Banned Book Week

It's Banned Book Week, people! From September 25 to October 1 it's time that we need to celebrate our 1st Amendment Rights freely read what we want to read (though we should do it every single day of our lives)! Every year books for children and adults face the risk of being challenged if they one small element that is not agreeable to one person or to a whole group. This when I truly love working in a public library where I can be surrounded by books that match the interest and beliefs of every one who have all types of walks of life. This does not mean that the library does not receive book challenges, but the right to Intellectual Freedom is on our side!

Check out the Office of Intellectual Freedom's video about the Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged books of 2009. This is an excellent and simple video to illustrate what is being challenged:



Want to learn more about Banned Book Week? Check out the American Library Association (ALA) web pages that share all sorts of information about Intellectual Freedom and explore their lists of books that are challenged (and not necessarily banned). ALA tabulates the most challenged books every year. If you don't have the time to view the video above here what has made Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged books of 2009:

1. ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series) by Laurent Myracle
Reasons: drugs, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

2. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: homosexuality

3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: anti-family, drugs, homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoints, suicide, unsuited to age group

4.To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Reasons: offensive language, racism, unsuited to age group

5. Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer
Reasons: religious veiwpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

6. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

7. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Reasons: offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence

8. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

9. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit unsuited to age group

1o. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

To learn how ALA tabulates these titles please visit their web page Frequently Challenged Books. Also, to learn about some of the reason and history of these books being challenged, ALA also has a page detailing the Reasons for Challenges to Classic Books like Catcher in the Rye.

Though technically many of the books listed in the past during Banned Book Week have only been challenged; however, you would be surprised or even intrigued that learn that many of the books appear on the lists do to it being banned in other countries or were burned either in the USA or during the Nazi book burnings.

The majority of the books challenged on this list as well as the ones that I have faced in my profession have been for teens of all ages and younger children. Just because one person does not agree what the story is about or how a situation handles, or how one family/neighborhood is portrayed in a book does not mean that it is completely fictional and needs to be challenged. There are so many walks a lives that all these books will be of interest and could create a connection to anyone and everyone.

Celebrate our freedom to read and READ A BANNED BOOK!

"Think for yourselves and let other enjoys the privilege to do so too" ~ Voltaire, Essay on Tolerance

Barry the Fish with Fingers

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hendra, Sue. 2010. Barry the Fish with Fingers. Illus. by Sue Hendra. NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 9780375989261.

BOOK REVIEW
What could a fish do if it had fingers? Many things! - according to a round and blue fish named Barry that is. Readers are initially introduced to Sea Slug and all the different type of fishes under the sea, but that story changes focus when Barry appears with bright orange fingers at the end of the fins. With his new phalanges, Barry can play with finger puppets, knit a scarf, play the piano, finger paint and tickle. But perhaps the most important thing that he could do was point and shout a saving warning of "Look out!" when a large box landed on the sea floor. After being saved from being squished, one little green fish ask the question on everyone's mind - "...where can we get some of these fingers?" As it turns out, Barry's amazing digits were not spontaneous fin growth, but fish sticks, and the box that floated down to their world was a crate of "Pirate Jack's Tasty Fish Sticks." Now everyone can have some fun. The overall plot is nothing too deep, and fact that Sea Slug has seen all kinda of fishes under the sea is incidental as the book more for pure entertainment and use of our silly imagination. The colorfully bright and clear gouache illustrations fill the pages. The contrast of a blue Barry and his bright orange and crispy looking fingers is wonderfully humorous, and the children will like all the different type of fishes. Be prepared or the one child in the group to say, "But fish sticks are made from fishes!". A fun read nonetheless for storytime or just during some silly time. Remember to read it with some gusto!

CONNECTIONS
*Have the children share what other things a fish could do with fingers.
*Invite the children to create their own fish with fingers picture
*While reading to a group like in storytime, remember to ask the children questions like "Do fish have fingers?" and etc.
*If you are allowed food in your room, share a small meal of fish sticks (along with some fruit!) *after reading the book.

September - A Poetry Break

INTRODUCTION
The month of September marks a number of things in the life of everyone. After Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of schools and there will be now holidays until Thanksgiving. September is also when we will find the first day of Autumn, which is very much a welcomed season after a hot summer. Everyone, especially for all the Texas folk right now after our hot, hot, HOT summer and the soggy week so far, love and savor the words and images in this poem from a classic poet.

POEM
September
by John Updike

The breezes taste
...Of apple peel.
The air is full
...If smell to feel-

Ripe fruit, old footballs,
...Drying grass,
New books and blackboard
...Chalk in class.

The bee, his hive
...Well-honeyed, hums
While Mother cuts
...Chrysanthemums.

Like plates washed clean
...With suds, the days
Are polished with
...A morning haze.

EXTENSION
After sharing this poem have the children volunteer to share what they think of the month of September and what it means to them. They can present their thoughts in poetic form or it could be just a list. It could even be both - a list poem!

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Andrew, Julie and Emma Walton Hamilton. 2009. Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies. Illus. by James McMullan. NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/Hachette Book Group. p. 32. ISBN: 978316040495.

August 30th: National Toasted Marshellow Day - A Poetry Break

INTRODUCTION
Time to put some white fluffy goodness on a stick and toast 'em! August 30 is National Toasted Marshmallow Day. To share this poem and celebrate this confectionery delight, bring a supply of large marshmallows and other necessities to toast them and enjoy their gooey-ness!




POEM

Toasting Marshmallows
by Kristine O'Connell George

I am a careful marshmallow toaster,
a patients marshmallow roaster,
turning my stick oh-so-slowly,
taking my time, checking often.
This is art-
a time of serious reflection
as my pillowed confection
slowly reaches golden perfection.

My brother
............grabs 'em with grubby hands
.........................shoves 'em on the stick
...................................burns 'em to a crisp
................................................cools 'em off
..........................................................flicks soot
.....................................................................eats quick.

I'm still turning my stick.
He's already eaten six.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
This poem is from:
George, Kristin O'Connell. 2001. Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems. Illus. by Kate Kiesler. NY: Calrion Books. ISBN: 061804597X.

EXTENSION
After sharing the poem invite the children to toast their own marshmallows (with adult supervision!) over a candle flame or simply pop them into a microwave to make s'mores or straight off the stick. Ask them to share what they think of the treat and what else they could toast or roast over the campfire. Encourage them to write their response in poem form. For a fun game, see who can stack the tallest marshmallow or s'mores tower.

August 19th: National Aviation Day - A Poetry Break

INTRODUCTION
August 19 is National Aviation Day and the 139th birthday of Orville Wright of the Wright Brothers. Proclaimed as a national observance by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1939, National Aviation Day is a day to make tribute to the Wright Brothers and all other pioneers, heroes and heroines aviation (National Parks Service 2006). The following two poems celebrate Orville and Wilbur Wright and Amelia Earhart. Prepare for reading these poems by collecting a series of books and facts (complete with photographs) about some of the famous pilots, lesser known but also important pilots, and pioneers of aviation, like The Wright Brothers: First Flight by Tara Dixon-Engle and Up in the Air: The Story of Bessie Coleman by Philip S. Hart. The first poem, "The First Airplane," is perfect for reading in two voices. Invite volunteers to help read the poem, one individual/group as Orville and another individual/group as Wilbur.

POEMS

The First Airplane
by Bobbi Katz

I'm Orville.
.................................................I'm Wilbur.
I'm younger
.................................................I'm older Two brothers...........................Two brothers.
One team.................................One team.
We both love mechanics.........We both love mechanics.
Even as boys............................Even as boys.
we made pocket money
.................................................by inventing toys.
And always one question:.......And always one question:
What makes it tick?.................What makes it tick?
Then we worked together........Then we worked together.
Two brothers............................Two brothers.
One team..................................One team.
Bicycle builders
..................................................Self-taught engineers Our minds seemed to fit...........Our minds seemed to fit
like a set of oiled gears..............like a set of oiled gears.
When I caught typhus
...................................................I feared you might die. We grew even closer,
Perhaps that is why
We both were possessed............we both were possessed.
Two brothers
One vision...................................One vision
.....................................................Two brothers
One quest:...................................One quest:
A machine to defy
.....................................................the whims of the sky.
A machine with control
.....................................................and the power
to fly!............................................to fly!
A machine that was light
......................................................but weighed more than air.
A mechanical puzzle....................A mechanical puzzle.
with the question we share:.........with a question we share:
What makes it tick?......................What makes it tick?
I'm Orville
.......................................................I'm Wilbur
Two bodies....................................Two bodies.
One mind......................................One mind.
Thoughts merging
.......................................................thoughts meshing
new answers..................................new answers
to find............................................to find.
Building gliders
.......................................................becoming sky riders.
not resting
just testing.....................................just testing
and testing and testing..................and testing and testing...
and testing and testing..................and testing and testing...
designing...
........................................................combining...
rethinking...
........................................................refining...
then building the Flyer...................then building the Flyer
exactly to plan.................................exactly to plan
and known for certain.....................and knowing for certain
it would carry...................................it would carry...
a man!..............................................a man!
And we were.....................................And we were
both right.........................................Both Wright.
Yes, we were.....................................Yes, we were
Wright!.............................................right!
I'm Orville.
..........................................................I'm Wilbur.
Two brothers....................................Two brothers.
One team..........................................One team.
I'm Orville.
..........................................................I'm Wilbur.
Two brothers....................................Two brothers.
One dream........................................One dream.

Amelia Cramped
By Monica Kulling

......................Amelia Cramped

..............................inthe
............................cockpit
......................likeabirdinabox
theicecakedwings...........theicecakedwings
.....................shebringsjuice
...................toothbrush&comb
......................couragethewill
..........................tofly15hrs.
............................without
...............................stop
...................throughdarkdanger
................................the
............................Atlantic
................................sky

BIBLIOGRAPHY
These poems are from:
Katz, Bobbie. 1998. We the People. Illus. by Nina Crews. NY: Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins Publishers). ISBN: 9780688165321.

Janeczko, Paul. B. 2005. A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Form. Illus. by Chris Raschka. Cambridge, Mass. Candlewick Press. ISBN: 0763606626.

EXTENSION
Invite the children to explore the many well-known and not-so-well-known pilots of American History. Have them write a poem, concrete poem, or a bio-poem about their favorite pilot and what they love about airplanes and flying. As a fun craft have them make paper airplanes of different shapes and sizes like the ones found in the book Making Paper Airplanes that Really Fly by Nick Robinson.

August 16th: National Tell A Joke Day - A Poetry Break

INTRODUCTION
National Tell a Joke Day is August 16! Time to share the old favorites and learn some new jokes to tell everyone. In preparation of the poem reading bring a collection of joke books as well as humorous poetry books like Jack Prelutsky's For Laughing Out Loud: Poems to Tickle Your Funny Bone and The Hopeful Trout and Other Limericks by John Ciardi, and bring your own favorite jokes to share. Remember to read this poem with some vocal attitude!

POEM

The Joke
by Anonymous

The joke you just told isn't funny one bit.
It's pointless and dull, wholly lacking in
........wit
It's so old and stale, it's beginning to
........smell!
Besides it's the one I was going to tell.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
This poem is from:
Prelutsky, Jack. 1983. The Random House Book of Poetry of Children: A Treasure of 572 Poems for Today's Child. Illus. Arnold Lobel. NY: Random House. ISBN: 0394850106.

EXTENSION
Invite the children to share their favorite jokes and humorous poems. Encourage them to create their own joke books that include jokes that they were told by their friends and that they found in books as well as funny poems, including limericks, that they discover while exploring the poetry books.

August 1st: International Friendship Day - A Poetry Break

INTRODUCTION
International Friendship Day is the first Sunday of August, which for the year 2010 is August 1st! The value of friendship is important to everyone and needs to be celebrated not just one day but also every day of the year. Share these two poems with others from books like Very Best (Almost) Friends: Poems of Friendship by Paul Janeczko and Myra Cohn Livingston's A time to Talk: Poems of Friendship.

POEMS

Oath of Friendship
by Anonymous, Translated by Arthur Waley

SHANG YA!
I want to be your friend
Forever and ever without break or decay.
When the hills are all flat
And the rivers are all dry.
When it lightens and thunders in winter,
When it rains and snows in summer,
When Heaven and Earth mingle-
Not till then will I part from you.

Best Friend
by Judith Nicholls

When there's just one square
of chocolate left...
she shares,
she gives me half.

When thunder growls like an angry bear
and I shiver and shake
beneath my chair...
she won't laugh.

when I'm grumpy or cross
or spotty or sad,
when I whine or boss...
she stays.

When things aren't fair
and I just want to hide...
she's there,
always

BIBLIOGRAPHY
These poems are from:
Nicholls, Judith. 2000. Someone I Like Poems About People. Illus. by Giovanni Manna. NY: Barefoot Books. ISBN: 1841480045.

EXTENSION
Invite the children to share what friendship means to them. Have them write a poem about friendship or about their best friend(s). Also, spread the joy of friendship by creating friendship letters or poems that can be given to everyone in the class, school, or home.