glitch, Cassia is stunned out of her rule following and starts looking for the truth.
Information about the Author: Ally Condie is a former high school English teacher who keeps her license current, as she says, “just in case,” (Condie, 2011). She lives outside of Salt Lake City, UT with her husband and three sons.
Matched is the first book in a trilogy, something I did not know until I was doing research for this blog post. The second book of the trilogy is Crossed, which was released November, 1, 2011, and the third, and final, book of the trilogy is scheduled to be released in November 2012.
Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenres/Themes: Science Fiction: Dystopia
Topics Covered: Freedom, Choice, Love, Conformity
Curriculum Ties: Social Science, Political Science
Booktalking Ideas:
- Would you choose to be matched or to be a single?
Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 13 – 18
Challenge Issues: There are no obvious challenge issues associated with this book. Preparation for any challenge can include the librarian’s: reading of the book, adhering to the library’s collection development department, and possessing reviews of the book from well-regarded sources.
Why is this book included? I found out about this book from a classmate in this course, I was excited to read it because it was fairly current, and I had not heard of it before.
References
Condie, A. (2011). Bio. Retrieved from http://www.allysoncondie.com/bio/
Teen Ink
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: Teen Ink | Tags: Ages 14-18, Alcohol Abuse, Bullying, Coming of Age, Discrimination, Family, Friendship, Identity, Issues, Life Is Hard, Love, Magazine, Non-Fiction, Poverty, Racism, Sexuality, Social Justice, Stereotypes, Violence Leave a comment
Bibliographic Information: Teen Ink (magazine). Newton, MA: The Young Authors Foundation, Inc.
Plot/Content Summary: Teen Ink is a magazine that does not employ writers, reporters, or artists. The content of the magazine is entirely made up of submissions from teens from all over the country. Topics covered are diverse, from health issues to discrimination, teen activism to sports. Teens write fiction and non-fiction and provide paintings, photographs and other forms of artwork for the magazine. Each monthly issue contains articles written around specific themes, in the December 2011, issue the themes were “Celebrating the Season” and “Sibling Stories.” The magazine is organized with the following “sections:” Art Gallery, College Directory, College Reviews, Community Service, Environment, Feedback, Fiction, Health, Heroes, Nonfiction, Points of View, Poetry, Pride & Prejudice, Reviews: Book, Reviews: Movie, Reviews: Music, Reviews: Video Games, Sports and Travel & Culture. The wide range of topics covered provides a place for teens with varying interests to enjoy both reading as well as contributing to Teen Ink.
Critical Evaluation: Teen Ink is packed full with interesting and high quality writing and artwork. The honest, authentic teen voices that can be found throughout the pages of the magazine lend it depth and significance. The teen contributors to Teen Ink, both young women and young men, are creative and intelligent, interesting and interested. Teen Ink provides an opportunity for teens to become published writers and artists, “Hundreds of thousands of students have submitted their work to us and we have published more than 45,000 teens since 1989,” (Teen Ink: About Us, n.d.). Teen Ink empowers and engages, it provides an important forum for teens to exchange ideas and discuss issues important to them. It is by teens and for teens making it a great resource for information and inspiration. The magazine is used in English, creative writing, and journalism classrooms across the country. Several books have been published by the Teen Ink organization, they are entitled Teen Ink and contain themed collections of essays gathered from the magazine. The Teen Ink website contains content from the magazine as well as content unique to the web and is an additional place for teens to engage and exchange thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
Genre/Format: Print and Online Magazine
Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 14 -18
Challenge Issues: There are many real issues that young adults deal with covered in this magazine, so there might be a challenge to some of the content. However, this magazine has been praised by The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Teacher Magazine and many more. In response to challenges, one can refer to the library’s collection development policies.
Why is this magazine included? Teen Ink is the perfect magazine for older teens of both genders to include in a library collection. I found it when I was in search of interesting and independent teen magazines that do not simply repeat the same beauty tips and celebrity gossip as many magazines on the market.
Hear Me Out: True Stories of Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia a Project of Planned Parenthood of Toronto
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: Hear Me Out - True Stories of Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia a Project of Planned Parenthood of Toronto | Tags: Bisexual, Bullying, Coming Out, Family, Friendship, Gay, Gender, Homophobia, Identity, Lesbian, Non-Fiction, Racism, Sexuality, Transgendered, Transsexual, Violence Leave a comment
Bibliographic Information: Planned Parenthood of Toronto. (2004). Hear Me Out: True Stories of Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press. ISBN: 1896764878. 197 pages.
Plot/Content Summary:
We all need a space to tell our stories, to be heard. So for me being able to tell this story is an important act of resistance. I tell my story often and loudly. I tell it to break the silence, to educate, to inspire. I tell my story in the hope that someone who hears me might think about the revolutionary potential of simply loving themselves and sharing their stories.
ayden isak hoffman-scheim
Hear Me Out: True Stories of Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia, pg. 51
Hear Me Out is a book of stories, teen stories, true stories by teens about themselves. These teens are volunteers with Toronto’s Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia (T.E.A.C.H.), “a peer-based program run by Planned Parenthood of Toronto to educate and change negative attitudes about gay, lesbian, queer, bisexual, transsexual, and transgendered [GLBTT] people.” These teens are brave, they’ve been through a lot, and they are here to tell their stories, to educate and inform, and, perhaps most importantly, to make sure other GLBTT young people know that they are not alone. Each chapter is written by one young person, the chapters range from coming out stories to stories about homophobic violence and bullying to stories of first love and family acceptance. Issues of culture and race are woven throughout the book, as the teen voices come from diverse backgrounds. Through it all, the wise, honest – and brave – voices of teens come through loud and clear.
Critical Evaluation: This book is important, as it addresses serious subjects from the perspective of the teens experiencing what is being discussed. Hearing from the teens themselves makes this book powerful and moving as well as telling and illuminating. One only has to read the first page to realize that reading Hear Me Out is going to be a different experience than reading any other book. It is honest, authentic, and interesting. Even people in GLBTT communities will learn from the diversity of experiences and voices, and people outside the community will get a glimpse into what life is like for the young people in the book, and possibly other GLBTT youth that readers may know. Many of the teens also speak specifically about the T.E.A.C.H. program, which could be useful for those interested in starting a similar organization. The back of the book includes a brief glossary and section of short biographies of each of the 19 teen contributors.
Reader’s Annotation: Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, and transgendered teens tell their stories in their own words of what life is like for them. Their stories describe adversity and struggle as well as achievement and triumph.
Information about the Author: n/a
Genre: Non-Fiction
Category: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, and Transgendered youth
Topics Covered: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Transsexual, Homophobia, Racism, Bullying, Violence, Family, Friends, Identity, Coming Out
Curriculum Ties: Gender and Sexuality
Booktalking Ideas: Read a piece from any of the essays, like the quote included above in the “Content” section.
Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 12 -19
Challenge Issues: This book is all about GLBTT youth and sends a message of the importance of acceptance, so it could very well be challenged. In response to any challenges, one can refer to the library’s collection development policies. Also, there are several positive reviews of the book, including reviews by VOYA and Booklist.
Why is this book included? Initially found in the YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults 2006 list, under the GLBTQ heading, this book is included because young adult collections should address the needs and issues of the diverse communities they serve.
References:
Planned Parenthood of Toronto. (2004). Hear Me Out: True Stories of Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press.
InuYasha 01 by Rumiko Takahashi
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: InuYasha 01 by Rumiko Takahashi | Tags: Graphic Book, Graphic Novel, Manga Leave a comment
Bibliographic Information: Takahashi, R. (2003). InuYasha 01. St. Louis, MO: Turtleback. ISBN: 1417650826. 178 pages.
Plot Summary: Kagome lives in modern-day Japan, but on her 15th birthday she falls down a well on her family’s sacred grounds and emerges hundreds of years in the past. The Japan she has entered is full of magical creatures and dangerous monsters. Kagome’s arrival in the past creates quite a bit of buzz, as she is the spitting image of Kikyo, a warrior who died many years before. Even Kikyo’s, now elderly, sister is confused by this young girl who favors her long dead sister. Kikyo died holding the powerful Jewel of Four Stones, and her likeness (Kagome) inadvertently releases InuYasha from the spell that Kikyo put on him many decades before. Inu-Yasha is part demon, part dog, as his pointy ears indicate. At first he is hostile toward Kikyo, but when the Jewel of Four Stones falls from Kikyo’s body and shatters he realizes they must work together to put the powerful and ancient jewel back together.
Critical Evaluation: The story line is exciting and the illustrations expressive and imaginative. I am not familiar with manga, so it took some careful reading to understand the story; however, I do not believe manga fans would have the same difficulty. This is book one of a large series that has also been made into a manga cartoon series for television, which is also very popular. Amazon reader reviews by manga fans call the artwork “beautiful” and call Takahashi “magical” (Customer Reviews, 2005). InuYasha, as a series, has been well received by critics and manga fans alike. “Manga volumes from InuYasha have been popular in Japan, taking high places in rankings listing sales. In 2001, the manga won the Shogakukan Manga Award for best shōnen manga title of the year. In North America, the manga volumes have appeared various times in the New York Times and Diamond Distributions top selling lists,” (Wikipedia, 2011).
A note about me and manga: Let me just start out by saying that I have never been a comic book fan, which is in one way surprising because I am a very visual person, I love picture books, and any novel with added visual elements thrills me. But, comic books are difficult for me to read, my mind seems unable to integrate the illustrations with the text and come up with anything meaningful. Manga brings that confusion up a level, as there are words that are totally unfamiliar to me and I have no context for the settings or the storylines. I actually read another manga book for this blog, but did not understand it enough to write about. So, it is with these major limitations that I reviewed InuYasha, with some significant help from the internet.
Reader’s Annotation: When Kagome falls down a well and lands hundreds of years in the past she must join forces with half-demon dog boy, InuYasha, in order to survive.
Information about the Author: Rumiko Takahashi was born in Japan in 1957. As a teen she was interested in manga, but not more so than any other high schooler. Then, while in college, she enrolled in “Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school that was known for the demanding nature of its founder, Kazuo Koike,” (Acres, n.d.). It was at Gekiga Sonjuku that Takahashi’s skills and talents developed and she was well on her way to becoming a manga creator.
InuYashi is one of several manga series by Takahashi, who is extremely prolific. Other Takahashi series include: Rin-ne and Ranma, among others. According to Takahashi’s biography, “Inu-Yasha marked a major change in the way she presented her most mainstream works. It was much darker and decidedly non-comedic when compared to the works that had come before,” (Acres, n.d.).
Below is some fascinating information about Takahashi from Wikipedia:
Takahashi is one of the wealthiest individuals, and the most affluent manga artists in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are popular worldwide, where they have been translated into a variety of languages. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; as of February 2010, over 170 million copies of her various works had been sold. She has twice won the Shogakukan Manga Award: once in 1980 for Urusei Yatsura, and again in 2001 for InuYasha. (Wikipedia, 2011)
Genre/Format: Alternative Format: Graphic Novels
SubGenre/Themes: Graphic Novels: Manga
Curriculum Ties: n/a
Booktalking Ideas:
- Falling down a well and ending up hundreds of years in the past
Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 10 to 18 to adult
Challenge Issues: In response to any challenges, one can refer to the library’s collection development policies. Also, there are several positive reviews of the book, and it has won several awards and honors.
Why is this book included? Manga Graphic novels are very popular and often reach out to reluctant readers.
References:
Amazon.com. (2005). InuYasha, Vol. 1: Customer Reviews. Retrieved from Amazon.com
Acres, H. & Acres, D. (n.d.). Rumiko Takahashi Biography. Retrieved from http://www.furinkan.com/takahashi/index.html
Wikipedia. (2011). InuYasha. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InuYasha
Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher | Tags: Ages 13-19, Issues, Life Is Hard, Mental & Emotional Problems, Mental Emotional and Behavioral Problems, Mental Health, Physical Mental and Emotional Concerns Leave a comment
Bibliographic Information:
Asher, J. (2008). Th1rteen R3asons Why. New York, NY: Razorbill. ISBN: 159514188X. 336 pages.
Asher, J. (2008). Th1rteen R3asons Why (unabridged audio book). Wiseman, D. & Johnstone, J. (Readers). New York, NY: Listening Library. ISBN: 073935650X.
Plot Summary: When Clay Jenkins comes home to find a package that was mailed to him with no return address he is instantly curious. When he opens the package to find 13 cassette tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah Baker, his mind starts to race. Hannah recently committed suicide, and the cassette tapes list the thirteen reasons why she did it. Clay is one of the thirteen reasons, which confuses him, as he does not know what he might have done to contribute to her taking her life. Clay must listen to the tapes if he wants to know more, and part of him does not want to know more. But, part of him feels compelled, for himself and for Hannah, to listen to the tapes and hear the words she intended for him and the others who got the box the box before him and who would get the box after him.
So, he started listening. And once Clay started listening to the tapes he kept listening. Hanna’s words directed him on a zigzagging tour across their home town where he stood and listened in the places where significant things happened to Hannah.
Critical Evaluation: Dramatic and moving, Th1rteen R3asons Why brings readers into the depths of the mind of a girl who commits suicide BEFORE she commits suicide. Often, in the case of suicide, survivors are left with dozens of questions about why a person might have taken her/his own life. What those around her could have done to prevent it. Survivors also often feel guilt that they might have done something to cause the suicide or that they did not do enough to prevent it. Hannah Baker takes the control herself by recording cassette tapes prior to her suicide that answer many of the questions people who knew her asked. And the answers were not easy to hear. This book has an honesty and authenticity that is likely to create empathy in its readers. There is no one in the book who is blameless, even Hannah, and that is not the point. The point is that life, and death, are complicated. We all have a responsibility to stand up for what is right and speak for those who may not be able to at that moment. There is a strong and powerful message in this compelling and disturbing story.
The book’s text switches between Hannah’s voice on the cassette tapes (in italics) and Clay’s thoughts. This is an especially good option for listening to the audio book, because listening to Hannah on the audio book parallels Clay’s listening to Hannah’s cassette tapes. The audio book is well acted, with sincerity and feeling.
Th1rteen R3asons Why was highly praised by critics and was honored several times. In 2008 YALSA named Th1rteen R3asons Why on the following lists: Best Books for Young Adults, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults.
Reader’s Annotation: When Clay Jenkins finds a package with cassette tapes in it he is stunned to find that they were recorded by Hannah Baker, a classmate of his who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
Information about the Author: Th1rteen R3asons Why was Jay Asher’s first published novel, and what a debut. His most recent novel, The Future of Us, with Carolyn Mackler, was released November 21, 2011.
Here is the entire biography of Jay Asher from the Th1rteen R3asons Why website
JAY ASHER has worked at an independent bookstore, an outlet bookstore, a chain bookstore, and two public libraries. He hopes, someday, to work for a used bookstore. When he is not writing, Jay plays guitar and goes camping.
Thirteen Reasons Why is his first published novel. (Asher, n.d.)
The Th1rteen R3asons Why website is a place for an ongoing dialogue about the book. It also provides suicide prevention resources.
Genre: Issues
Category: Issues: Physical, Mental, and Emotional Concerns: Mental, Emotional, Behavioral Problems
Curriculum Ties: Suicide
Booktalking Ideas:
- If your classmate committed suicide and you were somehow involved in her decision, would you want to know why?
Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 13 – 19
Challenge Issues: Suicide. In response to any challenges, one can refer to the library’s collection development policies. Also, there are several positive reviews of the book, and it has won several awards and honors.
Why is this book included? Based on recommendations from YALSA lists I listened to the audio book of Th1rteen R3asons Why. While it was very intense, it also feels very important.
References:
Asher, J. (n.d.) Thirteen Reasons Why: The Author. Retrieved from http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/author.php
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince directed by David Yates
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince directed by David Yates | Tags: Adventure, Drama, DVD, Fantasy, Magic, Movie Leave a comment
Bibliographic Information: Yates, D. (director). (2009). Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (DVD). Burbank, CA: Warner Bros. Pictures. ASIN: B002PMV9FG. 153 minutes, Movie Rating: PG.
→Spoiler alert: This review may include information revealed in the Harry Potter films 1 through 5. ←
Plot Summary: Harry Potter, age 16, is in his sixth year at Hogwarts and things are changing rapidly. The wizarding world finally recognizes what Harry has been saying for quite some time, that “he who must not be named,” the evil and very powerful wizard Lord Voldemort, is back and gaining strength. Harry learns more from Professor Dumbledore about his mission to defeat Voldemort and has tasks to complete to move toward this goal. New potions professor, Horace Slughorn, who has returned to Hogwarts from his retirement, has taken quite a liking to Harry. Slughorn is impressed by people with name recognition, and Dumbledore and Harry hope to use Slughorn’s fondness of Harry to find out vital information about Voldemort from Slughorn. Slughorn was a professor of Tom Riddle, Voldemort’s given name, when Riddle was a student at Hogwarts. Dumbledore knows that a conversation in Slughorn’s memory holds some keys to important information about Voldemort that Harry needs. In addition to these most atypical teenage activities, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione are dealing with typical teenage events, specifically, schoolwork, friendships, and budding romance.
Critical Evaluation: It is a difficult task creating a movie from a much-loved and widely read book, but Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince lives up to its title. The movie manages to be true to the book as much as possible, while taking advantage of the perfect medium to bring the story to life. The acting is honest and convincing. Those who have watched the five previous Harry Potter films will not be disappointed with this, the sixth, installment. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are growing up, and it shows in the way they look and in the way they behave. This movie is a bit darker than the previous one, but that is consistent with the book as well. Highly entertaining, exciting, and adventurous, Harry Potter fans will not be disappointed with this sixth installment of the movie series.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was nominated for dozens of awards and won many of those nominations. Among an Academy Award nomination, MTV Movie Awards, Teen Choice awards, and many others, one award stood out as particularly unique: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince won the Scream Awards’ “Holy Shit! Scene of the Year” for the “Death Eaters Attack London” Scene.
Reader’s/Viewer’s Annotation: Harry Potter and his friends are in their 6th year at Hogwarts School and amidst school work and budding romances, they must work to keep the school and the wizarding community safe from the Dark Lord, Voldemort
Information about the Author/Director: David Yates is a British film director who directed the final four films in the eight film Harry Potter series. His previous work included directing an independent film as well as several television programs.
He received wide recognition for his work on all of the Harry Potter films, with the final three films each winning British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, in addition to many others. Yates is currently working on an as yet untitled film based on the hit British television program Dr. Who.
Genres: Fantasy/Drama/Adventure
Curriculum Ties: comparison of the book and the movie
Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 11 – 18
Challenge Issues: There are those who claim the books and movies promote the occult and witchcraft. In response to any challenges, one can refer to the library’s collection development policies. Also, there are several positive reviews of the film, and it has won several awards and honors.
Why is this film included? The Harry Potter franchise is so huge and so popular, I felt I needed to include at least one film from the series in my blog.
Teen Health & Wellness
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: Teen Health & Wellness | Tags: Databases, Health, Online Reference, Refer, Wellness Leave a comment
Bibliographic Information: Teen Health and Wellness (online database). (2011). New York, NY: Rosen Publishing. Retrieved via the San Francisco Public Library: eLibrary: Articles and Databases page (library card barcode and pin number required).
Plot Summary/Resource Description: Teen Health and Wellness (THW) is an extensive database that includes a wide breadth of information relevant to and written for teens. This information is broken down into the following subjects:
- Body Basics
- Developmental Disabilities and Disorders
- Diseases, Infections and Conditions
- Diversity
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Eating Disorders
- Family Life
- Friendship and Dating
- Green Living
- Grief and Loss
- Mind, Mood, and Emotions
- Nutrition, Fitness, and Appearance
- Safety
- Sexuality and Sexual Health
- Skills for School, Work and Life
Users can search or browse, using the above subjects, and then narrow their search using another set of topics. Users can search by entering words or phrases into a search box located at the top right of each page of the online database, or browse using an A-Z listing of topics. This database covers health issues both how the body works and grows and what happens when things go wrong. It also covers familial and social issues. Teens looking for a wide variety of health and life-related information have a one-stop shop with this database.
The database “provides middle and high school students with nonjudgmental, straightforward, standards-aligned, curricular and self-help support,” so whether for an assignment or for personal use, this database has been designed to provide teens with the tools and information they need (About Us, 2011). One interesting feature is that the database includes personal stories by teens themselves who have experienced a topic that is being covered. The teens are identified by their first names. This gives the database a legitimacy as well as a personal touch that might appeal to teens turned off by the sterile feel of a database. Also, it gives those teens included a chance to have their writing published and, more importantly, to have their voices heard.
Critical Evaluation: This is an extraordinary resource. First off, the breadth of knowledge provided by this database is difficult to quantify. Rosen Publishing produces many reference sources and several of them were used to put together THW. Since the emphasis of the database’s editors is on being non-judgmental and straightforward, it is a perfect environment for teens to feel comfortable looking for information about any number of topics. There are many topics included in THW that teens might want to keep private or might find embarrassing, and that is why having solid, reliable, accurate information, presented in an accessible way is so vitally important.
Searching in a variety of ways is straight forward and easy. The database even has a “no results were found for _____. Did you mean _____?” feature for a search using misspelled words. This is something we are accustomed to from Google, but, often, databases fall short with this type of feature. This database has many medical terms, so a search using misspelled words is particularly important.
The design of the database is clean and easy to read with photos of a diversity of teens and highlighted articles and videos. The home page also has an easily visible “HOTLINES Get help now.” button that takes users to a page with many hotline numbers helping teens with the issues of suicide, HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, depression, eating disorders and many more. There are many special features of this database, it includes a glossary and mobile applications, translations in over 50 languages, social networking bookmarks, and RSS feeds and more.
TWH was positively reviewed by School Library Journal, Library Journal, Booklist, VOYA, Young Adult Library Services, and others. The database has also won numerous awards. “Teen Health & Wellness has received critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including an EDDIE (Annual Education Software Review) Award, an Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) Distinguished Achievement Award, a World Wide Web Health Award, and a Best Educational Software (BESSIE) Award,” (About Us, 2011). See their full list of awards and reviews here.
Reader’s Annotation: Teen Health and Wellness (THW) is an extensive database that includes a wide breadth of health and life information relevant to and written for teens.
Information about the Author/Editors: Rosen Publishing considers the content of THW authoritative, developed with experts in the field as well as curriculum experts and reviewed carefully by editors. “To ensure its accuracy and relevance, all content is reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. Our standards of editorial integrity mandate that each entry includes the date it was last updated. In addition, all content strives to be inclusive in terms of race, sex, religion, economic status, and other teen experiences,” (Editorial Policy, 2011).
Genre: Non-fiction
Category: Online Reference, Database
Curriculum Ties: Health, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education
Booktalking Ideas: n/a
Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 13 – 20
Challenge Issues: There may be some challenge issues with the way GLBT issues are handled (in a neutral, non-judgemental manner) or issues about sexuality. There are so many positive reviews and critical praise for this database, some mentioned above, that any challenges could be countered with references to the database’s positive reception. And the library’s collection development policy should provide back up the presence of the database, as well.
Why is this book included? This is such an important database. It includes information for teens that they might be able to find on the internet, but would it be accurate? Would it be up to date? Would it be reliable? There are important questions that teens have about their bodies and their lives, and this database has many trustworthy answers. Additionally, it supports a host of curricular activities, so it is a great academic and personal resource for teens.
References
About us. (2011). Teen Health and Wellness (online database). New York, NY: Rosen Publishing. Retrieved from http://www.teenhealthandwellness.com.ezproxy.sfpl.org/static/publicabout
Editorial policy. (2011). Teen Health and Wellness (online database). New York, NY: Rosen Publishing. Retrieved from http://www.teenhealthandwellness.com.ezproxy.sfpl.org/static/6
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Posted: December 14, 2011 Filed under: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer | Tags: Ages 14 - 19, Fantasy, Love, Paranormal, Sexuality, Vampires, Werefolk and Vampires, Werewolves Leave a comment
Bibliographic Information: Meyer, C. (2005). Twilight. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Co.. ISBN: 0316160172. 544 pages.
Plot Summary: Isabella “Bella” Swan has recently moved from sunny and dry Arizona, where she lived with her mother, to cloudy, moist, and often overcast Forks, Washington. Bella loves the sun and, at first, feels overwhelmed by the darkness of Forks, but, eventually, she starts to get used to the climate and finds a welcome distraction in Edward Cullen. Edward is from a somewhat unusual family of adopted teens, each one as strikingly beautiful as the next, but it is the beautiful and seemingly endlessly talented Edward who has caught Bella’s eye. To say Edward makes Bella swoon would be an understatement and when at first his interactions with her seem to try to push her away she is confused, hurt, and disappointed. But, then Edward seems to feel as intensely about Bella as she does about him and they touch. That touch tells Bella there is something even more different about Edward than the fact that he seems like a boy genius in every school subject. The touch tells Bella that Edward’s blood runs cold; he is a vampire. And though this fact does not seem to bother Bella in the least, Edward has made it his life’s goal to protect Bella from himself and others of his kind. Bella and Edward are drawn to each other in such a way that staying apart to keep Bella safe seems impossible. But, is it possible? Can their love survive the fact that they are creatures from different worlds? Can Bella survive at all?
Critical Evaluation: Twilight is not your average fairy tale romance, nor is it Romeo and Juliet, though the book has things in common with both of these. In many ways, Bella and Edwards really should not be together. After all, vampires drink blood for sustenance, and even though Edward is of a family of more “civilized” vampires, who only kill animals to survive, his instincts are still to kill. And though, as mentioned above, his primary goal is to keep his love Bella safe, he does not even always trust himself with her. But Bella is very trusting, or, more accurately, her love and passion for Edward override her natural instincts to fear for her life. The connection between Bella and Edward is magical and their feelings for each other are palpable through Meyer’s elaborate writing. And even though, due to their circumstances, Bella and Edward’s physical relationship is explored less than in many teen novels, their romance is steamy and exciting. A feminist reading of Twilight leaves a bit to be desired, but as far as engaging the reader and taking us on a journey to place where vampires attend school with mortals, this book is an exhilarating thrill ride. Twilight was one of Publishers Weekly‘s “Best Children’s Books of 2005, one of School Library Journal’s “Best Books of 2005” and was number two (after Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) on YALSA’s Teens’ Top Ten, “a ‘teen choice’ list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year!” (YALSA, 2006)
Reader’s Annotation: Bella Swan moves from her mother’s home in sunny Arizona to damp and overcast Forks, Washington where the climate difference takes a back seat to the beautiful and enthralling Edward Cullen. But there is something different about Edward, and Bella is soon going to find out what it is.
Information about the Author: Stephenie Meyer’s inspiration for Twilight was a dream she had one evening. She was a full-time mom at the time and had not done any writing in years, but she was compelled to eke out time in her day to write down the dream, and the next day to write more of what she imagined and then write even more the next day and the next. Readers can basically read what Meyers dreamed; she says, “For what is essentially a transcript of my dream, please see Chapter 13 (‘Confessions’) of the book.” (Meyers, n.d., The Story Behind Twilight).
Twilight is the first of four books in the Twilight series, books two through four are: New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. Meyers’ other books include graphic novels of the Twilight series, The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella (Twilight Saga), and The Host, an adult science fiction thriller. All four books of the Twilight series have been made into movies. Meyers lives with her husband and three sons in Arizona, Bella’s previous place of residence before moving to Forks, WA. (Meyers, n.d., Bio).
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy
Categories/Themes: Paranormal: Werefolk and Vampires
Curriculum Ties: Forbidden love stories, how does this compare?
Booktalking Ideas:
- Would you be willing to die for love?
Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 14 – 19
Challenge Issues: Twilight was number five in the ALA’s 10 most frequently challenged books of 2009. The reasons given were: “religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group,” (ALA, 2009).
In response to any challenges, one can refer to the library’s collection development policies. Also, there are several positive reviews of the book, and it has won several awards and honors, three are mentioned above.
Why is this book included? Because t
Because this book and the vampire novel craze, that the Twilight series inspired, are ubiquitous in teen literature today, I felt the need to read at least one book in the series, in order to more fully serve young adults.
References
ALA. (2010). Top ten most frequently challenged books of 2009. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/21stcenturychallenged/2009/index.cfm
Meyers, S. (n.d.) Bio. Retrieved from http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/bio.html
Meyers, S. (n.d.) The story behind Twilight. Retrieved from http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight.html
YALSA. (2006). Teens vote for favorite young adult book. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/06ttt
gr8 reads 