Q. The magic book fairy pops out of your cereal box and says "you and your favorite character (from a book of course) can switch places!" Who are you going to switch with?
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is one of my favorite novels. I think I would like to be Lena. Here's a description of her character, courtesy of SparkNotes:Lena Karigalis - The shy, beautiful friend who travels to Oia, Greece, to spend the summer with her grandparents. Lena is introverted and quiet, happiest when she can spend time alone and paint. She distrusts all boys, certain they like her only for her looks, and she automatically writes off Kostos, the Greek boy her grandmother tries to set her up with. Her inability to open up to people leads her to make a confusing mess out of an unexpected encounter she has with Kostos. Fearing she’ll be alone forever, she eventually forces herself to tell Kostos she likes him.
Yea, Greece sounds nice, and Lena is beautiful. That would be fun.....(not forever, only for a while!)
YA Saves: How do you feel about the "dark" books
filling the YA shelves today?
So much has been said about this, I'm not sure I can say it as well. Yes, parents should monitor what their children read -- just like they should monitor television, games, and computer usage. This isn't earth-shattering information. Also, we all know that parents DON'T always do what they are supposed to do.
I would NEVER presume to decide what another child should read. I don't know each child individually, and children need access to information, whether its "dark fiction" or not. I don't think I have the right to withhold information from kids. I don't think I have a right to say what a child should or should not read (or watch, or play.)
Are you seriously going to tell me that with all the other media out there (video games, social medial, television, movies, etc.) that BOOKS are what's wrong???? Do you think that because a teen reads a book about vampires, that they are going to think the are a vampire? (This argument has been made about violence in video games over and over.) If they read about someone who is anorexic, they will become anorexic???
We don't live in the 1950s any more. I believe the access to information and assistance that our students have now is a good thing -- and EXCELLENT thing, as a matter of fact. Don't tell me kids didn't have problems in the past. They just didn't have anywhere to go to help solve those problems. I'm sorry, but you will never convince me that information is a BAD thing---I'm a librarian, after all....
Way to go, Annette! I love your response to the "controversy" (though it seems out of place to even call it that). You must feel that as a school librarian, it is difficult to do anything but provide open access to information! I certainly do as a teacher. And as professionals, we know how to gently broach issues that may be bettter suited for parents to handle when kids ask questions (lest we offend them by our response). To avoid the issues of "dark" books or avert children's interest away is to shut them out from learning and that is not what we are meant to do. Bravo for addressing this issue :)
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm here for the follow friday blog hop. I wouldn't mind visiting Greece too.:) As far as the book thing, if people are scared of dark books why not the parents and teens have book discussions or something. I would follow you, but I can't find the follow button. It says followers and nothing is there. Just space.:-/
ReplyDeleteSeriously! Kids are smart. And if a parent is worried that their kid isn't smart enough to get that about the vampires, violence, etc. they should explain it to them.
ReplyDeleteI've never read that book. I'm in a Harry Potter state of mind, so I chose Ginny Weasley.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend!
Amber
The Musings of ALMYBNENR
Old follower! The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants would be so much fun to live in! Great answer! Happy hopping :)
ReplyDeleteCrystal @ Elegantly Bound Books
I found the button. Yay! lol New follower. :-D
ReplyDeleteFantastic response to the WSJ article. I whole-heartedly agree with everything you said! :)
ReplyDeleteHopping through. Lena was my fav in the Sisterhood too. Great choice.
ReplyDeleteMy Hop
Great choice for your character switch. I've been meaning to read those books and I haven't let myself watch the movie cause I just know I'm going to read the books.
ReplyDelete