As a practicing school librarian, I would agree that parents have the right to choose what there own children read, but not other children. I have experienced the book challenge procedure a few times and most of them, the parent was not really aware of the content of the book or why it was being used in school. The first step in my challenge policy is for the parent to read the book. Parents almost always reconsider the challenge at that point. I have made a few alternative assignments, but never have I withdrawn a book from the collection. I occasionally note on a child's record that parents don't want them to read a particular thing. Parent's have a right to raise their own children. I am a parent of 5 , so I know how that works. But no one has the right to say that no child can read a book that teachers and librarians have selected as appropriate. ]]>
I was afraid this book would be boring and sad, but it was brilliant and life affirming. I love the way the author jumps through time in order to both support and contrast the events of his wife's dieing with the times. both happy and sad in their living and loving. ]]>
I love this book! I was so good to hear from a Christian in show business who wasn't a total fake just playing it for audience reaction. I could relate to Kristin on many levels, be five foot nothin' myself. I sang along on many of the show tunes she mentioned, although I am painfully aware that have have neither done the work, nor have the talent to sing like she does. I like it that she seems to be trying to feel her way through being a Christian in a very difficult world and I sympathize with that whole pissing off both the Gays and the Christians by trying to be genuine. On the whole an entertaining and interesting read. ]]>
This short, wrenching, masterfully written book does just what a good memoir should do. It lets you inside the head of someone who is unlike you and lets you see the commonalities between you as stronger than the things that divide you. It reinforces the universality of the human condition.I'm sure every woman, and definitely every mother,can identify in some ways with what Alice Cohen experiences. I would recommend this book to every grownup, and maybe to some non-grownup adults. ]]>
I love graphic novels in the middle school language arts classroom, but you have to realize that they are their own genre and teach them as such. That said, I like the Amulet series, the Fruits Basket series (yes, it is Fruits Basket, manga translated from Japanese) and the many graphic adaptions of classics. I use graphic adaptions of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys to support newcomers who are learning English. I really like the graphic adaption of Coraline, as well. ]]>
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Here in Dearborn, they offer belly dancing as part of community education, through the school system. It is quite popular. I keep thinking I should try it, but haven't yet. Maybe in September. ]]>